Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

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Super simple recipes like these pan fried Brussels sprouts with bacon are essential on those busy weeknights where you just don't have the time to make a whole complicated balanced meal, but still want to get some veggies on the table.

These tender, melt-in-your-mouth braised Brussels sprouts with bacon are just incredible. Plus, this brussels sprouts recipe is sooooo easy to make and mostly hands off.

Bacon, onions, garlic, wine....what more can you ask for when cooking vegetables? Even your brussels sprouts haters will like this recipe (as well as these honey balsamic brussels sprouts and roasted sweet and spicy brussels sprouts)

All the ingredients to make these pan-fried brussels sprouts with bacon are easy to find too - this is the perfect quick and easy weeknight side dish, but also an awesome recipe to serve for Thanksgiving dinner, or any other holiday!

Jump to:

Why this pan fried brussels sprouts with bacon recipe works
Ingredients
Variations and substitutions
Step by step instructions to cook brussels sprouts
Expert tips
Serving options
Frequently asked questions
More popular recipes with vegetables
Recipe
💬 Comments

Why this pan fried brussels sprouts with bacon recipe works

Braising the brussels sprouts in a liquid of wine and chicken broth makes them melt-in-your-mouth tender.
The bacon adds the perfect salty, meaty flavor to the brussels sprouts.
It's ready in under 30 minutes, and super easy to make and perfect for busy weeknights.

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Ingredients

The full list of ingredients and amounts is included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

We keep this fried brussels sprouts recipe as simple as possible, using just fresh brussel sprouts (halved) wine, broth, crisp bacon and some seasoning like salt and pepper, and aromatics.

Variations and substitutions

Use salt pork instead of bacon, or even chopped up pieces of pork belly or any kind of pork. Ground pork works great as well.
Add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to add some spice to the dish.
Use duck fat and/or butter in place of the bacon fat.
Omit the bacon to keep this vegetarian.
Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese ta the end to add a touch of umami.

Step by step instructions to cook brussels sprouts

Heat the bacon grease in the skillet (stainless steel or cast iron both work) over medium heat and add the onions and garlic. Sauté 1-2 minutes, or until the onions are soft and the garlic just starts to brown.

Add the Brussels sprouts and crumbled bacon and cook until they are lightly browned on the outside. This browning helps give them that delicious caramelized flavor.

brussels sprouts in a skillet with bacon

Add the white wine and cook until the liquid is absorbed. Then add the chicken broth and pepper, bring to a simmer, lower the heat and cover. Cook until all the liquid is absorbed, about 10-15 minutes.

Periodically check the Brussels sprouts to make sure they are not burning. If chicken broth absorbs before sprouts are tender, just add more broth.

Remove from heat, add additional salt to taste and serve.

Expert tips

Make sure the brussels sprouts are browned before adding the wine and broth - the caramelization gives them an amazing flavor!
Periodically check the pan while the sprouts are braising to make sure they aren't burning. If the liquid cooks off before the brussels sprouts are tender, just add more broth.
Add salt to taste at the end. The bacon already has salt, so be careful when adding salt.
Pierce the brussels sprouts with a fork to determine if they are done. If the fork easily pierces them, they are done. The larger the brussels sprouts, the longer they may take to cook.

Serving options

Make it a meal and serve the pan roasted brussels sprouts with some of these favorite recipes:

They are awesome with this sous vide boneless ribeye or this crispy whole roast duck.
Try it with this imperial rice or dutch oven whole roast chicken.
Honestly, they work as a side dish to so many great meat and vegetarian dishes!

brussels sprouts and bacon in a bowl with a spoon

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to boil brussels sprouts before sautéing?

It is not necessary to boil brussels sprouts before sauteing them for this recipe. Because we cook them in broth, they become nice and tender during the cooking process.

How to store leftover pan fried brussels sprouts.

Store leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the microwave or in a skillet.

How to freeze brussels sprouts.

While you technically can freeze them, they will become mushy when thawed. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or in a skillet.

More popular recipes with vegetables

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Recipe

Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

4.93 from 14 votes

Print Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 25

Servings: servings

Calories: 95kcal

Author: Danielle Wolter

Ingredients

Instructions

Heat the bacon grease in the skillet over medium heat and add the onions and garlic. Sauté 1-2 minutes, or until the onions are soft and the garlic just starts to brown.
Add the Brussels sprouts and bacon and cook until they are lightly browned on the outside.
Add the white wine and cook until the liquid is absorbed.
Then add the chicken broth and pepper, bring to a simmer, lower the heat and cover. Cook until all the liquid is absorbed, about 10-15 minutes.
Add salt to taste and serve.

Expert Tips:

Make sure the brussels sprouts are browned before adding the wine and broth - the caramelization gives them an amazing flavor!

Periodically check the pan while the sprouts are braising to make sure they aren't burning. If the liquid cooks off before the brussels sprouts are tender, just add more broth.

Add salt to taste at the end. The bacon already has salt, so be careful when adding salt.

Pierce the brussels sprouts with a fork to determine if they are done. If the fork easily pierces them, they are done. The larger the brussels sprouts, the longer they may take to cook.