Easy Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Unlike the steamed version, Caramelized Brussels Sprouts are crispy on the outside with tender centers you can sink your teeth into, it’s a delicious side dish you can make in one skillet.

Similar to roasted vegetables, these pan-seared Brussels sprouts have that toasty flavor in every bite. Add blue cheese and a splash of balsamic vinegar, and this veggie side dish checks off all the boxes. 

Caramelizing Brussels Sprouts

As fancy as caramelized Brussels sprouts sound, this recipe is simple to make. Caramelizing is nothing more than cooking with enough heat until the natural sugars are extracted and reduced into a nutty flavor that coats the Brussels sprout.

This method gives ample flavor and texture without burning or overcooking the ingredients. It’s similar to what happens when roasting vegetables and meats in the oven, but with a good skillet and bacon grease- you can also do it on the stove-top.

Ingredients

The sprouts are delicious enough on their own, but I do love the complex of tangy-creamy-roasted flavors in each bite. The measurements are in the recipe card at the end of the post, but first, check out the simple ingredients you need to whip up this quick side dish:

• Thick-cut bacon: you’ll cook it first and use the drippings instead of oil. Yummy!
• Onion: makes this side super tasty.
• Brussels sprouts: stems removed and chopped.
• Salt & pepper: for seasoning.
• Blue cheese: swap it for feta or goat cheese, or omit it completely if tangy cheese isn’t your thing.
• Balsamic vinegar: simple and delicious to drizzle over the cooked sprouts.

Prepping the Brussels Sprouts

To prep Brussels sprouts, give them a rinse under water and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel. Use a pairing knife to carefully remove the woody stems and any yellow or bruised leaves. Slice each sprout in half through the stem. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

How to Caramelize Brussels Sprouts

This is the part, where we cook down Brussels sprouts with bacon, onion, and toppings for one heavenly recipe. 

1. Brown the bacon
   In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium-high heat. 
2. Add the onion
   Once the bacon is cooked through, add the onions and cook until golden and translucent. 
3. Add the Brussels sprouts
   Add the sprouts and toss to coat with the onion and bacon drippings. Cook for 10 minutes or until the Brussels sprouts are softened. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and steam for an additional minute. 
4. Season and drizzle
   Remove the skillet from heat, and season the veggies with salt and black pepper. Top with blue cheese, if using, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, toss to combine. 

First time cooking Brussels sprouts in the skillet? Watch this quick video to see how I cook them:

Do You Boil Brussels Sprouts Before Cooking Them?

Some people boil Brussels sprouts to reduce the cooking time, but with this quick skillet recipe, you don’t need to do that! It takes only 10 minutes to cook delicious caramelized sprouts in the skillet. Super fast!

Tips for Perfectly Caramelized Pan-Roasted Brussels Sprouts 

Turning Brussels sprouts into a delicious recipe your family will love isn’t complicated. For perfect results every time, follow the recipe and these simple tips below: 

Any sprout will do
You can make this recipe using Brussels sprouts from the produce section, farmer’s market, or directly plucked of the long-stem. Just make sure to prep them following the steps above. 

Use a heavy-bottomed pan
A heavy skillet/pan ensures even heat distribution and cooking. A cast-iron skillet or stainless steel pan are excellent options. 

Don’t get rid of those drippings
We use bacon drippings instead of oil in this recipe to give the sprouts a beautiful sear and richer flavor.  

Cook them face down
Place the sprouts in the skillet in an even layer, cut side down. This will help them cook through and gain crispy, lightly charred edges. 

Serving Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

These pan-seared Brussels sprouts make a great sidekick to other healthy comfort food recipes like roasted chicken, these Sriracha Chicken Thighs and this Melt in Your Mouth Chicken. It’s also a terrific veggie to add over a Winter Salad. No matter what dish you serve them with, they’ll be the real star of the meal. 

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Leftover veggies can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated in the oven or microwave. That means caramelized bacon brussels sprouts for topping salads, alongside leftover roasted chicken, or by themselves as an afternoon snack.  

Here’s how to store and reheat them for later: 
Place the room temperature Brussels sprouts in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. 

Reheat in a microwave-safe container for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. 

Alternatively, place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and reheat in a 375F oven for 10 minutes or heated through. 

Bacon Caramelized Brussel Sprouts Recipe

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 18 minutes mins

Total Time: 23 minutes mins

These caramelized Brussels sprouts are pan-seared with bacon and finished with balsamic vinegar for delicious tangy-savory perfection.

5 from 35 votes

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Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

• 4 strips thick-cut bacon
• ½ large onion, chopped
• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup blue cheese, optional
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Instructions

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chopped bacon. Once the bacon is cooked but not yet crispy, add in the chopped onions. Continue cooking, for another 3 minutes, until the onion is golden and translucent.
• Add in Brussels sprouts, and toss to combine. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring often until Brussels sprouts have softened. Reduce heat to low, cover, and allow them to steam for about a minute.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, sprinkle blue cheese on top, drizzle balsamic vinegar, and toss to combine. Serve immediately.

Equipment

Cast Iron Skillet

Cast Iron Skillet Care Kit

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 243mg | Potassium: 372mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 622IU | Vitamin C: 65mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 1mg