Welcome to the delightful world of the Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, a culinary masterpiece that transforms the humble Brussels sprout into an extraordinary, vibrant dish. Forget everything you thought you knew about these cruciferous gems; this recipe offers a refreshing, raw take, perfectly balanced with a zesty lemon Dijon dressing. While roasted Brussels sprouts have rightfully claimed their place as a beloved side, this crisp, invigorating salad provides a wonderfully light and nutrient-packed alternative. It’s not just a salad; it’s a celebration of fresh flavors and wholesome ingredients, promising a healthy and utterly delicious experience with every forkful.
This exquisite Brussels Sprouts Salad is elevated by a bright, citrus-infused vinaigrette. The magic of this dressing lies in its ability to gently tenderize and beautifully flavor the thinly shaved cabbage-like leaves, transforming them from firm to perfectly pliable, ready to absorb all the wonderful notes of lemon, Dijon, and shallot. This preparation method unlocks a completely different textural and taste profile, making it an instant favorite even for those who might typically shy away from raw vegetables.
Why This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad Will Become Your New Favorite
There are countless reasons to fall in love with this unique and flavorful salad. Beyond its tantalizing taste, it offers a refreshing change of pace from typical greens and brings a host of benefits to your table. Here’s why you absolutely must try making this salad:
- Restaurant-Quality at Home: This recipe is a meticulously crafted copycat of an incredibly popular and highly praised shaved Brussels sprouts salad from an upscale local restaurant, Late Harvest Kitchen. Now you can recreate that gourmet experience in your own kitchen, impressing guests and delighting your family with a sophisticated dish.
- Nutritional Powerhouse: Brussels sprouts are renowned for being incredibly rich in fiber, which is essential for digestive health and satiety. Combined with the fresh lemon vinaigrette, every bite of this salad delivers an abundance of vitamins, including Vitamin C and K, along with vital minerals and antioxidants, supporting your overall well-being.
- Addictively Delicious: Prepare to be captivated! The combination of tender-crisp shaved Brussels sprouts, bright citrus, tangy Dijon, and nutty almonds creates a symphony of flavors and textures that is truly irresistible. Once you experience its vibrant taste and satisfying crunch, you’ll find yourself craving this salad time and time again.
- A Fresh Perspective on Brussels Sprouts: For those accustomed to roasted or steamed Brussels sprouts, this raw preparation offers a completely new and exciting way to enjoy them. The thin shaving technique and acidic dressing mellow their natural bitterness, resulting in a surprisingly delicate and palatable flavor profile that even skeptics will appreciate.
My journey to creating this recipe began earlier this spring, during a memorable dinner with girlfriends at Late Harvest Kitchen. Those who had dined there before couldn’t stop raving about their signature shaved raw Brussels sprouts salad. It was a revelation: light, invigorating, dressed in a simple yet profound lemon vinaigrette, and adorned with finely grated egg, perfectly chopped almonds, and a finish of Pecorino Romano cheese. The moment I tasted it, I knew I had to decode its secrets and bring a homemade version of this culinary gem to my own kitchen. The goal was to capture that unique balance of freshness, texture, and bright flavors, and I’m thrilled to share a recipe that truly delivers!
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Brussels Sprouts Salad
Crafting a truly exceptional salad begins with selecting the finest ingredients. Each component in this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad plays a crucial role in building its vibrant flavor and delightful texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:
- Fresh Lemon Juice and Zest: The backbone of our vibrant dressing! Always opt for fresh lemons; their bright, acidic notes are incomparable to bottled juice. Lemon zest adds an intense aromatic punch and essential oils that deepen the citrus flavor profile. Never use jarred lemon zest, as it lacks the freshness and potency needed for this recipe.
- Dijon Mustard: This classic French mustard is more than just a condiment; it acts as an emulsifier for the dressing, helping to bind the oil and vinegar while contributing a subtle tang and a slight kick that perfectly complements the lemon. Grey Poupon is my personal go-to brand for its consistent quality and balanced flavor.
