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

These sautรฉed 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!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 side dishes

Ingredients  

  • 5 slices bacon cut into 1/2-inch pieces (6 oz.; 171g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic (1-2 cloves)
  • 1/2 cup (47g) sliced almonds
  • 7 and 1/2 cups large Brussels sprouts trimmed and quartered (2 lbs before being trimmed; ~1.8 lbs; 657g AFTER being trimmed)
  • 2 tablespoons regular soy sauce
  • Fine sea salt and ground pepper

Instructions 

  • BACON: Dice bacon into 1/2-inch pieces (this is easiest with very cold bacon and a sharp knife!). Fry the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until the fat renders and the bacon is crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.
  • DRAIN BACON FAT: If there is more than 1 tablespoon bacon fat, pour it off from the skillet (See Note 1).
  • OIL, GARLIC AND ALMONDS: Once the skillet is cool, return it to medium heat. Add the olive oil, garlic, and almonds and sautรฉ over low heat until the garlic is fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add the trimmed and quartered Brussels sprouts and the soy sauce.
  • COOK: Cook, stirring frequently, until the sprouts are tender, about 6-8 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I add 1/4 teaspoon of each).
  • ADD BACON: 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 the bacon fat into the lined bowl immediately after removing the bacon. Let this bowl stand at room temperature until the bacon grease is solidified. At this point, you can fold the foil around the solidified fat and discard it or save it to use in future recipes.

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


Hi there! Iโ€™m Chelseaโ€“the recipe developer, photographer, writer, and taste tester behind Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron (although my little ones help me out quite a bit with the taste testing part!). I LOVE getting creative in the kitchen and then posting my creations here for you to enjoy.

Thanks again for stopping by!

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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.