Elevate your culinary repertoire with this exquisite Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, a vibrant dish that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and nutty flavors. Featuring crisp apples, crunchy toasted walnuts, and rich Parmigiano, all harmoniously tossed in a simple yet captivating homemade dressing, this salad is more than just a side dish. It’s a culinary experience designed to brighten your plate and delight your palate, making it an ideal companion to your cherished Fall Recipes or a refreshing, light element on your elaborate Thanksgiving Dinner Menu. Ready in a mere 15 minutes, this recipe is a testament to how quick and effortless healthy eating can be, without compromising on taste or elegance.
The beauty of this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad lies in its simplicity and versatility. With minimal effort, you can transform fresh, wholesome ingredients into a show-stopping dish. Just combine the prepared components in a bowl, add the luscious dressing, toss thoroughly, and serve. Its adaptable nature also invites creativity; feel free to customize it with seasonal toppings for a festive burst of color or experiment with diverse flavors and textures to make it uniquely yours. Whether you’re aiming for a quick weeknight meal or a sophisticated addition to a holiday spread, this salad delivers on all fronts – taste, health, and convenience.
For those eager to explore more fresh, fall-inspired recipes that celebrate the humble Brussels sprout, I highly recommend trying my Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Salad, a robust Brussels Sprouts Bacon Salad, or the wonderfully sweet and savory Pomegranate Glazed Brussels Sprouts. Each recipe offers a unique way to enjoy this nutritious vegetable, ensuring there’s a sprout dish for every preference and occasion.
Should you find yourself with an abundance of Brussels sprouts needing a delicious purpose, don’t hesitate to check out my fantastic recipes for Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts and Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts. These methods offer simple, flavorful ways to utilize your extra sprouts, transforming them into crispy, caramelized delights that are perfect as a side or a snack.
How To Make Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad: A Step-by-Step Guide
Crafting this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to whip up a gourmet-level side dish in minutes. The key lies in selecting fresh, quality ingredients and following a few simple steps to bring out their best flavors and textures.
Essential Ingredients for Your Salad
- Brussels Sprouts: The star of our salad! While pre-shaved Brussels sprouts offer convenience, I personally prefer using fresh sprouts and shaving them myself. This allows for optimal freshness and control over the thickness of the slices, which contributes to the salad’s delightful texture. Look for firm, bright green sprouts with tightly packed leaves for the best results.
- Apple: A sweet and crisp counterpoint to the earthy Brussels sprouts. My go-to is the Honeycrisp apple for its perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, and its firm texture that holds up well in a salad. However, any vibrant red apple, such as Fuji or Gala, will contribute beautifully to the salad’s flavor and visual appeal.
- Shallot or Red Onion: These aromatic vegetables add a delicate bite and depth of flavor. Shallots offer a milder, sweeter oniony note, while red onion provides a slightly sharper, more pungent kick. Choose whichever you prefer or have on hand; both are fantastic in this recipe. Ensure they are finely minced to distribute their flavor evenly throughout the salad.
- Olive Oil: The foundation of our simple, yet flavorful dressing. I strongly recommend using extra-virgin olive oil for its distinct light, fruity, and robust flavor profile. Its quality significantly impacts the overall taste of the dressing and, consequently, the entire salad.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides the essential tangy acidity that brightens the dressing and complements the other ingredients. Apple cider vinegar is known for its crisp, slightly fruity notes, making it an excellent base for this autumn-inspired salad.
- Honey: A touch of sweetness is crucial to balance the tartness of the apple cider vinegar and the slight bitterness of the Brussels sprouts. Honey adds a natural, rich sweetness. For a vegan alternative, pure maple syrup works just as wonderfully, providing a similar depth of flavor.
- Seasoning: Simple salt and black pepper are all you need to enhance and bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients. Always season to taste, adjusting as needed after tossing the salad.
- Walnuts: These provide a delightful crunch and a rich, earthy flavor. Toasting the chopped walnuts beforehand is a simple step that significantly amplifies their nuttiness and ensures maximum crispness, adding an extra layer of texture to the salad.
- Parmigiano: The final savory touch. You’ll want a mix of fresh Parmigiano (Parmesan cheese) slices and crumbles. The slices offer a beautiful presentation and a luxurious melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the crumbles integrate throughout the salad, infusing every bite with its distinct umami flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Assembly
Preparing this vibrant salad is a quick and satisfying process. Follow these straightforward steps to create a dish that’s both visually appealing and incredibly flavorful.
