The natural sweetness and crunchy texture of shaved Brussels sprouts make them an ideal choice for any salad, and this Brussels sprouts Caesar salad recipe is a perfect application. It's tangy and creamy like the original with a wonderful crunchiness from the shaved sprouts and slivered almonds. Use store-bought shaved sprouts to make this simple side dish in no time!
I love the taste of traditional Caesar salad, but most dressings are quite processed and don't have much protein to keep you satisfied. If you make your own healthier Caesar dressing, you can enjoy that classic Caesar bite and know your salad will help keep you going for hours!
As a dietitian, I formulated this recipe to be super flavorful while also supporting your nutritional needs. You'll be pleased to know the dressing is also surprisingly easy to make and only requires a handful of ingredients. Plus, it's fancy enough to serve at a holiday dinner but easy enough to meal prep all week!
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Ingredients
- Shaved Brussels sprouts: I prefer to grab these from the store because it saves a step. However, you can certainly shave fresh Brussels sprouts at home if you prefer.
- Shredded Parmesan: This is a must in any caesar salad!
- Slivered almonds: For healthy fats and a nice crunch. They're a great alternative to croutons!
- Freshly ground pepper
Healthy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe
- Plain Greek yogurt: This is creamy and tangy like mayo but it adds extra protein.
- Dijon mustard: Dijon adds a tangy bite similar to anchovy paste without the fish!
- Worcestershire sauce: For a savory, umami flavor.
- Lemon juice: This brightens the dressing and wakes up the whole dish.
- Minced garlic cloves
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Sea salt & black pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
Shave the sprouts: Purchase shaved Brussels sprouts from the grocery to save time. If you prefer to shave/shred them yourself, shred them using a food processor slicing blade. You can also use a sharp chef’s knife if you do not have a food processor. Remove the stems and any wilted outer leaves. Slice the sprouts into thin ribbons. Once done, place the shredded Brussels sprouts in a bowl and toss them.
Toast the slivered almonds: Add the almonds to a small pan & toast them over medium heat until they brown (a few minutes). Keep mixing the almonds so they don’t burn.
Make the dressing: put all the ingredients into a blender and blend for a minute or until the dressing is very smooth. If it is too thick, add a splash of milk or water and blend again.
Prepare the salad: Add about ⅔ of the dressing, shredded parmesan, and toasted almonds to the salad and toss evenly. Add more dressing if desired or serve on the side. Season with black pepper. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Hint: To turn this brussels sprout salad into a complete meal, top it with protein like grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, or steak. For plant-based options, use crispy chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, or even crispy tofu!
Substitutions
This recipe is naturally gluten-free but if you have celiac disease, you'll want to use certified gluten-free products to avoid cross-contamination.
Dairy products appear several times in this recipe and play an important role. The best option is to use a neutral-tasting vegan mayonnaise or yogurt. Additionally, you'll need non-dairy parmesan cheese, as nutritional yeast won't have nearly the same texture.
Variations
Make croutons: If you prefer to have crispy croutons on your Caesar salad, make your own! I like to use whole wheat or sourdough bread, then cut it into cubes, toss with garlic butter, and bake until golden brown.
Change the greens: Feel free to replace the sliced brussels sprouts with kale or mix and match different greens. Kale Caesar salad is delicious, too!
Load up on toppings & protein: Although Caesar salads are generally pretty minimalistic, make it your own! Add red onion, crispy chickpeas, grilled or roasted chicken breast, baked salmon, hard-boiled egg, sunflower seeds, parmesan crisps, grilled chicken, sliced avocado, crispy bacon, etc. There are tons of options!
Nutrition
This homemade Caesar salad is loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber from the raw brussels sprouts!
Brassicas, including Brussels sprouts and kale, may reduce cancer and support heart and digestive health.
Plus, just one cup of shaved sprouts contains 4 grams of protein. Combine that with the protein-packed yogurt, and you have a healthy salad to energize you all day!
Storage
It's best to store any leftovers separately, as the salad dressing can cause the shredded sprouts to wilt and soften over time.
For meal prep, place the dry salad in one container and pack a smaller serving of dressing to add as needed. The raw ingredients will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, and the dressing will last approximately one week.
FAQ
Although we often enjoy these seasonal greens roasted or steamed, brussel sprouts can certainly be eaten raw and add a wonderful texture and slightly sweet flavor to salads and more. Since the heads are so dense with leaves, it's much easier to eat them shaved into thin strips, and you can even buy them pre-shaved at local grocery stores.
Yes and no. You can certainly prep all of the ingredients and I recommend making the creamy dressing before you need it, but you don't want to toss the brussels sprout caesar salad until just before serving. This will give you the a nice crunch and no soggy greens!
Although most of us are used to caesar salads made with crunchy romaine lettuce, that's just one of many options. You can really use any type of salad green, but I do recommend one with some texture. Kale, shaved brussels sprouts, and other hearty greens can hold up to the creamy dressing and make this simple salad even more satisfying and nutritious.
Related
Looking for other healthy side dish recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with brussels sprouts caesar salad recipe:
The Best Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups shaved Brussels sprouts
- ⅓ cup shredded parmesan
- ⅓ cup slivered almonds
- Freshly ground pepper
Healthy Caesar Salad Dressing
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ lemon juiced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Purchase shaved Brussels sprouts from the grocery to save time. If you prefer to shave/shred them yourself, shred them using a food processor slicing blade. You can also use a sharp chef’s knife if you do not have a food processor. Remove the stems and any wilted outer leaves. Slice the sprouts into thin ribbons. Once done, place the shredded Brussels sprouts in a bowl and toss them.
- Toast the slivered almonds: Add the almonds to a small pan and toast them over medium heat until they brown (a few minutes). Keep mixing the almonds so they don’t burn.
- For the dressing - put all the ingredients into a blender and blend for a minute or until the dressing is very smooth. If it is too thick, add a splash of milk or water and blend again.
- Add about ⅔ of the dressing, shredded parmesan, and toasted almonds to the salad and toss evenly. Add more dressing if desired or serve on the side. Season with black pepper. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
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