Made with just a few ingredients, Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad is a terrific side dish for holiday dinners. Don't wait for Thanksgiving to make this recipe though! Drenched in Maple Mustard Dressing, this Brussel sprout salad is full of fall flavors and is the perfect companion for just about any seasonal meal. Pecans and apples complement the Brussel sprouts in this dish, but you can use any kind of nuts and fruit and you like. It would taste just as delicious with cranberries and walnuts. This easy recipe vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free.
Brussels Sprouts
Growing up, I really hated Brussels sprouts. They were one of the few vegetables I didn’t like. I’m pretty sure I had only ever had frozen sprouts that were heated up in the microwave, and they were gross.
When I met Dennis, he said that sprouts were one of his favorite vegetables. After living together for a while, I felt bad that I wasn’t making his favorite veggie. Through experimenting with different ways to cook them, I found that I didn’t mind them roasted. They also weren't too bad when paired with a savory sauce. Soon, I developed a taste for them and began cooking them with just a few seasonings.
Now, Brussels sprouts are one of my favorites, too, and I cook with them all the time. I love to roast them, pan fry them, and add them to salads. I even enjoy them raw! Brussels Sprouts are part of our meals just about every week, especially in the autumn and winter months. They’re always a mainstay on my holiday table now.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Thanksgiving tends to be all about brown food. Just search the hashtag #veganthanksgiving on Instagram, and you’ll find a plethora of plates covered in brown food swimming in brown gravy. I like to make my meals colorful, with bright orange winter squash and rich red cranberry sauce. And of course, vibrant green Brussels sprouts make an appearance, too.
This light Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad is a terrific compliment to the heavy, brown dishes that are often served on Thanksgiving. It only takes a few minutes to make, and it can be assembled a head of time, which can be a great time saver on Thanksgiving.
How to Shave Brussels Sprouts
Of course, sprouts aren't actually shaved in a shaved Brussels sprouts salad. They're just sliced super thin. It would take forever to do with a knife. (I know – I’ve tried in the past!) I like to use the slicer blade on my food processor, which slices them in a matter of seconds.
A mandoline slicer will work too, but it will take a little longer. Be super careful not to slice your fingers if you do use a mandoline.
An apple is also sliced super thin for this salad, and I also use my food processor that, too.
How to Toast Pecans
To toast your nuts, place a large, dry (no oil) frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the nuts and cook, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes. They can also be roasted in a 400°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them, because they go from no-yet-done to totally burnt in a matter of seconds.
What You Need
- Brussels sprouts
- Apple
- Lemon juice
- Toasted pecans
- Maple Mustard Dressing
- Fresh sage leaves
See the recipe card for exact measurements.
How to Make Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Once the apple is sliced very thin, it’s tossed with lemon juice to keep it from browning. This prevents it from browning.
- Then you place the sliced sprouts in a large bowl with the apples and pecans.
- Next you drizzle in the dressing and toss everything until it's well coated.
- Finally, you garnish your salad with slices sage leaves.
How to Customize Your Salad
You can easily make this recipe your own!
- I played with different dressings for this salad, but I found that I liked the Maple Mustard the best. If you'd rather use a different dressing, go for it.
- If you don't like pecans, you can use a different nut, such as walnuts or hazelnuts.
- You can use pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries to add a little color to your salad, if you like.
- If you’re feeling cheesy, you can sprinkle a little vegan parmesan on top.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces brussels sprouts trimmed
- 1 small apple
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup toasted pecans coarsely chopped
- ½ cup Maple Mustard Dressing
- 3 or 4 fresh sage leaves sliced
Instructions
- Use the slicing blade of a food processor or mandoline slicer to slice the brussels sprouts. You want the slices to be somewhere between ⅛” and ¼”.
- Place the sprouts in a large bowl.
- Slice the apple in half and remove the core. Once again use the slicing blade of a food processor or mandoline slicer to slice the apple. The slices should be about ¼” thick.
- Place the apple slices in a small bowl and toss them with the lemon juice.
- Add the apples and pecans to the bowl with the sprouts. Drizzle in the dressing and toss to coat. Garnish with sliced sage leaves.
- Salad can be served at room temperature or chilled.
Other Holiday Salads You Might Enjoy Include:
- Holiday Kale Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing
- Farro Salad with Apples and Pecans
- Harvest Salad with Pumpkin Vinaigrette
More Brussels Sprout Recipes Include
Cornmeal Crusted Brussels Sprouts
Sweet and Sour Brussels Sprouts
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