Brussels Sprouts With Bacon and Chestnuts

Thinly sliced brussels sprouts sauteed with bacon and onions, then tossed with roasted chestnuts, thyme and a little lemon juice.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated September 28, 2021
Elise Bauer
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Chestnuts
Elise Bauer

If you celebrate Thanksgiving, have you started your holiday meal planning yet?

If you have, bravo! If you haven't, don't despair, neither have we. Typically that happens about two days before the event.

But if I have anything to do with it this year (and that's a big if, as my dad is usually the one who decides what we eat for the big family meals) these Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and bacon will be on the menu.

Chestnuts and Brussels sprouts are a natural combination—earthy and strong, warm and filling. Add bacon to the mix and you have a match made in heaven.

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Chestnuts
Elise Bauer

Whatever you do, don't overcook the sprouts! Overcooking them will give them a somewhat sulfuric taste. But cooked just enough? Perfect. Especially with the chestnuts and bacon.

Brussels Sprouts With Bacon and Chestnuts

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Servings 6 to 8 servings

Chestnuts are delicious, but a major pain to roast and shell (have you ever exploded chestnuts all over your kitchen? I have). Canned (jarred more like it) chestnuts actually work better in recipes than the kind you roast and peel yourself. The texture and moisture content is more consistent. So, we suggest using canned roasted chestnuts for this recipe. You can of course roast and shell your own if you prefer.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts
  • 1/3 pound thick-sliced bacon or slab bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces or batons
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 20-25 canned roasted chestnuts, quartered or roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup chicken stock
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Lemon wedges to serve

Method

  1. Prep the Brussels sprouts:

    Cut the Brussels sprouts in half and slice thinly, starting at the top of the sprout and working back toward the stem. Discard the hard tip of the stem side.

    brussels-sprouts-bacon-chesnuts-method-1
    Elise Bauer
  2. Cook the bacon:

    Cut the bacon into pieces about 1/4 inch wide and put them in a large sauté pan over medium heat.

    When the bacon is browned, remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

    brussels-sprouts-bacon-chesnuts-method-2
    Elise Bauer
  3. Cook the onions in bacon fat, add back the bacon:

    Remove all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat (do not put down the drain, see how to render bacon fat). Turn up the heat to high, add the red onions. Cook until the onions begin to brown, add back the bacon.

    brussels-sprouts-bacon-chesnuts-method-3
    Elise Bauer
  4. Add chestnuts, Brussels sprouts, stock:

    Add the chestnuts and Brussels sprouts to the sauté pan with the bacon and onions. Add the chicken stock and toss to combine. Stir in about 1 teaspoon of salt, more or less to taste. Cook over high heat for 3-4 minutes. Add pepper to taste.

    brussels-sprouts-bacon-chesnuts-method-4
    Elise Bauer

    Serve hot with lemon wedges. Squeeze a little lemon juice over the sprouts right before you eat them.

Links:

Sautéed Brussels sprouts with almonds and onions - here on Simply Recipes

Roasted Brussels sprouts - here on Simply Recipes

Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Apples - from 101 Cookbooks

Brussels Sprouts with Pasta - from Orangette

Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts and Brown Butter - from Smitten Kitchen