Roasted brussels sprouts are a classic side dish. This version gets a punch of flavour from fresh ginger and kimchi.
I haven’t always been a lover of brussels sprouts. The one and only time I remember having them as a kid, they were boiled nuggets of mush, and served with Cheez Whiz. I’m fairly certain I was forced to choke them down, and refused to eat them again. Then, sometime during my Food Network addiction, I saw an episode of Laura Calder’s, French Food at Home, where she made sautéed brussels sprouts with bacon. The key being, that the brussels sprouts were fresh, and not those heinous frozen ones. I went out on a limb, bought a big ‘ole bag, made her recipe, and from that point forward, I was hooked.
Laura Calder’s version has been a staple in my kitchen ever since that episode aired on the Food Network. I’ve played around with different flavours, and I’m yet to find a way I don’t enjoy brussels sprouts, aside from using the frozen ones, because those are nasty. I love having them as a side to risotto (or more often, just mixed right in), or roasted and tossed with a little balsamic vinegar, or even with some dijon and lemon.
So, when a friend of mine approached me to try out her Kimchi, and asked me to come up with some approachable, easy ways to incorporate it into everyday cooking, I was up for the challenge, and already had a few ideas in mind. I wanted to combine kimchi, which for some, is an unfamiliar ingredient, with some familiar, and already much-loved flavours. Queue brussels sprouts and bacon. I also wanted to borrow more Asian flavours, so I used fish sauce (which is delicious and adds show-stopping sweet/salty seasoning, ), ginger (fresh is the only way to go), and a little rice wine vinegar. The pairings are certainly unlikely, but truly work incredibly together. I spent about three days testing this recipe, and was not bummed to be eating a variation of this recipe for three days in a row.
Kimchi is fermented cabbage (along with some other vegetables, like carrots, scallions and daikon radish), and is a staple in Korean cuisine. It’s pungent, spicy, sour, and full of umami; truly an incredible ingredient to work with. As foreign as kimchi might seem to some people it’s actually quite familiar to me. I liken kimchi to sauerkraut, an ingredient used extensively in Eastern European cuisine. My Baba used to make it, and my sister and I buy the stuff in the jar to make periske for holidays. Lots of folks around here like it with sausage, and on hotdogs. I was a judge recently at a Mott’s Clamato Caesar competition, and one guy made a German influenced Caesar using homemade sauerkraut, and topped the whole thing off with a homemade pretzel and some sausage. It was wicked good!
So basically, kimchi is sauerkraut on steroids. Spicy, pungent steroids.
The kimchi I used is Baechu Kimchi (@yqr_kimchi on instagram), from right here in Regina, SK. They make spicy and vegan versions, so they have something for everyone. You can find a jar of this fermented goodness at Local & Fresh, Northside Market and More, and the Regina Farmer’s Market.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Kimchi and Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 lb brussels sprouts trimmed and cut in half
- 2 tsp minced ginger
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 4 strips thick cut bacon chopped into large pieces
- 1 cup kimchi drained,and roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- peanuts for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F
- In a medium bowl, toss the brussels sprouts with olive oil, fish sauce and ginger. Transfer to a baking sheet, and arrange so that the cut side of each brussels sprout is down.
- Roast for 15 minutes.
- In a medium skillet, fry bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towel.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the rice wine vinegar and honey. Set aside.
- Once the sprouts have roasted, transfer to a bowl, toss with the honey and vinegar mixture, then the bacon and chopped kimchi.
- Serve warm with peanuts.
Nutritional calculation was provided by WP Recipe Maker and is an estimation only. For special diets or medical issues please use your preferred calculator
Notes
These brussels sprouts look so fabulous!! I love that you added kimchi and bacon! This looks like the perfect side dish to serve at our next gathering! Hubby is going to be so happy!
Now there is a new take on Brussel Sprouts with kimchi and bacon. I love the sound of that. I must try this soon. Sounds so delicious. I love Korean food – especially kimchi.
I don’t love brussels on their own so dressing them up is a must for me! This looks like a great way to enjoy them. YUM!
I agree with you, Kelly! A plain brussels sprout is very boring!
Bacon really adds a lot of flavor here, I love this recipe!
This salad is not only super autumnal, but it also sounds like a true umami bomb! This is actually just what I was looking for as I am already starting to prep my Thanksgiving dinner! Thanks so much for this great recipe!
I love Brussels Sprouts! and this is a great idea to add some bacon and kimchi! Definitely going to try it!)
The Brussels Sprouts look amazing. And what a different take on the usual — giving them an Asian flavor. Yes, roasting them does enhance their flavor. I am dying to try this now with those different ingredients. What a way to wake up the tastebuds.
I have to say this is the most creative way to make Brussel sprouts that I have ever seen. I love kimchi and it makes total sense that the combination would be tasty. Adding in bacon is brilliant. Pinning this recipe to make soon!
I’ve never tried kimchi before, but I love to do brussel sprouts and bacon together, as it’s such a delicious combination. I’m going to have to find this kimchi and try this dish out
This is so creative. I will have to try this combo. Sounds amazing. I love brussel sprouts.
I’m super intrigued by the kimchi tossed in and I’m loving it!! Definitely, need to try this…such a great idea 😀
This might be the only way to enjoy brussels sprouts.
I actually love roasted Brussels sprouts and your recipe for serving them with delicious Asian flavours, bacon and kimchi has definitely inspired me to give it a go!