This is my Easy Brussels Sprouts and Bacon recipe. We're using balsamic vinegar and maple syrup to season our brussels sprouts. You could roast them in the oven, but this easy recipe simply fries them in a skillet (frying pan) until the brussels sprouts are slightly charred and the bacon crispy.
Long gone are the boring, boiled brussels sprouts that taste gross and don't do the wonderful vegetable justice. This pan-fried bacon with brussels sprouts recipe seasoned with maple syrup for sweetness and balsamic vinegar for flavour will replace any other brussels sprouts dish on your table.
If you're looking for dishes to serve this with, check out my stuffed chicken breasts with stuffing recipe, my baked chicken with cream of chicken soup, or this easy chicken pot pie with puff pastry dish!
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Why you'll love this recipe
One pan: in the holiday season, there's nothing worse than having loads of washing up. Which is one of the reasons why I love this fried brussels sprouts and bacon recipe. All you need is one skillet (frying pan) to make it!
Minimal ingredients: all you need are brussels sprouts, bacon, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper for this festive dish.
Souped up: instead of serving up boring boiled brussels sprouts, this fried bacon version will make your guests come back for more!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Bacon: smoked streaky bacon provides a really fatty and flavourful option. You could also go for a lower-fat back bacon, or lardons too. If you want something different to bacon, you could use guanciale.
Brussels sprouts: You can either thinly slice the Brussels sprouts, but I've just sliced them in half. If you love the flavour of this dish and want to use it with another vegetable, you could make this with green beans or broccolini instead of brussels sprouts.
Balsamic vinegar: good quality balsamic vinegar is perfect for this recipe.
Maple syrup: for a bit of sweetness, this balances out the bitterness from the brussels and the tanginess from the balsamic. You could also use sugar or honey.
Garlic: fresh garlic cloves add such an umami edge to this bacon and brussels sprouts recipe. You can also use garlic granules.
For the full list of ingredients and measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
Step by step instructions with photos
Step 1: Place a large skillet (frying pan) on high heat and drizzle with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil. Add in your bacon and fry for 3-5 minutes until cooked and slightly crispy. Then remove the bacon from the pan and set aside.
Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium. Add another 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and then toss in your brussels sprout halves. Leave to fry on each side until golden or slightly charred. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Once your brussels have softened slightly and are golden, add back in your bacon bits. Pour in the maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and garlic. Stir fry for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste and season accordingly with more salt and pepper.
Step 4: Once your brussels sprouts and bacon is cooked, golden and super tasty, serve up on plate and enjoy! For a little bonus, sprinkle with grated parmesan!
What to do with leftovers
Storage: leave any leftovers to cool and then store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to three days.
Leftover recipe idea: Place any fried bacon and brussels sprouts in an oven-proof dish and combine with cream. Top with mozzarella cheese, then place under the grill until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Serve up as a side dish and enjoy!
Reheating: you can either place the Tupperware into the microwave and heat until piping hot, or you can reheat the brussels sprouts with bacon in a pan on medium heat until piping hot.
FAQs
I love bacon, but if you don't have bacon...guanciale is really delicious. For a veggie version, buy some smoked extra firm tofu and tear it into little pieces and follow the steps to this recipe as if it were the bacon.
No. Boiling brussels sprouts not only removes a lot of the healthy nutrients, but it also changes the flavour and texture that makes it less tasty.
Yes, you can, but it will take around 30 minutes, whereas this fried version takes around 15 minutes.
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Easy Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
Ingredients
- 300 g bacon chopped into little pieces
- 500 g brussels sprouts cut off stems and sliced in half, or finely sliced for a grated texture
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 garlic cloves minced
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place a large skillet (frying pan) on high heat and drizzle with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil. Add in your bacon and fry for 3-5 minutes until cooked and slightly crispy. Then remove the bacon from the pan and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add another 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and then toss in your brussels sprout halves. Leave to fry on each side until golden or slightly charred. Season with salt and pepper.
- Once your brussels have softened slightly and are golden, add back in your bacon bits. Pour in the maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and garlic. Stir fry for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste and season accordingly with more balsamic, maple syrup, garlic, salt or pepper.
- Once your brussels sprouts and bacon are cooked, golden and super tasty, serve up on plate and enjoy! For a little bonus, sprinkle with grated parmesan!
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