Brussels sprouts are one of those divisive veggies that people tend to either love or hate. But even sprout skeptics may become converts when these mini cabbages are roasted to crispy perfection and tossed with smoky bacon.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has an easy recipe that transforms Brussels sprouts into a tasty, crowd-pleasing side. With just a few ingredients including bacon, onions, chestnuts and fresh sage, Jamie takes this veggie to new heights of flavor.
Keep reading for a complete walk-through of Jamie’s Brussels sprouts and bacon recipe. We’ll cover tips for prep, cooking steps, serving ideas, and storing leftovers so you can nail this delicious dish. Let’s get cooking!
An Overview of Jamie Oliver’s Brussels Sprouts Bacon Recipe
Here’s what sets Jamie’s take on Brussels sprouts and bacon apart
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Pan fries the bacon and chestnuts together for maximum smoky nutty flavor
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Sautés the onions and sage to infuse a savory depth
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Quickly boils the sprouts until just tender with a little bite
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Combines everything for a simple yet loaded flavor profile
The cooking techniques crisp the bacon, caramelize the onions, and ensure the sprouts reach the ideal texture.
Benefits of Jamie’s Cooking Method
Jamie’s step-by-step method yields Brussels sprouts that are:
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Crisp and caramelized from pan-frying
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Infused with smoky, salty bacon flavor
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Coated in sweet, nutty chestnut and onion bits
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Tender inside but with a nice bite
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Full of big, bold herbaceous flavor from the fresh sage
This easy recipe also comes together in just one pan, minimizing cleanup.
Step-By-Step Cooking Instructions
Now let’s get into the nitty gritty of how to nail this delicious Brussels sprouts and bacon recipe:
Prep the ingredients – Chop onions and sage. Trim and halve larger sprouts. Cut bacon into strips.
Cook bacon and chestnuts – Fry bacon in olive oil until lightly golden. Add chestnuts and cook until deep golden brown.
Sauté onions and sage – Add chopped onions and sage to bacon pan. Cook slowly 30 minutes until caramelized.
Boil Brussels sprouts – Boil sprouts 5 minutes until tender but with a little crunch left.
Combine and serve – Drain sprouts and add to bacon mixture. Stir in butter, season, and serve right away.
The hands-off oven roasting while you boil the sprouts makes the process easy and convenient.
Handy Prep Tips for Success
Follow these tips for prepping the ingredients for best results:
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Leave sprouts whole or halve larger ones for even cooking
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Chop onions and sage small so they cook down into a flavorful base
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Cut bacon into strips for optimal crispiness and coating
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Roast pre-peeled chestnuts to skip the hassle of peeling after roasting
Taking a little extra time up front makes the cooking process smooth and delivers ideal texture.
What to Serve with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
A few tasty options for what to serve alongside the bacon Brussels sprouts include:
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Roast chicken or baked ham
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Pork tenderloin or chops
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Pasta dishes like spaghetti Bolognese
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Pot roast or other braised beef dishes
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Grilled or roasted fish fillets
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Veggie-centric meals like rice bowls
The sprouts pair well with almost any meat or entrée. Their salty, crispy goodness provides balance.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Properly storing leftovers of Jamie’s Brussels sprouts recipe preserves the texture and flavor.
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Refrigerate in airtight container up to 3-4 days
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Reheat gently in microwave 1-2 minutes until warmed through
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Or bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to reheat and recrisp
Avoid overcooking when reheating to keep sprouts from becoming mushy.
Common Questions
Can I prepare ahead?
Yes! Prep all ingredients up to 2 days ahead. Cook bacon mixture and keep refrigerated. Add sprouts at serving time.
What about frozen Brussels sprouts?
You can substitute frozen sprouts. Thaw first and increase boiling time by 1-2 minutes.
Can I use turkey bacon?
Sure, turkey bacon will work fine. The flavor won’t be quite as robust.
Should I roast the Brussels sprouts instead?
Roasting is delicious too, but boiling better preserves their texture for this recipe.
Enjoy Jamie’s Flavorful, Crispy Brussels and Bacon
With its combination of crunchy sprouts, crisp bacon, caramelized onions, nutty chestnuts and aromatic sage, this sensational side delivers layers of flavor in every bite. The easy one-pan preparation makes it accessible for even busy weeknights.
Next time you cook a roast or other entrée, let Jamie Oliver upgrade your Brussels sprouts to the next level with simple yet impeccable techniques. Even sprout skeptics will be won over by these irresistibly crispy, crave-worthy morsels!
Brussel Sprouts, Jamie Oliver’s Way
Brussels Sprouts? Yikes, not many like them at all. I have discovered a way to make them that many now enjoy them, including myself. While I have made Brussels sprouts with bacon before and liked them, this method is different because it only takes a short time. When I saw Jamie Oliver making them, I was inspired once more. For this recipe to work, you need a food processor, which saves time in and of itself. The Brussels sprouts only need to be cooked for 8 minutes, which also saves time. Yay! Right?.
Note: I did not follow all of what Janie did, I added the onions, wine and seasoned differently.
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 c. diced onions
8 to 10 cups sliced thinly sliced Brussels sprouts
½ c. wine, chicken stock or water
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
Sage (fresh or dried) 4-5 leaves fresh or 1 tsp. dried
1 tbsp. salt and
2 tsp. black pepper
1 tbsp. smoked paprika (or any paprika)
*OR 2 tbsp. of your seasoning mix.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Cut the bacon into small pieces and fry on medium in a large pan. Remove the bacon and pour out most of the bacon fat. Add the onions to the pan and cook for one minute. Add the Brussel sprouts, sage, salt and pepper or the seasoning mix, stir well. Add the wine and cook for 5 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce and cook another 3 minutes or till you are happy with it.
Eat your Brussel sprouts and love them.
Note:This plate reheats really well, but will lose its bright colour, it is good piping hot or warm.