Okay we are sixteen days away from Thanksgiving y’all…can you believe it? Are you already menu planning? We will be heading to Louisiana to be with family, but I am always responsible for a few sides to bring to the table. I like to add some green to the mix whenever I can and while green beans are usually a classic, brussel sprouts make for another great vegetable option! My citrus bacon brussel sprouts are going to steal the show in the sides category and will convert even the non-brussel sprouts lovers in your family!

When I was little, I actually loved brussel sprouts because I thought they were so cute as mini cabbages! I would ask my mom to cook them for me, but I have to say I didn’t know that they could be so delicious until I started cooking them for myself! (Steamed with barely any flavor by the way, is not the way to get people to like brussel sprouts!)

These days I like them raw in salads, roasted, and in this case pan-fried and steamed slightly creating a crust on the outside and a tender inside! The bacon gives the sprouts a smoky saltiness while the citrus provides a little sweetness and freshness! What I love most about this dish is that this is one side that will be ready in fifteen minutes so you can literally throw it together the day of!

If you wanted to keep this dish a vegetarian one, just simply omit the bacon and use a little olive oil instead, I promise they will still be delicious!

BUT…

If you are love bacon like I do, then keep the bacon of course! The pairing is really a match made in heaven. Add a healthier (“healthier” because bacon) side to your Thanksgiving menu this year with my vibrant citrus bacon brussel sprouts!

Another great brussel sprout option is my brussel sprout salad with apples and fennel!

Ingredients:

• 4 Cups of Brussel Sprouts, ends trimmed off and cut in half

• 4 Slices of Bacon, diced

• 1/4 Cup Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

• 1 Tbsp. Honey

• 1 Tsp. Kosher Salt

• 1/2 Tsp. Cracked Black Pepper

Directions:

• Add bacon to a cold skillet and then turn on heat to medium.

• Crisp up bacon and then remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel.

• Add brussel sprouts, flat side down in the bacon grease, season with salt and pepper, and cook on each side for 5 minutes not stirring so that a crust forms on each side.

• Add orange juice to the pan at this time and stir to deglaze the pan and stir up any bits that are stuck on the bottom of the pan (aka where all the flavor is!)

• Place lid on the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes.

• Remove lid, drizzle with honey and sprinkle bacon pieces back on top.

• Serve immediately.

This recipe is so simple but so delicious and I think you are going to love adding it to your holiday tables! Pin this recipe to make this Thanksgiving or Christmas!