Cast Iron Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cream
Caramelized Brussels sprouts, salty bacon, and rich cream make up an easy and delicious side dish perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Equipment
- 12 inch cast iron skillet
- spatula or tongs (for flipping)
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon diced
- 1 pound brussels sprouts trimmed and cut in half
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the veggies. Prepare the brussels sprouts by removing the outer leaves and cutting them in half (or thirds if they are very large.)
- Cook the bacon. Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving half of the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Brown the Brussels sprouts. Increase the heat to medium-high. Place the Brussels sprouts cut side down in the skillet. Cook without stirring until they are browned and caramelized about 3 minutes. Flip the Brussels sprouts and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Cook the sprouts. Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cover. Cook until the Brussels sprouts are fork-tender, about 4 minutes, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cream. Remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cream reduces and coats the Brussels sprouts, about 2 minutes. The vegetables should not look "creamy."
- Serve. Remove from the heat and stir in the cooked bacon. Serve immediately.
Notes
For the best caramelized texture, use fresh Brussels sprouts. Try to get fresh ones instead of frozen ones, as they might turn mushy.
Be sure to cut the ends and halve the Brussels sprouts evenly. This will help them cook evenly and brown nicely.
Before adding the bacon, heat your cast iron skillet. This will help the bacon get crispy and prevent it from sticking.
While browning the Brussels sprouts, try not to stir them too soon. Let them sit without stirring to get a deep, caramelized crust.
You can double this recipe easily, it will still fit in a 10-inch skillet!
Nutrition
Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 537IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 55kcal