A warm Brussels Sprout Salad with cranberries, shredded cabbage, almonds and avocado. This is the perfect side dish for any fall or winter meal!
Table of Contents
- What is a warm salad?
- Making the Brussels Sprout Salad
- What to Serve with Brussels Sprout Salad
- How to Store It
- Brussels Sprout Salad Recipe
This Brussels Sprout Salad recipe was the result of A Great Restaurant Disappointment. You know the feeling when you spend $8 on a salad at a restaurant, and it's just incredibly boring?
This salad is what I wish I'd gotten, rather than what I actually got.
What is a warm salad?
Have you ever had a warm salad? They're a lovely way to eat a ton of greens in the cold months, when cold foods are less appealing.
A warm salad basically is what it says it is: a salad with warm elements. That could mean one warm vegetable, like in this salad. It could also mean a cold salad with a warm dressing, like my Holiday Kale Salad.
Even in the summer, I kind of dig warm salads over cold ones. That mix of textures and temperatures elevates even the simplest mix of ingredients to be something super special.
Making the Brussels Sprout Salad
This salad is a mix of cooked Brussels sprouts with crunchy raw cabbage and almond pieces, chewy-and-sweet dried cranberries, and creamy avocado. While the Brussels sprouts cook, you have plenty of time to prepare everything else, so this dish is on the table in a flash!
The Brussels sprouts cooking method for this recipe is the same one I use for my Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts. The only difference in the recipe below is that I've included oven directions, in case you don't have an air fryer.
Start by slicing your Brussels sprouts into ¼" thick pieces. Toss the sliced sprouts with a little bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. See the recipe card below for an oil-free option.
Transfer the Brussels to your air fryer basket or a lined baking sheet, and bake or air fry.
While that happens, you have plenty of time to chop your avocado and make the super easy balsamic dressing.
To make the dressing, just put all of the dressing ingredients into a mason jar. Then, seal the lid and shake well.
When the Brussels finish cooking, toss the salad ingredients together in a large bowl, and serve with the dressing on the side.
I like to toss the avocado in lemon juice, then add the rest of the ingredients, because that prevents the avocado from browning, if you have leftovers.
What to Serve with Brussels Sprout Salad
This salad is great anywhere you want a side salad but also want to up the ante. Try it alongside:
- Baked Ziti
- Spaghetti Casserole
- Panko Tofu
- Quiche Lorraine
- Baked BBQ Tofu
You can also serve this up as an entree on its own or over your favorite cooked, whole grain. If you are going to use this as an entree, it will serve two people instead of four.
How to Store It
If you have any leftover salad, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator within two hours of serving. The salad will keep for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
Warm Brussels Sprout Salad
Ingredients
For the Brussels Sprouts
- 2 cups sliced Brussels sprouts - (sliced lengthwise into ¼" thick pieces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil OR maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
For the Dressing (see note)
- ¾ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast - optional
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Brussels Sprout Salad
- 1 Haas avocado - chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cups shredded cabbage - Save time by buying bagged, shredded cabbage!
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
Make the Brussels Sprouts
- In a bowl, toss together the Brussels, oil or maple syrup, vinegar, and salt.
- Air fry at 400F for 8-10 minutes, shaking (and checking their progress) after 5 minutes and then at 8 the minute mark. You're going for crispy and browned, but not burnt!
Make the Dressing (see note for oil-free option)
- Combine all of the dressing ingredients, except the salt and pepper, in a mason jar. Shake until everything is well combined. Season to taste with the salt and pepper. Shake again before adding the dressing to the salad.
Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, toss together the avocado and lemon juice. Add the cooked Brussels sprouts, and the cabbage, cranberries, and almonds, and toss well.
- Serve with the dressing on the side.
Equipment
Notes
- Use maple syrup instead of oil for an oil free option. Just note that if you ditch the oil, the finished product won't be quite as crispy as the version with oil. But it's still delicious!
- If you want this to be oil free, just use your favorite fat-free balsamic vinaigrette here.
- You will have more dressing than you need. The extra dressing will keep for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator.
- Calorie count is for the recipe with oil.
Have a question? Tried this recipe? Share your thoughts!