Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad is made with flavorful ingredients like apples, goat cheese, and almonds, all tossed together in a creamy homemade dressing. It’s easy, wholesome, and bursting with fresh flavors.
In the last 10 years, I don’t think any vegetable has made a comeback quite like brussels sprouts have. I remember a time when brussels sprouts were every kid’s worst nightmare, myself included. I think a huge part of the general population’s dislike for the cruciferous veggie was the fact that nobody knew the right way to cook or serve them. My, how that has changed.
Nowadays, brussels sprouts are roasted until lightly charred, grilled, sauteed, or shredded, then seasoned to perfection. We have learned how to prepare brussels sprouts in so many ways that allow them to shine, thus creating the comeback of the century. One of my favorite ways to serve brussels sprouts is to shred them (or buy them pre-shredded) and use them as a crunchy green base for salads like this one.
In my opinion, brussels sprouts are one of the best greens to use as a base for salads. It’s a sturdier green so it can stand up against thick and creamy dressings, unlike greens like spinach that would wilt under the pressure. This salad is wholesome, creamy, sweet, nutty, and absolutely delicious.
I have served this salad to family and friends at a variety of gatherings and the consensus has always been the same: YUM! Whether you pair this dish with a protein and serve it as a meal or leave it as is and serve it as an appetizer, Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad makes a mouthwatering addition to any meal. It is also one of my favorite salads to make for the holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Key Ingredients
To make this delicious salad, you will need the following key ingredients:
- Brussels sprouts: You can shred the brussels sprouts yourself at home or buy a bag of pre-shredded brussels sprouts at the store. Whichever works!
- Apple: I tend to lean towards gala, Honeycrisp, or fuji apples for this dish, but you can use any kind you like. Look for an apple that is tart and crisp. You could swap in sliced pears as well.
- Goat cheese: This tangy cheese adds a ton of great flavor that pairs beautifully with the rest of our ingredients. You can also swap it out for feta cheese, blue cheese, parmesan cheese, or pecorino romano.
- Almonds: If you don’t like almonds, you can use different nuts like walnuts, pecans, or pumpkin seeds. For an even richer depth of flavor, try toasting them first.
- Red onions: The mildly sharp flavor and beautiful pop of color works wonders in this dish. If needed, you can swap this out for shallots or green onions instead.
- Dijon Mustard: The creamy dressing for this salad gets most of its flavor from the Dijon mustard. Make sure to choose one that you enjoy eating. If you need to swap this out, look for stone mustard or whole grain mustard. I wouldn't recommend using yellow mustard in the vinaigrette.
What's the easiest way to shred Brussels sprouts?
The easiest way to shred Brussels sprouts is to buy them shredded! Many stores including Trader Joe's, Costco, Whole Foods, and other grocery stores sell shredded Brussels sprouts near the bagged lettuce and produce.
If you are shredding the Brussels sprouts by hand, there are a few options. Normally, I just cut them very thinly using a sharp knife after removing any browned or discolored leaves. Leave the stem intact since it is easier to cut the sprout with the stem there. Once you get to the stem, just discard it.
You can also use a food processor with the shredding plate attachment or a mandolin, just make sure to protect your hands using metal mesh gloves or the slicer attachments. Since the sprouts are small, it is very easy to cut yourself.
Health Benefits of Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are cruciferous vegetables that have gained tremendous popularity in recent years for their awesome flavor and impressive nutrient density. These veggies are low in calories and high in fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
As a high-fiber, low-calorie food, brussels sprouts are widely regarded to be a great weight loss food. However, there are way more health benefits that make brussels sprouts a fantastic addition to any healthy diet.
According to Healthline, these are some of the top health benefits of brussels sprouts:
- Reduces oxidative stress in your cells
- Lowers your risk of chronic disease
- Improves heart health
- Protects against cancer
- Supports digestive health
- Helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels
- Slows cognitive decline
- Helps to reduce inflammation
Serving and Substitution Tips
Here are some of my top tips on serving styles and substitutions:
- Not a fan of goat cheese? No problem. You can swap it out for blue cheese, feta cheese, or shredded parmesan cheese.
- For a boost of protein, add grilled chicken, shrimp, baked tofu, or crispy chickpeas.
- For added sweetness, try adding pomegranate seeds, raisins, halved grapes, or dried cranberries to the salad.
- If you don’t have almonds, you can swap them out for walnuts, pecans, or pumpkin seeds.
- For an extra touch of brightness, try adding the zest of one lemon along with the lemon juice in the dressing.
- If you aren’t a fan of raw brussels sprouts, you can add the shredded Brussels to a pan and saute them for roughly 5 minutes to soften them up.
- Add bacon! Brussels sprouts and bacon is a natural pairing so don't shy away from adding some crispy cooked bacon to this salad. To keep things light, use cooked center-cut bacon or turkey bacon.
- Switch up the flavor by adding some balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar to the dressing. Just whisk it into the dressing instead of the lemon juice.
What to Serve With Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
You can serve this delicious side dish with a wide variety of dishes; including grilled or baked meats, grains, cooked veggies, and potatoes. it also makes a great fall salad and can be a star side dish on any holiday table. To get you started, here are some of my favorite side dishes to pair with this brussels sprouts salad recipe:
- Easy Grilled Chicken Breast
- Dijon Baked Salmon
- Crispy Shrimp Burgers
- Grilled Red Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Garlic Mushroom Quinoa
- One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
How to Store This Dish
This dish can be made up to 48 hours ahead of time, as long as the salad and dressing are stored separately in the fridge. Once dressing is added, the salad will stay fresh for up to 24 hours in the fridge. If you’re making this dish ahead of time for meal prep, I highly recommend storing the dressing separately from the salad.
The salad without the dressing will stay fresh for up to 3 days. On its own, the creamy homemade salad dressing can be stored in an airtight container or glass jar in the fridge for up to a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this dish:
Can you eat brussels sprouts raw?
Absolutely. Because brussels sprouts are fairly firm, it’s best to let the shredded Brussels sit in the dressing for 20-30 minutes before serving the salad to allow them to absorb the flavors and soften the crunch.
How can I add protein to the salad?
To bulk up this dish, you can add any protein of your choice. My favorite options are grilled chicken, shrimp, baked salmon, lean grilled steak, and crispy roasted chickpeas.
What can I use instead of brussels sprouts?
If you don’t have brussels sprouts or want to try a different green, you can use kale, arugula, romaine lettuce, or mixed greens.
Can I shred brussels sprouts ahead of time?
Shredding brussels sprouts in advance is a great way to save time, especially if you are preparing them for a holiday meal. Just don't shred them more than 1-2 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container with some paper towels to prevent browning.
More Healthy Brussels Sprouts Recipes
Like this recipe? Try these healthy brussels sprouts recipes next:
- Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Honey Mustard Brussels Sprouts
- Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Frittata
- Crispy Asian Brussels Sprouts
- Brussels Sprouts Pasta with Bacon
- Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts