Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

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This shaved Brussels sprouts salad is the perfect combination of sweet, tart, and crunchy. From the zing of Dijon mustard and the sweetness of the honey to the pleasing crunchiness of the sprouts and apples, it's a salad that has it all!

Plus, it's a cinch to prepare, making it perfect for serving up a quick lunch or as a hearty side at Thanksgiving or Christmas.

So, let's find out how to make this sumptuous salad!

Why you'll love this Brussels sprout salad recipe

Big on flavor, low on prep, it's the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish
It's gluten-free, low carb and vegan
You can make it in advance
Very adaptable – add extra ingredients to suit your personal tastes
There are only five ingredients for the salad and five for the dressing. That's it!

Equipment you'll need for this recipe

There are a few important items you'll need to make this shaved Brussels sprouts recipe:

Large mixing bowl – a staple for any salad, a large bowl gives you the space to really get those ingredients properly mixed
Food processor
Sharp knife and chopping board
Mandolin

ingredients for shaved brussels sprouts salad.

What to serve with a Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Roast

For me, the perfect way to serve this Brussels sprouts salad is with a roast. It could be a Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas Day feast, or a sensational Sunday lunch. Either way, this recipe fits the bill.

What makes it an ideal side for a big hearty roast because it's easy to prepare and light. We know all about the typical sides for a roast dinner – the potatoes, the roast vegetables, the gravy, and all that lovely stuff.

Well, this salad brings a much-needed refreshing lightness to the plate. It adds a beautiful, sweet, crunchy zing... allowing all the other ingredients on the plate to shine.

Chicken breasts

An ideal pairing with this salad, chicken breasts are quick and easy. Take it to the next level and make these delicious smoked chicken breasts. The flavor is out of this world!

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Cheeseboard

Pair this sumptuous salad with a selection of your favorite cheeses.

Variations to this recipe

If you're not a fan of raw Brussels sprouts, you can shred them, then sautée them in a bit of oil and butter for a few minutes. Allow them to cool, then mix your salad ingredients.
Add cooked chicken to this Brussel sprouts salad for a fuller, more protein-rich salad.
You can add seeds to this shaved Brussels sprout salad. I recommend pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
Crumble some feta cheese over your shredded sprout salad for a rich taste.
Add smashed avocado for a creamier taste and texture.
If you're a garlic fiend, why not throw some crushed garlic into the mix?
Add bacon bits for a hit of salty, meaty flavor.
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for an extra bit of acidity.
Take the dressing one step further and make your own honey and mustard salad dressing.

Top Tip

The components of this salad – like slicing the sprouts, making the dressing, and toasting the walnuts – can be done in advance.

Popular substitutions

If you're not a fan of sprouts, fear not! This recipe works perfectly well with the equivalent weight of raw broccoli.
You can get honey dijon mustard, which negates the need to add honey separately.
You could also replace the Dijon mustard with any other kind, including American, English, or whole-grain mustard.
You can use a different type of vinegar. I've gone for apple cider vinegar, which complements the other flavors in the salad. Other types, such as balsamic vinegar, will work well in this Brussels sprouts salad.
Replace the honey with maple syrup if you prefer the flavor.
You can replace the dried cranberries with any dried fruit. You could even add pomegranate arils for an extra refreshing fruity flavor.
You can replace the extra-virgin olive oil with grapeseed oil or walnut oil.

Top Tip

If you're short on time, shred the Brussels sprouts in a food processor. You can have them ready in seconds.

How do you shave Brussels sprouts?

You can shred brussels sprouts using a food processor or manually, using a sharp knife.

Shaving Brussels sprouts using a food processor
After thoroughly washing them, cut the end of the Brussels sprouts and remove any outer leaves that look dirty or damaged. Then place them in your food processor and shred them using the shredder attachment.

Shaving Brussels sprouts using a knife
Again, wash the sprouts and remove any blemished outer leaves. Then, using a sharp chef's knife (a blunt knife can be dangerous, as you have less control), cut each sprout in half.

With the flat side of the sprouts halves facing downwards, slice the sprouts. It may take a while when compared to shaving Brussels sprouts in a food processor, but you'll end up with a coarser shaved Brussels sprouts salad, which some people prefer.

