Brussels sprouts with bacon
Tender-crisp sprouts tossed with smoky bacon and garlic – the recipe that converts sprout sceptics.
- Prep
- 10 mins
- Cook
- 12 mins
- Total
- 22 mins
- Serves
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- Budget
Recipe: Brussels sprouts with bacon
Brussels sprouts with bacon
Ingredients
- 600g Brussels sprouts, trimmed, large ones halved
- 150g smoked bacon lardons or pancetta cubes
- 15g butter
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 50g cooked chestnuts, roughly chopped, optional
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Kitchen kit
- Large frying pan or wok Search Amazon for large frying pan
- Saucepan Search Amazon for stainless steel saucepan
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Method
-
Step 1: Blanch the sprouts
Cook the sprouts in a pan of boiling salted water for 4–5 minutes until just tender but still bright green. Drain well.
-
Step 2: Fry the bacon
Meanwhile, fry the lardons in a large dry frying pan over a medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes until golden and crisp and cooked through.
-
Step 3: Combine
Add the butter and garlic to the bacon and cook for 1 minute, then add the sprouts (and chestnuts) and toss for 2–3 minutes until hot and lightly browned in places. Season with pepper and a little salt (the bacon is salty).
Tips
- Don't overcook sprouts – that's what makes them sulphurous. Bright green and slightly firm is perfect.
- Blanch the sprouts up to a day ahead, cool in cold water, drain and chill; then just fry on the day.
Storing & reheating
Cool, cover and refrigerate within 2 hours; eat within 2 days. Reheat once until piping hot.
Freezing
Not recommended – the sprouts go soggy.
Variations
- Vegetarian: skip the bacon and toss with toasted flaked almonds and a squeeze of lemon.
- Roasted: toss halved raw sprouts and lardons in oil and roast at 200°C / 180°C fan / gas 6 for 20–25 minutes.
Allergies: Always check the labels of the ingredients you buy for allergens — our dietary tags are a guide, not a guarantee.
From feeed.co.uk/recipes/brussels-sprouts-with-bacon/ · Checked 17 October 2026
Questions people ask
Do I need to cut a cross in the base?
No – it's an old habit that just lets water in. Halve large sprouts instead so they cook evenly.
Is this gluten-free?
Sprouts and bacon are usually gluten-free, but check the bacon or pancetta label.
Sources & inspiration
Checked 17 October 2026. Written in our own words; we checked proportions, technique and food safety against:
See other recipes that use the same kit on our kitchen kit pages.
