Description
A quick, crispy, and smoky low-carb side dish featuring Brussels sprouts pan-fried in rendered bacon fat with a keto-friendly maple glaze and warm fall spices.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 6–8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons keto maple syrup (sugar-free)
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Optional: 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
Instructions
- Trim the ends off the Brussels sprouts and cut them in half. Pat them completely dry with a paper towel to ensure crispiness.
- Chop the bacon into 1-inch pieces and toss them into a cold large skillet. Turn heat to medium and cook for 4-5 minutes until crispy and golden.
- Remove the crispy bacon bits with a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered fat in the pan (save about 1 tablespoon if there is too much fat).
- Turn the heat up to medium-high and add the olive oil to the bacon fat.
- Add the Brussels sprouts in a single layer. Cook for 4 minutes without stirring to develop a brown crust, then stir and cook for another 4 minutes until tender and crispy.
- Add the minced garlic, dry mustard, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the keto maple syrup and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle the crispy bacon back in.
- Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until the syrup caramelizes. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy, garnished with optional parsley or red pepper flakes.
Notes
Do not crowd the pan, or the sprouts will steam instead of fry. Pat sprouts dry before cooking to ensure browning. Start bacon in a cold pan to render fat evenly. If using frozen sprouts, thaw and dry thoroughly. Avoid microwaving leftovers as it makes them rubbery; reheat in a skillet instead.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 12
Keywords: keto, low carb, bacon, brussels sprouts, fall recipe, quick dinner, gluten-free, crispy vegetables, weeknight meal