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Easy Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Recipe

Published / Updated / 97 Comments

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This Brussels sprouts and bacon recipe is a super delicious 2-ingredient side dish that the whole family will love. It's easy and fast.

close-up of easy bacon and brussels sprouts

Bacon and Brussels sprouts just go together. This simple side dish is definitely worth making.

I'm a big fan of just plain 'ole Brussels sprouts, but dressing them up every now and then is good as well.

I have a few more Brussels sprout side dish recipes on the blog, including my Brussels sprouts gratin, these maple pecan Brussels sprouts, my creamy baked Brussels sprouts, and my shredded Brussels sprouts and kale salad. Brussels are definitely one of my favorite veggies, and they're good cooked or raw.

In unrelated-to-this-recipe news, my interview for the Dishing with Delishes podcast went live on Wednesday. If you're interested in hearing my voice or getting to know me a bit better, have a listen. 🙂 I talk about growing the blog and how Salt & Lavender was named (among other things).

keto Brussels sprouts sautéed with bacon in a white bowl

Tips for making Brussels sprouts with bacon

  • I cook the Brussels sprouts in the bacon fat for extra flavor.
  • Brussels sprouts can be a bit tough, so the first part of the cooking process is done with the pan's lid on. This traps the steam and cooks them faster. I keep the heat relatively low so they don't brown too quickly.
  • You finish the cooking process with the lid off and then brown them even more to your liking if you wish.
  • I used small-to-average size Brussels for this recipe. If you use larger ones, cooking time will need to increase from what I suggest in the recipe.

What to serve with Brussels sprouts and bacon

This side dish is the perfect accompaniment to a roast (chicken, beef, or pork), or even a Thanksgiving turkey. It goes with pretty much any fall/winter main course in my opinion.

close-up of fried brussels sprouts and bacon in a white bowl

I hope you'll give this easy Brussels sprouts side dish recipe a try!

Questions? Let me know in the comments below.

These bacon Brussels sprouts are an incredibly easy fall or winter side dish recipe with only two ingredients! Simple, quick, and delicious. 

Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Recipe

This Brussels sprouts and bacon recipe is a super delicious 2-ingredient side dish that the whole family will love. It's easy and fast.
4.96 from 25 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
 

  • 1/2 pound bacon cut into small pieces
  • 2 dozen Brussels sprouts trimmed & halved
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy.
  • Take the bacon out of the pan (set aside until needed) and leave the grease in there.
  • Add the Brussels sprouts to the pan, stir them until they're nicely coated in the bacon grease, and cover the pan with a lid. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 5 minutes. 
  • Add the bacon back into the pan. Cook, uncovered, for a few more minutes or until the Brussels sprouts are as tender and/or browned as you want. You can cover the pan again if you wish (especially if you want the Brussels to be super soft); just keep an eye on them so they don't scorch.
  • Season with salt & pepper if needed. Serve immediately. 

Notes

  • I used small to average size Brussels sprouts. If you use giant ones, cooking time will definitely need to increase.
Keyword Brussels sprouts and bacon recipe
Author Natasha Bull

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  1. Carolyn Scott says

    5 stars
    This will be my first time cooking fresh brussels sprouts and your recipe sounds just like the thing my family will love. I have always used frozen ones.

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Yes! All the Brussels sprouts are cut in half (see photos in the post and the ingredients explain to halve the Brussels). You could even cut large ones into quarters.

      Reply

  3. Layton says

    5 stars
    I told my 12 year old niece we were having brussels with dinner tonight and she made an icky face. She ate every single brussel on her plate before anything else LOL. This recipe is so simple, yet delicious. I will always make them this way now 🙂 Thank you!!

    Reply

  4. Olivia says

    5 stars
    A family favourite. Tried with prosciutto instead of bacon for a healthier version. I cooked the Brussel sprouts in duck fat, pan covered, until tender and slightly charred, then added the prosciutto. Tasted delicious!

    Reply

  5. Erin Broderick says

    5 stars
    I made this for New Year’s dinner and it was a big hit. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe. We will definitely be making this again. Highly recommend this recipe.

