Description
Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad offers a fresh and healthy twist on the classic Caesar salad by using shredded Brussels sprouts as a crisp, nutty base combined with a creamy, tangy Caesar dressing. This vibrant salad is quick to prepare, packed with nutrition, and perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or a family-friendly vegetable upgrade.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 4 cups Brussels sprouts, shredded or thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional for vegetarian version)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Toppings
- 1 cup crunchy croutons
- Extra Parmesan cheese, freshly grated for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Brussels Sprouts: Rinse the Brussels sprouts thoroughly, discard any damaged outer leaves, then shred or thinly slice them finely using a sharp knife or food processor to achieve a crisp texture.
- Make the Caesar Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, minced garlic, anchovy paste (if using), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and grated Parmesan cheese until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Toss the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the shredded Brussels sprouts with olive oil and a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper. Drizzle the Caesar dressing over the sprouts and toss well until each piece is evenly coated.
- Add Croutons and Parmesan: Just before serving, top the salad with crunchy croutons and an additional sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese to add texture and enhance flavor.
Notes
- Choose fresh Brussels sprouts that are small, firm, and bright green for optimal flavor and crunch.
- Slice the Brussels sprouts thinly to reduce bitterness and improve palatability.
- Homemade Caesar dressing tastes better than store-bought and allows you to control the flavors.
- Toast croutons freshly to add a warm crunch to the salad.
- Let the salad rest for 10 minutes after tossing to allow flavors to meld and for the sprouts to soften slightly without losing their crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Brussels sprouts salad, Caesar salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, gluten-free salad, easy salad recipe
