Brussels Sprouts Salad
Once you try this Brussels Sprouts Salad, you’ll never want a traditional salad again! This easy recipe is the perfect addition to your holiday meal or even simply a weeknight meal.
Brussels Sprouts Salad Recipe
Lettuce is so overrated. Ok — not really, because I have tons of yummy salad recipes, like this spinach, blue cheese, and bacon salad. But when it comes to this brussels sprouts salad, lettuce definitely is overrated! This delicious salad is crispy, crunchy and loaded with beautiful flavor combinations.
The creamy goat cheese with tart cranberries is just to die for, and the sweet touch of apples with a nutty addition of toasted pecans is *chef’s kiss*. All of these yummy topping are mixed with shaved brussel sprouts and then topped with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette.
The finished product is a shaved brussels sprouts salad that will be the perfect side dish for your holiday meal this year. And it’s so easy to make, I’d be willing to bet you’ll find any excuse to throw it together…even outside of the holiday season!
If warm side dishes are more your thing, then you have to try my maple bacon brussel sprouts! But if you’re looking for a holiday salad that will be the star of the show, then this recipe is definitely one to add to your must-make list.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
This is now one of my favorite brussels sprouts recipes! It’s so easy to love:
- You can prep this easy side dish in just 15 minutes. While your main dish is finishing up in the oven, prep a delicious veggie like this one super quickly.
- Brussel sprouts, and the other ingredients in this dish, are loaded with good-for-you vitamins and minerals. Brussels sprouts are loaded with antioxidants, are a great source of Vitamin K, and are a great way to get fiber into your diet.
- Easily change up the ingredients in this salad to fit your personal preferences or dietary restrictions. Shaved brussel sprouts are a great base that you can add lots of tasty ingredients to!
Ingredients
Here’s the list of simple ingredients that you need to make this amazing salad:
Brussels Sprout Salad Ingredients
- brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly sliced or shaved
- dried cranberries
- chopped pecans, toasted
- crumbled goat cheese
- sliced apple
- red onion
- salt and black pepper
Apple Cider Vinaigrette Ingredients
- apple cider vinegar
- olive oil
- Dijon mustard
- honey or maple syrup
- minced garlic
- salt and black pepper
Substitutions and Variations
If you prefer a less sweet salad, you can use less or substitute with raisins or chopped dried apricots.
Instead of goat cheese you can use crumbled feta cheese. You can also swap out the toasted pecans, and use toasted walnuts instead.
Change up the dressing ingredients by using stone ground mustard or spicy brown mustard in place of dijon. And while apple cider vinegar gives the best flavor to this dressings, you can use white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar instead!
If you don’t have olive oil to use in the salad dressing, you can use avocado oil instead.
How to Make Brussels Sprouts Salad
This easy brussels sprouts salad comes together with just a few quick steps. Here’s what you need to do to get it on your dinner table in just minutes:
In a large bowl, combine the shaved Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, toasted nuts, apple slices, red onion, and goat cheese.
Then, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
Pour the vinaigrette over the hearty salad and then toss until everything is evenly coated.
Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to a day.
What to Serve with Brussels Sprouts Salad
Serve this tasty salad with easy meals like Whole30 honey-less honey mustard chicken or bruschetta chicken. It’s yummy with air fryer filet mignon and brown sugar pork chops too.
Around the holidays, we like to make it with all of our Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner dishes. It pairs great alongside healthy sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, and roasted turkey. There’s always so many delicious way to serve this salad!
Tips for Success
Your holidays gatherings will be extra flavorful with this hearty salad. Here’s a few tips to ensure it turns out perfect:
- For a finer texture, you can use a food processor to shred the Brussels sprouts. If you prefer them a bit softer, then blanch them for 1-2 minutes before adding to the salad.
- The flavor of this salad really will be so good if you allow it to sit with the dressing! The dressing will slightly soften the brussels sprouts too, making the texture just perfect.
- To toast the pecans, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they’re golden and fragrant. This should only take about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on the skillet and be careful not to burn them.
FAQ
The vinaigrette can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Shake or whisk before using, as the ingredients may separate over time. Store it separately from the salad for the best results. But salad with dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.
Absolutely! When shaved down, they’re actually a really great crunchy texture. Raw brussels sprouts are perfectly safe to eat and when you add a dressing and salad toppings, shaved brussel sprouts taste delicious!
More Salad Recipes
Brussels Sprouts Salad
Ingredients
Brussels Sprouts Salad Ingredients
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts trimmed and thinly sliced or shaved
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup chopped pecans toasted
- ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese
- 1 small apple thinly sliced or diced
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Apple Cider Vinaigrette Ingredients
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 garlic clove minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the shaved Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, toasted nuts, apple slices, red onion, and goat cheese.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to a day.