This shaved brussels sprouts caesar salad is a fun and delicious twist on a classic caesar salad. Shaved brussels sprouts tossed in lemon juice and a creamy caesar dressing, then topped with crispy croutons, bacon, and parmesan, this caesar salad with brussels sprouts is the perfect side dish for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to holiday gatherings to potlucks!
This raw brussels sprouts salad has been one of my latest obsessions. Brussels sprouts have gotten such a bad rep over the years but as a lover of brussels sprouts, I’m determined to help you find the perfect brussels sprouts recipe that will change your mind! From my holiday go-to roasted brussels sprouts and carrots recipe to my sweet but spicy hot honey brussels sprouts and bacon recipe, I’m sure there’s something here for you to enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- I love that the raw brussels sprouts are so crispy and crunchy. No limp salad here! The crunch is so satisfying, and you will love how it stays crisp over time in the fridge.
- You can serve this as a side dish or make it into a main! I love adding some extra protein such as a grilled chicken breast (I like this lemon pepper one) or air fryer chicken thighs (like this flavorful bbq air fryer chicken thighs) to make it into a hearty main meal! It’s a versatile salad!
- This is such an easy salad to serve. It’s an easy recipe to scale up for parties and holiday gatherings, as it transports well and stores well. It’s also much easier to eat as everything is the perfect bite size!
Ingredients You’ll Need
brussels sprouts — you may be wondering if you can use pre-shaved brussels sprouts or if you should do it yourself. I’m here to tell you to do what you want! I personally like to shave my own brussels sprouts because I have the time and don’t mind doing it, but if you’re on a tight schedule, just buy a bag of shaved brussels sprouts. See below for how to shave brussels sprouts for this raw brussels sprouts salad. Unlike kale, you don’t have to massage the shaved brussels sprouts, so it’s a little faster than making a kale salad.
lemon — I like to add some fresh lemon juice to the shaved brussels sprouts as it adds a nice bright and fresh flavor that cuts through the creamy caesar dressing. I personally really love it.
caesar dressing — you can use store-bought or use my homemade caesar dressing! I’ll also include the recipe for that down below in the recipe card. If using store-bought caesar dressing, I recommend buying the bottles from the refrigerated section. They are much more flavorful than the shelf-stable ones!
parmesan — the cheese that works best for this salad is whatever you love to be honest. Traditionally, a caesar salad uses shaved parmesan but you can also use Pecorino Romano (just use a little less since it’s salty) or even Asiago if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
bacon — you’ll need some crispy diced bacon for this salad. I usually prepare bacon ahead of time and store it in the fridge, and just heat it up when I need to use it. My favorite method is baking bacon in the oven as there’s no spatter. You can also make crispy bacon with an air fryer. Alternatively, you can buy a bag of pre-made bacon to keep in the fridge for convenience. Do what works best for your schedule!
croutons — again, store-bought or homemade croutons are totally fine! If you have the time, you should try my crispy air fryer croutons with rosemary and thyme or oven-baked sourdough croutons with thyme!
How Do I Properly Shave Brussels Sprouts?
There are three easy ways to shave your brussels sprouts if you don’t want to buy a bag from the store!
- knife — using a chef’s knife is the most simple option! After washing the brussels sprouts, carefully start cutting the brussels sprouts starting from the top and moving toward the stem, stopping just before the stem, as thinly as you can.
- food processor — using a food processor will yield the most uniform shaved brussels sprouts and will do it the fastest. Wash and trim the bottom of the brussels sprouts, then run them through the food processor with the slicing disc or blade attachment in place.
- mandoline — I usually use the mandoline as there are less parts to wash than a food processor. Make sure your mandoline is set to the thinnest slicing setting. Then, using a safety guard that comes with your mandoline, or use a fork to spear the bottom of the sprout and hold it securely while running it back and forth over the mandoline. In my photo below, I simply held mine because the brussels sprouts were absolutely giant. They were almost the size of my hands! So, the bottom was huge, and I didn’t worry too much about shaving too close to my fingers. Please use a safety guard or a fork!
How to Make Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
- Prepare your shaved brussels sprouts using the method of your choosing.
- Add the shaved brussels sprouts to a large serving bowl and add the lemon juice. Toss well to combine.
- Add the caesar salad dressing and toss well to combine.
- Add the parmesan, bacon, and croutons and toss well to combine. Serve with additional parmesan on top if desired!
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Tossing the shaved brussels sprouts with the caesar salad dressing before adding the rest of the ingredients will ensure that the brussels sprouts are all evenly coated in dressing!
- I love the crispy texture of the croutons and crispy bacon in this shaved brussels sprouts salad but you can also add some seeds like pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds and crispy roasted chickpeas make for a delicious addition.
- When picking brussels sprouts, make sure they are firm and vibrant. Avoid sprouts that are yellowing or have damaged leaves. When washing and prepping the brussels sprouts, make sure you dry them thoroughly and remove any damaged leaves, and do not shave the dry or woody stems at the bottom of the sprouts.
Make Ahead Tips
- Meal prep: store leftover or extra salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
- Ingredient prep: you can make the bacon and croutons ahead of time! Store the bacon in an airtight container in the fridge up to 2 days beforehand and reheat when ready to use. The croutons can stay at room temperature.
- Make the caesar dressing ahead of time: In a bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 grated clove of garlic, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon anchovy paste, pinch of salt and pepper, and ¼ cup shredded parmesan. Store in the fridge and use within 4 days.
Is it necessary to cook the brussels sprouts, or can I use them raw?
You do not need to cook the brussels sprouts in this shaved caesar salad! It’s actually the secret to preventing the brussels sprouts from becoming soggy in a salad. Brussels sprouts are extra crunchy, so you don’t have to worry about them wilting in the fridge, even when tossed with the dressing! Even better, the brussels sprouts will absorb the caesar salad dressing, making the salad even more flavorful the next day. I’ve meal prepped this salad and eaten it days after making it and it’s not soggy and absolutely flavorful.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds brussels sprouts, washed and shaved
- ½ lemon, juiced
- ½ cup caesar salad dressing, or more
- 6 to 8 slices cooked bacon, diced
- 1 cup croutons
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan, or more
Instructions
- Add the shaved brussels sprouts to a large serving bowl and add the lemon juice. Toss well to combine.
- Add the caesar salad dressing and toss well to combine.
- Add the parmesan, bacon, and croutons and toss well to combine. Serve with additional parmesan on top if desired!
Nutrition Per Serving
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