Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

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This easy Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad is crisp, colorful, and tossed with sweet-savory, tangy flavors for the perfect side dish for holiday entertaining, dinner parties, and busy weeknights.

serving dish of salad with smaller white bowl of salad next to it with gold fork

When it comes to holiday meals, I like to include something fresh and colorful to balance out all the rich comfort food on the table. This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad not only gets the job done, but it’s just as beautiful on the table as it is delicious. With simple ingredients, this festive side is the perfect addition to any holiday spread, gathering with friends and family or weeknight dinners.

Made with crisp shaved Brussels sprouts, bold Parmesan, toasty, crunchy nuts, and tossed with sweet, savory, and tangy fall flavors, this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad is bright, vibrant, and hits every flavor and texture note. It’s one of those salads that’s great to make-ahead of time (the flavors only get better!) and the perfect pairing to the usual comfort-food classics. We love it during the holiday season, but we have a hunch you’ll be making it long after the holidays are over, too.

If you like this fresh salad, be sure to try some of our other favorite recipes. We love this simple Carrot & Cucumber Salad and this Summer Corn Salad, too.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fresh, Crunchy Contrast: Full of texture and fresh ingredients, this dish is complimentary to serve alongside heavier comfort food dishes.
No Cooking Require: Made with raw, shaved Brussels sprouts, you don’t even need to turn on the oven or stove for this side dish.
Great Make-Ahead Recipe: Easily make this side in advance for potlucks and holiday meals.

Ingredients

For The Salad:

Brussels Sprouts: The fresh, flavorful, seasonal base for the salad. Find these in the produce section.
Pomegranate Arils: Sweet and fruity, find these prepackaged or use whole pomegranates.
Apples: We like sweet, crunchy Honeycrisps.
Pecans: Toasted and crunchy, use candied or regular.
Parmesan: Freshly shaved for flavor and texture.

For The Dressing:

Olive Oil: Use a good quality, extra virgin olive oil.
Lemon Juice: For a bright, citrusy note.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tang.
Dijon Mustard: Sharp and aromatic, and helps to emulsify the dressing.
Maple Syrup or Honey: Adds just the right amount of sweetness.
Salt & Pepper: Taste and adjust.

How To Make Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

1. Prep the Brussels Sprouts: Use the shredder attachment on your food processor to shave your Brussels sprouts. If you’re short on time, most grocery stores carry pre-shredded Brussels sprouts. Not a Brussels fan? Swap them for arugula or chopped romaine for a lighter version.

mini food processor with shaved brussels sprouts in it

2. Mix the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the shaved Brussels sprouts, pomegranate arils, diced apple, pecans, and shaved Parmesan.

pepper grinder over brussels sprouts salad ingredients

3. Whisk the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup (or honey), salt, and black pepper until smooth and emulsified.
4. Combine: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.

hand pouring dressing over brussels sprouts salad

5. Let It Rest: Allow the salad to sit for about 30 minutes before serving — the acidity in the dressing will gently soften the sprouts and enhance the flavors.
6. Serve: Top with extra Parmesan, pomegranate arils, and pecans for a gorgeous finishing touch.

Expert Tips

Shave the Sprouts as Thin as Possible: This will give the salad a a slaw-like texture that’s easy to eat raw.
Add the Apple Just Before Serving: To prevent it from turning brown.
Keep the Dressing Separate: Until serving time, if making the salad ahead, so it doesn’t get soggy and stays crunchy.
Use a Mandolin: To help make shaking the large batch of sprouts even and quick.

Variations & Substitutions

Try Dried Fruits: Swap in dried cranberries or dried cherries for pomegranate arils for a fruity flavor and chewy texture.
Use Pepitas: Try these or another nut, like walnuts, in place of pecans.
Add Crumbled Bacon: For a smoky, savory addition and extra flavor
Try Another Cheese: Swap out parmesan for feta or goat cheese, for a different and delicious flavor profile.

What To Serve With Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

There are so many options, it really pairs well with almost any protein, but here are some of our favorites:

Storage

Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The faster it’s enjoyed, the fresher it’ll be.

If possible, we recommend storing leftover dressing in an airtight container, separate from the salad. When you’re ready to serve again, dress and enjoy.

This is a great salad to prep in advance to save time. Prep the veggies, components and dressing ahead of time, then mix together and assemble right before serving.

wooden spoonful of brussels sprouts salad

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need special equipment to shave the Brussels sprouts?

You don’t need it, but using a mandolin certainly helps shave the sprouts quicker and more evenly. We recommend it, but it’s not needed to make the salad — a knife works just as well.

Can I use pre-shredded Brussels sprouts from the store?

Sure – find these in the produce section for a great time-saving shortcut.

What other mix-ins work best for this salad?

Crispy, smokey bacon, different nuts like walnuts, or a variety of cheeses like goat or feta are all tasty mix-ins.

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