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    Home » Recipes » Christmas

    Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Recipe

    Published: Nov 1, 2021 · Modified: Sep 6, 2024 by Beth Sachs · 1 Comment · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    Pan fried brussels sprouts pin image.

    Elevate your Christmas vegetable side dishes with this irresistible recipe for pan fried Brussels sprouts with smoky bacon and a balsamic drizzle!

    These sprouts are pan fried to crispy, caramelised perfection, ensuring that you'll never have to endure soggy, mushy sprouts again.

    Pan fried brussels sprouts with crispy bacon.

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    The addition of bacon takes this dish to the next level, while the balsamic drizzle adds a touch of tangy sweetness.

    👩‍🍳 Have an air fryer? Try my crispy air fryer brussels sprouts too!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • Top Tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ FAQs
    • 😋 More Brussels sprouts recipes!
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    1. These fried sprouts and bacon are incredibly easy to make, taking just a few minutes to prepare and cook. Perfect for when you're short on time.
    2. Unlike traditional boiled Brussels sprouts, these sprouts are pan fried to crispy, caramelised perfection.
    3. Fried Brussels sprouts are the perfect complement to any Christmas meal, adding a touch of green goodness and flavour!

    🛒 Ingredients

    Ingredients for pan fried Brussels sprouts with bacon.

    Brussels Sprouts - trimmed and halved. I like to use small button sprouts for this recipe, but if your sprouts are particularly large, quarter them.

    Bacon Lardons - use smoked lardons for more flavour.

    Garlic - 2 cloves, peeled and finely chopped.

    Olive Oil - for frying.

    Balsamic Vinegar - for drizzling.

    Salt - for seasoning.

    Water

    🔪 Instructions

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Heat the oil in a pan (with lid) and fry the bacon lardons until crispy. Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon.

    Bacon frying in oil.

    Two: Add the garlic and halved Brussels sprouts to the pan and fry on a high heat for 4 minutes, stirring continuously.

    Brussels sprouts in frying pan.

    Three: Pour in 100ml water, season with salt, give it a stir, and put the lid on. Simmer on a medium heat for 3-4 minutes, then remove the lid and continue to cook until any remaining water has evaporated and the Brussels sprouts caramelise (turn the heat back up when you remove the lid!).

    Four: Sprinkle over the crispy bacon, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar before serving.

    Fried sprouts with bacon.

    Top Tips

    • Use a knife to cut off the tough stem end of each Brussels sprout. Then, remove any loose leaves, and cut each Brussels sprout in half lengthwise, from tip to trimmed end.
    • Cooking the Brussels sprouts in the bacon fat gives them more flavour.
    • Cook on a high heat to ensure the outer leaves caramelise. Stir often!
    • Use a sharp knife to test when the sprouts are ready. They should be tender and the knife should glide in without resistance.

      🍴 Serving suggestions

      Serve the pan-fried Brussels sprouts for Christmas lunch with roast turkey and beef, polenta roast potatoes, garlic sweet potato mash, slow cooker red cabbage, honey roast parsnips and carrots, bread sauce, devils on horseback, cauliflower cheese, and sausagemeat stuffing!

      Enjoy pan-fried Brussels sprouts with other meals too. My family love them with sausage casserole, slow cooker lamb breast, and creme fraiche chicken.

      📖 Variations

      • Garnish with some crispy fried onions for added flavour.
      • Swap the balsamic vinegar for lemon juice, or another type of vinegar.
      • Grate over parmesan before serving.
      • Sprinkle over toasted pine nuts for added crunch and texture.
      • You might also like my cheesy Brussels sprouts gratin with bacon!
      Pan fried Brussels sprouts with stuffing, cheesy leeks and parmentier potatoes.

      🥡 Storage

      Store - Place the cooked Brussels sprouts in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

      Reheat - Warm through leftovers in a frying pan on the hob, or for ease, microwave them until piping hot.

      Freeze - While it is possible to freeze Brussels sprouts, they can become soggy when thawed, so I don't recommend freezing them.

      ❓ FAQs

      Do you need to soak Brussels sprouts before cooking?

      It's not necessary to soak the Brussels sprouts before cooking, for this particular recipe. Make sure you use small bright green Brussels sprouts, for the best texture and flavour.

