What about a delicious Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad that’s just bursting with flavor. Who knew that brussels sprouts could go from 0 to 100 so fast?
Never been a fan of Brussels sprouts? Well, I’ve got a salad dish that’s about to turn that “eww!” into a “wow!”
This shaved Brussels sprout salad is both fancy and delicious and will blow the minds of those sprout skeptics out there. This salad has got so much flavor going on, even the pickiest eaters will be coming back for seconds.
For starters, it’s not just a plate full of Brussels sprouts. They may be the stars of this dish but they have a strong supporting cast consisting of fruit, cheese, and killer dressing. Despite these other ingredients, the dish is really easy to make. No fancy ingredients or complicated steps, just straight-up, good food.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
- Quirky twist—we’re using thin, shaved Brussels sprouts instead of the whole deal. This means you’ll get to taste their subtle flavors. If you’re a fan of Brussels sprouts but have never had them shaven, give this recipe a go.
- Brussels sprouts are incredibly healthy, as they are a source of vitamins C, K, and A, as well as fiber.
- These sprouts pair well with any protein, be it chicken, fish, pork, or beef. This will make composing a menu a breeze.
- Once you’ve got this base recipe down, experiment with the included cheeses, fruit, and seasoning. You’ll be able to make this dish every night of the week and have it taste different every time.
Is Brussels Sprout Salad Keto Friendly?
Brussels sprouts are keto friendly. They are low in carbohydrates and high in fiber. Pecorino cheese is a great flavor adder and is, like most cheeses, high in fat and low in carbs. Olive oil is a healthy fat — one of the best for those cooking a keto-friendly meal. The mustard and lemon juice won’t give you any issues, either. The cranberries, however, if they are dried, may contain added sugars so it’s important you opt for fresh ones. They contain few carbs.
Ingredients
As with most salads, you will be tossing these ingredients together, so no cooking required!
- 1 lb. Brussels sprouts
- ¼ cup cranberries
- ¼ cup pecorino cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp whole-grain mustard
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife or a mandolin to thinly shave the Brussels sprouts, then use your fingers to break them up.
- In a bowl (I like to use the bowl I will be serving in), mix together the mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.
- Add the Brussels sprouts, cranberries, and pecorino cheese into the bowl with the dressing and toss until everything is well coated. Serve and enjoy.
Variations
- Add some toasted almonds, walnuts, or pecans for a crunchy texture.
- Add a little keto-friendly sweetener to the dressing, like stevia or erythritol. Or, if you want to experiment with the dressing but not make it sweeter, try adding apple cider vinegar, a bit of garlic, an avocado dressing, or this zero-carb ranch dressing.
- Use a different cheese (or add these cheeses to pecorino if you want to load up on the dairy). Feta, goat cheese, cheddar, or gouda will work with the salad; just don’t pick a cheese with added sugar or carbs.
- Not satisfied with just Brussels sprouts as your vegetable? Mix in thinly sliced red or green cabbage, cucumber, radish, kale, or spinach.
- If you want a heartier salad, just add some chilled quinoa or farro.
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure you taste the dressing while you’re making it to make sure it doesn’t need more salt or pepper etc.
- If you prefer a creamier dressing, you can add a tablespoon of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to the mix.
- When buying the sprouts, look for bright green ones that are firm to touch with tightly closed leaves.
- Let your salad sit for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and give the sprouts time to absorb the dressing better.
Serving Suggestions
Creamy Keto Cauliflower Rice: Not an entrée but rather, another side that will work alongside the Brussels sprouts as a one-two punch.
Healthy Pulled Pork: This is an Instant Pot classic that takes little effort to whip up. Only five ingredients and zero carbs!
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos: A keto-friendly (and kid-friendly) recipe for chicken tacos that can be ready in less than 30 minutes.
FAQs
Yep! Just pop on that slicing attachment and process the sprouts in small batches. But keep an eye on them; shaven sprouts can quickly turn to mushy sprouts.
Just dump the pecorino and replace it with a vegan cheese or skip the cheese entirely. Add in stuff like nutritional yeast for a cheesy kick or toasted pumpkin seeds for some protein power.
If you’re more into warm salads, just give the shredded Brussels sprouts a quick sauté in a tiny bit of olive oil. After 2-3 minutes, add them back in with the rest of the ingredients and serve.
How to Store Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Just stash your salad in a Tupperware or cover it with plastic wrap. It’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days.
If you want it to last longer, just store ingredients separately and they’ll stay crunchy for up to 5 days.
Ready to grub? Mix it all, add the dressing, season as you like, and enjoy!
Healthy Brussels Sprout Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Brussels sprouts
- ¼ cup cranberries
- ¼ cup pecorino cheese grated
- 1 tbsp whole-grain mustard
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife or a mandolin to thinly shave the Brussels sprouts, then use your fingers to break them up.
- In a bowl (I like to use the bowl I will be serving in), mix together the mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.
- Add the Brussels sprouts, cranberries, and pecorino cheese into the bowl with the dressing and toss until everything is well coated. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- To make this vegan, dump the pecorino and replace it with a vegan cheese or skip the cheese entirely. Add in stuff like nutritional yeast for a cheesy kick or toasted pumpkin seeds for some protein power.
- Although this salad is normally served cold or at room temperature, if you’re more into warm salads, just give the shredded Brussels sprouts a quick sauté in a tiny bit of olive oil. After 2-3 minutes, add them back in with the rest of the ingredients and serve.
Nutrition