    Reply

  6. Giles Gilham says

    4 stars
    A small white wine deglaze after frying the bacon, and a small amount of red onion really works - also I seasoned the sprouts with ground pepper during the cook, which also gave some extra flavour

    Reply

  7. Renae says

    5 stars
    The dish was easy to make according to the receipt. The nutty flavor really came through on the Brussel sprouts. The bacon provided a hint of salt; little extra salt needed. Will cook this again.

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi! The recipe is exactly as indicated. I would always mention an extra step like that... I don't leave people guessing. You're welcome to boil them first if you prefer them to be very soft. Let me know if you try the recipe. 🙂

      Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi Diane! In theory, yes, but I really can't offer much advice without testing. You'd have to time it right so the bacon and brussels sprouts are done at the same time.

      Reply

  19. Ann B says

    5 stars
    I just made this as a one-dish main course. I added fresh ground black pepper, then minced garlic toward the end (an afterthought). I served it with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. My dearest loved it. Thank you for the inspiration!

    Reply

  21. Debbie Reaburn says

    5 stars
    This is a easy, great tasting side dish. The bacon adds great flavor to the brussel sprouts, goes great with ham, poultry, and beef.

    Reply

  25. Marie says

    5 stars
    I have made Brussels Sprouts this way for years with fantastic flavor to the dish. The pass couple of years I have added cran raisin and sweet onion, not only do I get the original great flavor but now the dish pops even more.

    Reply

  27. Jocelyn says

    I love Brussels sprouts, this has become my absolute favorite way to make them! Since finding this recipe I have made them twice and can't wait to make them again! My husband who isn't a Brussels sprouts lover likes them too!

    Reply

  28. Jeff Bellucci says

    5 stars
    Great recipe. For a flair, at very end of cooking, drizzle with honey, stir and serve. Bacon & Honey a nice salty sweet affair.

    Reply

  29. Susan says

    5 stars
    I love brussel sprouts cooked any way possible but hubby, not very much. I used your recipe, adding onions and my husband said to cook them ANYTIME! Thank you for allowing me to enjoy brussel sprouts regularly.

    Reply

  30. Margaret says

    5 stars
    Great recipe! I sauteed a chopped yellow onion in the bacon fat before I added my fresh halved brussel sprouts. The onion added a bit of sweetness to the dish. SO GOOD! We're having this with grilled pork tenderloins after spliting 2 cords of wood today. Mixed grain pilaf too.

    Reply

  31. Andrew says

    5 stars
    Great recipe! Tried mine a little different by making bacon bits for Caesar salad and reserving the bacon fat. Then followed yours without adding any bacon back in, but hit them with a splash of fresh lemon juice left over from the Caesar dressing once done. Sprinkled some of the already made bacon bits over top and it was a hit.

    Reply

  32. Becky says

    Hi, planning on making these for our belated christmas can I fry up the bacon and reserve the fat the day before?

    Reply

  33. Happy Mom says

    In the past, my teenager pretended to gag when he ate Brussel sprouts with just salt and pepper. Tonight, I tried your recipe and I am super surprised and very happy he ate 12 without being dramatic at all. Then he thanked me for dinner!!! I want to thank you for sharing your recipe!

    Reply

  34. Ingvor Franklin says

    5 stars
    This recipe was wonderful! I live alone, but like to make myself a thanksgiving dinner. Just turkey (for the aroma) stuffing, sweet potato, and a veggie. Decided to try roasted Brussels sprouts this year. These were so good, I ate half of them for dinner (Skipped the stuffing and potatoes), and the rest for breakfast the next day. Really easy to make - cooked the whole thing in the oven in a casserole in three steps.
    Thank you so much for sharing this!

    Reply

  35. Ashante says

    5 stars
    Great recipe! This side dish was a hit at Thanksgiving dinner. I sautéed the brussels sprouts in bacon drippings and a little ghee. So tasty! We brought the dish to a pot luck Thanksgiving dinner and even though there were leftovers, the host insisted that we leave all the extras at their place so they could finish them up 🙂 Will definitely be making this dish again.

    Reply

    • Lakiesha small says

      Omg something said pick up some Brussels sprouts mind you I haven't had them in 10+ yrs, but I just made this recipe and I'm eating them before the main course is done lol💗💗💗😋😋😋😋

      Reply