- Shallot: Finely chopped shallots offer a delicate, nuanced onion flavor that is milder and sweeter than red onion, making them ideal for raw applications like vinaigrettes. They add depth without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors. Its larger crystals are easier to measure by pinch and dissolve beautifully in dressings. If you’re using finer table salt, remember to use approximately half the amount, and always adjust to your personal taste.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper is non-negotiable for its superior aroma and pungent bite. It adds a subtle warmth and a crucial layer of flavor that pre-ground pepper simply can’t match.
- Sugar: A small amount of granulated sugar (or honey, for a more natural sweetness) is added to balance the bright tartness of the lemon juice, creating a harmonious and well-rounded dressing. It brings out the best in the other ingredients without making the dressing overtly sweet.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is the star of any good salad dressing, providing a fruity, sometimes peppery, and rich base. I highly recommend California Olive Ranch brand for its fresh flavor and transparent dating (harvest and best-used-by dates), ensuring you’re using the freshest oil possible.
- Brussels Sprouts: The undeniable star! When selecting Brussels sprouts, look for vibrant green heads with tightly packed leaves. Avoid any that appear yellow, dried, wilted, or spotted, as these are signs of age or poor quality. Fresh sprouts will yield the best texture and flavor for shaving.
- Slivered or Sliced Almonds: Toasted nuts are a game-changer! Roasting brings out their essential oils, intensifying their nutty flavor and adding a crucial layer of crunch to the salad. While almonds are classic, feel free to substitute with cashews, pecans, or walnuts for a different nutty dimension.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Finely grated Parmesan contributes a salty, umami-rich, and slightly sharp flavor that beautifully complements the other ingredients. For an even bolder, more piquant profile, you can substitute with Pecorino Romano Cheese, which has a distinctively stronger taste.
Mastering Your Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad: Insider Tips and Variations
My homemade version of this salad was, dare I say, heavenly! While not an exact clone of the restaurant’s original, it truly captured the essence and delivered an exceptionally tasty and satisfying experience. Here are some expert tips and creative variations to help you make this salad truly your own:
- Adding Protein (Optional Egg): The original restaurant version included grated egg for added protein and richness. While I opted to omit it for simplicity in my recipe, you can easily incorporate it. Simply boil and chill an egg, then grate half or more over the salad just before tossing. This adds a lovely creamy texture and an extra nutritional boost.
- Cheese Choices: Replacing Pecorino Romano with Parmesan was a matter of convenience for me, as I consistently have high-quality Parm in my fridge. Both cheeses work beautifully, offering a salty, savory depth. Parmesan provides a slightly milder, nuttier flavor, while Pecorino Romano brings a sharper, more assertive tang. Choose whichever you prefer or have on hand.
- Nutty Innovations: Don’t limit yourself to just almonds! You can certainly use your favorite nut to customize the flavor and crunch. I’ve successfully made this salad with cashews in the past, which offer a sweeter, creamier note. Chopped pecans or walnuts would also be delicious, adding a different earthy dimension. Toasting the nuts, regardless of your choice, is crucial for maximizing their flavor.
- PRO-Tip: Shaving Your Brussels Sprouts: While you can often purchase pre-shaved Brussels sprouts at many grocery stores, I find that shaving them yourself at home allows for a much thinner, more delicate cut, which significantly improves the salad’s texture. My preferred tool for this is a Benriner mandoline slicer (you can find a link in the recipe card below). Its razor-sharp blade ensures paper-thin slices. Always remember to use a handguard to protect your fingers! If you don’t have a mandoline, a very sharp chef’s knife can also achieve thin slices with a steady hand.
- PRO-Tip: A Pop of Sweetness and Color: For an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal, try including Craisins (dried sweetened cranberries). I recently added them to a batch, and they provided a delightful pop of color and a touch of delicious sweetness that contrasted beautifully with the savory and tangy elements of the salad. Dried cherries or golden raisins could also work well.
