Quick Shredded Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 02/11/23
Brussels sprouts with bacon and onion
Diana Rattray
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Brussels sprouts and bacon make a tasty combination, and this side dish will go with just about any meat or poultry main dish. A little lemon juice and garlic add flavor to the dish, and the dish cooks in less than 10 minutes.

Feel free to leave the onion out or replace the bacon with diced ham. For a delicious, crunchy garnish, sprinkle the sprouts with some toasted almonds or pecans.

This tasty dish will be a hit for dinner parties, get-togethers, or family meals.

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts

  • 4 strips bacon

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion, or shallot

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Rinse the sprouts and drain thoroughly. Cut off discolored stem ends and remove and discard any loose and damaged leaves. Cut the sprouts in half; lay cut-side down, then thinly slice the halves until all are shredded. Set aside.

  3. Arrange the bacon in a large skillet or sauté pan and place the pan over medium heat. Fry the bacon until it is browned and crisp. Remove the bacon to paper towels to drain; crumble and set aside. Leave about 2 tablespoons of drippings in the skillet and discard any remaining drippings.

  4. Add the minced garlic and onion to the skillet and cook, stirring, until the onion is softened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the shredded sprouts to the skillet and continue cooking, stirring, until tender, or about 4 to 6 minutes.

  5. Add the lemon juice and salt and pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute longer. Toss with the bacon and serve hot.

Brussels Sprouts Tips

  • Use small, compact, bright green Brussels sprouts for best flavor and tenderness.
  • If the Brussels sprouts are large with loose outer leaves, they might be past their prime. To use them, cut more of the base off and remove the loose outermost leaves.
  • If the sprouts seem bitter, a dash of sugar may help to balance the flavors.

Can Brussels Sprouts Be Shredded Ahead of Time?

Go ahead and save yourself some time. Shred your Brussels sprouts ahead of making dishes that require them to be shredded. Just make sure that to keep them in the fridge in an airtight container. They will keep for up to two days.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
109 Calories
5g Fat
12g Carbs
7g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 109
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 11mg 4%
Sodium 367mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 73mg 366%
Calcium 53mg 4%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 481mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)