Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

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A quick sauté of sprouts with bacon and shallots makes for a quick and flavorful side dish. Learn how to make Brussels sprouts good with this Sautéed Brussels Sprouts Recipe.

Serve Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with a holiday meal or alongside Pork Medallions and mashed potatoes. Once you learn to make them well, they easily qualify as one of many Romantic Dinner Ideas to Cook at Home. Save leftover bacon for Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta.

sautéed Brussels sprouts on dinner plate with ham, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy.

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Perhaps when you were a child, your mom served these baby cabbage-like guys once in awhile. From a box. From the freezer section. Sometimes with cheese.

Maybe you were a fan. But, probably not.

There’s a reason why folks give Brussels sprouts the side eye. They’ve been done wrong.

The trick is to use fresh Brussels sprouts. Fresh. Not in a box from the freezer section. Make these Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots and you will see what I mean.

Why Make This

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts are a quick and easy side. One pan and a spoon are really all you need.

It’s delicious. This is a simple recipe that could make a lover out of a hater. Bacon makes everything better, including brussels sprouts. In this recipe sautéing the thickly sliced sprouts in a bit of bacon fat and olive oil adds delicious flavor and helps the caramelization process. Add in some coarsely chopped bacon and shallots to further enhance this veggie.

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Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make Sautéed Brussels Sprouts:

brussels sprouts – Choose fresh Brussels sprouts, preferably those that are still on their stems. If bagged, choose sprouts that are firm, unblemished, and bright green.

bacon – Feel free to substitute whatever type of bacon you prefer. I use uncured bacon, but turkey bacon or vegan bacon will work. If you use a product that doesn’t produce much drippings, be sure to add another tablespoon of oil to compensate. You do not have to use the bacon fat, but it adds a lot of flavor. Feel free to substitute another tablespoon of oil or butter if you are omitting the bacon drippings.

olive oil – You can use butter, ghee, or olive oil, whichever you prefer.

shallot – Shallot is reminiscent of onion and garlic. You can use a little of both as a substitute if you don’t have shallots.

brown sugar – You only need a pinch of brown sugar to offset some of the bitterness in sautéed Brussels sprouts.

salt and pepper – Season generously to taste. If you’d like you can also use Homemade Seasoned Salt.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots:

Prep step – Peel the outer layer off the brussels sprouts, trim the ends and cut them in half. Set aside.

1. In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove from the pan and chop coarsely.

2. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings from the pan. Add butter and melt together. Saute the shallot in the pan and saute until starting to go clear.

3. Add the brussels sprouts and continue to cook on medium-high heat, until tender and starting to brown, about three to five minutes. Sprinkle with the brown sugar and season to taste with salt and pepper.

4. Continue cooking for a few more minutes until the sprouts are tender, then add the chopped bacon and stir to combine. Adjust seasonings. Serve Sautéed Brussels Sprouts immediately.

cooking the shallot in the bacon grease in the skillet.

FAQs

Why are they called Brussels sprouts?

Brussels sprouts are a type of cabbage that was grown in the 1500s near Brussels. They got their name from their famous hometown.

How should you buy Brussels sprouts?

While most frozen vegetables are just as good as fresh, this is not the case when it comes to brussels sprouts. You need to buy fresh ones. You can find them in the produce department of the grocery store. They can be purchased on the stalk, in pre-measured bags, or in loose bins for you to choose from.
Choose small, brightly colored, green sprouts with compact leaves. Store unwashed sprouts in the refrigerator in an airtight plastic bag, for up to 3 days.

How do you trim Brussels sprouts?

Remove any damaged leaves and trim the stem end and remove any thick core. You can cook small sprouts whole, but they will have more surface for caramelizing if you thickly slice them or quarter them.

How do you cook Brussels sprouts so they are not bitter?

Sautéing or roasting brussels sprouts adds a caramelized flavor to them; something that boiling or steaming certainly cannot do. Add a pinch of brown sugar to help offset their natural bitterness and allow them to brown lightly.

Recipe Costs

Knowing how much it costs you to prepare a recipe can help you decide if it’s the type of recipe to make regularly or one you might want to save for special occasions. Let’s crunch some numbers and see how this recipe pencils out.

Brussels sprouts – $2.50
bacon – $1.56
oil – $0.05
shallot – $0.40
seasonings – $0.05

While your costs may vary depending on where and how you shop, you can expect to pay about $4.56 for a big batch of Sautéed Brussels Sprouts, about $0.57/serving.

Saving Tips

Brussels sprouts are a fairly seasonal vegetable, showing their faces often near the holidays. Watch for sales. Last year, my Sprouts sold them originally for $4/stalk, but reduced this price to $1.50 a day or two before Thanksgiving. I’ve also found them reasonably priced at Costco and ALDI.

Bacon will, of course, be your pricier ingredient in this recipe for Sautéed Brussels Sprouts. Again, watch for sales and stock up and freeze bacon at the best price. Since this recipe only uses 5 slices, you should be able to stretch your bacon purchase.

bowl of sautéed Brussels sprouts on a red cloth.

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