Prepare to delight your taste buds with this exceptional recipe for Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Shallots, and Candied Pecans. This dish is more than just a side; it’s a harmonious blend of salty, sweet, and savory flavors, expertly crafted to create an unforgettable culinary experience. Despite its impressive taste, this masterpiece is surprisingly easy to prepare, coming together beautifully in a single skillet. It’s destined to become a staple for both grand holiday gatherings and simple, comforting weeknight meals.
Why This Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Recipe is a Culinary Triumph
This particular Brussels sprouts with bacon recipe elevates the humble vegetable far beyond conventional roasted Brussels sprouts. It introduces a delightful complexity in both flavor and texture that will captivate anyone who tries it. At its heart, the dish features perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts—tender on the inside, with wonderfully caramelized, slightly crispy edges that bring out their inherent nutty and earthy notes. This foundation is beautifully complemented by the irresistible smoky, salty crunch of bacon, which also renders its rich fat to create a fragrant base for the subsequent ingredients.
The aromatic duo of shallots and garlic further deepens the savory profile. Shallots offer a milder, sweeter, and more refined onion flavor than typical onions, while fresh minced garlic provides its signature pungent warmth. These ingredients sautéed in bacon fat create an incredibly aromatic foundation, infusing the sprouts with layers of savory goodness. The true culinary genius, however, lies in the addition of candied pecans. These delightful nuts introduce a contrasting sweetness and a satisfying textural crunch that transforms the dish. The sticky-sweet coating of the pecans perfectly balances the salty bacon and the slight bitterness of the Brussels sprouts, creating a harmonious and utterly addictive flavor profile. Every bite is a delightful dance of sweet, savory, salty, and nutty notes, with textures ranging from tender-crisp to crunchy.
Such an intricate yet balanced flavor combination makes this a genuinely versatile side dish. It shines brightest when served at special occasions, making it an impeccable choice for elegant dinner parties, the elaborate spreads of Thanksgiving, or the festive cheer of Christmas dinner. Yet, its relatively simple preparation means you don’t need a holiday excuse to enjoy it. These Brussels sprouts with bacon, shallots, and candied pecans are equally rewarding as a gourmet treat on any regular weeknight. Don’t hesitate to enjoy this sensational creation whenever your palate desires an impressive and comforting dish!
Essential Ingredients for this Skillet Brussels Sprouts Masterpiece
Crafting this incredible side dish requires a selection of fresh and high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the rich and complex flavor profile. Below, you’ll find an overview of what you’ll need. For precise quantities and a comprehensive guide, please refer to the detailed recipe card conveniently located at the conclusion of this article.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitution Suggestions
Let’s dive deeper into the individual components that make this Brussels sprouts with bacon recipe truly special, along with useful tips for selection and any potential substitutions:
- BRUSSELS SPROUTS: The star of our show! For optimal results, we strongly recommend using fresh Brussels sprouts. Their texture, which can achieve a delightful tender-crispness with caramelized edges, and their vibrant, slightly nutty flavor are far superior to frozen varieties. When choosing sprouts, look for those that are firm, bright green, and have tightly packed leaves. Avoid any that appear yellowed, soft, or have loose outer leaves. Prior to cooking, it’s crucial to thoroughly clean them, trim off the woody ends, and remove any discolored outer leaves. Halving them lengthwise not only ensures more even cooking but also creates more surface area for that coveted golden-brown sear in the skillet.
- BACON: More than just an addition, bacon is a foundational flavor builder. It contributes a wonderfully salty, smoky, and crispy element, and its rendered fat serves as an incredibly flavorful cooking medium for the shallots and garlic. While any good quality bacon will work beautifully, we have a particular fondness for center-cut bacon. It offers an ideal balance of meat and fat, providing maximum flavor without excessive grease. Feel free to use your preferred type, whether it’s thick-cut for extra chewiness or a leaner cut for a lighter touch.
- PECANS: The candied pecans are the secret ingredient that elevates this dish, introducing an unexpected yet harmonious sweetness and a delightful crunch. If you enjoy a hands-on approach and have the time, preparing homemade candied pecans is highly recommended. The intoxicating aroma alone is a treat, and the freshly made taste is unparalleled. However, for sheer convenience and to streamline your cooking process, high-quality store-bought candied pecans are an excellent and perfectly acceptable alternative that will still deliver fantastic results. Ensure they are coarsely chopped to provide the best textural contrast within the dish.
