If you’re on the lookout for a salad that’s fresh, crunchy, and bursting with bright flavors, you’re in the right place. I absolutely love this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples Recipe because it transforms humble Brussels sprouts into a vibrant, irresistible side dish or light meal. With the perfect balance of tart apples, nutty almonds, and creamy goat cheese, this salad is not just delicious but also incredibly easy to whip up—perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal fuss. Let me walk you through why this recipe is a total winner and how you can make it your new go-to!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Quick to Prep: You’re looking at just about 15 minutes to get everything ready, which makes it perfect for busy days.
Deliciously Balanced Flavors: The tartness of the lemon and apples paired with crunchy almonds and creamy goat cheese is a combo that hits all the right notes.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleaser: Whether as a side at dinner or a stand-alone salad, this recipe never fails to impress family and friends.
Nutritious and Light: It’s low in calories but packed with fiber, protein, and flavor — a salad that actually satisfies.

A white bowl filled with a mixed salad showing several layers and colors: the bottom layer contains finely shredded green Brussels sprouts, topped with thin slices of red-skinned apple spread evenly. Scattered throughout the salad are small pieces of chopped light purple onion, along with dried dark red cranberries and sliced light brown almonds. Small dots of white cheese are mixed in, adding texture contrast. Two wooden spoons rest inside the bowl, partially covered by the salad, with the grain pattern of the wood clearly visible. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, and the top edge of a white plate with silver forks is slightly visible in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in the Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples Recipe plays a simple yet essential role to give you those fresh, bright flavors and varied textures. When you shop, aim for firm Brussels sprouts and crisp apples to keep that crunch intact.

Brussels Sprouts: Choose small, fresh sprouts for easier shaving and sweeter flavor.
Red Apple: I love using a tart apple like Honeycrisp or Fuji to add a juicy bite that contrasts the greens.
Sliced Almonds: Toast them lightly for an extra nutty aroma and crunch.
Cranberries: Dried cranberries bring a natural sweetness that balances the savory notes.
Red Onion: Adds a mild sharpness—dice it finely so it doesn’t overpower.
Goat Cheese: The creamy, tangy cheese enriches the salad, cutting through the crisp veggies gorgeously.
Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for a rich, fruity depth in the dressing.
Lemon Juice: Fresh-squeezed juice is key here to brighten the dressing beautifully.
Dijon Mustard: Gives the vinaigrette a subtle kick and helps with emulsification.
Honey (or Maple Syrup): Just a hint tones down the lemon tartness and rounds out flavors.
Garlic Cloves: One or two minced for a gentle aromatic punch.
Salt and Pepper: To taste—always essential!

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

This salad is super adaptable, and I often tweak it depending on what I have on hand or who I’m feeding. Go ahead and make it your own by swapping or adding ingredients to suit your taste!

Add nuts: If you’re allergic to almonds—or just want a different crunch—I’ve had great success swapping in pecans or walnuts.
Swap cheeses: Crumbled feta or shaved Parmesan can substitute the goat cheese for a different flavor feel.
Make it vegan: Skip the cheese and replace honey with maple syrup for a fully plant-based option.
Seasonal twists: Try pomegranate seeds or roasted butternut squash cubes come autumn for extra depth and sweetness.

How to Make Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Zesty Dressing

Start by combining olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), and minced garlic in a small bowl. I like to whisk vigorously—that’s key to emulsifying the dressing so it’s perfectly smooth and coats every bite of the salad. Season with salt and pepper to taste here, too. If you want, you can make this ahead and keep it chilled for up to a day.

Step 2: Shave and Assemble the Salad

This part is fun and oddly satisfying! Use a sharp knife or a mandoline to shave your Brussels sprouts thinly. This unlocks a tender texture that’s way more enjoyable than chopping. Then thinly slice your apple—no need to peel it, the skin adds great color and nutrients. Toss the shaved Brussels, apple slices, sliced almonds, cranberries, diced red onion, and crumbled goat cheese into a large mixing bowl.

