Introducing my all-time FAVORITE holiday salad – the Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with pomegranate, apple, dried cranberries, candied pecans, shaved parmesan, and a dreamy creamy lemon Dijon vinaigrette! Trust me, it’s a burst of flavors and textures that scream holidays in the best way possible.
This salad is a holiday game-changer, hitting all the right notes of refreshing, tart, sweet, and salty. Plus, here’s the best part – you can prepare it in advance! In fact, it gets even tastier after chilling in the fridge for 12-24 hours, allowing those Brussels sprouts to soak up all that deliciousness.
When it comes to shredding those Brussels sprouts, you’ve got options! Whether you wield a food processor, a mandoline, a skillful knife, or take the easy route and grab pre-shredded sprouts from the store, the key is to go for a fine shred to avoid any unwelcome surprises.
This Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with pomegranate, candied pecans, and a zesty lemon Dijon vinaigrette took the social media world by storm, and rightfully so – it’s the ultimate holiday salad! Simple to whip up, friendly for prep ahead of time, and a symphony of diverse flavors and textures.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad With Pomegranate And Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Brussels sprouts finely shredded, stems removed
- 1 ½ cups pomegranate seeds
- 1 ½ cups diced honeycrisp apple
- 1 cup candied pecans recipe below or toasted pecans
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- ¾ cup shaved parmesan
**Vinaigrette:**
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
**Candied Pecans:**
- 2 cups chopped pecans
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼-½ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tbsp water
Instructions
**Candied Pecans:**
- – Mix everything but the pecans in a saucepan over medium heat for 1 min.
- – Add pecans and stir well, cooking for 3-5 minutes until the glaze thickens.
- – Transfer to parchment paper to cool completely. Use half in the salad and save the rest for snacking!
**Salad:**
- – Shred Brussels sprouts finely using a food processor, mandoline, knife, or pre-shredded from the store.
- – Combine shredded sprouts with pomegranate, apple, pecans, cranberries, and parmesan in a bowl.
- – Whisk together dressing ingredients, pour over the salad, and toss.
- – Let the salad sit for about 30 minutes before serving for that perfect texture. Serve with extra parmesan, pomegranate, and pecans.
Notes
- Not a Brussels fan? Sub with shredded cabbage or finely chopped kale.
- Make it ahead: Tastes even better when prepared up to 24 hours in advance. Add nuts just before serving to keep them super crunchy.
- Bonus tip: Add crispy bacon for an extra flavor kick!
Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days, but be mindful – it might get a bit soggier the longer it sits. Enjoy the holiday goodness!