- SEASONING: This recipe includes a versatile homemade blend of all-purpose seasoning that is perfectly tailored to enhance the natural flavors of the Brussels sprouts. Crafting your own blend allows for customization and ensures freshness. Should you prefer a quicker option, a premium store-bought all-purpose seasoning can be used as a convenient substitute. Just select one with a flavor profile that complements savory vegetables.
- ADDITIONS (Shallots & Garlic): These aromatics are indispensable for building deep, complex flavors. Fresh shallots impart a delicate, sweet, and mild onion flavor that is more refined than larger onions, while freshly minced garlic provides its characteristic pungent, warm, and deeply savory notes. When sautéed in the rich bacon fat and olive oil, they create an incredibly fragrant base that permeates the entire dish, making every bite richer and more satisfying. Do not skip these crucial ingredients, as they are essential for the overall success of this Brussels sprouts recipe.
Mastering Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Shallots, and Candied Pecans: A Detailed Step-by-Step Guide
These step-by-step photos and comprehensive instructions are designed to provide clear guidance through each stage of the cooking process. For a concise overview and a convenient printable version of this recipe, complete with all measurements and detailed instructions, please Jump to the Recipe Card located at the bottom of this page.
- Prepare the Brussels Sprouts: Begin by carefully trimming off the tough, woody ends from each Brussels sprout. After trimming, take each sprout and cut it neatly in half lengthwise. This preparation method is vital as it not only ensures that the sprouts cook more evenly but also creates a flat surface for beautiful caramelization when they hit the hot skillet.
- Season the Sprouts: Place the halved Brussels sprouts into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over them, then use your hands or a spatula to toss them thoroughly, ensuring every sprout is lightly and evenly coated. This initial layer of oil helps the seasoning adhere.
- Next, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of your chosen all-purpose seasoning over the oiled sprouts. Toss vigorously once more until the seasoning is evenly distributed across all the sprout halves. This foundational seasoning step infuses them with flavor right from the start of their cooking journey.
Expert Tip: If you’ve prepared our homemade all-purpose seasoning blend, you’ll find that only a portion of the blend is needed for this recipe. The remaining seasoning can be stored in an airtight container and used to enhance other delightful dishes, such as our flavorful Air Fryer Acorn Squash!
- Pre-Cook the Sprouts (Initial Tenderization): Carefully transfer the seasoned Brussels sprouts into your air fryer basket. Cook them at 370°F (approximately 185°C) for 5 minutes. This crucial step serves to partially cook and tenderize the sprouts, giving them a head start and ensuring they become tender on the inside without burning during the skillet browning process.
Alternative Method: If an air fryer isn’t available, you can achieve a similar initial tenderization by microwaving the seasoned sprouts. Place them in a microwave-safe bowl and cook for 3-4 minutes until they are slightly softened.
- Cook the Bacon: While the sprouts are pre-cooking, heat a large, deep-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon slices and cook until they are almost crispy, but still retain a bit of chewiness; avoid making them overly brittle at this stage. Once cooked, remove the bacon strips from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat. Critically, do NOT discard the rendered bacon fat from the skillet, as this flavorful foundation will be used for the subsequent steps.
- Sauté Shallots and Garlic: Return the skillet, now rich with bacon fat, to medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of fresh olive oil to the existing bacon fat. Once the oil shimmers, add the minced shallots and sauté for approximately 2 minutes, stirring frequently. They should become fragrant and begin to soften.
- Next, add the minced garlic to the skillet with the sautéed shallots. Continue cooking for just an additional minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The garlic should become wonderfully fragrant but not brown, as burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste.
- Combine and Caramelize Sprouts: Add the pre-cooked Brussels sprouts to the skillet, joining the fragrant shallots and garlic. Stir everything gently to ensure the sprouts are thoroughly coated in the flavorful oil mixture. Using tongs, turn all the sprouts so their cut sides are directly facing down against the hot surface of the skillet. Partially cover the skillet by tilting the lid slightly, allowing some steam to escape while still promoting a moist cooking environment.