      What causes Brussels Sprouts to be bitter?

      Brassicas like Brussels sprouts contain high amounts of compounds called glucosinolates which give them their characteristic sharp or bitter taste, especially when they are boiled. Pan-frying or roasting them helps to take away that bitter after-taste.

      😋 More Brussels sprouts recipes!

      • Crispy air fryer brussels sprouts.
        Quick Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts and Chestnuts
      • Brussels sprout gratin with breadcrumb topping.
        Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Gratin with Bacon Recipe

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      Recipe

      Pan-fried Brussels Sprouts with bacon.
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      5 from 2 votes

      Easy Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

      Impress your guests this Christmas with an irresistible recipe for pan fried Brussels sprouts with bacon and a tangy balsamic drizzle!
      Course Side Dish
      Cuisine British
      Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
      Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
      Total Time 15 minutes minutes
      Servings 4
      Calories 209kcal
      Author Beth Sachs
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      Would you like to save this?

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      Equipment

      • Chopping Board
      • Knife
      • Frying Pan

      Ingredients

      Metric - US Customary
      • 100 g Smoked Bacon Lardons
      • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
      • 500 g Brussels Sprouts trimmed and halved
      • 2 Garlic Cloves peeled and chopped
      • 100 ml Water
      • ½ teaspoon Salt
      • 1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar

      Instructions

      • Heat the oil in a pan (with lid) and fry the bacon lardons until crispy. Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon.
        100 g Smoked Bacon Lardons, 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
      • Add the garlic and halved Brussels sprouts to the pan and fry on a high heat for 4 minutes, stirring continuously.
        500 g Brussels Sprouts, 2 Garlic Cloves
      • Pour in 100ml water, season with salt, give it a stir, and put the lid on. Simmer on a medium heat for 3-4 minutes, then remove the lid and continue to cook until any remaining water has evaporated and the Brussels sprouts caramelise (turn the heat back up when you remove the lid!).
        100 ml Water, ½ teaspoon Salt
      • Sprinkle over the crispy bacon, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar before serving.
        1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar

      Notes

      Top Tips:
      • Cooking the Brussels sprouts in the bacon fat gives them more flavour.
      • Cook on a high heat to ensure the outer leaves caramelise. Stir often!
      • Use a knife to cut off the tough stem end of each Brussels sprout. Then, remove any loose leaves, and cut each Brussels sprout in half lengthwise, from tip to trimmed end.
      • Use a sharp knife to test when the sprouts are ready. They should be tender and the knife should glide in without resistance.
       
      Variations:
        • Garnish with some crispy fried onions for added flavour.
        • Swap the balsamic vinegar for lemon juice, or another type of vinegar.
        • Grate over parmesan before serving.
        • Sprinkle over toasted pine nuts for added crunch and texture.
       
      Storage:
      Store - Place the cooked Brussels sprouts in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
      Reheat - Warm through leftovers in a frying pan on the hob, or for ease, microwave them until piping hot.
      Freeze - While it is possible to freeze Brussels sprouts, they can become soggy when thawed, so I don't recommend freezing them.
       
      Nutrition:
      The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
       
      Nutrition Facts
      Easy Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
      Amount per Serving
      Calories
      209
      % Daily Value*
      Fat
       
      10
      g
      15
      %
      Saturated Fat
       
      2
      g
      13
      %
      Polyunsaturated Fat
       
      4
      g
      Monounsaturated Fat
       
      4
      g
      Sodium
       
      767
      mg
      33
      %
      Potassium
       
      533
      mg
      15
      %
      Carbohydrates
       
      20
      g
      7
      %
      Fiber
       
      7
      g
      29
      %
      Sugar
       
      3
      g
      3
      %
      Protein
       
      12
      g
      24
      %
      Vitamin A
       
      943
      IU
      19
      %
      Vitamin C
       
      107
      mg
      130
      %
      Calcium
       
      83
      mg
      8
      %
      Iron
       
      2
      mg
      11
      %
      * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Antony

        October 10, 2023 at 11:08 am

        5 stars
        Quick easy and perfectly tender.

        Reply
      5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Hi, I'm Beth!

      Mum of three (and two crazy dogs), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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