Bacon & Parm Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts may not be at the top of your favorite foods list, but after trying this recipe, they may become contenders. Mike's Hot Honey, savory bacon, and tangy parmesan cheese come together to elevate the Brussels sprouts, give them more flavor, and make this dish as filling and satisfying as can be, whether for a midday snack or as part of a full meal.

You can prepare Brussels sprouts in a variety of ways to fit your style, making them incredibly versatile. For example, roasting them brings out some sweetness and caramelization, while steaming them keeps them light and healthy, letting their natural flavor shine. Brussels sprouts' versatility also enables them to pair well with a wide range of main courses, from steak to poultry to seafood.

In this recipe, thanks to the honey, bacon, and cheese, the Brussels sprouts will be both sweet and savory, delighting your taste buds. Read on to learn more about Brussels sprouts and how to make this delicious dish.

How to Prep Brussels Sprouts

Before we get into the recipe, it is important to properly prepare your Brussels sprouts for cooking. For starters, you'll need to wash them first. If you don't plan on using yoru Brussels sprouts right away, wait until you are ready to start preparing them to give them a wash. Leftover moisture on the leaves when stored in the fridge can cause them to wilt prematurely.

After purchasing Brussels sprouts, it is best to use them as soon as possible. As they age, they tend to lose their sweetness, making the overall flavor more bitter. The fresher, the better when it comes to Brussels sprouts. Once your sprouts are clean, you can prep them for cooking.

Peel away any outer leaves that have wilted or begun to turn yellow. Trim off any dry ends as well. After locating the base of the vegetable, slice the sprout in half through the base. Leaving a bit of the base at the end will help hold the leaves together so your Brussels sprouts won't fall apart during cooking or saucing.

How to Tell If Brussels Sprouts Are Bad

When shopping for Brussels sprouts, there are a number of things you should be looking for. For starters, the leaves should be tightly layered, and the sprout should feel firm to the touch when you give it a gentle squeeze. It's all right if the outer leaves are beginning to yellow just a little bit, but avoid sprouts on which the yellowing spreads past the outermost layers. Skip sprouts that have holes in the leaves, as well as those that look withered or shriveled.

In terms of size, smaller sprouts tend to have a sweeter flavor than larger ones do. For ease and consistency of cooking, try to get sprouts that are all roughly the same size. Some variation is fine and to be expected but look for sprouts that are as similar as possible for the most even cooking.

You can likely find Brussels sprouts at your local grocery store throughout the year. However, for the best flavor, enjoy the sprouts in late fall or early winter, as this is when they are in season.

Should I Boil or Steam Brussels Sprouts?

For our recipe, we recommend cooking your Brussels sprouts in a cast-iron skillet. However, if you don't have one or would prefer another cooking method, that is perfectly fine. Steaming and boiling are great options, as is roasting. You can even cook Brussels sprouts on the grill if you like.

Meat and Cheese Alternatives

A great thing about this recipe is that it is incredibly customizable. For example, if you're not a fan of bacon, you can switch it up by adding other types of meat, like thinly sliced steak, chunks of ham, or strips of prosciutto. Spam goes surprisingly well with Brussels sprouts too, bringing a nice saltiness to the dish.

You can substitute for the parmesan cheese as well. Try melting some shredded or grated cheddar or mozzarella over the top. Gouda is another great choice if you're looking for something a bit fancier. Even simple American cheese tastes great with Brussels sprouts, and it is known for melting extremely well.

Instructions

In a cast-iron skillet, fry the bacon over medium heat. It's done when the white fat has turned translucent, and the edges are beginning to curl. Keep your bacon soft and juicy, or cook it well done so that it is crispy and easy to crumble over the Brussels sprouts. Once cooked, remove bacon from the pan but save the rendered fat. Add halved sprouts and cook in bacon fat over medium heat until tender.

When the bacon is finished, remove it from the pan and set it to the side on a paper towel. This will help soak up some of the remaining grease on the bacon and protect your counters. Leave the rendered bacon fat in the pan.

Add the Brussels sprouts to the bacon fat in the pan and cook until they are soft and tender when you stick in a fork.

Remove the Brussels sprouts from the pan and put them into a mixing or family-style serving bowl. Drizzle Mike's Hot Honey over the top, and toss to distribute it evenly. If your bacon is on the softer side, chop it into small pieces, and sprinkle them over the Brussels sprouts. If you made it crispier, you can crumble the bacon right on top.

Finish things off by shaving or grating fresh parmesan cheese over the dish. You can use pre-shredded cheese, but you'll get better flavor if you grate it fresh.

Enjoy this dish on its own as a snack or with honey-glazed cedar salmon or honey BBQ ribs. Find the Original Mike's Hot Honey in stores near you.