- Reduce the heat to medium and allow the sprouts to cook undisturbed for 5 minutes. This critical step is designed to achieve a beautiful, deep caramelization on the cut surfaces of the Brussels sprouts, enhancing their sweetness and adding a delightful crispness.
- Toss and Finish Cooking: Remove the lid completely and use a spatula to toss the sprouts, ensuring they continue to cook evenly and brown on all sides.
- Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet and toss the sprouts once more. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the Brussels sprouts reach your desired level of tender-crispness and are beautifully browned throughout.
- Final Assembly & Serving: While the sprouts are completing their cooking, chop the reserved crispy bacon into small, bite-sized pieces. Add the chopped bacon and the coarsely chopped candied pecans to the skillet with the tender Brussels sprouts. Toss everything together gently to ensure all the flavors and textures are well combined. Cover the pan one final time and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sprouts are perfectly tender and all the ingredients have melded into a symphony of flavors. Serve this sensational side dish immediately to enjoy it at its peak!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Brussels Sprouts
To maintain the delicious flavors and textures of your leftovers, transfer any unused Brussels sprouts with bacon and pecans into an airtight container. Store it securely in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For reheating, gently warm them in an air fryer at 350°F (approximately 175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or spread them evenly on a baking sheet and heat them through in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed to your preference. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to help prevent them from becoming soggy.
While this dish truly shines when served fresh for maximum crispness, you can certainly prepare several components in advance to save time. The Brussels sprouts can be trimmed and halved up to a day ahead and stored in an airtight bag or container in the refrigerator. The bacon can also be cooked until almost crispy and kept separately. Additionally, the shallots and garlic can be minced ahead of time. When you’re ready to serve, simply combine these prepped elements and follow the remaining cooking steps in the skillet, adding the candied pecans in the final moments to preserve their delightful crunch.
The air fryer step is a convenient way to give the Brussels sprouts a head start in tenderizing. If you don’t own an air fryer, you have a couple of excellent alternatives. You can microwave the seasoned and oiled sprouts in a microwave-safe bowl for 3-4 minutes until they are slightly tender. Another option is to roast them in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-15 minutes before transferring them to the skillet. The main goal is to partially cook them so they can finish tenderly in the skillet without the aromatics burning.
To easily adapt this recipe for a vegetarian diet, simply omit the bacon entirely. Instead of using bacon fat, substitute an additional tablespoon or two of olive oil or a plant-based butter to sauté the shallots and garlic. For a hint of smoky flavor, you can incorporate a pinch of smoked paprika or a tiny dash of liquid smoke into your seasoning blend. To add a textural and savory element similar to bacon, consider stirring in some smoked almonds or crispy fried onions at the very end.
Achieving crispy Brussels sprouts involves a few key steps. First, ensure your sprouts are thoroughly dry after washing; excess moisture will steam them instead of crisping. Halving them lengthwise provides more surface area for browning. Don’t overcrowd the skillet or air fryer, as this can lower the temperature and lead to steaming. Finally, getting a good sear by cooking them cut-side down initially in hot fat (like bacon fat and olive oil) and then tossing them to cook evenly, ensures those coveted crispy edges.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
The remarkable versatility of these Brussels sprouts with bacon, shallots, and candied pecans makes them an ideal companion for an extensive range of main courses. Their exquisite balance of salty, sweet, and savory notes allows them to beautifully complement both robust meats and lighter protein options. For a classic, indulgent dining experience, consider pairing them alongside a perfectly seared steak or tender lamb chops. They also provide a fantastic contrast to succulent pork chops, enhancing their natural flavors. If seafood is on the menu, these flavorful sprouts are an excellent match for baked or pan-seared salmon or cod, adding a delightful textural and taste dimension. They make a superb and vibrant addition to a stuffed chicken breast, offering a refreshing counterpoint. And, of course, no holiday feast is truly complete without them; they are an absolutely essential and unique component when served next to a roasted ham or a traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey. This dish is truly adaptable and guaranteed to elevate any main course you choose.
