Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad: A Festive & Refreshing Holiday Side with Apples, Manchego & Pomegranate

Prepare to fall in love with a salad that embodies the spirit of the holiday season: this vibrant Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad. It’s a crisp and refreshing side dish, brimming with an exquisite medley of sweet Honeycrisp apples, tangy Manchego cheese, and jewel-toned pomegranate arils. Drizzled with a bright and zesty lemon shallot dressing, this salad is not just a treat for your taste buds but also a stunning addition to any Thanksgiving or Christmas table. Its delightful crunch, vibrant colors, and sophisticated flavors make it a standout choice that will impress every guest.

While I affectionately refer to this as a “turkey day salad” because its fresh, zesty profile beautifully complements rich dishes like a roast chicken or an herb-roasted turkey, its appeal extends far beyond just one holiday meal. This salad is so incredibly delicious and versatile that you’ll want to enjoy it on repeat from early autumn through the depths of winter. The combination of raw Brussels sprouts, finely shaved to tender perfection, with crunchy almonds, creamy cheese, and bursts of fruit, creates a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. It’s a sophisticated yet incredibly easy dish to prepare, making it the ideal potluck contribution or a simple weeknight side that feels gourmet.

Imagine a salad that offers a delightful contrast to heavier holiday fare. That’s exactly what this Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad delivers. It’s loaded with the natural sweetness of crisp Honeycrisp apples, the salty zest of Manchego cheese, and the vibrant pop of juicy pomegranate seeds, all of which lend a wonderfully festive touch. The magic truly happens when these fresh ingredients are united by the most delectable lemon shallot dressing. This bright, emulsified dressing doesn’t just coat the ingredients; it ties every element together, infusing the entire salad with a complex, savory-sweet, and tangy note that makes each bite pure perfection. If you’re tasked with bringing an unforgettable side dish to your next holiday gathering, look no further – this recipe is your secret weapon for a dish that is both effortless and undeniably elegant.

Essential Ingredients for this Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad Recipe:

Crafting this exceptional salad begins with selecting fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layered flavors and varied textures that make this dish so special.

• Shredded Brussels Sprouts: The star of our salad! Brussels sprouts offer a slightly peppery, earthy flavor and a fantastic crisp texture when raw. While you can often find pre-shredded Brussels sprouts in grocery stores for convenience, shaving them yourself ensures maximum freshness and the perfect thinness. A mandoline slicer is ideal for achieving uniform, paper-thin shreds, but a food processor with a slicing disc or even a sharp chef’s knife can also do the job. Remember to trim the tough ends and remove any outer leaves before shredding.
• Lacinato Kale: Adding depth of color and a hearty texture, lacinato kale (also known as dinosaur or Tuscan kale) is a wonderful complement to the Brussels sprouts. Its slightly sweeter and less bitter profile compared to curly kale makes it an excellent choice for raw salads. If lacinato kale isn’t available, curly kale or finely shredded green cabbage are good substitutes. For those who prefer a simpler approach, you can certainly omit the kale entirely and simply increase the quantity of Brussels sprouts.
• Sliced Almonds: Toasted sliced almonds introduce a delightful crunch and a subtle nutty flavor that elevates the salad’s overall texture profile. Toasting them briefly in a dry pan enhances their aroma and crispness. If almonds aren’t your preference, sunflower seeds offer a similar crunch and pair beautifully with apples, as demonstrated in our apple sweet potato salad. Toasted pecans or walnuts would also make excellent additions, lending a richer, buttery note.
• Manchego Cheese: This Spanish sheep’s milk cheese brings a distinct tangy, slightly nutty, and savory flavor to the salad that harmonizes exquisitely with the apples and pomegranates. Its firm texture allows it to be easily cubed, adding little pockets of creamy, salty goodness. If Manchego is difficult to find or you prefer an alternative, small cubes of Parmesan cheese, crumbled Gorgonzola for a bolder taste, salty feta cheese, or even creamy goat cheese crumbles are excellent substitutes, each offering a unique flavor twist.
• Honeycrisp Apple: Renowned for their exceptional crispness and balanced sweet-tart flavor, Honeycrisp apples are perfect for this salad. They provide a refreshing sweetness that beautifully contrasts with the tart pomegranate arils and the sharp Manchego cheese. For those who prefer a less sweet salad, a Granny Smith apple offers a more pronounced tartness that can be equally delicious. Cutting the apples into small matchsticks ensures they integrate well into every bite, but slicing and fanning them out before serving can create an elegant presentation.
• Pomegranate Arils: These ruby-red jewels are not just visually stunning; they deliver a burst of juicy, tart, and subtly sweet flavor, along with a satisfying pop of texture. Pomegranates are a hallmark of festive holiday dishes, similar to cranberries, providing that essential touch of seasonal cheer. If fresh pomegranates are out of season or not to your liking, dried cranberries, dried cherries, or even golden raisins can be used as a sweet and chewy alternative.

