Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Red Onion, Lemon and Pecorino Recipe on Food52 (2024)

No-Cook

by: Merrill Stubbs

November9,2010

4.6

20 Ratings

  • Prep time 30 minutes
  • Serves 6

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

A few weeks ago while having dinner at one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants, Stone Park Cafe, my husband and I shared one of those rare and wonderful dishes that grabs hold of your taste buds and doesn't let go. It was simplicity itself: delicately shaved raw Brussels sprouts with wisps of red onion, a light, lemony dressing spiked generously with whole grain mustard, and a generous hit of tangy Pecorino. I immediately declared that I would try and replicate it at home, and this was met with great enthusiasm by my husband. I'd serve this as a first course, with a nice, crisp white like Gruner Veltliner. —Merrill Stubbs

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1/2 small red onion
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 teaspoonhoney
  • 1 teaspoonwhole grain mustard
  • 1 pinchsalt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoonolive oil
  • 3 cupsBrussels sprouts (use larger sprouts if possible)
  • 1/2 cupfinely grated pecorino romano
Directions
  1. Soak the onion slices in a small bowl of cold water for 15 to 20 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, honey, mustard and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified. Set aside.
  3. Trim all of the Brussels sprouts, cutting off any bruised outer leaves and slicing off a good portion of the hard root end. Using a mandoline, shave the sprouts one at a time. When you're done, use your fingers to gently separate the leaves so that the shredded sprouts resemble a very fine slaw.
  4. Put the sprouts in a serving bowl and toss gently with the onions (which you've now drained) and the dressing. Fold in the pecorino, taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve immediately, before it starts to wilt!

Tags:

  • Salad
  • American
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Honey
  • Lemon
  • Mustard
  • Onion
  • Weeknight Cooking
  • No-Cook
  • Quick and Easy
  • Fall
  • Winter

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • anna

  • Bryan Syuki

  • Jennifer Morris-Dowd

  • Burf

  • Brussels Sprouts for Breakfast

129 Reviews

anna May 8, 2023

I used red and green kale instead of Brussels sprouts let the salad and the dressing mingle in the fridge for about an hour before serving. Absolutely delicious--even my mom who hates kale loved this salad!

MsJoanie June 14, 2022

This was much tastier than the family expected (we're having WHAT!?! Brussel Sprouts?!?). But I really wish the recipe had an estimate for the amount of lemon juice to use. My lemon was pretty big so I got half a cup of juice out of it, and I think I would use less juice next time. I offset the extra juice with a little extra honey, and I also added some crushed garlic that I had on hand which was a nice counterpoint. I can't wait to see how the leftovers taste after marinating overnight...

aurora March 10, 2021

It was great. If I make it again, I will probably sautee the brussels for 3-5 min. I used a food processor instead of a mandolin and it was super easy.

frances85221 December 31, 2020

Hubbie is a brussels fanatic and discerning when it comes to their preparation. He just got his fourth helping. A total and complete hit. Thank you so much!! Happy New Year from France!

girlwithaknife November 21, 2020

Excellent. The grated cheese got a little lost; maybe I didn’t add enough? Next time I would shave the pecorino or add some avocado for more body...

Jackie March 17, 2020

Excellent recipe. We made this when it was first on Food52 and we have it for dinner parties when we are asked to bring the salad. Not difficult to make, wonderful interesting ingredients and flavor that impresses, especially with fish or chicken when you need something with a little pizzaz (sp?).

This salad is delicious! I love simple recipes and love the tips to soak the onion and choose larger Brussels sprouts. I didn’t find it too tart per other reviews, but I used a small lemon. I added chopped walnuts to give it some protein as a vegan main dish salad, although the brussels sprouts have a lot of protein. Can’t wait to eat the leftovers :)

Jackie February 22, 2018

It appears the link does not come through in toto. Just go to Food Network's site and enter InaGarten+roasted shrimp. Hope this works. :)

Jackie February 22, 2018

This is the Ina Garten roasted shrimp recipe we use:
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/garlic-and-herb-roasted-shrimp-3742576

Jackie December 29, 2017

We made this for tonight's dinner with Ina Garten's roasted shrimp, both new recipes for us. Both recipes will be repeated! We added sliced almonds and used grated Asiago since that was on hand. Excellent!

Kathy M. February 16, 2018

Hi Jackie can you please post the recipe for the roasted shrimp

Bryan S. July 8, 2016

I love this simple and healthy salad. I will definitely add this in my meal prepping plan: http://focusfitness.net/meal-prep-ideas-for-weight-loss/

Gretchen S. December 28, 2015

Lovely salad. Unlike the comment in the recipe, I like the salad leftover and have made it ahead. If you have a vitamix, it's an easy way to get the brussel sprouts nice and small .... not quite so chewy.

Judy S. July 28, 2015

Absolutely deeelishis, a regular part of our diet now. Thanks for this recipe!

Jennifer M. June 21, 2015

Made this last night for friends and added lemon zest and toasted almonds as suggested by previous reviewers. It was a big hit. I also dressed about 10-15 minutes ahead of dinner. This was not too acidic or sweet, but just right. All of us commented that we would be making this again.

Burf March 26, 2015

This is a great way to use Brussels sprouts. When I get an especially tough batch of sprouts, you can also saute them for a few minutes to help soften them up. Add the dressing, and it's more of a warm slaw. Delish. Thanks Merrill!

