This Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots recipe is a crowd-pleasing, holiday-ready version of a classic combo of brussels sprouts and bacon. Low carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly, we love this dish for a regular weeknight as well.
All too often we pay more mind to the struggles and hardships we have experienced.
This year for me has been a test of that and I can truly say I have come out the other side of my trials with a renewed love for life and the things I hold dear.
Christmas is a celebration of the family for me.
I want them near,
I want to lavish them with love and attention, and of course, I want to cook for them!
WHAT IS SO GREAT ABOUT BRUSSELS SPROUTS?
Brussels sprouts are a fantastic vegetable! They are super low in calories but cram-packed with good stuff like vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Here are some of the great things you will find in a half-cup of cooked Brussels sprouts:
Calories: 28
Protein: 2 grams
Carbs: 6 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Vitamin K (necessary for blood clotting and bone health)
Vitamin C (promotes iron absorption and is involved in tissue repair and immune function)
Vitamin A
Folate
Manganese
They can lower your cholesterol, help maintain a healthy blood sugar level, and help in fighting cancer.
So let’s be thankful for Brussels sprouts.
Now, with that said, let’s be thankful for another wonderful ingredient…BACON!
Everything is better with bacon right?
When I went keto I was so happy that bacon was something I could still enjoy.
WHY IS BACON OK ON THE KETO DIET?
If you have done research on the keto diet you know that it is a diet based on eating high fat, moderate protein, and low carbs.
Bacon has gained quite a bad reputation in mainstream media due to its high levels of saturated fat and sodium.
As you will find in this article, there is no evidence that too much saturated fat raises cholesterol and causes heart disease. The types of fat you should be worried about are toxic trans fats and polyunsaturated fats.
Don’t be afraid of saturated fat – instead, include a variety of foods high in monounsaturated fats and omega 3 fatty acids.
Yes, bacon is higher in sodium, but the recommended daily allowance for sodium according to the USDA is 2,300 mg, which just isn’t enough for a low-carb diet.
The reason is that insulin, which reduces the rate that sodium is extracted through kidneys, falls and that can cause your sodium levels to drop too.
Also, as you eliminate all of the processed foods from your diet, your sodium intake will be much lower than what you’ve been used to.
This article explains the importance of electrolytes Increasing your intake of electrolytes will greatly help you overcome the side effects of giving up carbohydrates (fatigue, cramps, and headaches) aka the Keto flu.
So, how much sodium should you be taking in on a low carb/keto diet?
You should add about 3,000-5,000 mg in addition to sodium naturally occurring in food (Lyle McDonald, “The Ketogenic Diet”).
What about the nitrates in bacon?
As long as your diet is high in anti-oxidants, like brussels sprouts, nitrates are acceptable in moderation.
This dish was a total hit at my house.
Jessi aka Miss Picky pants even came to me before I started cooking and said: “Oh I am so glad you are making Brussels sprout, I really want to try them”.
Well, after the shock cleared from my face I think a bit of nervousness settled in. I didn’t want to make her first experience a bad one. I had that with tomatoes and am just NOW beginning to eat raw tomatoes again.
It turned out all my worry was for nothing.
She LOVED them, as did Kevin and me.
My Dad even tried them (he is a non-vegetable kind of guy) and said they weren’t bad ( a HUGE compliment coming from him).
So give this recipe a try. I will bet even the biggest doubter will come away with a new love for the little green guys!
This Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots recipe is a crowd-pleasing, holiday-ready version of a classic combo of brussels sprouts and bacon. Low carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly, we love this dish for a regular weeknight as well.
ingredients:
4 slices of bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 large shallot, minced
1 1/2 lbs small Brussels sprouts, trimmed but left whole (large sprouts can be cut in half)
How to cook Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots
Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to crisp and renders it fat. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve.
Add shallot to the pan and saute 2 to 3 minutes. Add Brussels sprouts and stir to coat in bacon fat. Season with salt and pepper. Cook Brussels sprouts 3 to 4 minutes to begin to soften, then add broth. Bring broth to a bubble, cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 10 minutes, until tender. Transfer sprouts to a serving dish with a slotted spoon and top with cooked bacon bits.
Calories
81.39
Fat (grams)
4.17
Sat. Fat (grams)
1.01
Carbs (grams)
7.00
Fiber (grams)
2.38
Net carbs
4.62
Sugar (grams)
1.97
Protein (grams)
5.42
Sodium (milligrams)
248.81
Cholesterol (grams)
6.00
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs will not be included as it has a glycemic index of 0 (meaning it does not spike blood sugar) and it’s not metabolized. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
I'm looking forward to trying this recipe. I generally roast Brussels sprouts in the oven with little more than salt and pepper and some olive oil. Thanks for sharing. ~ Tom
Welcome! It is so nice to meet you. My name is Bobbi. I am the Mom of 2 great kids, and Nana to a beautiful baby girl Kylee, and a handsome little devil named Torin. I share my life and home with my awesome partner Kevin, and 2 furbabies….
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