Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Today I’m sharing an easy and delicious recipe for pan fried Brussels Sprouts with bacon; the perfect addition to a holiday meal.
Did you realize that Brussels Sprouts are correctly spelled Brussels and NOT Brussel Sprouts, as I am fairly certain I’ve been pronouncing and spelling them for the past all-the-years-of-my-life?! Until I was checking my spelling as I was preparing to share this fall recipe with you all, I didn’t realize that I have been using an incorrect name for these delicious little morsels all of these years.
These mini-cabbages are thought to have originally come from Rome, but it was in Belgium where they first gained their huge popularity and fame as a vegetable crop; hence the name “Brussels Sprouts”. Brought to North America by French settlers, they’ve become an increasingly popular side dish over the past half-century and are famed for being part of many people’s Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner menus.
Growing up, we always had Brussels Sprouts with every holiday meal (and rarely during any other time), but they were steamed and somewhat blah unless soaked with overflow gravy from the turkey and buttery mashed potatoes.
Once I became an adult, we began to take a “pot luck” approach to our large family dinners, and I was inspired to try new ways of preparing Brussels Sprouts when I was assigned this go-to veggie as our contribution to the dinner. Most veggies are incredible oven roasted… then add a bit of bacon and some nuts and you’ve got yourself a sensational side-dish.
But since there is often a competition for that ever-valuable oven space for big dinners, I’ve taken to pan frying these beauties instead of roasting them. Start with some bacon, add a little onion and garlic, and sauté until softened. Add you Brussels and pan fry for about 10-15 minutes until softened but still slightly firm. Top with chopped pecans or pumpkin seeds, and serve!
Even if you don’t normally enjoy Brussels Sprouts, I think you will love them prepared in this way! Softened yet still crispy, with just enough salty flavour from the bacon and a caramelized flavour from the browned edges.
Yum! They will definitely be a huge hit at your holiday meal. Or anytime!
Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
A simple and delicious vegetable side dish recipe perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon, chopped into small pieces
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, diced
- 6-8 cups Brussels sprouts, ends cut off and halved
- 1/4 cup Pumpkin seeds or pecans, salted
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Chop the 6 slices of bacon into small sections, and dice the onion and garlic. Fry together until softened and the bacon begins to cook, on medium-high heat.
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Add the prepared Brussels sprouts to the pan. Pan fry the sprouts, allowing them to cook long enough to brown the sides before stirring.
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Cover the pan between stirring them to allow the Brussels to steam and soften. They should only take about 10 minutes to cook.
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Top with the pumpkin seeds or chopped pecans, stir and cook an additional 1-2 minutes.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Today I’m joining some friends who are also sharing their favourite holiday meal recipes, just in time for US Thanksgiving and Christmas!
13 Fab Holiday Recipes
Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon – The Happy Housie
Purple Sweet Potato Pie Recipe – My 100 Year Old Home
Gnocchi with Squash and Walnuts in a Sage Butter Sauce – Lemon Grove Lane
Fall Spiced Whiskey Sour – Modern Glam
Easy and Flavorful Stuffed Mushroom Recipe – Twelve On Main
Caramel Apple Pie Recipe – Jennifer Maune
Zucchini Casserole Recipe – Happy Happy Nester
Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole – Zevy Joy
Easy Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing – Rooms For Rent
Southern Style Green Beans – A Blue Nest
Rustic Sheet Pan Vegetables – My Sweet Savannah
Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce – Finding Lovely
Becker Family Macaroni & Cheese – Sincerely, Marie
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Gosh, this looks so amazing! I love brussell sprouts!
You know I’ve never actually tried brussels sprouts! These look so delicious that I’m going to have to try them, though!
Brussels Sprouts are my family’s favorite too! Your recipe looks scrumptious.