Name: Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Onions
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2.5 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed; 4 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1 large onion, diced; 4 sprigs thyme or savory, plus 2 teaspoons leaves, divided; 1 teaspoon salt; Freshly ground pepper, to taste; 2 teaspoons lemon juice (optional)

Active Time:

35 mins

Total Time:

35 mins

Servings:

10

Yield:

10 servings, about 3/4 cup each

Nutrition Profile:

Low-Carb Diabetes-Appropriate Dairy-Free Low Added Sugar Low-Fat High-Fiber Heart-Healthy Gluten-Free Low-Calorie

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Notes

Are Brussels Sprouts Good for You?

One of several cruciferous vegetables, Brussels sprouts are loaded with nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium. Thanks to the nutrients and antioxidants in Brussels sprouts, regularly eating them may help lower your risk of chronic disease, improve bone health, reduce inflammation, fight cancer, lower blood pressure, improve mental acuity as you age and fight nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Are Onions Healthy?

While you may not appreciate the tear-producing qualities of onions, you will most likely appreciate their health benefits. Thanks to the antioxidant quercetin, onions have been linked to reduced inflammation and a lower risk of heart disease. The quercetin in onions also has a bacterial-fighting component. Their sulfur compounds (some of which also cause watery eyes) have been shown to help regulate blood sugar.

Onion and thyme getting pan fried — Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

Is This Recipe Gluten-Free?

Yes! Since it has no ingredients containing gluten, this recipe is gluten-free.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

How Do You Trim Brussels Sprouts?

Start by trimming a thin slice from the stem end of each sprout, but don't cut off the stem completely. Keeping the stem intact helps keep the Brussels sprout in one piece while cooking. Discard any brown or yellow leaves.

Can I Make This Vegetarian?

You can use vegan bacon, smoked almonds or nuts for a vegetarian version of the dish.

Can I Make Sautéed Brussels Sprouts Ahead?

Yes, you can! Recipes that can be made ahead in full or in part are a must-have during the holidays. For this Brussels sprouts recipe, you can prep and cook the sprouts a day ahead (through Step 1). Store the cooked sprouts in the refrigerator and finish with Steps 2 and 3, 15 to 20 minutes before you are ready to serve them.

Brussels sprouts, onion, and time stirred together in a frying pan — Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

Frequently Asked Questions

Should You Soak Your Brussels Sprouts Before Cooking?

No, you don't need to soak Brussels sprouts before cooking. After trimming, rinse the Brussels sprouts under cold running water in a colander. Cut them in half if they're small or into quarters if they're larger.

How Do You Reduce the Bitterness of Brussels Sprouts?

Brussels sprouts contain glucosinolates, which are compounds that give them a slightly bitter flavor. To reduce the bitterness of Brussels sprouts, make sure to shop for the freshest ones at the grocery store. They should be bright green and firm to the touch. Smaller Brussels sprouts are often milder and sweeter in flavor than larger ones. To improve the flavor, it's important to not overcook them. When boiling the Brussels sprouts in Step 1, you want to cook them until barely tender. They will continue to cook when you're sautéing them. Adding lemon juice at the end gives the Brussels sprouts some brightness and acidity to balance out the flavors of the dish.

Recipe adapted from The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters.

Additional reporting by Hilary Meyer and Jan Valdez

Ingredients

2 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed
4 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, diced
4 sprigs thyme or savory, plus 2 teaspoons leaves, divided
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons lemon juice (optional)

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. If sprouts are very small, cut them in half; otherwise, cut them into quarters. Cook the sprouts until barely tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain.

Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring, until brown but not crisp, 3 to 6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to drain on a paper towel. Pour out all but about 1 tablespoon bacon fat from the pan.

Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
Add oil to the pan and heat over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until soft but not browned, reducing the heat if necessary, about 4 minutes. Stir in thyme (or savory) sprigs, salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high, add the Brussels sprouts, and cook, tossing or stirring occasionally, until tender and warmed through, about 3 minutes. Remove the herb sprigs. Add the bacon, thyme (or savory) leaves and lemon juice, if using, and toss.

Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

Equipment

Large heavy skillet

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, November/December 2009

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

77	Calories
3g	Fat
10g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 10
Serving Size about 3/4 cup
Calories 77
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 10g	4%
Dietary Fiber 4g	13%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 4g	9%
Total Fat 3g	4%
Saturated Fat 1g	4%
Cholesterol 3mg	1%
Vitamin A 971IU	19%
Vitamin C 78mg	87%
Folate 77mcg	19%
Sodium 303mg	13%
Calcium 50mg	4%
Iron 2mg	9%
Magnesium 28mg	7%
Potassium 430mg	9%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.