Step 3: Dress and Toss Gently

Drizzle your homemade dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently with tongs or salad servers until everything is evenly coated. Be careful not to bruise the apples too much—you want to keep all those textures distinct. This step brings the salad to life, and you’ll notice how vibrant and fresh everything looks right after tossing.

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Pro Tips for Making Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples Recipe

Shave Thin and Evenly: The thinner you shave your Brussels sprouts, the better they absorb the dressing and the more tender they get—use a mandoline if you have one!
Toast Your Almonds: Quickly toasting the almonds in a dry pan unlocks extra flavor and crunch that really elevates the salad.
Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice just doesn’t compare; fresh juice adds brightness and freshness that’s indispensable here.
Toss Just Before Serving: This keeps the apples crisp and prevents the salad from getting soggy if made in advance.

How to Serve Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples Recipe

A white plate holds a small salad arranged with thin, light green shredded brussels sprouts scattered as the base layer, mixed with darker green leaves and small pieces of red onion. On top, there are thin, slightly curved slices of light brownish apple with red edges, together with small yellow-green halved brussels sprouts. Dark red dried cranberries are spread throughout the salad along with small white bits of cheese and light brown slivered almonds. A silver fork with a detailed handle sits on the right side of the plate. Above the plate is a large white bowl filled with the same salad, and a wooden spoon with grainy texture partly inside the salad. The whole setting is on a white marbled surface and there is a white cloth napkin folded on the right side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love finishing this salad with a sprinkle of extra goat cheese and a few whole almonds for texture contrast. Sometimes I add a little extra cracked black pepper right before serving for that little punch that wakes up the flavors even more.

Side Dishes

This shaved Brussels sprouts salad is fantastic alongside roasted chicken or grilled salmon. It also pairs wonderfully with pasta dishes or can even stand on its own for a light lunch. My family especially loves it next to meatloaf or savory quiches.

Creative Ways to Present

If I’m serving this for a special occasion, I sometimes pile the salad high on a large platter and scatter extra cranberries and herbs like chopped parsley or chives on top for a pop of color. It’s simple but feels festive and inviting—your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This salad tastes best freshly tossed, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually keep the dressing separate and toss just before eating the next day to preserve that crunch and freshness.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this salad because the texture of the Brussels sprouts and apples changes when thawed. For the freshest taste, enjoy within a couple of days instead.

Reheating

This recipe is best served cold or at room temperature, so no need to reheat. If you want to enjoy leftovers, just let it sit out for 10 minutes before serving to take the chill off.

FAQs

Can I prepare the shaved Brussels sprouts in advance?

Yes, you can shave the Brussels sprouts a few hours ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh. However, for the best texture and flavor, I recommend adding the dressing just before serving.
What type of apple works best in this salad?

I find that tart apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith bring a nice crispness and a bit of tang that complements the Brussels sprouts and dressing perfectly.
Can I use other nuts besides almonds?

Absolutely! Pecans, walnuts, or even pistachios make excellent alternatives and add their own unique flavor and crunch to the salad.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?

It’s suitable if you keep the dressing separate and add it right before eating to maintain crispness. Prepping the components ahead of time saves you minutes when you’re ready to serve.
How long does this salad keep in the fridge?

Stored properly, leftovers can last 2-3 days. Just remember to keep the dressing and salad separate if you want to prevent sogginess.

Final Thoughts

When I first made this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples Recipe, I was amazed at how such simple ingredients could come together to create a salad that’s crunchy, tangy, sweet, and savory all at once. It quickly became one of my family’s favorites—and I’ve found it’s the perfect dish for just about any season. Whether you serve it as a quick lunch, a stunning side, or something special for guests, you’ll enjoy how effortlessly it elevates your meal. Give this recipe a try—you might just find it becoming a staple in your kitchen too!