Step 1: Assemble the Salad Base
- Begin by ensuring your Brussels sprouts are impeccably clean. Thoroughly wash and dry them, then carefully remove any bruised or damaged outer leaves. This ensures only the freshest, most appealing parts make it into your salad. Once prepped, shave the Brussels sprouts thinly using a sharp knife, mandoline, or food processor.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the thinly shaved Brussels sprouts with the crisp, chopped apple and the finely minced shallots or red onion. These fresh ingredients form the delightful foundation of your salad.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Homemade Dressing
- In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, a pinch of salt, and a dash of black pepper. Continue whisking until the ingredients are well combined and the dressing has a smooth, emulsified consistency. This simple dressing is the key to uniting all the flavors.
Step 3: Combine Salad Base, Dressing, and Flavorful Add-ins
- Pour the freshly prepared dressing generously over the Brussels sprouts and apple mixture in the large bowl.
- Gently toss the salad until all the components are evenly coated with the dressing. Ensure every shaved sprout and apple piece gets its share of flavor.
- Next, add the toasted walnuts, which provide a fantastic crunch, and the sliced and crumbled Parmigiano cheese, adding a savory depth.
- Toss the salad once more, ensuring the walnuts and Parmigiano are well distributed throughout the mixture, creating a perfect balance of textures and tastes.
Step 4: Plate and Serve Your Delicious Salad
- Once thoroughly mixed, you can either transfer the Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad to an elegant serving dish for a more formal presentation or simply serve it directly from the mixing bowl for a relaxed, family-style meal.
- For an extra touch of sophistication and flavor, garnish your salad with a few additional toasted walnuts and a scattering of fresh Parmigiano slices. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful medley of flavors and textures!
Expert Tips for a Perfect Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Achieve Ultra-Thin Slices: The thinner your Brussels sprouts are shaved, the more delicate and enjoyable the salad’s texture will be. If using a knife, always ensure your blade is honed and sharp before you begin. A sharp knife makes detailed chopping easier, safer, and yields more consistent results, preventing bruising of the sprouts.
- Save Time with Tools: For significantly faster prep work and perfectly uniform slices, consider using a mandoline slicer or a food processor with a slicing attachment. These tools can shave a large batch of Brussels sprouts in mere moments, drastically cutting down on your kitchen time. Always use caution and the appropriate safety guards when operating these tools.
- Master Parmigiano Slices: For those beautiful, paper-thin Parmigiano cheese slices that add a touch of gourmet elegance, a simple vegetable peeler is your best friend. Glide the peeler along a block of Parmigiano to create delicate ribbons. Reserve the most aesthetically pleasing pieces for a stunning garnish, and crumble the remaining bits directly into the salad for an irresistible cheesy flavor throughout.
- Optimal Brussels Sprouts Storage: To keep your fresh Brussels sprouts at their peak crispness and flavor for as long as possible, store them unwashed and untrimmed. Place them in a breathable plastic bag or a mesh produce bag within your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. This method helps maintain their moisture content and prevents premature wilting.
- Prepare Dressing in Advance: For maximum flavor development and to save precious time on the day of serving, prepare your salad dressing ahead of time. Whisk the ingredients together and store the dressing in an airtight container or a mason jar in the refrigerator. Allowing the dressing to sit for a few hours, or even overnight, enables the flavors of the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and honey to meld beautifully, creating a more cohesive and delicious dressing.
How To Store Leftovers
- To Store: For the best quality and longest shelf life, it’s always recommended to store the salad components separately if possible. Keep the shaved Brussels sprouts, apples, and nuts in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator, and store the dressing in a sealed mason jar. When stored this way, your leftovers will remain fresh and crisp for up to 4 days. If the salad has already been combined with the dressing, transfer any remaining portion to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. The texture may soften slightly over time once dressed, but it will still be delicious.
- Note: Freezing this salad is not recommended. The fresh ingredients, particularly the raw Brussels sprouts and apples, will lose their desirable crisp texture and become watery and mushy once frozen and thawed, significantly diminishing the salad’s quality.
What To Serve with Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Comforting Soup and Salad Combo: There’s no more comforting pairing than a fresh, vibrant salad alongside a warm bowl of soup, especially during cooler months. This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad pairs exquisitely with a cozy bowl of my easy butternut squash soup, creating a balanced and utterly satisfying fall meal that’s both hearty and light.
- Crusty Fresh Bread: While this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad is undeniably incredible on its own, it reaches new heights when served with a side of warm, crunchy bread. Imagine pairing it with fragrant garlic bread or soft, fluffy low-carb dinner rolls. The contrast in textures and the soak-up potential of the bread make for a truly delightful experience.
