Sauteed Asparagus with Candied Bacon

Name: Sauteed Asparagus with Candied Bacon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 4-5 strips of uncured nitrate free peppered bacon (keep 1 tbsp of the rendered bacon fat for cooking); 1 tbsp coconut sugar (divided); 1 bunch of large asparagus ( about 15-20 spears); 1 shallot (sliced); 1/4 tsp each sea salt/black pepper; 1 tsp lemon juice plus lemon slices to garnish (optional)

by Lindsay Cotter · 03/18/2016

Dairy Free Low Carb Paleo

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★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews

How to eat more vegetables, add CANDIED bacon! Easy Sauteed Asparagus with Candied Bacon. A low carb, gluten free, side dish that’s easy and quick to make!

What is one vegetable that you just love? I mean one you CAN’T live without? Got it? What is it? I’m going to assume that most of you like asparagus. Why? Because asparagus is adaptable, flavor wise. Which means you can pair it with, let’s say… candied bacon (or any other sweet buttery goodness) to create one magical vegetable side dish.

Sauteed Asparagus and Bacon – A Match Made in Side Dish Heaven? ❤️

On any given day, if you came by my house, you probably would not find asparagus in the fridge. At least not on a regular basis. I always have vegetables, just not that one in particular. I know, gasp! Keep reading. I have a new plan for that.

You see, two of my most favorite vegetables are the ones that my husband does not like. Go figure. I did not sign up for this when I married him. Kidding. I should not complain, the man really is easy to please. He likes just about everything. But yes, when it comes to vegetables, my two loves, asparagus and mushrooms, are not so welcome here. And I’m started to feel asparagus separation anxiety. Struggles.. (I “may” be exaggerating).

How to Make Candied Bacon in the Oven

When it comes to eating your vegetables, I will do everything in my power to convince a non vegetable eater to try them, at least once. And if that doesn’t work, I hide the vegetables (ahem …. see chocolate peanut butter dough ball recipes with hidden veggies for that experiment).

Preheat oven to 400F. Lining a baking pan with foil.
Toss uncured bacon (peppered flavor) with 1/2 tbsp of coconut palm sugar then place them on the lined baking sheet.
Bake on the bottom rack for 15- 18 minutes or until crispy.
Remove from oven and set aside (For microwave oven, see notes) .
Spoon 1 – 2 tbsp of the bacon juice (from the pan) into a bowl. Set aside for later use * THIS IS KEY!

Meat Free Substitute

Not a meat eater? No prob! Try this dish with my vegan mushroom bacon mushroom bacon instead! It still adds great flavor!

Now all that’s left is to make the sauteed asparagus and combine!

The Key to Sauteing Asparagus!

Use a good fat (high smoke index) to saute the trimmed asparagus. That’s why we saved the bacon fat from the bacon pan.

Add the asparagus, shallot, pepper, sea salt, and optional remaining coconut sugar if, desired.

Sautee the asparagus and shallot on medium (in the bacon fat) for 10 minutes or until asparagus is slightly darker green but still crispy on the ends.

Put it all together and serve! With lemon and salt and pepper, obviously.

This whole dish takes less than 35 minutes. It’s really that simple and magical for the tastebuds!

Speaking of magic, this crispy bacon wrapped asparagus recipe by Wholesome Yum is definitely added to the “let’s dress us asparagus” quest! Love the sugar free low carb option too! YUM!