Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
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This brussels sprout caesar salad is a delicious seasonal spin on the classic. It's both raw and roasted brussels sprouts with crunchy croutons tossed in an easy homemade caesar dressing. It's the ideal cool-weather salad to serve alongside hearty mains, and it's ready in 45 minutes!
If you love crunchy brussels sprouts, try our shredded brussels salad with bacon, walnuts, and apricots, or our autumn shaved brussels sprouts salad.
This brussels sprouts caesar salad combines two of our great loves: roasted brussels sprouts and traditional caesar dressing.
It's an easy homemade caesar dressing that has all the familiar creamy, rich, garlicky, lemon flavor we expect but we make it with mayonnaise instead of raw eggs, so it's much easier to make.
For the salad, we use a mix of both raw and roasted brussels sprouts which gives it a sweet nutty flavor without sacrificing the crunchy texture.
It all gets tossed together with some homemade croutons (or crispy chickpeas) for the perfect winter salad that even the most skeptical vegetable eater will enjoy!
Brussels sprout caesar salad ingredients
This salad is simple with raw and roasted brussels sprouts, crunchy croutons, and a delicious caesar dressing. Here's everything you need for the salad:
- Brussels sprouts ā we actually roast half the brussels sprouts, and the other half gets mixed into the salad raw. This gives the salad a delicious flavor while keeping it crunchy!
- Olive oil ā use extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Sea salt ā you can also use kosher salt. Avoid table salt as the flavor is too strong.
- Homemade croutons ā our homemade croutonsĀ are simple to make and really take this salad to the next level. If you're in a hurry or don't have bread on hand, you can also use store-bought. Another option that tastes great with this salad is to top it withĀ crispy chickpeas!
Here's what you need for the creamy and quick caesar dressing. Keep in mind it's easy to adjust the quantities to suit your taste like more lemon juice if you like tang or more garlic for more of a kick.
- Mayonnaise ā any neutral-flavored mayonnaise works great here and you can use light if you'd like. If you're up for it, try making our easy homemade mayonnaise! Feel free to use vegan mayonnaise if needed.
- Parmesan cheese ā parmesan cheese offers its bold, cheesy flavor.
- Lemon juice ā fresh lemon juice is best for a fresh pop of acidity and citrus flavor.
- Anchovy paste ā traditional caesar dressing calls for actual anchovies but we find anchovy paste does the trick! You can swap this for capers to keep it vegetarian, but you may want to play with the other flavor components to get the taste you love.
- Dijon mustard ā dijon mustard gives this salad flavor and a little kick!
- Garlic ā caesar dressing is known for being garlicky but you can use as much or as little as you like depending on your taste preference.
- Salt + pepper ā season well with sea salt and black pepper.
How to make brussels sprout caesar salad
This brussels sprouts caesar salad requires one more step than classic caesar salad, but it's well worth the effort. Here's how we make it in just four easy steps:
- Slice half the brussels sprouts in half, toss them in olive oil, and roast them until brown and tender.
- Shave the remaining raw brussels sprouts.
- Whisk all the dressing ingredients together in a bowl.
- Toss it all together in a salad bowl, and serve right away!
How to shave brussels sprouts for a salad
The easiest way to shave brussels sprouts for salad is to cut them in half, lay them flat-side down on your cutting board, then thinly slice them.
You can also use a mandoline but make sure to use the safety guard to protect your fingers from the sharp blade. A food processor with a slicer attachment works well, too. If you're short on time, you can often find pre-shaved brussels sprouts at the grocery store.
What goes with brussels sprouts caesar salad?
Serve this brussels sprouts caesar salad anytime you would normally serve traditional caesar salad. Since brussels sprouts tend to be available during the fall and winter, this version is perfect for those cooler months. It's the perfect side dish with hearty, comforting mains and Italian dishes.
It can be enjoyed warm or cold and easily transforms into a light low-carb meal by topping it with a poached egg or some baked chicken!
Italian mains that taste delicious with brussels sprouts caesar salad
Recipe FAQs
Do you cook brussels sprouts for salad?
In this recipe, we roast half the brussels sprouts and keep the other half raw. We find this combination gives this salad the best taste and texture!
Can you eat raw brussels sprouts in a salad?
Yep! Raw brussels sprouts are part of the cabbage family so when eaten raw and mixed with a dressing, they have a similar texture to coleslaw.
Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can. You can make the dressing and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also prepare the brussels sprouts by slicing and roasting them ahead of time. Just wait until you're ready to serve the salad before tossing it with the dressing and croutons.
How long does the dressing keep in the fridge?
When stored correctly in a sealed jar or container in the refrigerator, the caesar salad dressing will keep for up to 3 days.
Can I omit the anchovy paste?
Yep! We recommend substituting the anchovy paste with capers because they have a similar flavor profile. This keeps the dressing vegetarian, too!
Can I make this vegan?
The dressing contains mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, and anchovies, which are not vegan. But you could use your favorite store-bought vegan caesar dressing instead.
Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lb brussels sprouts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Ā½ teaspoon sea salt
- 3 cup homemade croutons (see notes)
The Dressing
- Ā¼ cup neutral-flavored mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh is best!)
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- Ā½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 small clove garlic (finely minced)
- 1 pinch EACH: salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut 1 Ā½ lb of the brussels in half, put them on a baking sheet, and toss them in the olive oil and salt. Put the brussels into the oven and roast them for 15-20 minutes, until they are tender and brown in spots.2 lb brussels sprouts, 1 tablespoon olive oil, Ā½ teaspoon sea salt
- Shave the remaining brussels by cutting them in half, laying the flat sides down, and then thinly slicing them.2 lb brussels sprouts, 3 cup homemade croutons
- Make the dressing by whisking the dressing ingredients in a small-sized bowl.Ā¼ cup neutral-flavored mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon anchovy paste, Ā½ teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 small clove garlic, 1 pinch EACH: salt and pepper
- To assemble the brussels sprouts caesar salad, put the roasted brussels into a salad bowl. Add the shaved brussels and croutons and pour the dressing over the top. Toss well and then serve right away.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our side dish recipes!
