Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Shallots and Candied Pecans

The salty-sweet and savory flavors of this Brussels sprouts with bacon, shallots, and candied pecans recipe is a masterpiece of a side dish. Made right in a skillet, this dish is actually pretty easy to prepare with how impressive its flavors are!

Why this recipe works

This Brussels sprouts with bacon takes regular roasted Brussels sprouts up about 10 notches in the flavor and texture department. You get a sweetness from the candied pecans, salty smokiness from the bacon, sharpness from the shallots, and all the nutrients and nutty flavor from the Brussels sprouts all wrapped into one incredible side dish. 

Brussels sprouts with bacon, shallots, and candied pecans are perfect for dinner parties or Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner spreads – but who’s to say they aren’t also a treat for your palate on any regular ole night of the week as well? Enjoy them when you can and when you wish! 

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

BRUSSELS SPROUTS – We use fresh Brussels sprouts for this recipe. We don’t recommend using frozen sprouts for this recipe, fresh is best! Clean and trim your sprouts before beginning. 

BACON – Any kind of bacon will do, but we are partial to center-cut.

PECANS – Whenever the chilly weather rolls around we make a batch of homemade candied pecans. You can’t beat the aroma or the taste, however, you can certainly use store-bought candied pecans as well if you want to save some time!

SEASONING – We have included a homemade blend of all-purpose seasoning to use on your Brussels sprouts, but you can definitely substitute with store-bought if preferred.

ADDITIONS – Don’t forget the shallots and garlic for even more flavor!

How to Make Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Shallots and Candied Pecans

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Cut the ends off the Brussels sprouts. Cut sprouts in half lengthwise.
2. Place halved sprouts into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and toss to coat.
3. Sprinkle in 1 Tablespoon of all purpose seasoning and toss to coat.
   
   TIP – If you use our seasoning blend, you will only use some of the seasoning on the sprouts. Save the rest for another recipe, like our Air Fryer Acorn Squash!
   
   
   
4. Add seasoned sprouts to the air fryer basket and cook at 370 F for 5 minutes.
   
   TIP – This is just to start the cooking process of the sprouts. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can microwave them for 3-4 minutes to get them started.
   
   
   
5. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a skillet until almost crispy. Remove to paper towels, do NOT remove the bacon fat from the skillet.
6. Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to the bacon fat in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
7. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
8. Add sprouts to the skillet and stir to coat. Use tongs to turn all the sprouts, cut side down. Partially cover the skillet by tilting the lid so some steam can escape. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes, undisturbed.
9. Remove lid and use a spatula to toss the sprouts.
10. Add remaining olive oil and toss. Cook another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
11. Chop bacon into small pieces. Add bacon and pecans to the skillet and toss together. Cover the pan and cook another 2-3 minutes, or until sprouts are tender.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Serving Suggestions

Brussels sprouts with bacon, shallots, and candied pecans can be served with just about any main course you wish to pair them with. They are great additions alongside steak, pork chops, salmon, stuffed chicken breast, and even ham or turkey for the holidays. 

More Side Dish Recipes

• Glazed Carrots
• Parmesan Potatoes
• Roasted Green Beans
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Baked Spaghetti Squash
• Carrot Souffle

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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Shallots, and Candied Pecans

Sweetness from the candied pecans, salty smokiness from the bacon, sharpness from the shallots, and all the nutrients and nutty flavor from the Brussels sprouts all wrapped into one incredible side dish. 

5 from 2 votes

IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

40 minutes mins

Calories: 287

Author: Amanda Davis

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 pound Brussels sprouts
• ▢ 4 slices bacon
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons minced shallots
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
• ▢ 3 Tablespoons olive oil divided
• ▢ ¼ cup coarsely chopped candied pecans
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon all purpose seasoning see below, or use your favorite blend

All Purpose Seasoning

• ▢ 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
• ▢ ½ Tablespoon onion powder
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon dried minced garlic
• ▢ ½ teaspoon dried minced onion
• ▢ ½ Tablespoon chili powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon paprika
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Kosher salt

Things You’ll Need

• ▢
  Large mixing bowl
• ▢
  Air fryer optional
• ▢
  Large deep sided skillet
• ▢
  Tongs
• ▢
  Spatula

Before You Begin

• We use fresh Brussels sprouts for this recipe. We don’t recommend using frozen sprouts, fresh is best! Clean and trim your sprouts before beginning. 
• Any kind of bacon will do, but we are partial to center-cut.
• Store any leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer or on a baking sheet in a 350F oven until warmed through.

Instructions

• Cut the ends off the Brussels sprouts. Cut sprouts in half lengthwise.
• Place halved sprouts into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and toss to coat.
• Sprinkle in 1 Tablespoon of all purpose seasoning and toss to coat.

  HINT: If you use our seasoning blend, you will only use some of the seasoning on the sprouts. Save the rest for another recipe, like our Air Fryer Acorn Squash!
• Add seasoned sprouts to the air fryer basket and cook at 370 F for 5 minutes.

  HINT: This is just to start the cooking process of the sprouts. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can microwave them for 3-4 minutes to get them started.
• Meanwhile, cook bacon in skillet until almost crispy. Remove to paper towels, do NOT remove the bacon fat from the skillet.
• Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to the bacon fat in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
• Add garlic and cook an additional minute.
• Add sprouts to the skillet and stir to coat. Use tongs to turn all the sprouts, cut side down. Partially cover the skillet by tilting the lid so some steam can escape.
• Reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes, undisturbed.
• Remove lid and use a spatula to toss the sprouts.
• Add remaining olive oil and toss. Cook another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Chop bacon into small pieces. Add bacon and pecans to the skillet and toss together. Cover the pan and cook another 2-3 minutes, or until sprouts are tender.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 287cal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 204mg | Potassium: 556mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 926IU | Vitamin C: 97mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 3mg

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