I’ll be honest, before coming up with this Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad recipe, the little cabbage-like veggies weren’t my favorite food.
Even when the world became obsessed with all things Brussels sprouts, the flavor still didn’t do it for me.
And yes, I know, Brussels sprouts are so good for you! (We’ll cover that later, see below.) I guess you could say that for the longest time I simply had Brussels sprout shame.
“You should eat them! They’re sooo good!”
But I don’t like them!”
That is, until A friend of mine said I should try making a shaved Brussels sprout salad. “A what?” I asked. She sent me a link and my mind was blown. Well, maybe not blown, but interested enough to think about trying it out on my spouse for a few weeks.
The thing was, shaving the Brussels sprouts seemed like such a chore. Enter Trader Joe’s. People might say that Disney World is the happiest place on earth, but let’s be honest: TJ’s really takes the case.
If you’re on a budget, but also trying to feed your family healthy, nutritious, and adventure foods, Trader Joe’s is your best friend. Not to mention the cornucopia of frozen and delicious pre-made meals.
So how did Trader Joe’s collide with my Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad? Great questions! It turns out that TJ’s sells already-shaved Brussels sprouts in bags. After seeing them in the store one day, I had no more excuses to not dive into the Brussels sprout craze.
And I never looked back 😉
This Brussels sprout salad is everything I personally believe a salad should be: Healthy, salty, sweet, and has pancetta.
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s cover a few basics about Brussels sprouts.
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SHAVED BRUSSELS SPROUT SALAD WITH PANCETTA – PIN IT FOR LATER
Can I eat shaved Brussels sprouts raw?
You definitely can eat raw Brussels sprouts. After all, I wouldn’t have created this recipe if you couldn’t.
So why am I even writing about it? I’ve been doing some reading lately and came across information about people avoiding raw legumes, grains, and vegetables. Not all of them, just some. I didn’t even know this was a thing.
An hour later, deep into the bowels of the internet, I learned about something called antinutrients. Antinutrients are plant compounds that reduce the absorption of some foods.
Ok, before you start freaking out like I did. I dug further into this concept and realized that they aren’t necessarily bad and that they can actually be beneficial. If you want to know more, here is a great guide on antinutrients and everything you need to know.
What is the best way to shave Brussels sprouts?
Now that we have that covered. Let’s address the elephant in the room. No one wants to do extra work in the kitchen than they have to. So what’s the best way to shave Brussels sprouts? That’s easy: Buy them pre-shaved!
But if you can’t find pre-shaved Brussels sprouts in your local store, that’s ok. There are a few different ways to shave them yourself. They include:
- Using a mandoline
- Pulsing them in a food processor
- Shaving them buy hand with a chef’s knife
I’m a big fan of a website called Sunset. They also have a great Youtube channel with lots of informational videos. Checkout below their instructional video on how to shave Brussels sprouts three different ways.
What are the benefits of eating Brussels sprouts?
Now that I’ve scared you, then un-scared you with the mention of antinutrients, let’s cover how amazing Brussels sprouts actually are for you.
The benefits of eating Brussels sprouts (whether cooked or in a delicious shaved Brussels sprout salad) range from being high in fiber to helping to reduce inflammation. Below are some of the top benefits of these mighty little sprouts.
Brussels sprouts are:
- Are a great source of calcium and good for bone health
- Help to manage diabetes and help lower glucose levels
- May help prevent cancer
Are Brussels sprouts a superfood?
Brussel sprouts are definitely a superfood. Superfoods are considered nutrient-rich and typically low in calories. To be clear, the term “superfood” isn’t a technical term but more of a broader category used widely in the health and wellness world.
With this said, Brussels sprouts are low in calories, high in nutrients, and delicious. So in my book, that’s “super” enough for me.
Without further ado, let’s get shaving! or , just open the bag…
Ingredients for Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
- 8 cups of shredded Brussels sprouts
- 2 tbs grated Parmesan cheese
- Half a large red onion
- Quality balsamic vinegar. If you don’t have balsamic vinegar you can add a dash of maple syrup.
- 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
- 1 package diced pancetta (cured or uncured). If you’d like, you can also use bacon.
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Kitchen Tools for Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
- Cutting board
- non-stick pan
- Mixing bowl
- Food processor
Directions for Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
- Shave your Brussels sprouts. Or pour two bags from Trader Joe’s shredded sprouts in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Cut your onion in half and mince finely.
- Sauté package of pancetta on medium heat until browned.
- Add your minced onion and sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Add balsamic vinegar and simmer on low for 5 minutes until your mixture begins to thicken.
- Remove onions and pancetta from stove top and immediately pour over Brussels sprouts and toss well. This will help cook the sprouts a tiny bit and soften them.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. You may want to add a dash more of olive oil depending on how much fat is rendered from the pancetta.
- Serve or place in the fridge for later. Makes 8-10 servings.
PRINT THIS RECIPE
You can print this recipe using the recipe card below. I hope you enjoy making this Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad as much as I do. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear what you think. Drop a note in the comments below.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Pancetta
Ingredients
- 8 cups of shredded Brussels sprouts
- 2 tbs grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 Large red onion
- Quality balsamic vinegar. If you don't have balsamic vinegar you can add a dash of maple syrup.
- 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
- 1 package diced pancetta cured or uncured. If you'd like, you can also use bacon.
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Shave your Brussels sprouts. Or pour two bags from Trader Joe’s shredded sprouts in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Cut your onion in half and mince finely.
- Sauté package of pancetta on medium heat until browned.
- Add your minced onion and sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Add balsamic vinegar and simmer on low for 5 minutes until your mixture begins to thicken.
- Remove onions and pancetta from stove top and immediately pour over Brussels sprouts and toss well. This will help cook the sprouts a tiny bit and soften them.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. You may want to add a dash more of olive oil depending on how much fat is rendered from the pancetta.
- Serve or place in the fridge for later.
Nutrition
What to serve with your Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
We love our wings at our house. And typically, wings come with salad. Trying pairing this salad with these Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings.
Speaking of chicken, try pairing this salad with our Sweet and Sticky Chicken.
If you have enough chicken, try this 15-Minute Korean Beef Recipe.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did creating it. Until next time, stay salty and sweet 😉
Did you try this recipe? Have questions or feedback? Or just want to say “Hi!” Leave a comment below and let’s connect!
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