Despite his usual claims to “despise” Brussels sprouts, my husband Bill surprisingly took a few nibbles of this salad during a recent return trip to the restaurant where it originated. He’d never openly admit it, but I could tell from his subtle nods and satisfied hums that he actually enjoyed those few bites. It just goes to show, this salad has a way of converting even the most adamant Brussels sprouts skeptics!
Unlocking the Abundant Health Benefits of Brussels Sprouts
This recipe is not just about delicious flavor; it’s also about nourishing your body. As part of my contributions for Breast Cancer Awareness week, I want to emphasize that incorporating healthy, nutrient-dense foods like Brussels sprouts into your diet is a powerful way to bolster your immune system and maintain optimal health, which is crucial for disease prevention and overall vitality.
- Cancer-Fighting Compounds: Brussels sprouts, along with other cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale, contain potent compounds called sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol. Studies at institutions like the Linus Pauling Institute suggest that sulforaphane, in particular, can target and eliminate cancer cells without harming healthy tissue, offering significant protective benefits against various cancers.
- Rich in Essential Nutrients: These mini cabbages are an exceptional source of dietary fiber, crucial for digestive health, and packed with vitamins C and K. Beyond these, Brussels sprouts also provide generous amounts of folate (important for cell growth and function), manganese, vitamin B6, choline (vital for brain health), copper, vitamin B1, potassium, phosphorus, and even beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
- Digestive Health Champion: With a significant fiber content (half a cup of cooked Brussels sprouts provides 2 grams of fiber), they are excellent for promoting regularity, preventing constipation, and fostering a healthy gut microbiome, which is foundational for immune function and nutrient absorption.
- Bone and Blood Health: Vitamin K is a key nutrient found abundantly in Brussels sprouts, playing a critical role in blood clotting processes and maintaining strong, healthy bones. *Important note: If you are taking anti-clotting medications like Coumadin (warfarin), it’s essential to maintain a consistent intake of Vitamin K. Consult your doctor or dietitian about your dietary intake to ensure it doesn’t interfere with your medication’s effectiveness.*
- Potent Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties: Brussels sprouts are high in antioxidants, which combat oxidative stress and help reduce inflammation throughout the body. This anti-inflammatory action is linked to numerous health benefits, including supporting heart health and potentially hindering the growth of certain cancer cells.
- Brain and Heart Health Support: The Omega-3 Fatty Acids found in Brussels sprouts contribute to reducing inflammation, which can positively impact heart health. Furthermore, these healthy fats are increasingly recognized for their potential role in improving insulin sensitivity and supporting cognitive function, helping to protect against age-related cognitive decline.
With such an impressive array of health benefits, coupled with its unusual and utterly delicious flavor, there are countless excellent reasons to whip up this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad. It’s not only a fantastic way to boost your nutrient intake but also offers a wonderful and exciting change of pace from the more traditional lettuce-based salads. Embrace this powerhouse of nutrition and flavor!
Frequently Asked Questions About Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Shredding Brussels sprouts can be done in several ways, depending on your tools and preference. The simplest method is to purchase a bag of pre-shredded Brussels sprouts from your market’s produce department. If you prefer to shred them yourself for ultimate freshness and control over thickness, you have a few options: you can use the grating attachment of a food processor for quick results, carefully slice them paper-thin with a mandoline or a Benriner slicer (always using a handguard for safety), or meticulously slice them thinly by hand with a very sharp knife. You can cut them either lengthwise from the stem to the top for longer strands or crosswise for smaller, uniform pieces.
Absolutely! Shredding Brussels sprouts in advance is a great time-saver for meal prep. Simply shred them using your preferred method, then store them in an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator. They will remain fresh and crisp for 2-3 days, making it easy to assemble your salad quickly when you’re ready to serve.
