Bacon Brussels Sprouts with Hot Honey
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These bacon Brussels sprouts are easy to make and tossed with an irresistible drizzle of hot honey.
It’s savory, it’s smoky, it’s sweet, it’s spicy…it’s the side dish destined to steal the show at your next dinner.
Say hello to most delicious bacon Brussels sprouts. ♡
This dish comes together quickly on the stovetop with just 4 main ingredients and truly couldn’t be easier. Simply fry up some bacon until crispy, sauté a pound of Brussels sprouts in the leftover grease (or you can use olive oil), toss everything together with some spicy hot honey, then watch every last bite disappear in a flash.
Seriously, these indulgent little sprouts couldn’t be more flavorful. So whether you’re looking for a quick side dish to whip up for dinner tonight (I love serving these with some pan-seared salmon or a simple pasta) or you’re looking for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser to serve on Thanksgiving, these Brussels sprouts are here for you.
Let’s make some!
Bacon Brussels Sprouts Ingredients
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients you will need to make this bacon Brussels sprouts recipe:
- Bacon: I’d recommend a good and peppery thick-cut bacon for this recipe, but any type of bacon that you love best (even just the most basic bacon) will be great here. I love using the leftover bacon grease to sauté the Brussels sprouts and infuse even more of that delicious smoky bacony flavor, but if you would rather not cook with the grease, you can add in a few extra tablespoons of olive oil instead.
- Brussels sprouts: If you’re new to working with Brussels sprouts, here is a tutorial (including a video) for how to cut Brussels sprouts.
- Hot honey: I love making this recipe with my homemade hot honey, which is quick and easy to make with just 3 ingredients. But your favorite store-bought hot honey would work great here too!
- Olive oil: It’s important to mix a bit of olive oil in with the bacon grease when sautéing the Brussels sprouts so that it does not burn. (Or, as I mentioned above, you’re welcome to use extra olive oil if you prefer not to cook with bacon grease.)
- Salt and pepper: As always, don’t forget to taste test and season everything with salt and pepper as needed..
Recipe Variations
Here are a few more variations you’re welcome to try:
- Add nuts or seeds: Add in some nuts (such as walnuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, almonds) or seeds (such as pepitas or sunflower seeds) if you’d like to give this recipe some extra crunch.
- Add onion and garlic: Sauté some onion (or red onion or shallots) and/or some minced garlic along with the Brussels sprouts if you would like to add more aromatics.
- Add herbs: Some finely-minced fresh rosemary, tarragon or chives would also be delicious mixed in.
- Add breadcrumbs: Sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs on top (all the better if toasted briefly with a little butter and garlic mixed in) for a delicious crispy topping.
More Brussels Sprouts Recipes
Looking for more easy Brussels sprouts recipes to try? Here are a few of our faves:
Description
These bacon Brussels sprouts are easy to make and tossed with an irresistible drizzle of hot honey.
- 6 ounces uncooked bacon, sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved lengthwise (with ends trimmed off)
- fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons hot honey, homemade or store-bought
- Fry the bacon. Cook the bacon in a large sauté pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Remove pan from heat and use a slotted spoon to strain and transfer the bacon to a clean plate. Leave 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease in the pan, and discard any extra grease.
- Sauté the Brussels sprouts. Add the olive oil to the pan and return it to medium heat. Add the Brussels, trying to place as many flat-side-down in the pan as possible. Season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, tossing the Brussels sprouts occasionally (once every minute or so) so that they can lightly brown and caramelize, until they are cooked and tender.
- Finish. Remove pan from heat. Add in the crispy bacon and drizzle the hot honey evenly over the mixture. Toss briefly to combine.
- Season. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper or hot honey if needed.
- Serve. Serve warm and enjoy!