Tips for Making the Best Brussels Sprout Salad
Finely shred the brussels sprouts. I know it’s convenient to buy store-bought shredded brussels sprouts, but they are never finely shredded enough for me. (And they can be pretty inconsistent with texture.) Instead, I prefer to shred whole brussels sprouts with a sharp knife and a cutting board. Alternatively, you can use the shredding blade on a food processor, for even faster results. Let it marinate. Brussels sprouts don’t have a super-tender texture like other green lettuces, so you may want to dress this salad 30 to 60 minutes in advance before serving it. You can make the dressing up to 3 days in advance, if you’d like to plan ahead for a holiday meal, and you can even shred the brussels sprouts ahead of time, too. Just toss them together before serving, at least 30 minutes ahead of time. Add some crunch. Brussels sprouts are slightly crunchy on their own, but this salad is even better when you add some chopped nuts. I opt for pecans here, because they seem appropriate for a holiday, but walnuts are perfect in this, too. Dried fruit helps, too. I love adding dried cranberries to this salad, for an extra sweet-tart flavor, and added chewiness. Since it can be tricky to find fruit-sweetened cranberries, you can use raisins if you prefer to avoid any added sugar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s in a brussels sprouts salad?
Brussels sprouts Dried cranberries Pecans Apple cider vinegar Mustard Honey Ginger (the secret ingredient!) Shallot
Most brussels sprouts salads I’ve seen on the internet go in the direction of a red wine vinaigrette paired with Parmesan cheese, but tossing it with a honey mustard dressing takes it to the next level. If there were a competition out there, this one would win. The secret is adding a touch of ginger to the honey mustard dressing. This is inspired by my Honey Dijon Dressing, which has been a fan favorite for years.
How to Make It
- Prepare the dressing. Add the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, ginger, honey, salt and pepper to the bottom of a large bowl, and whisk well.
I like to prepare this in the same bowl I plan on mixing in, so there aren’t extra dishes to do later. 2. Shred the veggies. Finely dice the shallot, then add it to the dressing as soon as possible, so the flavor can start to mellow. Shallots tend to have a more mild onion flavor than red onion, but you can use a similar amount of red onion in a pinch, or omit it entirely. The salad is delicious either way.
Shred the brussels sprouts, and add them to the bowl, too. Toss well, to coat them evenly in the dressing. 3. Enjoy! Add in the dried cranberries and chopped pecans, then toss and serve. You can adjust any seasoning to taste at this point, adding a little extra salt and pepper, or you can add a little more vinegar or mustard to make it more tart. For a slightly sweeter flavor, you can add a little more honey, too.
Let the salad rest for 30 to 60 minutes, then serve. You can store this in the fridge if you plan on serving it in the next 2 hours or so, otherwise I recommend storing the shredded veggies and dressing separately, so you can mix shortly before serving.
Expert Tips & Common Questions
Can I make this vegan? Yes, you can swap the honey for maple syrup to make a vegan salad dressing. What pairs well with brussels sprouts? If you want to add more to this salad, I think it’s nice with chopped apples or pears, but don’t add those until shortly before serving, so they won’t turn brown or mushy. You could also add sliced grapes, or shredded purple cabbage for extra color. You can serve brussels sprouts salad with practically any protein you love, and it also pairs well with holiday dishes, like Vegan Meatloaf, Wild Rice Stuffing, and Mashed Potatoes with Vegan Gravy. Can you eat raw shredded brussels sprouts? Yes, you don’t need to cook brussels sprouts before eating them. They do tend to have a tougher texture compared to a typical leafy green salad, but when you finely shred them and let them marinate in the dressing, this raw brussels sprouts salad becomes totally delectable. How long can you store shredded brussels sprouts? Once you shred them, brussels sprouts should keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store the dressing separately for the best flavor and texture.
More Salad Recipes to Try
If you love this salad, you’ll also love these:
Holiday Salad Sweet Sesame Lime Cabbage Salad Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing Vegan Caesar Salad Sweet & Crunchy Carrot Salad Arugula Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
I can’t wait to hear which one you try next! If you try this Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad, please leave a star rating and review in the comments below! — Reader Feedback: What is your favorite dish to bring to a holiday gathering?
