Easy & Healthy Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad: The Perfect Holiday Side Dish
Prepare to delight your guests this holiday season with this incredibly fresh and flavorful Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad. This vibrant dish combines thinly sliced Brussels sprouts with the delightful crunch of silvered almonds and toasted pine nuts, all brought together with savory Parmesan cheese and a bright, light olive oil and lemon dressing. It’s not just a side dish; it’s a star that’s simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser!
The inspiration for this recipe struck during a memorable meal at Cooper’s Hawk restaurant. My friends and I were all so impressed by their Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad – we simply couldn’t stop talking about its incredible taste and texture. It was the perfect balance of crispness from the fresh sprouts, richness from the creamy Parmesan, and a refreshing zing from a light lemon dressing.
Naturally, I was eager to recreate this culinary experience at home, and I’m thrilled to share my version with you. For my rendition, I decided to include toasted pine nuts, as their buttery, nutty flavor is something I adore and often incorporate into my dishes. However, if pine nuts aren’t to your taste, feel free to omit them – the salad will still be wonderfully delicious!
This salad quickly became a favorite, especially for holiday gatherings. One of its best features is how well shaved Brussels sprouts hold their texture, making it an excellent option for preparing ahead of time. If you plan to make it a day in advance, simply hold off on adding the Parmesan cheese and the dressing until just before serving. This ensures every bite is as fresh and crisp as possible.
To save precious time in the kitchen, keep an eye out for pre-shaved Brussels sprouts at your local grocery store. Many stores, like Trader Joe’s, offer them in their produce section, making this already simple Brussels sprouts salad even easier to whip up!
Why Shave Brussels Sprouts? The Secret to the Best Texture!
Shaving Brussels sprouts transforms them completely. Instead of the denser, sometimes slightly bitter texture of whole or halved sprouts, shaving them creates delicate, ribbon-like pieces that are tender-crisp and incredibly palatable, even for those who might be hesitant about Brussels sprouts. This thin cut allows them to absorb the dressing beautifully and makes for a lighter, more refreshing salad experience. It’s the key to their widespread appeal in this recipe!
The Nutritional Power of Brussels Sprouts
Beyond their delicious taste, Brussels sprouts are nutritional powerhouses. They are rich in vitamins K and C, high in fiber, and contain antioxidants. Incorporating them into your diet can support bone health, boost immunity, and aid digestion. This salad offers a delightful way to enjoy these miniature cabbages and reap their numerous health benefits without compromising on flavor.
If you’re looking for more delicious and healthy salad ideas, you might also enjoy these favorites:
- Crunchy Kale Slaw
- Summer Orzo Pasta Salad
- Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts
- Massaged Kale Salad
- Brussels Sprout Slaw
- Brussels Sprout Apple Goat Cheese Salad
Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need for this Flavorful Salad
Creating this stunning Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad requires just a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the irresistible flavor and texture profile.
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts: These are truly the star of our show. Their delicate texture provides a wonderful base for the other ingredients. You have a few options for preparing them: either use a food processor with a slicing blade for quick and uniform results, employ a mandoline for perfectly thin slices, or opt for a very sharp chef’s knife and some careful hand-slicing. For ultimate convenience, many grocery stores now sell them pre-shaved in bags, which is a fantastic time-saver. If you’re a big fan of Brussels sprouts, you should also try these Crispy Balsamic Brussels Sprouts and these Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon for more variety.
- Toasted Pine Nuts: I truly can’t get enough of toasted pine nuts! Their subtle, buttery flavor and soft crunch elevate so many dishes, from hummus to pasta dishes. Toasting them briefly in a dry skillet brings out their best flavor. A little trick: pine nuts can be stored in the freezer, keeping them fresh and ready whenever you want to toss a handful into a salad!
- Silvered Almonds: These thin, delicate almond slivers are perfect for salads. Their shape integrates seamlessly with the shaved Brussels sprouts, ensuring an even distribution of crunch in every bite without being overly bulky. They add a lovely texture contrast and a mild, nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
- Cheese: For me, Parmesan cheese is almost always a good idea in a salad, and this Brussels sprout creation is no exception. Its salty, umami notes add a creamy depth that balances the slight bitterness of the sprouts and the tang of the dressing. For the best flavor, I highly recommend using freshly grated Parmesan; it makes a significant difference compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Dressing: A simple, vibrant dressing is key to bringing all these wonderful flavors together. For the best results, always use a good quality extra virgin olive oil. This forms the base, while fresh lemon juice provides a bright, zesty counterpoint. Don’t forget to season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste, adjusting the lemon to your preference for that perfect balance of tartness.
Please refer to the detailed recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and step-by-step instructions to create this delightful salad.
Creative Ways to Modify This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad is wonderfully versatile and can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Here are some ideas to make it your own:
- Add Protein for a Complete Meal: To transform this delightful side into a satisfying main course for lunch or dinner, consider adding a protein. Grilled salmon, roasted chicken breast, seared steak strips, or plant-based options like chickpeas, black beans, or baked tofu would all be excellent choices.
