Win over all the skeptics with this recipe for hearty bacon Brussels sprouts chowder! Creamy, dreamy, easy and with bacon – who could resist?
One of my goals in life is to win over even the most ardent Brussels sprouts dislikers, and by that I mainly mean the Southern husband. There are a lot of things he will do for me, but until recently, Brussels sprouts weren’t one of them. Then I came up with this roasted chopped version and the door was cracked open just a teeny bit, Brussels sprouts-wise…I think it might have been the cheese in there with the sprouts.
Which led me to this brainstorm: WHAT IF I ADDED BACON. Yup. I think you know how this ends. Let’s make it![clickToTweet tweet=”Win over all the skeptics with this recipe for hearty bacon Brussels sprouts chowder!” quote=”Win over all the skeptics with this recipe for hearty bacon Brussels sprouts chowder!”]And then I had a further brainstorm, which was what if I pureed the heck out of those sprouts, and made them into a thick and creamy and hearty and fabulous soup? This could work. And so I got myself a passel of sprouts.
I mean, look at them. How could anyone not love them??
I trimmed off the ends and peeled off the outside leaves (which luckily I saved…more on that later) and cut them in half, and I popped them in a saucepan along with some peeled Yukon Gold potatoes and some chicken broth. Have I mentioned lately that my favorite chicken broth is the Imagine brand that comes in the box? It is.
While the sprouts and the potatoes were simmering, I cooked up a bunch of chopped bacon until it was crispy. My plan at the time was to garnish the pureed chowder with the bacon bits, and that definitely would have worked out just fine. But as I was scooping out the bacon bits to let them drain on a paper towel, I noticed the pile of Brussels sprouts leaves that I had peeled off the simmering sprouts. Then I noticed my bacon drippings in the skillet.
You know what comes next, right?
Yup, I added the leaves to the drippings and cooked them up until they were nice and crispy. Then I pureed the cooked sprouts and potatoes and broth, seasoned it up with a little salt and pepper, and served it sprinkled with bacon and those crispy leaves.
And guess who admitted that Brussels sprouts could end up being kind of delicious?
Brussels sprouts skeptic conversion, CHECK!!
Bacon Brussels Sprouts Chowder
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts
- 2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 strips of bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cut the bottoms off of the Brussels sprouts and peel the outside leaves off, saving the leaves for later. Cut them in half and place them in a large saucepan with the potatoes and the broth.
- Bring the broth to a simmer over medium high heat and cook until sprouts and potatoes are tender, about ten minutes.
- While the soup is simmering, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium high heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels.
- Add the reserved sprout leaves to the skillet and cook until crispy. Add to the paper towels with the bacon.
- When the sprouts and potatoes are tender, puree the soup either directly in the pot with an immersion blender, or by ladling it into a standard blender and pureeing.
- Season the chowder with salt and pepper to taste. Serve garnished with the bacon and crispy leaves.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Prettiest bowl of soup ever Kate! My husband is a hater, but that’s ok because more soup for me!! They’re one of my fave’s! He doesn’t know what’s good!
I don’t understand these husbands of ours…but yes, more soup for US! :)
Amanda says
Bacon and Brussels sprouts is always a must have for Christmas. A soup version sounds heavenly. I want a big bowl right now!
Right? I think I could eat this all year round. :)
Adina says
I love Brussels sprouts and my husband too. Such a simple and great recipe, I would love to try it!
Yay for a sprout loving husband – he’s a keeper!
CakeSpy says
Brussels sprouts are seriously my favorite food (well, aside from cake). You have put them in soup form. OMG.
SPROUTS RULE. And cake too!
SkinnyMe says
Easy & very tasty. I cut the number of bacon slices in half & microwaved the bacon to make a little healthier. Love the combination of flavors.
I’m so glad you made this! :)
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says
I am a HUGE Brussels sprouts fan and my husband is kinda “eh” on them too. When I roast them with bacon, he’ll go for it, but I’m always looking for new ways to dress them up for him. This sounds like a winner!
Sounds like we need to eat Brussels sprouts together and leave them to their burgers! :)
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
haha I get you!! My husband is same! The only way he eats brussel sprouts is in this thinly sliced brussel sprout salad I make. I will have to try this soup!!
What is it with husbands and sprouts? :)
Stephanie | The Foodie and The Fix says
Kate! I have a hard time with Brussels sprouts too (I only like them made in certain ways) but this soup! Ohmagoodness, it sounds (and looks!) amazing! Pinning! XO
Hope you love this version of sprouts, Stephanie!
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
You got me!! Now I HAVE to come over to the Pro Brussels sprouts side! Haha. But honestly, anything you cook would be fabulous! Happy monday, my friend! xo Pinned!
Come on oooooooooooooover! xo
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I am a HUGE brussels sprouts lover, so you already know this chowder has me like whoa!!! Gimme! Bacon and brussels are the best combination ever, but paired in some creamy chowda’? Holy deliciousness!! I need! Cheers, friend!
Isn’t it a match made in heaven? :)
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
I would definitely say that you would make any non brussels sprouts lover a lover of them once they’ve had this soup! Hubby and I do love them and this chowder sounds amazing and love how rich and creamy it is…not to mention how few ingredients there are! Would love a BIG bowl of this right now :)
Yay, a husband who loves sprouts!! He’s a keeper. :)
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Mmm I think this soup might just win over my husband, who dislikes brussels sprouts! I’ve never had a chowder like this before, so I’m loving this creamy soup! Sounds delish!
Hope you love it as much as we do, Gayle!