I have to admit, for a long time, I hated Brussels sprouts. Seriously! Those little green cabbages? No thanks! But then, a friend made me Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, and my whole world flipped! Suddenly, I was obsessed. This simple recipe transformed my opinion completely. The secret? Crispy bacon, of course! This isn’t one of those fussy, complicated recipes, either. Nope! It’s super quick, unbelievably flavorful, and perfect for when you need a delicious side dish in a hurry. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free, which is a total bonus for anyone watching what they eat (like me, sometimes!). This quickly became a family favorite, and I make it all the time. Trust me, even Brussels sprouts haters will be converted! You won’t believe how easy it is!

Why You’ll Love These Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Okay, so why should *you* make this recipe, like, right now? Let me tell you!

Seriously Easy: Prep time is like, ten minutes, tops! Perfect for busy weeknights.
Flavor Explosion: The crispy bacon adds this amazing smoky flavor that just compliments the Brussels sprouts perfectly. It’s a match made in heaven, I tell ya!
Gluten-Free Goodness: It’s totally friendly to anyone who needs to avoid gluten, which is awesome.
Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone, and I mean *everyone*, will love this! Even those Brussels sprout skeptics.

Trust me. You won’t regret giving this a shot!

Ingredients You’ll Need for Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Alright, so here’s what you need to whip up this amazing side dish. Don’t worry, it’s nothing crazy, and you probably have most of it already!

1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved (I like to get the smaller ones, personally!)
4 slices bacon, chopped (because, obviously!)
2 tablespoons olive oil (good stuff, extra virgin is always a smart choice!)
Salt and pepper to taste (season generously, I say!)

Easy peasy! Now, let’s get cooking!

How to Make the Best Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, friends, let’s get down to business! This Brussels Sprouts with Bacon recipe is super simple, but I’ve learned a few tricks along the way. Follow these steps, and you’ll be a culinary superstar in no time!

Preparing the Bacon

First things first: that crispy, delicious bacon! Grab a large skillet (seriously, you need a good-sized one!) and put it over medium heat. Toss in your chopped bacon. Cook it, stirring pretty often, until it’s super crispy. You want it crunchy, not just cooked, got it? Careful, it splatters! Once it’s perfect, use a slotted spoon to take the bacon out of the skillet and put it on a plate lined with paper towels (to drain off that extra grease). We’ll get back to that bacon in a bit!

Cooking the Brussels Sprouts

Now, keep that bacon fat in the skillet (yes, all that deliciousness!). Turn the heat up to medium-high. Add the olive oil to the pan. Then, toss in your halved Brussels sprouts. Stir them around to coat them in that lovely fat. Here’s the key: you want the sprouts to get a little browned, so let them sit in the pan for a few minutes without touching them. Give them a toss every minute or two, so they cook evenly. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes. You want them tender-crisp – not mushy, and not raw!

Combining and Serving

Almost there! Season your Brussels sprouts with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy! Taste, and add more if you need to! Then, throw that crispy bacon back into the skillet with the Brussels sprouts. Give it all a good toss, and then… serve it immediately! Seriously, don’t wait. This dish is best when it’s hot and fresh. Enjoy every bite, my friends, because you just made something amazing!

Tips for Success: Achieving Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Want to take your Brussels Sprouts with Bacon from good to *OMG* good? Here’s the inside scoop, directly from my kitchen! First, don’t overcrowd the pan when you’re cooking the Brussels sprouts. If you cram them in, they’ll steam instead of brown. You want that lovely crispy exterior, trust me! Work in batches if you have to. And speaking of crispiness, make sure your bacon is REALLY crispy before you add the sprouts back in. Seriously, that’s half the magic. Also, season generously! Don’t be afraid of that salt and pepper!

Oh, and one more thing: don’t overcook the sprouts. You want them tender-crisp. You’ll know they’re ready when a fork goes in easily, and they’ve got some nice color on them. Happy cooking!

Ingredient Notes and Potential Substitutions

Okay, let’s talk about the stars of the show! First, the Brussels sprouts. Look for firm, bright green sprouts, and try to get ones that are of similar size so they cook evenly. If you can, go for smaller sprouts – they tend to be sweeter and more tender. As for the bacon, quality matters! You want bacon that will get nice and crispy. Thick-cut bacon is always a good choice, but use whatever your favorite brand is – just make sure it’s flavorful! And the olive oil? I always use extra virgin – it adds a lovely flavor that complements the sprouts perfectly.

Don’t have Brussels sprouts? Broccoli florets are a pretty good substitute. No bacon? Pancetta or even some good sausage will work just fine. And if you’re out of olive oil, vegetable oil will totally do the trick, too. Don’t let anything stop you from making this easy dish!

Serving Suggestions to Complement Your Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

So, you’ve got this amazing side dish – fantastic! But what do you serve with it? Honestly, Brussels Sprouts with Bacon goes with practically *everything*! It’s the perfect side for a juicy roasted chicken, a tender pork chop, or even a simple grilled salmon. You could even serve it alongside a hearty steak! Basically, anything you want! It’s super versatile and delicious, so you can’t go wrong.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

So, you made too much (which is totally understandable, because it’s *that* good!)? No problem! Luckily, Brussels Sprouts with Bacon keeps pretty well. Just let the leftovers cool down completely, then pop them in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the fridge.

They’ll be good for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat them again, the best way to reheat is in a skillet over medium heat. This gets them nice and crispy again! You can also microwave them, but the texture might be a little softer. Either way, they’ll still be delicious. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information (Disclaimer)

Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this Brussels Sprouts with bacon recipe is just an estimate. It can change depending on the brands and ingredients you use – so, you know, take it with a grain of salt (and maybe a little extra bacon!).

Frequently Asked Questions About Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Okay, so, let’s say you’re jazzed about making this amazing recipe. But I know you probably have some questions! So, let’s get those answered before you get cooking! I get questions about my Brussels Sprouts with Bacon all the time, so I figured I’d answer some of the most common ones right here!

Can I use frozen Brussels sprouts?

Sure, you *can*! However, fresh is *always* best, trust me. Frozen Brussels sprouts might be a little softer after cooking, and they might not get as crispy. If you *must* use frozen, make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking. This will help them crisp up a bit better, but fresh is still the way to go!

What if I don’t like bacon?

Gasp! Well, first, you should give this recipe a shot – it might change your mind! But, if bacon’s truly not your thing, you can totally swap it out for something else! Pancetta, guanciale, or even some crispy prosciutto would be delicious. Sausage works great, too. Or, if you’re vegetarian, try some crispy tempeh for the same smoky flavor. The possibilities are endless!

How can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can definitely prep some parts ahead! Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts, and chop the bacon. Store them separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook, it’ll make everything go super fast! Just make sure you cook the bacon and sprouts right before serving for the best texture!