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!
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Sauteed Asparagus with Candied Bacon
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-5 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Candied Bacon and Asparagus {Paleo, Gluten Free}
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)
Instructions
For the Bacon:
- Preheat oven to 400F. Lining a baking pan with foil.
- Toss the uncured bacon strips 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.
- Once bacon is somewhat cooled, dice it into small pieces. Set aside.
For the Sauteed Asparagus:
- Wash the asparagus and trim bottom stems..
- Add the bacon fat to a large skillet and bring to medium to medium high heat.
- Add the asparagus, shallot, pepper, sea salt, and optional remaining coconut sugar if, desired.
- Sautee the asparagus and shallot on medium for 10 minutes or until asparagus is slightly darker green but still crispy on the ends. Remove from heat.
To Plate :
- Place sauteed asparagus and shallot on a serving dish and top with candied bacon.
- Spoon any extra juice from the skillet over the asparagus/shallots/bacon.
- Lemon to garnish. Salt/pepper to taste.
Notes
Smaller thinner asparagus will cook faster. Watch the pan carefully.
Short on time. Just cook bacon in microwave. Cover with paper towels but don’t cover the bottom of the bowl or plate. You want the juice to drain there. Cook 45 seconds at time, 3 to 4 times until crispy. Keep the fat from the plate.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: side dish
- Method: stove
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Calories: 115
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 226 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
Keywords: asparagus, candied bacon, sauteed asparagus, side dish, paleo side dish, oven baked bacon
What’s your go to method for convincing a non vegetable eater to eat their vegetables?
Cheers,
LC
