Welcome to a culinary journey that promises to transform even the most skeptical palates! This recipe for Stovetop Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is not just another side dish; it’s a testament to how simple, fresh ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary. Imagine perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts—each bite offering a satisfying crunch on the outside, giving way to a tender, flavorful interior. Infused with aromatic garlic and fresh thyme, and elevated by the irresistible savory crispness of bacon, this dish is destined to become a staple in your kitchen.
The Ultimate Flavorful Brussels Sprouts Recipe: A Culinary Delight
For many home cooks, selecting the perfect side dish can often feel like a puzzle. While crafting impressive main courses comes naturally, finding accompaniments that are equally exciting and complementary can be a real challenge. But what if there was a vegetable side so undeniably delicious, so universally appealing, that it could steal the spotlight from the main dish? These pan-fried Brussels sprouts with crispy bacon, garlic, and thyme are precisely that. They embody simplicity, elegance, and an explosion of flavor, making them the ideal partner for almost any meal, from a casual weeknight dinner to a festive holiday spread. The secret? Embracing the rich, savory magic of bacon fat, which acts as the perfect flavor enhancer, lending an incredible depth to the humble Brussels sprout.
Expert Tips for Perfecting Your Brussels Sprouts
Achieving that coveted tender-crisp texture in Brussels sprouts is an art, but it’s an art that’s easily mastered with a few key techniques. These tiny cabbages are surprisingly dense, which means they benefit from a dual cooking approach: first searing to develop rich flavor and a crispy exterior, then steaming to ensure they become delightfully tender on the inside without turning mushy. This method allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds – a beautifully caramelized surface and a perfectly cooked heart.
- The Searing and Steaming Technique: The initial sear in the hot pan, especially in rendered bacon fat, is crucial for creating those irresistible browned and crispy edges. By covering the pan later, you create a steaming environment that helps the dense vegetables cook through evenly, transforming them into a tender delight. It’s a simple trick that guarantees superior texture every time.
- Selecting the Best Brussels Sprouts: When you’re at the grocery store or farmer’s market, look for Brussels sprouts that are vibrant green, firm to the touch, and have tightly packed leaves. Avoid any sprouts that are yellowing, soft, or have loose, wilting outer leaves, as these indicate they are past their prime.
- Proper Preparation is Key: Before cooking, always give your Brussels sprouts a good rinse under cold water. Then, trim off the very end of the stem. Any loose or damaged outer leaves should be peeled away and discarded. For faster and more even cooking, it’s essential to cut each sprout in half lengthwise. This increases the surface area for searing and helps them absorb the flavors more effectively.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: For optimal searing, ensure there’s enough space in your skillet for the Brussels sprouts to lie in a single layer without overlapping too much. Overcrowding will lower the pan’s temperature and cause the sprouts to steam rather than sear, preventing them from developing that desirable crispy exterior. If necessary, cook them in batches.
- Even Sizing Matters: Try to keep the size of your halved Brussels sprouts as consistent as possible. This ensures they cook evenly. If you have some exceptionally large sprouts, you might consider quartering them instead of just halving.
Essential Ingredients for Irresistible Brussels Sprouts
Creating truly spectacular Stovetop Brussels Sprouts with Bacon relies on a carefully selected blend of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the layered flavors and textures that make this dish so beloved.
- Thick-Cut Bacon: The star of the show! Thick-cut bacon renders more fat slowly, resulting in richer drippings and perfectly crispy bacon bits to sprinkle over the finished dish. Its salty, smoky notes are indispensable.
- Fresh Brussels Sprouts: As discussed, fresh, vibrant, and tightly wrapped sprouts are crucial for the best texture and flavor. They are the canvas for all the other wonderful flavors.
- Garlic: A foundational aromatic that provides a warm, pungent depth. Freshly sliced garlic is preferred for its robust flavor, which mellows beautifully during cooking.
- Fresh Thyme (Optional but Recommended): This fragrant herb adds an earthy, slightly peppery note that beautifully complements both the sprouts and the bacon. While optional, it adds a gourmet touch. If fresh isn’t available, a pinch of dried thyme can be substituted, but use sparingly as dried herbs are more potent.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings are vital for enhancing all the natural flavors. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper are recommended for their superior taste and control.
- Chicken Stock: Used to deglaze the pan, adding moisture for steaming, and contributing a savory base that helps create a light sauce. Vegetable stock or even water can be used as alternatives, but chicken stock offers the richest flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: A finishing touch that adds a luxurious richness and gloss to the dish. Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall sodium content from the bacon and stock.