- Experiment with Different Cheeses: While Parmesan cheese offers a classic, savory touch, don’t hesitate to explore other cheese options. Crumbled feta or goat cheese would add a tangy creaminess, while a shredded sharp cheddar or provolone could offer a bolder flavor.
- Swap Out the Nuts: If pine nuts or slivered almonds aren’t quite what you’re craving, feel free to substitute them. Toasted walnuts or pecans would introduce a richer, earthier flavor, while roasted pistachios could add a pop of color and a different kind of crunch. Sunflower seeds or pepitas (pumpkin seeds) are also great nut-free alternatives that still provide a satisfying texture.
- Introduce More Greens: While Brussels sprouts are the star, you can easily mix in other greens to add more volume, texture, and nutrients. Finely chopped kale (especially massaged kale for tenderness) or fresh spinach would blend beautifully with the shaved sprouts.
- Bulk Up with Additional Vegetables: Enhance the nutritional value and complexity of your salad by incorporating other finely chopped or shredded vegetables. Thinly sliced radishes will add a peppery bite, grated carrots provide sweetness and color, and finely diced celery offers an extra layer of crunch. Consider adding finely chopped red onion for a sharper flavor, or even a handful of dried cranberries for a touch of sweetness and chewiness, perfect for holiday variations.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad: Recipe FAQs
There are several effective methods to achieve perfectly shaved Brussels sprouts. A mandoline slicer is arguably the easiest and most consistent way to get uniform, paper-thin slices. Alternatively, you can use a very sharp chef’s knife to carefully slice them as thinly as possible. For a quick option, a food processor fitted with a shredding or slicing blade can also work wonders – just be careful not to over-process them into mush; a few quick pulses should do the trick. You can also buy them pre-shaved at many grocery stores, which is a great time-saver!
Absolutely, this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad is fantastic for meal-prep and making ahead! The sturdy nature of the Brussels sprouts means they hold up exceptionally well without wilting. For optimal freshness and crispness, I recommend preparing the Brussels sprouts, almonds, and pine nuts and storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. However, wait to add the Parmesan cheese and the dressing until you are ready to serve. Adding these too early can cause the nuts to soften and the salad to become soggy, diminishing that desirable crunch.
When stored properly (dressing and cheese separate), the shaved Brussels sprouts and nuts can last for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Once dressed, the salad is best enjoyed within 1-2 days, though the sprouts will remain relatively firm for longer than traditional leafy greens.
Serving Suggestions for Your Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
This versatile salad pairs beautifully with a variety of main dishes, making it an ideal accompaniment for almost any meal. It’s particularly fantastic alongside roasted chicken, baked salmon, or a hearty steak. During the holidays, it shines as a refreshing counterpoint to richer dishes like roasted turkey or ham. For a lighter meal, serve it with a warm bowl of soup or a simple grain dish. Its vibrant flavors and satisfying crunch ensure it complements rather than overwhelms.
Top Tips for the Perfect Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Don’t Skip Toasting the Nuts: Toasting pine nuts (and almonds, if you prefer) brings out their deep, nutty flavor and adds an irresistible aroma and crunch. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.
- Fresh Lemon is Key: While bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch, fresh lemon juice provides a brighter, more authentic flavor that truly elevates the dressing.
- Season to Taste: Always taste your dressing and the final salad before serving. Adjust salt, pepper, and lemon juice until it perfectly suits your palate.
- Gentle Hand: When tossing the salad with the dressing, do so gently but thoroughly to ensure every shaving of Brussels sprout is coated without bruising them.
More Delightful Salad Recipes to Explore
Mediterranean
Spiralized Greek Style Salad
Salad
Chickpea Salad Recipe
Mediterranean
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Salad
Mediterranean Lentil Salad
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Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
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Ingredients
- 1 pound of Brussels sprouts, shaved
- 1 cup silvered almonds
- 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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To toast the pine nuts, heat a dry large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the pine nuts and toast, stirring frequently, until they are golden in spots and fragrant, which usually takes about 3 minutes. Be careful not to burn them! Remove them immediately from the skillet and set aside to cool.
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Thoroughly rinse the Brussels sprouts. Trim off the very bottom of each sprout. Then, use the slicing blade of a food processor, a mandoline, or a very sharp knife to thinly shave the Brussels sprouts into fine ribbons. Alternatively, if using pre-shaved sprouts, skip this step.
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Place the shaved Brussels sprouts in a large salad bowl. Add the silvered almonds, the cooled toasted pine nuts, and the grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl.
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In a small bowl, salad jar, or mason jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, and crushed black pepper. Shake vigorously or whisk well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and emulsified.
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Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl. Gently toss until all the Brussels sprouts, nuts, and cheese are evenly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- If you are preparing this salad in advance for a future meal or event, it’s best to keep the cheese and dressing separate from the shaved Brussels sprouts and nuts. Combine them all just before serving to maintain the salad’s crispness and prevent it from becoming soggy.
- For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the dressing for a subtle kick.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.