Description

This vibrant Brussels Sprout Salad combines shredded Brussels sprouts with sweet dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, crisp apples, savory bacon, fresh green onions, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a flavorful maple balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect as a light lunch or side dish, it offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors with easy make-ahead options.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts, rinsed and tough outer leaves pulled away
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1 large apple, chopped
4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup feta cheese crumbles

Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup (not pancake syrup)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Shred Brussels Sprouts: Hold the core end of a Brussels sprout and, starting at the top, shred each sprout into as thin slices as possible, discarding any large core pieces to ensure tenderness.
Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the shredded Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, chopped apple, cooked and chopped bacon, sliced green onions, and feta cheese crumbles.
Prepare Dressing: Add balsamic vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to a jar with a lid. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing is well emulsified.
Toss Salad: Pour the desired amount of dressing over the salad gradually, tossing to coat evenly. Use only as much dressing as needed to lightly dress the salad, reserving any leftover for future use.
Store Leftover Dressing: Keep leftover dressing refrigerated. The salad ingredients can also be prepped ahead for quick assembly.

Notes

Make Ahead: Shred Brussels sprouts and prepare dressing up to 1 week in advance. Cook bacon and chop apples several hours ahead; toss apples with a little lemon juice to prevent browning for freshness.
Add Protein: Turn this salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, air fryer chicken tenders, air fryer tofu, or your favorite protein.
Shaving Option: For a finer texture, use a mandoline or food processor to shave the Brussels sprouts thinly.
Kale Variation: Substitute part of the Brussels sprouts with fresh chopped kale for a different leafy green twist.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup)
Calories: 393
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 13g
Cholesterol: 30mg