Explore More Delicious Side Dish Recipes
Looking to expand your repertoire of delectable and impressive side dishes? Here are some other fantastic recipes from our kitchen that are sure to earn rave reviews:
- Sweet & Savory Glazed Carrots
- Crispy Parmesan Potatoes
- Simple Roasted Green Beans with Garlic
- Irresistible Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Comforting Baked Spaghetti Squash
- Fluffy Carrot Soufflé
I absolutely love creating and sharing my culinary experiences with all of you! To ensure you never miss out on a new recipe, I offer a convenient newsletter delivered right to your inbox every time a fresh recipe posts. Simply subscribe here and start receiving your free daily recipes, tips, and inspiration directly!
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Shallots, and Candied Pecans
IMPORTANT – Don’t miss the detailed Frequently Asked Questions and Expert Tips sections within the blog post above for additional insights and guidance to perfect this recipe!
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts
- 4 slices bacon
- 2 Tablespoons minced shallots
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil divided
- ¼ cup coarsely chopped candied pecans
- 1 Tablespoon all purpose seasoning see below, or use your favorite blend
All Purpose Seasoning (yields more than needed for this recipe)
- 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
- ½ Tablespoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon dried minced onion
- ½ Tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
Equipment You’ll Need
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Large mixing bowl
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Air fryer optional
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Large deep-sided skillet
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Tongs
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Spatula
Before You Start – Important Notes
- For the best texture and flavor, always opt for fresh Brussels sprouts in this recipe. Remember to thoroughly clean and trim them before cooking.
- While any variety of bacon can be used, center-cut bacon offers an excellent balance of meat and fat, providing rich flavor without excessive grease.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them gently in an air fryer or on a baking sheet in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.
Instructions
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Trim the woody ends off the Brussels sprouts and cut each sprout in half lengthwise.
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Place the halved sprouts into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and toss to coat thoroughly.
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Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of all-purpose seasoning and toss again until the sprouts are evenly coated.
HINT: If you use our homemade seasoning blend, you will only use a portion of it for the sprouts. Save the remainder for other delicious recipes!
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Add the seasoned sprouts to your air fryer basket and cook at 370°F (185°C) for 5 minutes. This step initiates the cooking process and tenderizes them.
HINT: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can achieve a similar initial tenderization by microwaving the sprouts for 3-4 minutes.
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Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a skillet until it’s almost crispy. Remove the cooked bacon to paper towels to drain, but do NOT remove the flavorful bacon fat from the skillet.
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Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the bacon fat in the skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the minced shallots and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant and softened.
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Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
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Add the pre-cooked Brussels sprouts to the skillet and stir to coat them in the aromatics and fats. Use tongs to turn all the sprouts cut-side down against the hot surface. Partially cover the skillet by tilting the lid slightly, allowing some steam to escape.
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Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes, undisturbed, to allow the cut sides to caramelize beautifully.
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Remove the lid and use a spatula to toss the sprouts, ensuring even browning.
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Add the remaining olive oil and toss the sprouts again. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sprouts are tender-crisp and browned to your liking.
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Chop the cooked bacon into small pieces. Add the chopped bacon and the coarsely chopped candied pecans to the skillet and toss everything together to combine. Cover the pan and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sprouts are fully tender and the flavors have melded. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 287kcal |
Carbohydrates: 17g |
Protein: 7g |
Fat: 22g |
Saturated Fat: 5g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 13g |
Trans Fat: 0.03g |
Cholesterol: 15mg |
Sodium: 204mg |
Potassium: 556mg |
Fiber: 6g |
Sugar: 6g |
Vitamin A: 926IU |
Vitamin C: 97mg |
Calcium: 118mg |
Iron: 3mg
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Please note that the recipes on this blog are primarily developed and tested using a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to remember that cooking times and final results can vary significantly based on your specific appliances, especially with older models. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can be highly beneficial in ensuring your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you opt to use a toaster oven, countertop oven, pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or any other alternative appliance, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat in the same manner as a conventional full-sized oven, and you may need to adjust your cooking and baking times accordingly. For baking recipes where measurements are provided by weight, please be aware that using volume-based measurements (cups instead of grams/ounces) may alter the outcome, and we cannot guarantee success with that method.