For the Bright & Zesty Lemon Shallot Dressing:

• Fresh Lemon Juice: This is the primary acid component of our vibrant dressing, providing a refreshing tang that cuts through the richness of the other ingredients. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always recommended for the best flavor. While apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute, it’s best to start with a slightly smaller amount (e.g., 3 tablespoons) and adjust to taste, as its acidity can be more intense.
• Shallots: Minced shallots contribute a mild, subtle sweetness and a delicate oniony flavor to the dressing, without the overpowering pungency of raw red onions. Their nuanced taste is key to the dressing’s sophisticated profile.
• Dijon Mustard: Beyond its slightly piquant flavor, Dijon mustard serves a crucial role as an emulsifier in vinaigrettes. It helps to bind the oil and acid together, creating a smooth, cohesive dressing that won’t easily separate, ensuring every ingredient in the salad is evenly coated.
• Honey: A touch of honey adds a natural sweetness that balances the tartness of the lemon juice and the sharpness of the Dijon. You can adjust the amount to your preference or swap it for maple syrup for a slightly different flavor profile and a vegan option.
• Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors in the dressing and the salad as a whole. Always taste and adjust to ensure perfect seasoning.
• High-Quality Olive Oil: The base of our vinaigrette. Combining all other dressing ingredients first and then slowly whisking in the olive oil allows for proper emulsification, resulting in a smooth, well-integrated dressing that clings beautifully to the salad components.

Crafting Your Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad: Step-by-Step Guide

This salad comes together quickly and effortlessly, proving that sophisticated flavors don’t require complex steps. Follow these simple instructions for a stunning dish:

1. Prepare the Greens: Begin by thoroughly rinsing your Brussels sprouts under cold running water to ensure they are clean. Gently scrub them and then pat them completely dry. This step is crucial, as excess moisture can dilute your dressing. Trim the tough ends and remove any discolored outer leaves. Using a mandoline slicer, food processor with a slicing attachment, or a very sharp chef’s knife, carefully shave the Brussels sprouts into thin, uniform pieces. Aim for paper-thin slices for the best texture. If using kale, wash and thoroughly dry it, then thinly slice or chop it. Combine the shaved Brussels sprouts and kale in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
2. Whisk the Dressing to Perfection: In a small bowl, combine the fresh lemon juice and minced shallots. Allow the shallots to soak in the lemon juice for about 5 minutes; this gentle maceration mellows their sharpness and infuses the lemon juice with their delicate flavor. Next, add the Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Whisk these ingredients together until well combined. Now, slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously whisking. This gradual addition and constant whisking are key to creating a beautifully emulsified dressing that is smooth, creamy, and won’t separate easily.
3. Assemble and Serve the Salad: Pour about three-quarters of your prepared lemon shallot dressing over the shaved Brussels sprouts and kale mixture. It’s always best to start with less dressing and add more as needed, as you can always add but can’t take away. Add the toasted sliced almonds, cubed Manchego cheese, apple matchsticks, and pomegranate arils to the bowl. Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are evenly coated with the dressing. Taste the salad and assess its balance; if the greens appear a bit dry or you desire more zest, add the remaining dressing. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if necessary. Serve immediately for the best crisp texture and vibrant flavors.

Discover More Holiday-Ready Salad Recipes:

If you’ve enjoyed the fresh, vibrant flavors of this Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad, you’ll love exploring these other festive and delicious salad recipes, perfect for any seasonal gathering or a delightful everyday meal:

• Autumn Crisp Apple Sweet Potato Salad: A delightful blend of roasted sweet potatoes, crisp apples, and a tangy dressing, embodying the comforting flavors of fall.
• Pearl Couscous Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash: A hearty and satisfying salad featuring tender pearl couscous, sweet roasted butternut squash, and aromatic herbs.
• Honeycrisp Kale Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette: A simple yet elegant salad where crisp Honeycrisp apples meet nutrient-rich kale, all tossed in a savory Parmesan vinaigrette.
• Jeweled Harvest Salad with Orange Dressing: A visually stunning salad bursting with colorful seasonal ingredients and a bright, citrusy orange dressing that invigorates the palate.
• Pickled Beet Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette: Earthy pickled beets are balanced by a zesty citrus vinaigrette in this vibrant and flavorful salad, offering a refreshing contrast.