As the Christmas season approaches, we’re excited to share a mouthwatering classic that perfectly embodies the warmth and indulgence of this time of year – sprouts with bacon and chestnuts. This dish perfectly elevates the humble British sprout, and adds them to smoky bacon and nutty, rich chestnuts – converting even the biggest of sprout haters!
With minimal preparation time and a quick cook time (yes, under 15 minutes!), this side dish is an ideal choice for busy dinner party hosts and home cooks looking to impress their guests.
Read on for the full recipe. If you’re looking for more Christmas cooking inspiration, check out our Brie & Cranberry Sausage Rolls, Parsnip & Chestnut Soup, or our Festive Roasted Nuts!
Method
Follow these steps to make our Brussels Sprouts With Bacon & Chestnuts
Start by heating a pan over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Add the chopped bacon to the pan and cook until it turns crispy and golden brown. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
Top tip: you can substitute olive oil for a flavoured neutral oil, such as chilli oil, rosemary oil, or wild garlic oil.
Stir in the finely chopped chestnuts and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld together.
In the same pan, add your quartered brussels sprouts. Sauté them for about 5 minutes until they become tender and slightly caramelised.
Season the dish with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste and give everything a good toss to combine.
Serve your delicious brussels sprouts family-style and enjoy alongside honey-roasted carrots, homemade Yorkshire puddings, and a slow-roasted meat joint of your choice. Enjoy!
Easy Festive Recipes From Savery Grazing
And that’s it – a simple side dish that perfectly compliments the humble British sprout! We hope you enjoy sharing this easy recipe with friends and family this Christmas. If you’re looking for more tasty and oh-so-simple recipes, check out our food blog.
If you want to keep up to date with Savery Grazing, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. We offer a range of gorgeous grazing platters, which are perfect for Christmas-dos, birthday parties, weddings, and corporate events alike!
Related Questions
Are Brussels Sprouts Good For You?
Yes! Brussels sprouts are a nutritious, yet low-calorie vegetable that offers several health benefits. They are a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate, which support immune function and bone health. Additionally, Brussels sprouts contain fibre, antioxidants, and compounds like glucosinolates, which may have cancer-fighting properties and contribute to heart health.
Should I Use Fresh Or Frozen Brussels Sprouts?
Fresh brussels sprouts work best for this recipe as they retain a firmer texture, but you can use frozen if that’s all you have. Simply defrost your sprouts ahead of making the recipe, and adjust your cooking times if needed (for example if they had been previously blanched).
How Many Brussels Sprouts Per Person?
As a general rule of thumb, you can plan on serving about 6-8 brussels sprouts per person as a side dish, which is about 70-80g per person. This quantity works well when your brussels sprouts are part of a larger Christmas meal with other sides and a meat joint.
What Flavours Go Well With Brussels Sprouts?
Brussels sprouts pair well with a variety of flavours, such as garlic, bacon, balsamic vinegar, Parmesan cheese, and mustard (of the wholegrain variety). These complementary ingredients can enhance the taste of brussels sprouts and make them a delicious addition to your dishes – even if your children don’t agree!
Why Are Sprouts a Christmas Tradition?
Brussels sprouts are typically in season during the winter months, making them readily available and freshest around Christmas. This simple reason is why they became a staple of the classic British Christmas dinner!
If you’d like to find out more about what is in season around Christmas time, read our Month-By-Month Produce Guide.
What Can I Use Instead Of Chestnuts?
If you don’t have chestnuts on hand, you can completely forgo them from this recipe and the brussel sprouts will taste almost as good. However, you could try using:
- Hazelnuts
- Pistachio nuts
- Walnuts
- Garlic
- Parmesan cheese
- Shallots
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