Creamy Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Creamy Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples, Bacon and Hazelnuts is a fresh, crunchy salad tossed in a creamy no mayo dressing!
**The photos for this post were updated in January 2019.
I’ve always loved my vegetables, even as a young child. My brother and sister rarely wanted to eat them, which was fine with me because that meant that there was more for me.
Brussels sprouts were always a favorite of mine. The only way I’d ever eaten them growing up was steamed, so I had no idea how amazing they were shaved raw in salads.
This Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad is my all time favorite way to enjoy brussels sprouts now. The salad is addictively crunchy with sweet and savory flavors that I love.
It’s all tossed in a creamy, tangy no mayo coleslaw dressing that takes it over the top!
I realize that there are a lot of brussels sprout haters out there, but maybe it’s because you have only eaten them steamed?
When they’re steamed, they have a very strong smell. While I loved them prepared that way when I was younger, I realize that I was not the norm. 🙂
Roasting is one of the best ways to take that strong scent and flavor out of the sprouts and give them a caramelized sweetness, but shaving them and eating them raw is my favorite way to enjoy them.
This shaved brussels sprout salad with bacon is reminiscent of coleslaw, with a much milder cabbage flavor.
And I love myself some slaw!
First and foremost, you need to allot a bit of time to prep and shave your brussels sprouts. It takes about 10 minutes, so consider it a labor of love.
Trust me, it’s worth every bit of effort!
How to shave brussels sprouts:
- Prep the brussels sprouts by trimming the bottom stem. Cut the sprout in half and remove the tough, dark green outer leaves. We only want the tender, light green leaves here!
- Wash the sprouts and blot dry, then shave them thinly with a sharp knife. I normally shave them from side to side but either way works!
- The thickness of my brussels sprouts varied but I liked it that way — some were very thin and tender and some were thicker with more of a crunchy bite.
How to make Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Aside from shaving your brussels sprouts, this salad comes together quickly!
- Cook the bacon according to package instructions. Place the cooked bacon on a paper towel and blot, then crumble when it’s cool enough to handle.
- Prep your brussels sprouts, apple and fennel. Once prepped, place in a large bowl and add the bacon.
- Prepare the dressing. Toss the salad with the desired amount of dressing and stir until well coated. Top with the toasted hazelnuts and serve!
Recipe notes and substitutions
- I used pre-toasted hazelnuts from Trader Joe’s. If you don’t have any on hand, substitute with almonds or walnuts.
- Brussels sprouts may be prepped and shaved up to a day in advance and stored in an air tight container until you’re ready to use them.
- Store left over salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.
- Omit the bacon to make this salad dairy free and vegan.
More brussel sprout recipes to enjoy!
Lightened Up Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Leek Dip
Creamy Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. brussels sprouts trimmed, halved and shaved thinly
- 1 small fennel bulb halved and shaved thinly (save some fronds for the salad if desired)
- 1 Granny Smith apple cored and chopped
- 4 slices thick cut bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 green onions white and green parts, chopped thinly on the bias
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/3 cup toasted chopped hazelnuts, for serving*
- Homemade Coleslaw Dressing
Instructions
- Add the brussels sprouts, fennel, apple, bacon, green onions and golden raisins to a large bowl and toss with the desired amount of dressing.
- Serve with the toasted hazelnuts and enjoy!
Notes
- Nutrition information does not include the dressing as that information is calculated in a separate post.
- I purchased pre-toasted hazelnuts from Trader Joe's. If you don't have any on hand, substitute with almonds or walnuts.
- Brussels sprouts may be prepped and shaved up to a day in advance and stored in an air tight container until you're ready to use them.
- Store left over salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.
- Omit the bacon to make this salad dairy free and vegan.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
31 Comments on “Creamy Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad”
I love the dressing for this salad, sounds awesome! 🙂
This dressing is my go-to for coleslaws of every kind! 🙂
I like fennel. I took some Italian cooking lessons and the fennel salad was divine. So I became a believer. This is a very creative recipe—-quite interesting. I particularly like the dressing.
I just love fennel so much now — it adds a nice touch to every dish it’s in! Thanks, Carol! 🙂
What a beautiful salad Marcie, I have never had raw Brussel sprouts…but I am loving the idea of adding fennel which I just learned recently to enjoy…
Thanks for the inspiration dear…have a wonderful week 😀
Raw brussels sprouts are amazing, Juliana — I hope you’re able to give them a try! Have yourself a great Halloween!
Gorgeous salad! I love brussels sprouts! 🙂
Thank you, Medha! I love them, too. 🙂
Oh my, this is so my kind of salad! I can’t stop eating brussels sprouts (and buy an embarrassing amount each week). Love this with the bacon and apple!
I keep buying those big netted bagfuls! I’m no where near done with them…I’ve only just begun! 🙂
Hi Marcie, love brussels sprouts, great salad!
Thank you, Cheri! 🙂
This salad looks so appealing-it has so many ingredients I love. Thanks! Keeping this one to try soon.
Thank you, Maureen! This salad was truly addicting for me. 🙂
What a great recipe Marcie and one I would love to have for lunch tomorrow!! Pinning!
Thanks, Deb! I need to make this again soon — it’s my new favorite salad. 🙂 Happy Halloween!
I never used to like brussels sprouts until a few years ago and now I can’t get enough. This salad looks delicious! Love the fennel especially with apples and that maple cream dressings sounds mouthwatering! Awesome job on the mystery dish ingredients Marcie 🙂
Thank you, Kelly, and I’m glad to hear you’re on the brussels sprout bandwagon! haha Hope you have a Happy Halloween! 🙂
I love Brussels Sprouts Marcie, but have never eaten them raw! I definitely need to try this, because like you, I love myself some slaw! I am so intrigued by the Mystery Dish project you all have going! How can I get in on that? Pinned!
Oh I hope you try them raw — since you love slaw, you’ll have love it! Hope you have a Happy Halloween! 🙂
Mystery Dish sounds so fun! And what a GREAT list to choose from this month! Love fall foods! Your salad sounds amazing… bacon and brussels is the best combo!
Thank you, Jess — I think fall foods are my favorite, and brussels sprouts with bacon will never get old! 🙂
I totally need this salad now.. it looks so so amazing.. Love the ingredients used in this salad.. Yum Yummmyyyyy 😀
Thank you, Arpita! I could use some more, too. 🙂
Mmmmm love B Sprout salads! And you can never go wrong with bacon…. NEVER!!
Bacon and brussels sprouts were meant to be together! 🙂
I love brussels sprouts so this salad sounds delicious to me! Especially with the hazelnuts – and bacon of course 🙂
Thank you, Bianca! 🙂
This looks so great! I have a similar salad coming soon, so great minds think alike. I love raw brussels!
Thanks, Bri, and can’t wait to see your salad! 🙂