Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples, Walnuts & Parmesan
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A fall-inspired shaved Brussels sprouts salad that’s so scrumptious, even the skeptics might come back for seconds!
When it comes to Brussels sprouts, especially raw ones, some folks love them, while others…well, not so much. But, give this salad a whirl and see if it doesn’t change some minds. Thinly-sliced raw Brussels sprouts are tossed in a zesty cider vinegar dressing with crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and nutty shavings of Parmigiano-Reggiano—it’s seriously delicious.
Pair the salad with butternut squash soup, a grilled cheese sandwich, or let it stand solo as a light meal. And here’s a suggestion that will make your life easier: make it ahead! The flavors deepen and meld beautifully over time, making it a perfect side dish for holiday gatherings or just a ready-to-grab lunch in the fridge.
Table of Contents
“This salad was the hit of our Thanksgiving meal. Perfect complement to the all the carbs. It will be on the menu next year and throughout the year as well.”
What You’ll Need To Make Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Brussels sprouts – The base of the salad, providing a crunchy, nutrient-rich foundation.
- Red apple (such as Honey Crisp) – Adds a refreshing, crisp bite and pop of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
- Minced shallots – Adds a mild, slightly sweet onion flavor that complements the dressing.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Provides richness and a smooth base for the vinaigrette.
- Vegetable oil – Lightens the dressing, helping to balance the flavor of the olive oil.
- Apple cider vinegar – Brings a tangy acidity that brightens the salad and balances the sweetness of the honey and apple.
- Honey – Adds a touch of sweetness to round out the vinaigrette and complement the apple. Maple syrup can also be used.
- Walnuts – Brings crunch and earthy flavor, adding texture and healthy fats to the salad.
- Parmigiano-Reggiano – Adds salty, savory richness and complements the other flavors in the salad. Pecorino Romano can also be used for a sharper flavor.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-By-Step Instructions
In the fall and winter, many grocery stores sell bagged, pre-shredded Brussels sprouts, which cuts prep time and makes this salad quick and easy to throw together. However, if you can’t find them, Brussels sprouts are easy to prep. Start by trimming the stem ends and removing any blemished or yellowed outer leaves.
Run the whole Brussels sprouts through the slicing blade of a food processor or slice them by hand using a sharp knife. (You can also use a mandolin, but be very careful with your fingertips!)
Toast the walnuts in a 350°F-oven for 6 to 10 minutes, or until fragrant. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the shredded Brussels sprouts, apples, shallots, olive oil, vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
Toss well, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours to allow the sprouts to soften and the flavors to marry.
When ready to serve, toss the walnuts and Parmesan cheese with the salad.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, then serve. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 1 or 2 days but keep in mind that the flavors will dull the longer the salad sits; add a little more cider vinegar and vegetable oil to perk it up.
Feel free to mix it up by swapping some of the apples and walnuts for your favorite nuts, seeds, or dried fruits—pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, or dried cranberries all work beautifully.
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Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples, Walnuts & Parmesan
A fall-inspired shaved Brussels sprouts salad that’s so scrumptious, even the skeptics might come back for seconds!
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds Brussels sprouts, shredded
- 1 large tart-sweet red apple, such as Honey Crisp, cored and chopped (no need to peel)
- 3 tablespoons minced shallots, from 1 large shallot
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¾ cup walnuts, toasted if desired (see note) and coarsely chopped
- ¾ cup thinly sliced and crumbled Parmigiano-Reggiano
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
- Place the walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake, checking frequently, until lightly toasted and fragrant, 6 to 10 minutes. Transfer immediately to a plate and let cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded Brussels sprouts, apples, shallots, olive oil, vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper; toss well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours to allow the sprouts to soften and the flavors to marry.
- When ready to serve, toss the walnuts and Parmigiano-Reggiano with the salad. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, then serve. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 1 or 2 days but keep in mind that the flavors will dull the longer the salad sits; add a little more cider vinegar and vegetable oil to perk it up.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (8 servings)
- Calories: 261
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Sugar: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Sodium: 379 mg
- Cholesterol: 7 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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I brought this to a fall dinner with friends and it was a huge hit. Everyone asked for the recipe. Will be on repeat for the fall and winter. I know I can always trust Jenn’s recipes.
My partner and I were impressed with this brussel sprouts salad! We let ours marinate for about an hour and the sprouts were perfectly tender. It even kept well for next day leftovers -remarkable for a salad! Thank you for Sharing Jenn! I will be making this again for friends 😊
This salad is incredible! Easy to prepare and oh so delicious. Thank you, Jen for another winning recipe!!
Fantastic! I was looking for a Brussels sprouts recipe for an eating well challenge my employer is sponsoring. This one caught my eye and did not disappoint. A refreshing change of pace, visually appealing, healthy and easy to make. Oh, and did I mention it’s delicious? Even people who say they don’t like brussels sprouts will like this salad! I went with the hand chop vs. food processor as I prefer a coarser shred
So sorry, forgot the stars.
Love this salad! The dressing ties everything together so well and it’s great the next day too.
This salad is restaurant-quality and is now a “must” at every family holiday meal. We’d be lost without you in my house!
This salad has converted friends who said they did not like brussels sprouts! In the time it takes to toast the nuts, you can shred the sprouts in the food processor and prep most of the other ingredients.
Yup, another keeper. I’m always looking for new slaw and salad ideas, and this is delicious and easy.
Whether you like brussels sprouts or not, this is a delicious salad. So easy and quick to put together. My only shortcut is I toast the nuts in the microwave, which takes less time and doesn’t require me to heat the oven. I have successfully kept it in the fridge for four days and the longer it stays, the softer the sprouts get without losing the flavor of the dressing.
My husband’s favorite salad. Great in the winter months, so fresh tasting, bright and zesty. Easy to make with simple ingredients. A great change from a boring green salad!