- Savory Chicken for a Complete Meal: To transform this delightful salad into a quick, satisfying, and nutritious main meal, simply add your favorite protein. My sliced garlic butter baked chicken breast, with its tender meat and aromatic flavors, makes an excellent complement, creating a wholesome and flavorful dinner in no time.
- Flavorful Salmon for a Light Feast: The light, fresh, and slightly tangy flavors of this salad are a perfect match for savory fish dishes. Pair it with my succulent garlic butter baked salmon or a wonderfully seasoned blackened salmon. The fresh crunch of the salad beautifully contrasts with the tender, rich fish, creating a harmonious and healthy meal.
- A Fresh Addition to Your Holiday Dinner: This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad is a fantastic way to introduce a fresh, vibrant side dish to your traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas table. Its seasonal ingredients and festive colors make it a welcome counterpoint to richer holiday fare, offering a much-appreciated burst of freshness.
Recipe Variations & Customizations
- Exciting Toppings and Savory Add-ins: Unleash your creativity by adding a variety of toppings and mix-ins to enhance both the texture and flavor of your salad. For an irresistible savory crunch, crisp bacon bits are always a welcome addition. If you’re looking for a festive pop of color and a touch of sweetness, toss in some bright pomegranate seeds or chewy dried cranberries. For more inspiration, explore my shredded Brussels sprouts salad recipe. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other nuts like pecans or almonds instead of walnuts, or swap Parmigiano for tangy feta cheese or creamy goat cheese to introduce different flavor profiles.
- Customize the Dressing to Your Liking: The beauty of this salad lies in its adaptable dressing. You can effortlessly customize it to suit your personal preference. Instead of apple cider vinegar, consider using fresh lemon juice for a brighter, more zesty flavor, or rich red wine vinegar for a deeper, more robust tang. Infuse the dressing with fresh herbs such as finely chopped parsley, dill, or chives for an aromatic boost. For an added layer of complexity and a subtle kick, a teaspoon of Dijon mustard whisked into the dressing can work wonders.
- Make it Vegan-Friendly: Adapting this recipe to be entirely vegan is simple! The primary non-vegan ingredients are honey and Parmigiano cheese. Replace the honey with your preferred vegan sweetener, such as pure maple syrup or agave nectar. For the cheesy element, nutritional yeast offers a savory, umami flavor reminiscent of cheese, or you can opt for a high-quality store-bought vegan parmesan alternative. These simple swaps ensure everyone can enjoy this delicious salad.
- Serve it Warm for a Cozy Twist: If the idea of raw Brussels sprouts isn’t quite appealing to you, or if you’re simply craving a comforting warm salad, a quick sauté can transform this dish. Briefly sauté the shaved Brussels sprouts in a little olive oil for just a couple of minutes. The goal is to cook them until they are slightly tender but still retain a delightful crunch, similar to the texture in my warm quinoa Brussels sprouts salad. This gentle cooking method softens their flavor while maintaining a satisfying texture.
More Brussels Sprouts Recipes
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mayo Mustard Dressing
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Sausage with Brussels Sprouts Skillet
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Brussels Sprouts Casserole Recipe
29 mins
Easy Baked Chicken with Brussels Sprouts
55 mins
Print
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
3 from 2 votes
Author: Olivia Ribas
Servings6 people
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad features sweet apples, toasted walnuts, and nutty Parmigiano, all tossed in a simple homemade dressing. It’s the perfect side dish to elevate your favorite Fall Recipes or add a light element to your Thanksgiving Dinner Menu.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb Brussels sprouts shredded
- 1 large red apple cored and chopped (I used Honey Crispy apple)
- 2 tablespoons minced shallots
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ cup walnuts toasted and chopped
- ¾ cup fresh Parmigiano sliced and some crumbled too
Instructions
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Combine Brussels sprouts, chopped apple, and minced shallots in a large bowl.
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Make the dressing by whisking together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper.
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Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
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Add toasted walnuts, crumbled and sliced Parmigiano. Toss to combine. Enjoy!
Notes
- Hone the blade of your knife for safe, precise chopping.
- Quickly shave Brussels sprouts with a mandoline slicer or food processor.
- Use a vegetable peeler to get picture-perfect cheese slices.
- Store fresh Brussels sprouts unwashed and untrimmed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer.
- Prepare the salad dressing in advance to allow the flavors to develop.
- To Store: Place salad components in separate containers and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. If combined, transfer to a container and store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
- Note: I don’t recommend freezing leftovers, as the texture will not hold up well.
Nutrition
Serving: 1/6, Calories: 395kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 29g, Cholesterol: 12mg, Sodium: 416mg, Potassium: 560mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 16g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.