Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad With Apples
This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
If Brussels sprouts salads aren’t on your radar yet, then you’re in for a surprise! Combined with juicy apples, toasted pecans, tart cranberries, and maple dijon vinaigrette there’s no doubt why this shredded Brussels sprouts salad is all the rage.
Brussels sprouts have come up in the world, for sure…though it’s no surprise to us! I’ve got a great recipe for Roasted Fall Vegetables and Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Rice Side Dish. Plus, I’ve got another incredible Fall Salad Recipe With Butternut Squash you’ve got to try!
Be sure to sign up for my email… to get new recipes and ideas in your inbox!
Table of Contents
Why This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad Works
I’m inspired by inventive ways to highlight some of fall’s traditional offerings, and shredded Brussels sprouts with apples, cranberries, and pecans salad are no exception!
- Satisfying! Crunchy, tart, salty-sweet Brussels sprouts salad is an exciting way to freshen up your winter salad routine!
- Full-Flavored! Loaded with contrasting textures and flavors, shaved Brussels sprout salad and maple dijon vinaigrette is a taste sensation!
- Healthy! A powerhouse of nutrients, vitamin C, and other really healthy stuff! 🙂
- Colorful and perfect for a holiday meal like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad Ingredients
Simple ingredients and delightful flavors combine in this Brussels sprout salad to turn even apathetic salad eaters into fans!
(full printable directions at the end of this post)
- Brussels sprouts – shaved or shredded are the star of this show.
- Apples – thinly sliced or grated fresh apples, with or without the peel, add bright tartness and crunch. (Fuji or Granny Smith work great! )
- Lemon Juice – a splash of lemon keeps the apples bright and slows browning.
- Green Onions – thinly sliced for a touch of heat and a nice contrast to the sweetness.
- Dried Cranberries – a classic sweet/tart addition and chewy texture. (Or pomegranate seeds if available.)
- Toasted Pecans – chopped. This easy extra step intensifies the crisp, buttery, and nutty flavor that works so well in a Brussels sprout salad.
- Parmigiano Reggiano – or Parmesan cheese freshly grated; strong salty, tangy notes pair lovingly with the sweet ingredients.
- Maple Dijon Dressing
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy here.
How To Make Shaved Brussels Sprouts With Apple, Cranberry, and Pecan Salad
Simple to prepare and get your “greens on” when there are fresh Brussels sprouts to be had! To shave or shred the Brussels spouts, you’ll need either a mandoline, box shredder/grater, or go the traditional route with a sharp knife.
(full printable recipe at the end of this post)
- Toast the pecans and whip up the maple Dijon dressing.
- Toss the grated or sliced apples with lemon juice, then add sprouts, onion, and cranberries.
- Combine maple Dijon dressing and Brussels sprout salad, chill, and let stand for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.
- Add the cheese and pecans and toss everything together just before serving.
How To Make Dressing For Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Easy and convenient to make ahead or pull together at the last minute, dijon dressing perfectly complements shaved Brussels sprouts salad! Grab a whisk, salad cruet, lidded jar, or blender to make maple dijon vinaigrette magic!
Vigorously mix the following ingredients and serve. Store leftovers in the fridge.
- Dijon Mustard
- Maple Syrup (Or Honey)
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper
Check out the Dijon Mustard Dressing article for more detailed information.
Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad Recipe Notes/Tips
- Make-Ahead Ingredients: Brussels sprout salad recipe is even easier by toasting the pecans, making the dijon dressing, and shaving the Brussels sprouts ahead of time!
- To Shave Brussels Sprouts: Wash and trim the Brussels sprouts. Use the slicing disc of your food processor, a mandoline, or a sharp knife to shave.
- To Grate Apples: Grip the apple by the top and the bottom of the core and grate it on the large holes of a paddle or box grater. When you reach the core, turn the apple 90 degrees. Repeat until only the core remains.
- To Thinly Slice Apples: Use a sharp knife or mandoline.
Brussels Sprouts Salad Substitutions
Savory, sweet, and oh-so-satisfying shaved Brussels sprout salad is easy to customize to your family’s tastes! Here are a few winter salad ideas and variations:
- Broccoli slaw or cabbage
- Kale leaves or slaw
- Sweet red apples or pears
- Sunflower seeds or pepitas
- Walnuts or Macadamia nuts
- Blue Cheese or Feta
- raisins
- Honey Sesame Asian Dressing
How Long Does Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad Stay Good?