Brussels S. March 26, 2015

One of my favorites. Glad to see it featured!

lora789 March 23, 2015

Great healthy salad http://lightfeeding.com/recipe/healthy-salad-recipe-just/

ATG117 February 14, 2015

Loved this (served with pasta bolognese), but I thought the brussel sprouts needed to soak up the dressing in order to become softened and palatable

Cindy December 28, 2014

Oh, and I cut back a bit on the shaved brussels sprouts.......

Cindy December 28, 2014

To disguise the brussels sprouts, I varied this by using arugula with the shaved brussels sprouts and red onion. I left out the romano. The dressing is still perfect with it. I get so many compliments and everyone is surprised when I tell them afterwards that there are raw brussels sprouts in it. The arugula gives it a nice flavor that goes well with the other ingredients.

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Red Onion, Lemon and Pecorino Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Why do brussel sprouts have a bad reputation? ›

Another reason that Brussels sprouts have a bad reputation is that older cultivars used to taste bitter. In the 1990s, Dutch scientist Hans van Doorn isolated the compounds responsible for the bitter flavor. As a result, seed companies were able to breed and select cultivars that contained less of these compounds.

When not to use brussel sprouts? ›

If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).

Why avoid brussel sprouts? ›

Although a healthy vegetable, consuming too many Brussels sprouts can be unsuitable for people on anticoagulants since it contains vitamin K, which results in blood clotting. Another issue with consuming Brussels sprouts excessively is that it can lead to gas and bloating.

Why do you soak brussel sprouts before cooking? ›

The soak time tenderizes the sprouts so the middles are softer. Don't worry, they won't be soggy! I would never do that to you. If, like me, you don't mind some chew to your sprouts, you don't need to soak the Brussels sprouts prior to cooking.

What are the side effects of eating too many brussel sprouts? ›

3 Just keep in mind that Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, which can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and gas if you eat too many. 4 Read on to learn about the nutrition of Brussels sprouts and how to incorporate them into your diet.

Is it OK to eat Brussels sprouts everyday? ›

Is it OK to eat Brussels sprouts everyday? Go for it. “If you enjoy sprouts and can tolerate them, absolutely! They're lower in calories and contain a myriad of important nutrients” says Snyder.

Can you eat raw Brussels sprouts in a salad? ›

It's hard to beat the caramelized crispness of roasted Brussels sprouts (perhaps with a maple-Dijon glaze), but these little green guys can also be eaten raw. They're delicious when shaved in a salad dressed with olive oil and lemon juice, to start.

What is the healthiest way to eat Brussels sprouts? ›

Roasting Brussels sprouts caramelizes their natural sugar and mellows out bitter notes, providing rich flavor and a crispier texture. Brussels sprouts are a good source of fiber and vitamins C and K, notes the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

What is the black stuff on my brussel sprouts? ›

Fungal and bacterial infections cause black spots on Brussels sprouts. Prevent with spacing, air circulation, and tool sterilization.

Why does my stomach hurt after eating Brussels sprouts? ›

Like other cruciferous veggies, Brussels sprouts have a type of carbohydrate that your body can't easily break down. This can cause you to have belly pain, gas, and either diarrhea or constipation.

What organ is brussel sprouts good for? ›

May support heart health

Brussels sprouts are especially rich in a plant compound, called kaempferol. This antioxidant has been studied for its many health-promoting properties, including the benefits it has for heart health.

Which is healthier broccoli or brussel sprouts? ›

While broccoli may have a higher count of calories, fat, and carbs, it is richer in calcium, iron, and pantothenic acid (a B vitamin that does wonders for healthy hair), and has a bit more potassium. Brussels sprouts, on the other hand, are lower in sodium.

What happens if you don't wash brussel sprouts? ›

It's important to wash Brussels sprouts before you eat them to get rid of dirt, bugs, pesticide residue, and bacteria. Luckily, it's easy to wash these delicious vegetables.

Do you need to cut the ends off Brussels sprouts? ›

Individual sprouts: Brussels sprouts sold by the pound are what you find most often at the market. They need to be trimmed of their dry ends and yellowed or damaged leaves before halving and cooking.

How do you get the bitterness out of brussel sprouts? ›

A bit of brown sugar will also work. Acid can be useful as well. A splash of lemon juice, or even apple cider vinegar, works wonders on bitter sprouts.

Why is brussel sprouts controversial? ›

According to a 2011 study by Cornwall College, sprouts contain a chemical, similar to phenylthiocarbamide. This matters because people who have a variation of a gene called TAS2R38 are able to taste the 'bitterness', whilst those without it simply don't.

Are brussel sprouts bad for the environment? ›

Cabbage, celery and Brussels sprouts are environmentally most sustainable. Vegetables consumption generates 20.3 Mt CO2 eq. and depletes 253 Mt eq. water/yr.

Are brussel sprouts genetically engineered to taste better? ›

About 30 years ago, a Dutch scientist identified the chemicals that made brussels sprouts bitter. He selected seed varieties with lower levels of the bitter chemicals and bred new high-yielding varieties that tasted less bitter.

Why cant you eat raw brussel sprouts? ›

“Like other cruciferous vegetables, raw Brussels sprouts contain indigestible fiber that could cause extra gas in some people who may not be used to eating it raw,” says p*rnsriniyom.

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