Brussels sprouts, bacon, apple and hazelnuts is a magic combination that makes this Brussel Sprout Salad that so good, you’ll be happy to have it as a meal! In fact, I’m sharing this recipe at the request of a brussels-sprout-hating friend after I served this at a lunch!!
A couple of weeks ago, I invited my friends around for a Sunday Roast Lamb Lunch. Nothing better than a leisurely Sunday spent with friends and a table laden with food! I’m actually sharing my Roast Lamb recipes on Wednesday along with a peek into my real life with a video of my lunch! I can’t wait to share it with you!!!
But I’m getting ahead of myself. 🙂 So one of the salads I made was this Brussels Sprout Salad. It’s a personal favourite of mine, but I still didn’t expect it to go down as well as it did. So much that when I asked my friend Rach which (if any) of the salads I made were worth sharing with my readers, she said this Brussels Sprouts Salad, hands down, even though she’s not a fan of Brussels Sprouts!!!
So here it is. 🙂
The reason this salad is so darn good is the ingredients in the salad itself. My friends and I always say that a great salad comes down to the dressing. But this is one of the rare exceptions.
The combination of shaved brussels sprouts (which really tones down the flavour of brussels sprouts), the fresh sweet juicy apple, warm crunch from hazelnuts and the salty pops of bacon is a winning combination. It’s so good that I keep the dressing very simple – it just needs a light coat of moisture, it doesn’t need tons of flavour.
There are tons of flavours going on in this salad but they are balanced nicely so this is not a heavy salad. It is fresh yet has plenty of flavour. It’s light enough to serve on the side of heavier meals, but also perfect with white meats and seafood.
Regular readers know that I’m all about food with flavours that packs a punch. When it comes to salads, I have a really high bar, only sharing the best of the best.
This makes the cut!!! – Nagi x
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Brussel Sprout Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 oz / 50g hazel nuts
- 180 g / 6oz bacon, chopped
- 1 red apple
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 300 g / 10 oz brussels sprouts
Dressing
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Toast hazelnuts for 5 minutes or until golden brown. Cool then roughly chop. Set aside.
- Either place the bacon on the baking tray used for the hazelnuts and bake until golden, or cook in a skillet. Drain on paper towels.
- Cut apple into matchsticks, keeping the skin on. Toss in lemon juice.
- Shave brussels sprouts finely using a slicer or food processor.
- Place Dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Place Salad ingredients in a bowl, toss with Dressing. Set aside for 5 minutes before serving (to soften the brussels sprouts slightly).
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
Woah! I finally found something he doesn’t want to EAT!!!
Amazing! I made this for Christmas and no one could believe it was Brussel sprouts! So easy.. will make again and again xo
Just made this and loved it – the tang, the crunch. I just want to check – how long will it last? is it still good the next day?
Made this today for a trial run for one of my Christmas lunch day sides. I had never had raw Brussel sprouts before and was pleasantly surprised. Tonight I paired them with Naji’s pork belly recipe. I am absolutely putting this on the menu for the big day. The colours are flavours are great for an Aussie Christmas lunch. Beautifully balanced flavours. Merry Christmas everybody.
Hello,
After suffering through so many food blogs heavy on image but light on actual good food, I am thrilled to have found your site. Your stories are short (not rambling) and your recipes are always a winner. I have made so many dishes from your site that have now become my go-to meals. I’ll be making your mac and cheese with this salad tonight.
Tricia (An American in France)
Hi Nagi
I’m so happy I found your blog.
I love your writing style
I Love all the recipes and
All the shots of Dozer
It’s thanksgiving day in the states and I’m making your dry brine turkey (herb butter)
B. Sprout salad (grated entire bag on mandolin, aye !)
Make ahead potatoes
Wish me luck !
And thanks so much for your hard work and passion. The notes you send are very helpful
Ciao for now
Nikki
Hi Nagi, my usual question. What can I substitute for salty bacon? Both for those who do not eat pork and those that are vegetarian’s? Thank you as always
Hi Sameera! All good, keep asking! How about Asian fried shallots? Can you get them? They are perfect – little pops of crispy saltiness!
Hello
Where can I find Brussel sprouts already chopped
Thanks
Sarah
Hi Sarah! Unfortunately I haven’t seen it here in Australia, only in the states! N x
Hi Nagi I love your recipes. I shall be doing loads of them over the christmas break as having large family get together. We will be trying your Dry Turkey Brine (fingers crossed) plus the Ham and the Make ahead potatoes. Quick question in australia where can i buy shaved brussel sprouts???
Have a lovely christmas.
Sarah
Hi Sarah! I must confess, I haven’t seen it here, I included that in the recipe because it is sold shaved in packets in the states. Sorry! 🙂 N xx
Sounds wonderful! But not sure how to “shave” the Brussel sprouts? Does that mean grated? Sliced? Going to try this for Thanksgiving!
Hi Mel! I use a mandolin. Otherwise, buy them pre shaved!!!
Hello Nagi, how do you do this without cutting your fingers? 😀
I’m wondering the same. I’m notorious for shaving my fingers.😂
I’ve just recently started liking Brussels sprouts! They’re so good for you too.
http://www.chelseycrafts.com
Brussels sprouts are awesome!!!
Sheer genius Nagi! Never before have I fancied Brussel Sprouts, let alone raw, but this salad is magnificent. Love the crunch and the healthy aspects of your dish. Always looking for healthy dishes that are different and deliver on flavour.
Congratulations!
Thank you Ian!! You tried it??? I am a little obsessed with this salad at the moment – while brussels sprouts are still around!!
Yes I tried it Nagi. Very nice indeed!
I’m so thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this Ian! THANK YOU for letting me know! N x
Love Brussels sprouts raw or cooked, add bacon and everything’s good. Must try.
I am honestly a little strangely obsessed with brussels sprouts!!! But then, I was never force fed boiled bland overcooked soggy ones. 🙂 What’s your favourite way? I think roasted (with bacon!!!) has to be my favourite. Lots of char, nice and salty!
Oh this salad sounds heavenly. I absolutely love Brussel sprouts, but I’ve never had them raw. I can imagine how nice they would be with hazelnuts, thin apple sticks and bacon.
I love brussels sprouts too!!! I actually can’t understand BS haters. 😉 But then, I’ve never experienced a soggy over boiled one!!!
Just a note that step 5 and 6 both say to place salad ingredients into…. One should be dressing ingredients.
Duh! Thanks Tiff, fixed! N x
Hello Nagi
I’m from Canada and have made many of your recipes!! They are absolutely delicious!! Thank-you for sharing with us!!
Hope that you get feeling better soon!!
Thank you for your lovely message Marty! Feeling almost 100% – back on it! N x
This salad sounds absolutely wonderful. I’m not sure my husband would be willing to do raw Brussels sprouts again – the last time I tried that he didn’t care for it much. Of course I could make this salad for me and something else for him…
This might convert him! Honestly, it converted my brussel sprout hating friend who requested this!!
Hi Nagi! Just looking at the pictures makes me want this now! I happen to love Brussels sprouts and with the apple, nuts and bacon I love them even more! I do a cooked sweet and sour dish with them that (of course) has bacon in it. This would make a great side at Thanksgiving!
Sweet and sour brussels?? Never thought to try it but I can totally imagine it!!! Looking forward to planning Thanksgiving menu with you Dorothy!!! It’s going to be awesome! N x