Once the shredded Brussels sprouts salad is prepared, it will be great for a day or two as long as you refrigerate and keep it well-covered.
If you shave extra Brussels sprouts to make up a fresh salad later, they should stay in the fridge for up to five days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brussels sprouts mature during the cooler fall and winter seasons and are in peak season once they’ve been hit with frost. Harvesting starts as early as late August and can continue through the winter to March, depending on where they are grown.
Choose fresh Brussels sprouts based on color and weight (water content). When a Brussels sprout is fresh, the outer leaves will be verdant green and have a solid heft indicating that it hasn’t started dehydrating. Skip those with yellowing leaves or overly dry/brown stems. If you can find them attached to the stalk, that’s a total bonus!
You Betcha! Actually, all parts of the Brussels sprouts plant are edible, including the stalk and leaves. I like to peel and slice the stalk into disks, boil in a little salted garlic water, drain, then slather in butter!
Internet 1, Science 0. Smaller Brussels sprouts are sweeter; I say phooey! Several sources claim smaller Brussels sprouts are sweeter, but I couldn’t find any actual science or data to back that up, and trust me, I tried.
There are less than two grams (~1.7gms) of natural sugar in 100gms raw Brussels sprouts; cooked 100gms has 2.2gms of sugar, with zero distinction on the size or “ripeness” of Brussels sprouts. I’m going to stop there because I could ask if size or maturity influences sugar content, but again, big fat zero for information on that topic.
Serving Suggestions
Brussels sprouts salad with maple dijon vinaigrette is a hit as a Thanksgiving or Christmas Holiday side dish, but also makes a great side dish any time with:
Like This Recipe? Pin It!
Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad
Combined with juicy apples, toasted pecans, and tart cranberries, there’s no doubt why shredded Brussels sprouts salads are all the rage!
Ingredients
- 6 cups shaved Brussel sprouts
- 2 apples, sliced thin or grated (Fuji or Granny Smith work well)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries (or pomegranate seeds)
- 3/4 cup toasted pecans, chopped
- 3/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Parmesan cheese
Maple Dijon Dressing
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt & pepper too taste
Instructions
- Whisk all of the ingredients for the maple dijon dressing using a small whisk or fork to combine all the ingredients.
- Toast the pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 350° F. for about 8-10 minutes. Cool, chop, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, toss grated apples with lemon juice. Add the shaved sprouts, sliced onion, and cranberries to the bowl.
- Add the cheese and pecans and toss salad with dressing before serving. (see note below)
Notes
*If you have the time, add the dressing in step 3 and let the salad sit for a bit so the flavors can mingle. Add the cheese and pecans and toss the salad before serving.
STORAGE: Once the shredded Brussels sprouts salad is prepared, it will be great for a day or two as long as you refrigerate and keep it well-covered.
If you shave extra Brussels sprouts to make up a fresh salad later, they should stay in the fridge for up to five days.
- Make-Ahead Ingredients: Brussels sprout salad recipe is even easier by toasting the pecans, making the dijon dressing, and shaving the Brussels sprouts ahead of time!
- To Shave Brussels Sprouts: Wash and trim the Brussels sprouts. Use the slicing disc of your food processor, a mandoline, or a sharp knife to shave.
- To Grate Apples: Grip the apple by the top and the bottom of the core and grate it on the large holes of a paddle or box grater. When you reach the core, turn the apple 90 degrees. Repeat until only the core remains.
- To Thinly Slice Apples: Use a sharp knife or mandoline.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 296Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 335mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 6gSugar: 21gProtein: 7g
Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Hi there, I'm Cheryl!
As a wife, mom, and caffeine enthusiast, my journey has taken me from bustling mornings with my family to sharing delicious recipes, home care tips, and heartfelt decorating insights with wonderful readers like you. My love for baking, photography, and tidiness shines through every post I craft. Dive into my world and discover the art of homemaking, one tidy moment at a time. Read more...
Tidymom is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Please respect my work, recipes and photographs. If you do use a recipe in your own writing, please give proper credit and link back to the original post.