Pan-seared brussel sprouts are an easy and delicious vegetable side dish that is excellent for any weeknight family dinner! These easy stove top brussel sprouts are caramelized to perfection, giving them a deliciously tender inside and a crunchy outside! All you need is olive oil, salt, pepper, and butter to enhance its slightly sweet and nutty flavor!
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Pan seared brussel sprouts are incredibly easy to make and will impress even the most cynical eaters! First, blanch them in boiling water to achieve a desired level of tenderness, and then cook them in a skillet!
This is the perfect healthy side dish to serve with just about anything! Your family will love the caramelized and crispy finish that accentuates the naturally nutty flavor of the brussel sprouts.
🥘 Ingredients
There are only a few ingredients needed for this simple brussel sprout recipe! Add the optional bacon for an extra salty and savory touch!
- Brussel Sprouts - 1 pounds of brussel sprouts (dry outer leaves removed and sliced in half lengthwise).
- Olive Oil - 2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).
- Salt and Pepper - ½ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste).
- Butter - 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Bacon - 2 slices of bacon (optional, crisped and chopped into bits).
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Pan Seared Brussel Sprouts
Pan seared brussel sprouts are easy to make, however you will need to blanch them before cooking. Simply grab a chef's knife, skillet, and silicone spatula set and you are good to go!
This recipe will yield about 4 servings. The enhanced flavor of these caramelized brussel sprouts will win over your family, making them a new household favorite side dish!
- Blanch brussel sprouts. Blanch your 1 pound of brussel sprouts for quicker cooking. Bring a pot of salted water to a low boil and boil the brussel sprouts for 3-4 minutes, or until they turn bright green in color (*see note).
- Heat oil. Heat the 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering hot, add the brussel sprouts cut-side-down.
- Cook. Sear the brussel sprouts for 3-4 minutes, or until a nice golden-brown color appears. Then flip and continue to cook and sear until tender (usually another 3-5 minutes).
- Add ingredients to pan. Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and optional bacon, if using. Season with ½ teaspoon of salt & pepper and stir to combine.
- Serve. Once the butter has melted, remove the brussel sprouts from heat and serve while warm.
Brussel sprouts are a great vegetable side dish to pair with any meaty main course. Try making them with my pan seared cowboy ribeye steak and creamy mashed potato recipes! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
- You may also blanch your brussel sprouts in the microwave by placing them in a microwave-safe bowl with some water. Seal the bowl with an overturned plate or microwave-safe lid and microwave for 3-4 minutes, or until bright green in color.
- Blanching the brussel sprouts can be skipped though it does greatly decrease their cooking time. It's especially helpful when trying to whip up a quick side dish on a busy weeknight.
- You can use any large, heavy-bottomed skillet though I find using a cast-iron skillet yields the most deliciously crisp and caramelized brussel sprouts.
- Crushed garlic, minced onion, and/or thinly sliced almonds make a nice addition to these brussel sprouts. Wait to add them until you add the butter over medium heat. Otherwise, they will burn.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Keep leftover pan-seared brussel sprouts refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheating
The easiest method for reheating brussel sprouts is to pop them in a microwave-safe dish and heat them for 2 minutes (time may vary depending on the strength of your microwave).
❓ Recipe FAQs
No, you don't have to blanch brussel sprouts. It does make the cooking time a lot less so I highly recommend blanching since it doesn't take too much time to do.
You might not be using enough olive oil if your brussel sprouts aren't getting crispy. This recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of oil, so don't try getting away with less. You can also cook a little longer to reach the level of crispiness desired.
Yes, you should always wash vegetables to get any dirt or grime off.
😋 Best Brussel Sprout Recipes
- Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts- Delicious brussel sprouts are tossed in olive oil, tangy balsamic vinegar, and sweet honey!
- Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts- Hearty and crispy brussel sprouts cooked in the air fryer for 25 minutes!
- Smoked Brussel Sprouts- If you are smoking meat, try these tasty and flavorful brussel sprouts to go with!
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts- This easy to make brussel sprout recipe is perfect for any weeknight or holiday dinner!
- Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts- These amazing brussel sprouts are coated with maple syrup, crushed walnuts, and bacon!
- BBQ Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts- Try these bacon wrapped brussel sprouts the next time you are grilling out with the family!
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📖 Recipe Card
Pan Seared Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients
- 1 lb brussel sprouts (dry outer leaves removed and sliced in half lengthwise)
- 3 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
- ½ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 slices bacon (optional, crisped and chopped into bits)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Blanch your brussel sprouts for quicker cooking. Bring a pot of salted water to a low boil and boil the brussel sprouts for 3-4 minutes, or until they turn bright green in color (*see note).
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering hot, add the brussel sprouts cut-side-down.
- Sear the brussel sprouts for 3-4 minutes, or until a nice golden-brown color appears. Then flip and continue to cook and sear until tender (usually another 3-5 minutes).
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and optional bacon, if using. Season with salt & pepper and stir to combine.
- Once the butter has melted, remove the brussel sprouts from heat and serve while warm.
Notes
- You may also blanch your brussel sprouts in the microwave by placing them in a microwave-safe bowl with some water. Seal the bowl with an overturned plate or microwave-safe lid and microwave for 3-4 minutes, or until bright green in color.
- Blanching the brussel sprouts can be skipped though it does greatly decrease their cooking time. It's especially helpful when trying to whip up a quick side dish on a busy weeknight.
- You can use any large, heavy-bottomed skillet though I find using a cast-iron skillet yields the most deliciously crisp and caramelized brussel sprouts.
- Crushed garlic, minced onion, and/or thinly sliced almonds make a nice addition to these brussel sprouts. Wait to add them until you add the butter over medium heat. Otherwise, they will burn.
- To store: Keep leftover pan-seared brussel sprouts refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- To reheat: The easiest method for reheating brussel sprouts is to pop them in a microwave-safe dish and heat them for 2 minutes (time may vary depending on the strength of your microwave).
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