Shaving Brussels sprouts using a mandolin
Not as tedious as using a knife, yet you get nice chunky uniform slices, which is not always the case when using a food processor, using a mandolin to shave Brussels sprouts is a good option. Again, you'll need to wash and trim the sprouts, before adding one sprout at a time to the mandolin.

If you use a mandolin to shave your sprouts, you can also use it to slice your apples. It's not for everyone, as it can be a little time consuming, but if you want a beautiful looking salad, this could be the way to go.

Can you buy pre shredded Brussels sprouts?

Yes. You can get shaved Brussels sprouts at most good supermarkets and food stores. I always prefer to use fresh ingredients, but if you haven't got the time and don't have a food processor, you can use pre-shaved sprouts.

Can you eat shaved raw Brussels sprouts?

Yes. This shaved Brussel sprout salad uses raw sprouts. It makes sense when you think about it – sprouts are like mini cabbages, and you can use raw cabbage in coleslaw, like in this Coleslaw Recipe and some salads. So, why not use raw Brussel sprouts in a salad?

What do raw Brussel sprouts taste like?

For most people, raw Brussel sprouts have a mellow nuttiness and a slight bitterness that's quite pleasant. It's that earthy vegetable flavor that you get from raw green vegetables – if you're a fan, this salad is for you.

Also, the hint of bitterness works really well when balanced with the other flavors in this salad – the oil, the tang of the mustard, the sweetness of the honey and the refreshing, crisp fruity apple taste.

However, for some with certain taste buds, Brussels sprouts are just too much. There's actually some science behind this, and apparently, some people have a gene that means they can taste a certain chemical in sprouts.

I'm guessing you're not one of these people, or you wouldn't be here!

What apples are best for a salad?

The best types of apples for salads are crunchy. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Fuji, Jazz, and Envy are great for this salad.

I also like Opal, Empire, and Gala apples, as they don't brown. This means they blend into the salad quite well, even after you've left it in the fridge for some time.

If you love apples in your salad, you can also check out this Apple Waldorf Salad.

Can I prepare elements of this salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! If you're using Opal, Empire, or Gala apples, you can slice them beforehand, as they don't brown very quickly.

The same with the sprouts – they can be shaved ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you're ready to assemble the salad.

You can also make the dressing the day before.

Finally, you can toast your walnuts ahead of time. They are quick and easy to toast, and will make your salad taste incredible!

brussels sprouts salad in a bowl topped with apple slices.

More sensational salad recipes

Don't stop at this salad recipe. There are so many ways to get creative with a salad. Here are some of my favorite salad recipes to inspire you:

Sardine salad – incredible flavors and the kind of salad recipe you rarely see. For those who think salads are boring, make them this salad, and watch them change their mind in spectacular style!
Mung bean salad – a big hearty supremely tasty salad, it's the perfect lunch option for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike. Big, bright green salads don't get much better than this
Halloumi salad – when done right, a halloumi dish can be spectacular. This salad is, and it's all about the beautiful mix of ingredients that creates a sensational depth of flavor to this salad.
Bulgur wheat salad is an excellent alternative for those looking for something different. Charred corn, peppery spinach, fresh cherry tomatoes, delicious bulgur wheat, smoky paprika, and bright chimichurri sauce... what's not to love?!
Caprese salad – sometimes, the best things in life are the simplest. This classic Italian salad shows how blissfully simple cooking can be. Three ingredients, minimal fuss, and maximum satisfaction
Cucumber ribbon salad – you’ll be amazed at how satisfying this salad is. Perfect when you want something light, healthy, and easy to make, yet with plenty of flavor
Rocket salad with avocado, blue cheese, and pecans – so many fantastic flavors in harmony. This is a salad with a big flavor
Pumpkin and feta salad – two flavors that work together so well. A very healthy, delicious salad that’s very easy to prepare
Cherry tomato salad – just for that joyous flavor, it’s hard not to love a cherry tomato. A whole dish based around cherry tomatoes? It just works
Mediterranean salad – for those who love the Mediterranean diet, this is another salad you’ll want to check out. Simple flavors add up to something light, delicious and exceptional indeed
Salad Olivieh is almost the opposite of a Caprese salad; this one is about many ingredients. Chicken, potato, eggs, and many mixed vegetables create a big hearty salad, Persian-style.

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