Shaved Brussels Sprout Apple Salad (Printable)
Fresh Brussels sprouts and crisp apples tossed with sweet-spicy pecans and zesty vinaigrette.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Salad Base
01 - 14 oz Brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly shaved
02 - 2 medium Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples, thinly sliced
03 - 2 oz baby arugula or mixed greens
04 - 1/3 cup dried cranberries
05 - 2 oz feta cheese, crumbled
→ Candied Pecans
06 - 1 cup pecan halves
07 - 2 tbsp maple syrup
08 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
09 - 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
10 - Pinch of cayenne pepper
11 - Pinch of sea salt
→ Dijon Vinaigrette
12 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
13 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
15 - 1 tsp honey
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add pecans, maple syrup, cinnamon, cayenne, and salt. Stir continuously for 3-4 minutes until nuts are well-coated and glossy. Spread on parchment paper to cool and harden completely.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified and smooth.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine shaved Brussels sprouts, sliced apples, arugula, and dried cranberries. Drizzle with prepared vinaigrette and toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and cooled candied pecans over the salad immediately before serving. Enjoy while pecans remain crunchy for optimal texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The raw Brussels sprouts are unexpectedly sweet and crunchy, nothing like the mushy boiled ones from childhood
- You can make everything ahead and toss it together in under five minutes before serving
02 -
- The candied pecans can be made up to a week ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature
- Dress the salad about 15 minutes before serving to let the sprouts soften slightly without losing their crunch
03 -
- A mandoline is worth it here if you have one. The uniform slices make such a difference in how the salad eats and feels.
- Warm the vinaigrette slightly if it's too thick. 10 seconds in the microwave brings it right back to life.