These sautéed Brussels Sprouts and Bacon are tossed with soy sauce, fresh garlic and toasted sliced almonds. Just a few ingredients yield a flavor-packed side dish!

Serve it with comforting classics like this Crockpot Roast, Turkey Bolognese, or Porcupine Meatballs.

Brussels sprouts and bacon on a plate, cooked to perfection and ready to be enjoyed.

Brussel Sprouts and Bacon

These Roasted Brussels Sprouts are a loved family favorite, now rivaled by Brussels Sprouts and Bacon. Sautéing them offers a tasty, quick alternative to roasting. Ideal for busy oven times like holidays, (when you have this Shepherds Pie in the oven), they’re a perfect side for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This dish combines crispy bacon, toasted almonds, and Brussels sautéed in bacon grease for a smoky, nutty taste and satisfying texture.

Brussels sprouts being cut in preparation for cooking.

Ingredients

  • Bacon: Gives a smoky taste and crunch.
  • Olive Oil: Helps cook and adds flavor to the Brussels Sprouts and Bacon.
  • Garlic: Adds a strong, tasty smell and flavor.
  • Almonds: Make it crunchy and nutty.
  • Brussels Sprouts: The main vegetable, they get soft and flavorful when cooked.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds a rich, salty flavor.

Meat cooking in a pan, with garlic and almonds being sautéed alongside, followed by the addition and sautéing of veggies and soy sauce.

How To Make Brussel Sprouts and Bacon

  1. Cook Bacon: Fry bacon in a pan until crispy, then take it out and set aside.
  2. Sauté Garlic and Almonds: In the same pan, cook garlic and almonds in olive oil.
  3. Add Brussels Sprouts and Soy Sauce: Put Brussels sprouts and soy sauce into the pan.
  4. Cook Until Tender: Stir and cook everything until the sprouts are soft.
  5. Add Bacon Back: Put the cooked bacon back into the pan.
  6. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy your Brussels Sprouts and Bacon.

The finished brussel sprouts and bacon recipe on a plate, ready to be eaten, packed with flavor.

Tips For Success

  • Cool the Skillet: After cooking bacon, let the skillet cool for about 5 minutes to avoid burning the garlic and almonds.
  • Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic works best as it’s less likely to burn compared to jarred garlic.
  • Season Gradually: Taste before adding salt since the bacon and soy sauce already add saltiness. Add salt and pepper as needed.
  • Add Cheese: For extra flavor in your Brussels Sprouts and Bacon, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese at the end instead of salt.

More Delicious Thanksgiving Sides

5 from 4 votes

Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

Sautรฉed Brussels Sprouts and Bacon, tossed with soy sauce, garlic, and toasted almonds, make for a simple yet flavor-packed side dish!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 side dishes

Equipment

  • Large frying pan

Ingredients 
 

  • 5 slices bacon
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 to 2 cloves
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 7-1/2 cups large Brussels sprouts trimmed and quartered (2 pounds before trimmed; 1.8 pounds after trimmed)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions 

  • Dice bacon into 1/2-inch pieces (this is easiest with very cold bacon and a sharp knife!). Fry bacon in a large pan over medium heat until the fat renders and bacon is crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Remove pan from heat and let cool about 5 minutes.
  • If there is more than 1 tablespoon bacon fat, pour it off the pan (see note 1).
  • Once the pan is cool, return it to medium heat. Add olive oil, garlic, and almonds and sautรฉ over low heat until garlic is fragrant, about 1โ€“2 minutes. Add trimmed and quartered Brussels sprouts and soy sauce.
  • Cook, stirring frequently, until the sprouts are tender, about 6โ€“8 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I add 1/4 teaspoon each).
  • Stir in the bacon and serve warm.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: To drain off extra bacon grease, line a small cup or bowl with heavy-duty foil. Carefully pour bacon fat into the lined bowl immediately after removing bacon. Let this bowl stand at room temperature until bacon grease solidifies. At this point, you can fold the foil around it and discard it or save it to use in future recipes.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 477mg | Potassium: 613mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 829IU | Vitamin C: 94mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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10 Comments

  1. Cameron says:

    5 stars
    This was wonderful and easy, love all your recipes Iโ€™ve tried so far!!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Thanks so much Cameron! I’m so happy to hear that! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. ami says:

    I love brussel sprouts but never eaten this way!! Looks so good!

  3. Danae says:

    5 stars
    Brussels sprouts are so good on their own, but you’ve made them over the top with the crispy bacon and almonds! Yum!

  4. marcie says:

    Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite veggies, and this dish sounds delicious with the bacon and almonds! Yum!

  5. Cate says:

    Brussels are my favorite – and add bacon and almonds?! I agree that it doesn’t get any better!

  6. Amanda says:

    Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I love brussels sprouts, but I’ve never actually tried sprucing them up with anything. I’m seriously going to have to try that because I have a feeling it’ll turn into a full fledged love affair.

  7. Ashley says:

    Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite veggies! The bacon and almond topping is perfection!

  8. Taylor says:

    I love brussels sprouts every which way! These look delish!

  9. Taylor says:

    I LOVE brussels and bacon…but I have never added almonds! What a great crunch girlfriend.