Yes, eating raw Brussels sprouts is perfectly safe and highly beneficial! They are packed with nutrients and fiber when consumed raw. However, if you typically experience digestive issues such as gas or bloating from eating other cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower or broccoli due to their soluble fiber content, you might experience a similar reaction with raw Brussels sprouts. For most individuals, however, they are a wonderfully healthy addition to a raw diet.
The correct spelling is Brussels sprouts. The vegetable is named after Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, where it is believed to have been cultivated extensively and gained popularity. Therefore, the “s” at the end of “Brussels” is essential, reflecting its geographical origin.
Explore More Delicious Brussels Sprouts Recipes
If you’ve enjoyed this unique raw Brussels sprouts salad, you’ll be delighted to discover the versatility of this fantastic vegetable in other preparations. Here are some more inspiring recipes featuring Brussels sprouts, along with other refreshing salad ideas to keep your meals exciting and healthy:
- Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts from A Mind”Full” Mom: A classic, comforting way to enjoy them.
- Honey Mustard Roasted Brussels Sprouts: A sweet and savory twist on roasted sprouts.
- Easy Sauteed Brussels Sprouts: Quick to prepare and bursting with flavor.
- Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Shallots and Garlic: An indulgent and aromatic combination.
- Maple Syrup Mustard Glazed Brussels Sprouts: A delightful balance of sweet and tangy.
- More of the Best Salad Recipes: Discover a variety of fresh and flavorful salads for any occasion.
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Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
15 minutes
15 minutes
4 servings
This delightful salad features thinly shaved Brussels sprouts tossed in a bright, zesty lemon Dijon dressing, creating a truly refreshing and healthy dish.
Ingredients
For the Zesty Lemon Dijon Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (finely grated, for enhanced aroma)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (such as Grey Poupon, for tang and emulsification)
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot (for delicate onion flavor)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (for best flavor)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (or honey, to balance acidity)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (high quality, for rich flavor)
For the Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad:
- 1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts (fresh, green, and firm)
- ⅓ cup sliced or slivered almonds, toasted (or cashews, for added crunch and nuttiness)
- 1-2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano, for a savory finish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, finely chopped shallot, kosher salt, black pepper, and sugar. Whisk these ingredients together until well combined. While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle the olive oil into the mixture. Continue whisking vigorously until all of the oil is fully incorporated and the dressing is emulsified. Set the dressing aside.
- Prepare the Brussels Sprouts: Begin by removing any wilted, discolored, or damaged outer leaves from your Brussels sprouts. Trim off the very end of the stem. Holding the stem end firmly, thinly slice each Brussels sprout crosswise (or lengthwise, if preferred) using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer, stopping when you are about ½ inch from the stem.
- Assemble the Salad Base: Discard the tough stem ends of the Brussels sprouts. Place all the thinly sliced sprouts into a large serving bowl. Carefully pick through and remove any particularly tough or large pieces that may have slipped through, ensuring a consistent delicate texture.
- Dress and Rest the Salad: Add the toasted almonds (or your chosen nuts) to the bowl with the shaved Brussels sprouts. Drizzle the prepared lemon Dijon dressing generously over the sprouts and nuts. Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is thoroughly combined and evenly coated with the dressing. Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes; this resting period helps the acidity in the dressing slightly soften and tenderize the raw Brussels sprouts, enhancing their texture.
- Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the finely grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano) over the top of the salad. Serve immediately and enjoy your crisp, healthy, and delicious Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad!
Notes
This recipe is inspired and adapted from a popular version on Chow.com, with personal touches for enhanced flavor and texture.
For a different visual and textural appeal, you may slice your Brussels sprouts lengthwise instead of crosswise.
Consider adding a handful of Craisins (dried sweetened cranberries) for a delightful pop of color and an extra layer of delicious sweetness that beautifully complements the tangy dressing and savory notes of the salad!
Recommended Products for Effortless Salad Preparation
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support my kitchen and recipe development!
- Versatile Pyrex Mixing Bowl Set
- OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Better Balloon Whisk
- Benriner Mandoline Slicer
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 253Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 280mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 6gSugar: 5gProtein: 7g
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