Shaved Brussels sprout salad combines shredded Brussels sprouts, kale, apples, pomegranate, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds in creamy, apple cider vinaigrette. Serve with family dinner and holiday meals.

This utterly scrumptious, shaved Brussels sprout salad is how you fall in love with raw Brussels sprouts. When you combine finely shredded Brussels sprouts with kale, apples, dried cranberries, and pomegranate, tossed in tangy apple cider vinaigrette, it's texture and flavor galore! This sweet, savory, crispy, crunchy salad belongs with chicken dinner or holiday roast turkey dinner.
If you love mouthwatering salads, and who doesn't, strawberry spring mix salad adds an elegant touch to any meal. Lemony kale salad is customizable and can be turned into a whole meal with a few additions.
Too many Brussels sprouts? Never! But if you have a lot, make air fryer Brussels sprouts and watch them disappear!
Key ingredients
Ingredient amounts listed in recipe card below.
- raw brussel sprouts - Use fresh, shaved brussel sprouts for this salad. There's no need to cook them because they're finely shredded and easy to eat.
- kale - Any kale variety will work and I especially love the color and texture of dinosaur aka lacinato kale for this salad.
- dried cranberries - These add so much texture and a touch of sweetness to round out the flavor.
- red onion - Any onion variety will work! I love red or green onion for this salad.
- pomegranate arils - These jewels add a pop of color and flavor to any salad!
- sunflower seeds - Feel free to use almonds, walnuts, or pepitas.
- apple - This adds texture, nutrients, and so much flavor to kale salad.
- apple cider vinaigrette - This salad dressing adds the right amount of sweet and tart flavors.
How to shave Brussel sprouts (3 Methods)
- Shred with a food processor with the slicing disk attachment. Certain models will allow you to adjust the width of the blade for thicker or thinner shaved Brussels sprouts.
- Use a mandoline slicer. I always recommend a cut resistant glove when pushing Brussels sprouts over the very sharp, singular blade attached to the mandoline slicer.
- A very sharp chef's knife will work wonders, but it takes more time and effort. You can shred the sprouts any thickness you like, but I find them to be better then thinner they are. My favorite knife for this job is this Japanese chef knife.
How to make this salad
Full instructions are included in the printable recipe below.
Step 1: Make the apple cider vinaigrette. Set aside.
Step 2: Trim the ends off the Brussels sprouts and shred them using your preferred method. I love how fast my food processor shreds them.
Step 3: Slice the apples. I like to dip the apples in lemon water to prevent browning. Set aside.
Step 4: Just before serving, combine all ingredients and toss in the vinaigrette until well-combined.
Step 5: To serve, add apple slices and gently toss again. Serve chilled.
Best apple cider vinegar for Brussel sprout salad
I love using Bragg Raw Apple Cider Vinegar in the vinaigrette for this Brussels sprout salad! It's a high quality, raw vinegar with a lively flavor that never quits. In fact, my apple cider vinaigrette tastes better after hanging out in the fridge for a day or two.
Entrees you'll love with this salad
- Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Broiled Salmon
- Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Serve Brussels sprouts salad as a holiday side next to Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, gravy without pan drippings, cranberry orange sauce, and vegan green bean casserole.
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Kale and Apples
Ingredients
For the vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons Bragg Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
- ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
For the salad
- 1 lb. Raw Brussels Sprouts, rinsed, ends cut off
- 4-6 leaves Dino Kale, washed, dried, chopped
- ¼ cup Dried Cranberries
- ¼ Red Onion, diced (about ⅓ cup)
- ¼ cup Sunflower Seeds, or any nuts or seeds
- 1 Honeycrisp Apple, thinly sliced
- 1 cup Pomegranate Seeds
RECIPE VIDEO
Equipment
- immersion blender or wire whisk (for vinaigrette)
- large mixing bowl
Instructions
- To make the vinaigrette, blend VINEGAR, MAPLE SYRUP, DIJON, SALT, and PEPPER. Drizzle in OLIVE OIL until vinaigrette becomes creamy and emulsified. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
- To make the salad, shred BRUSSEL SPROUTS using your preferred method. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
- When ready to serve, combine BRUSSELS SPROUTS, KALE, CRANBERRIES, ONION, POMEGRANATE, SUNFLOWER SEEDS, and APPLE CIDER VINAIGRETTE. Toss to thoroughly coat.
- Add APPLE SLICES and gently toss again. Serve chilled.
- Store dressed salad in an airtight container up to 2 days.
Traci's Recipe Tips
- This salad can be made ahead up to two days. You'll want to store each component separately to maintain optimal texture and color and toss right before serving.
- To prevent sliced apples from browning, dip them in 1 cup of water with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice before storing or using in the salad.
Nutrition
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
gael says
On this salad, shaved brussel sprouts and kale etc. do you soak the kale for a while in some oil? I always find it is really tough if I eat it raw. Any suggestions?
The Kitchen Girl says
Hi Gael, I don't think oil soaking will get the results you want. However I find that massaging the kale with a tiny bit of oil using my hands is my favorite way to soften it. Let me know if I can help you further. Thanks!
Katie says
So yummy. I’ve made this before and loved it. But this week I got brussels sprouts tops in my grocery box. They are the greens that grow on top of a stalk of Brussels sprouts. So I sliced them up thinly and used them instead of the sliced sprouts. Just delicious! Thank you for this versatile and healthy recipe!!
The Kitchen Girl says
So awesome, Katie...what a great idea too! Glad you're still enjoying the recipe...this one's a fav, for sure! 🙂
Lisa Benson says
This is the PERFECT fall salad! Everything about it is delicious, especially the dressing!
The Kitchen Girl says
Aww thank you, Lisa 🙂 I love love love hearing that and glad you enjoy it as much as I do