This shaved Brussels sprouts salad is a mix of sweet, nutty, and savory flavors, balanced with a honey lemon vinaigrette that brings it all together – perfect for any occasion.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
I love making this shaved Brussels sprouts salad whenever I’m craving something light but filling. The freshly shaved Brussels sprouts create a crisp base that pairs perfectly with the sweet dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and creamy feta cheese. The apple cider honey vinaigrette adds just the right touch of sweetness and tang to tie everything together.
This salad is hearty enough to stand on its own (add some lean protein) as a light main dish, but it also makes the perfect side for just about anything, especially the holidays. It’s one of those salads that’s simple to throw together but still feels special with all the textures and flavors going on.
The salad’s vibrant colors and fresh ingredients make it a visually appealing centerpiece for any meal.
Why I Love This Recipe
- The combination of textures—crisp sprouts, crunchy nuts, and creamy cheese—makes every bite interesting.
- The apple cider honey vinaigrette adds a perfect balance of sweetness and tang.
- It’s a salad that’s satisfying enough to serve as a main but also works as a fresh, vibrant side dish.
Ingredients
Here are the salad ingredients that bring this Brussels sprouts salad together:
- Brussels sprouts: These create the crisp base of the salad and give it that fresh, leafy bite.
- Dried cranberries: They add a pop of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
- Pecans: They add crunch and a bit of nuttiness to the mix.
- Honeycrisp apple: Adds a sweet, juicy crunch that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
- Feta cheese: Creamy and tangy, it’s the perfect contrast to the sweetness and crunch.
- Extra virgin olive oil: The smooth, rich base for the dressing.
- Honey: Sweetness that complements the tangy apple cider vinegar.
- Apple cider vinegar: Gives the dressing a nice tartness to balance the sweetness.
- Applesauce: Adds a little extra apple flavor to tie it all together.
- Dijon mustard: A little sharpness to round out the dressing’s flavor.
- Lemon zest: A necessary burst of citrus that brightens everything up.
- Fresh thyme & fresh sage: These herbs bring an earthy, aromatic depth to the vinaigrette.
- Garlic salt & pepper: To season and bring all the flavors together with just the right touch of spice.
How To Make Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Step One (Make the Vinaigrette):
Toss all the vinaigrette ingredients into a mason jar or dressing shaker. Shake it up until it’s well mixed, then set it aside for later. - Step Two (Toast the Pecans):
Heat a skillet and gently toast the chopped pecans until they’re slightly browned. Once they’re done, take them off the heat and set them aside. - Step Three (Prep the Brussels Sprouts):
Grab a mandoline (or just a sharp knife) and slice or shave the Brussels sprouts nice and thin. You want them to have that light, crisp texture. - Step Four (Assemble the Salad):
Toss the shaved Brussels sprouts, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries together with as much of the vinaigrette as you like. Then, pile it all into a big serving dish. Top it off with sliced apples and crumbled feta cheese.
Recipe Tips
A few quick tricks make this shaved Brussels sprouts salad really work:
- Massage the Brussels sprouts with a little olive oil and salt to soften them and take off that bitter edge. My avocado kale salad with “cheesy” flavor uses the same method to make greens taste rich instead of raw.
- Toast the pecans for a deeper flavor and better crunch. It’s a small step that pays off.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or mint for color and brightness.
- Let it chill for about 30 minutes before serving so everything settles in.
- Adjust the vinaigrette to taste – more honey for sweet, more vinegar for tang.
- Add grilled chicken, roasted chickpeas, or bacon if you want to turn it into a meal.
- Taste and season again right before serving. A squeeze of lemon wakes it up.
Storage
Brussels sprouts are hearty and can withstand wilting. This salad remains delicious up to 24 hours after tossing with the dressing.
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts: Without dressing, they stay fresh in the fridge for a couple of weeks. If they start to turn brown or develop an off smell, it’s time to toss them.
- Dressing: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the Brussels sprouts and the dressing in advance. However, it’s best to mix the ingredients shortly before serving to maintain the salad’s freshness and crunch. - Is it safe to eat raw Brussels sprouts?
Yes, raw Brussels sprouts are full of nutrients and fiber and are safe to eat. - Can I use a different type of nut if I don’t have pecans?
You can substitute pecans with almonds, walnuts, or any other nuts of your choice. - How do I thinly slice Brussels sprouts?
Remove any brown, yellow, or wilted leaves. Hold a Brussels sprout by its stem end and thinly slice it with a sharp chef’s knife until you reach the stem. Discard the stem end. - Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Yes, the dressing can be prepared up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve. - Can I use a different type of cheese if I don’t have feta?
Yes, you can substitute feta with goat cheese, Parmesan, or any cheese of your choice. - Can I use a different type of vinegar for the dressing?
Yes, you can substitute apple cider vinegar with balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar. - Can I add other fruit to this salad?
Yes, pears or pomegranate seeds can enhance the flavor and add another layer of sweet contrast to the salad.
More Fresh Tasting Salad Recipes
Here are a few more of my favorite salad recipes to enjoy that are perfect for any occasion.
- Beet Salad with Feta
- Spinach Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
- Cucumber Feta Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
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Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
This shaved Brussels sprouts salad combines crisp sprouts, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy toasted pecans, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a tangy apple cider honey vinaigrette. It's a versatile dish that can serve as a refreshing side or a light main course.
Servings: 6
Calories: 307kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsps. honey
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsps. apple sauce or apple butter
- 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 tsps. lemon zest
- 2 tbsps. fresh thyme finely chopped
- 1 tbsp. fresh sage
- pinch garlic salt
- pinch black pepper
Salad:
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 20 large Brussels sprouts shaved or finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 large Honeycrisp apple cut into thin slices
- 4 oz. feta cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Make the vinaigrette by adding all the ingredients to a mason jar or dressing shaker. Shake well and set aside.1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tbsps. honey, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsps. apple sauce, 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard, 2 tsps. lemon zest, 2 tbsps. fresh thyme , 1 tbsp. fresh sage, pinch garlic salt, pinch black pepper
- In a skillet, gently toast the chopped pecans until they’re slightly browned, then remove from heat and set aside.1/2 cup chopped pecans
- Using a mandoline, finely slice or shave the Brussels sprouts.20 large Brussels sprouts
- Toss the Brussels sprouts, pecans, and cranberries with your desired amount of vinaigrette, then transfer the salad to a large serving dish. Top with apple slices and crumbled feta cheese.1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1 large Honeycrisp apple, 4 oz. feta cheese
Notes
For optimal outcomes when preparing this shaved Brussels sprouts salad, it's recommended to refer to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.
The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.
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Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Amount Per Serving (144 g)
Calories 307
Calories from Fat 202
% Daily Value*
Fat 22.4g34%
Saturated Fat 4.3g27%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.1g
Monounsaturated Fat 13.5g
Cholesterol 12.6mg4%
Sodium 175mg8%
Potassium 279mg8%
Carbohydrates 26g9%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 19g21%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 38IU1%
Vitamin C 45mg55%
Calcium 101mg10%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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