This Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette is the perfect bright spot to any comfort food meal!
This salad came about because I was in a rut with brussels sprouts. I pretty much just roast my them the same way every single time. It’s really good, but I haven’t posted it since it’s barely a recipe. I just lightly coat them in olive oil, sea salt, and garlic powder and roast until caramelized.
In fact they’re so good this way, I got into a habit of making them the same way for the last couple of years. So this year with the holidays coming up, I decided it was high time to get a little more creative!
I ended up with this brussels sprout salad which is all lemony and fresh, yet still very satisfying thanks to that bacon vinaigrette. Add in a light crunch from the walnuts, and you’ve got a salad that will keep you coming back for more.
How to turn brussels sprouts into shreds otherwise known as ‘shaved brussels sprouts’
- The way I turn my brussels sprouts into shreds is the good old fashioned way with a sharp knife. Trim the ends and any bad leaves away, cut them in half. and simply cut them into as fine of shreds as you can. This is a lot easier with a sharp knife. And 10-15 minutes later, you have a heap of shaved brussels sprouts.
- You can also use a mandolin slicer, but do take all precautions to not loose a finger! I find it easy enough to just use a chef’s knife that I don’t even bother to get out my mandolin.
Tip: Don’t add the walnuts too far in advance. Walnuts have the unfortunate tendency to turn everything they touch a weird purple/gray color over time.
This isn’t a problem as long as you serve the salad within the same day you toss it. But if you think you might have leftovers, keep the walnuts separate.
With that being said, here you can see I have walnuts mixed right into the bacon vinaigrette. But you can easily keep them separate and toss them in when you’re ready to serve.
Time Saving Tips: You can shred/shave the brussels sprouts 2-3 days ahead of time. Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also make the bacon vinaigrette ahead, but you’ll need to reheat it just before serving.
Fun variations:
- Add some chopped, fruit juice sweetened cranberries.
- Chopped Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples are delicious here too. Be sure and add the apples right before serving because they tend to turn brown.
- Change out the walnuts out for hazelnuts/pecans/or sliced almonds.
- Pomegranate arils add gorgeous color, great flavor, and look nice and festive too.
I hope you’ll enjoy this one with the holidays right around the corner! If you make this salad, I hope you’ll leave me a comment/rating below. And I always love hearing from you here and over on Instagram where you can tag me at #getinspiredeveryday with your photos of this Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette.
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Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A bright fresh flavored salad perfect to pair with a simple main course or holiday dinner.
Ingredients
2 cups finely shredded brussels sprouts, about 1 pound
4 strips thin slice bacon, finely chopped, see notes
1 Teaspoon lemon zest, grated with a microplane
2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4–1/2 Teaspoon sea salt
1/4 Teaspoon black pepper
1 Teaspoon minced garlic, about 1/2 a clove
1 Tablespoon whole grain mustard
Optional: 1-2 Teaspoons maple syrup, omit for Whole30
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
Instructions
Place the shredded brussels sprouts into a medium sized bowl.
Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the chopped bacon and cook until the bacon is crispy and the fat has rendered.Â
Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the lemon juice, zest, sea salt, pepper, garlic, whole grain mustard, and walnuts. Or keep the walnuts out to serve on the side if you think you’ll have leftovers. Taste to adjust the salt levels and add the maple syrup if desired.
Pour the still hot dressing over the brussels sprouts and toss to combine.
Serve immediately, or within 1 day for best results.
Notes
Be sure and check the labels for sugar free bacon to make this recipe Whole30.
The nutritional information was calculated with 1 teaspoon of maple syrup.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Salad
- Method: Sauté
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad, Brussels Sprouts Salad, Brussels Sprouts in Salad, Brussels Sprouts Salad Recipe, Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon
Absolutely delicious, thank you!
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed it! I love this bacon dressing so much I put it on all sorts of combos now!
looks so good and healthy and great for summer
Definitely could even work for a light meal on extra hot days!
This will be a perfect Turkey day side dish! Love the bacon vinaigrette!
★★★★★
Me too, bacon makes everything better right?!
this looks so good the picture is so good and it looks yummy too
Thanks so much!
I can’t wait to try this brussels sprouts recipe!! It looks SO delicious. Do you think I can shred the sprouts with a cuisinart blade?
★★★★★
I’m not sure since I’ve never tried brussels sprouts in the food processor, but it might work in small batches!
I’ve never shredded brussel sprouts, but always loved a dish at a local restaurant that did– now I can make it at home, thanks to you!
It just takes a few minutes of knife work to get a heap of them, hope you enjoy this!
These brussels sprouts are so perfect! The texture from the shredding and the delicious bacon vinaigrette!
★★★★★
Thanks so much!
What a delicious salad! We love brussels sprouts and of course bacon makes everything delicious… 😉
★★★★★
Agreed, everything is definitely better with bacon!
I love Brussels sprouts and I love a warm bacon dressing – it’s so brilliant to combine them! And I think you’re right about pomegranate arils adding the perfect touch.
★★★★★
They’re just so festive and add a nice vibrant flavor, but I love apples too when I don’t have pomegranates!
I am one of the lucky souls that loves brussel sprouts. I can’t believe I have never thought to shred them! I will definitely be having this very soon. I can’t wait to see how the bacon vinaigrette tastes.
★★★★★
I hope you enjoy them, they’re so good raw in a salad!
I think we’re making this for Thanksgiving! Thank you. It’s elegant and lovely but earthy too, super yum and pretty!!
★★★★★
I sure hope you all enjoy it!
Brussels weren’t my favourite growing up but back then they weren’t as delicious as they can be! No more mushy sprouts, these look delicious, am definitely a fan these days and my children eat them without wincing!!
★★★★★
I wasn’t a fan when I was younger too, but I definitely love them now!
Yess, I loooove brussels sprouts salads and this looks amazing. And with bacon vinaigrette? I’m in.
★★★★★
Always up for bacon vinaigrette myself! 🙂