Chicken Free Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Pork Belly and Apples
Crispy pork belly, caramelized Brussels sprouts, and sweet-tart apple come together in one skillet for a dish that feels genuinely restaurant-worthy on a weeknight. The technique here is what makes it special — starting the pork belly in a cold pan coaxes out the fat slowly, giving you those irresistibly golden, crackling-edged cubes without any fuss. That rendered fat then becomes the flavor base for the whole dish, and a splash of olive oil brings it up to the high heat needed to get a deep, almost charred sear on the cut-side of the sprouts. A drizzle of maple syrup and apple cider vinegar at the end pulls everything into a glossy, sweet-savory glaze that clings to every piece. The apple softens just enough to add juicy contrast without turning to mush, and a pinch of red pepper flakes gives the whole thing a subtle, welcome kick. It's the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show — or honestly works as a satisfying main all on its own.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 6 oz fresh pork belly, skin removed, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 lb brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 1 medium honeycrisp or fuji apple, cored and cut into ½-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- salt and pepper, to taste
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the pork belly cubes in a cold large (12-inch) skillet and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8–10 minutes until the fat has rendered and the pieces are golden brown and crispy on most sides. Transfer the pork belly to a plate, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
- 2
Pour off all but about 1 teaspoon of the rendered fat from the skillet. Add the olive oil and increase the heat to medium-high. Add the Brussels sprouts cut-side down in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 4–5 minutes until the cut sides are deep golden brown.
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