How to Make Stovetop Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this incredibly satisfying side dish is straightforward and doesn’t require advanced culinary skills. Follow these steps for perfectly cooked, flavor-packed Brussels sprouts every time:
Step 1: Render the Bacon. Begin by placing your thick-cut bacon slices in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook slowly and patiently until the bacon is beautifully crispy and has rendered most of its fat. This slow rendering process is key to extracting maximum flavor from the bacon and creating rich drippings. Once cooked, remove the crispy bacon from the pan and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Importantly, leave those precious drippings in the skillet – they are the flavor foundation for your sprouts!
Step 2: Prepare the Brussels Sprouts. While the bacon is sizzling, prepare your Brussels sprouts. Trim off the firm ends of the stems and remove any loose or yellowed outer leaves. Then, cut each sprout in half lengthwise. Aim for uniform halves to ensure even cooking.
Step 3: Add Aromatics and Seasoning. With the bacon drippings still hot (adjust heat to medium-low if necessary), add the halved Brussels sprouts to the pan. Distribute them cut-side down for maximum contact with the heat. Scatter the thinly sliced garlic and fresh thyme (if using) over the sprouts, and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Step 4: Sear for Flavor. Sear the Brussels sprouts by allowing them to sit relatively undisturbed in the pan for a minute or two before tossing. Continue this process, tossing every minute or so, until they develop a beautiful slightly charred, golden-brown color on the cut sides and edges. This searing process should take about 8-10 minutes over medium-low heat, building deep, caramelized flavors.
Step 5: Deglaze and Steam. Pour the chicken stock into the pan. Immediately scrape any browned bits (known as fond) off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula. These bits are packed with flavor and will dissolve into the stock, enriching the dish. This deglazing step is crucial for capturing all the deliciousness developed during searing.
Step 6: Tender-Crisp Perfection. Cover the skillet tightly and reduce the heat to low. Allow the Brussels sprouts to steam in the chicken stock for approximately 5 minutes. This creates a moist environment that cooks the dense interior of the sprouts, making them wonderfully tender while retaining a slight crispness from the initial sear.
Step 7: Reduce Liquid and Finish. Uncover the pan and increase the heat slightly if there’s a lot of liquid. Allow any excess stock to cook off, concentrating the flavors and preventing soggy sprouts. Once the liquid has mostly evaporated, stir in the unsalted butter. Taste the sprouts and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. The butter adds a luxurious finish, binding the flavors together.
Step 8: Final Touches and Serve. While the sprouts are finishing, chop your reserved crispy bacon into small pieces. Add the chopped bacon to the pan with the cooked Brussels sprouts. Stir gently to combine, ensuring every sprout gets a touch of that irresistible bacon. Serve immediately and watch them disappear!
Cravings and Recipe Inspirations: More Delicious Sides
If you’ve fallen in love with these Stovetop Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, you’re likely always on the hunt for more incredible side dishes to elevate your meals. Here are some other highly-rated and equally delicious recipes that pair wonderfully with a variety of main courses:
- Holiday Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Southern Collard Greens
- Italian Green Beans
- Maple Glazed Carrots
- Potato Green Bean Casserole
- Bacon Garlic Green Beans
- Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
These Stovetop Brussels Sprouts with Bacon are perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, beautifully seasoned with garlic and fresh thyme.
Based on 2 Reviews
5 minutes
20 minutes
25 minutes
4
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1 pound fresh brussels sprouts
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped (optional)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup chicken stock
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-low heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
- While the bacon is cooking, trim off the stems of the Brussels sprouts and cut them in half lengthwise.
- Add the halved Brussels sprouts, garlic, thyme (if using), salt, and pepper to the pan with the bacon drippings.
- Sear the Brussels sprouts, allowing them to sit in the pan and tossing every minute or so, until slightly charred over medium-low heat (about 8-10 minutes).
- Add the chicken stock to the pan and scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the pan to deglaze.
- Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes until the sprouts are tender-crisp.
- Uncover and allow any excess liquid to cook off over slightly higher heat.
- Finish the dish by stirring in the butter. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
- Chop the reserved crispy bacon and add it to the pan. Stir to mix in and serve immediately.
Notes
- When shopping for Brussels sprouts, choose those that are bright green and wrapped really tight. Always remove any loose or yellowed leaves before cooking.
Side Dish
American
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 12 g |
Protein: 9 g |
Fat: 21 g |
Sodium: 580 mg |
Fiber: 4 g |
Sugar: 3 g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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