Apple Bacon Brussels Sprouts Salad

Apple Bacon Brussels Sprouts Salad is loaded with freshly shredded Brussel sprouts, crunchy apples, fruity cranberries, cooked bacon pieces, topped with pumpkin seeds and soft goat cheese all tossed together with an amazing maple dijon dressing. A bowl full of deliciousness! Brussels sprouts make this salad above the rest! If you love Brussels sprouts as much as me try this Brussels sprouts Parmesan Salad, Sheet Pan Roasted Garlic Herb Chicken with Potatoes and Brussels sprouts, Maple Roasted Brussels sprouts and Butternut Squash or Roasted Maple Brussel Sprouts with Bacon.

Apple Bacon Brussels Sprouts Salad

My love for Brussels sprouts continues to grow with every recipe I make. They are so fresh, crispy, crunchy and have the flavor that I love in every bite! The crisp apples, bacon and soft cranberries and goat cheese with a little crunch from the pumpkin seeds just brings this salad to life. Have this for a quick lunch throughout the week, as a side salad to any meal or enjoy it over the holidays with family and friends. It all comes together so quickly and easily with a few basic steps. It reminds me of a fall salad that is loved by all!

What you need to make apple bacon Brussels sprouts salad

These ingredients are sure to please everyone. It has a little bit of everything for a full on delicious salad. I love the textures that all of these bring to the salad and mixing it together you get a little bit of everything in one bite. Drizzle the maple dijon dressing over top and you have one AMAZING salad combination. It is a tried and true recipe that I love and will continue to make for our family each fall and holiday season! Apple Bacon Brussels sprouts salad:

Brussels sprouts: this is the main ingredient and base for this salad. Green apple: enjoy the crisp, tart flavors of green apples in this salad. Red apple: sweet, juicy and delicious in every slice. Bacon: who doesn’t love a little bacon! Cranberries: soft and sweet add in to mix up with. Pumpkin seeds: plain but subtle seed that is savory and adds another texture in this salad. Goat cheese: a soft cheese that adds a bit of flavor.

Maple Dijon Dressing:

Olive oil: this combines all the syrup and adds an extra flavor in the dressing. Maple syrup: sweet and sugary syrup. Apple cider vinegar: this is a tangy and sweet vinegar. Dijon Mustard: savory mustard that adds a hint of spice.

How to make apple bacon Brussels sprouts salad

This is a simple salad to make and just needs to be tossed together then whisk the dressing for the complete salad experience. You can’t go wrong with these instructions. To make it easier, you can even buy store bought shredded Brussels sprouts or bacon pieces to speed up the process and just toss together. However, you like it this salad comes together quickly and effortlessly. Enjoy your salad with all the fall ingredients and tossed together for a true salad experience!

Mix salad ingredients together: In a large mixing bowl add the shredded Brussels sprouts, apples, bacon, cranberries, pumpkin seeds and goat cheese. To make the dressing: In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar and mustard. Toss your salad and dressing: Pour over the salad and toss until coated.

How to Shred Brussels Sprouts

Shredding Brussels sprouts are simple and don’t take long. If you prefer to buy them already pre-shredded from your grocery store that is great too. I prefer to shred them myself. They seem to be fresher and taste better and more crispy. First, I always wash them prior to cutting them. Then I cut off the ends of the Brussels sprouts. You do not need to remove the core. Next, I use one of three tools to shred my Brussels sprouts. If you have extra shredded Brussels sprouts, just place them in a ziplock bag with a paper towel to lock in freshness and refrigerate for one week. They are very simple to shred with these three choices:

Using a knife: remove the ends of Brussels sprouts and chop them in half. Then thinly slice your Brussel sprouts to your liking. Using a mandolin slicer: slide your Brussels sprouts down the slicer. Be sure to use your guard to protect your fingers. Using a food processor: your food processor can do all the work once you place them in it.

Variations of ingredients in the salad

I love to mix and substitute ingredients in a salad so you have a variation of crunchiness and savory or sweet flavors. These substitutions are all a preference but gives you some ideas on how to express yourself through your own salad mix. The base is best with Brussel sprouts and grows with the extra ingredients that you love. What add ins to you love?!

Dried Fruit: bananas. apples. craisins or raisins. Fruit: pomegranate seeds or fresh strawberries are fresh and delicious in this salad. Apples: any flavor or type of apple that you prefer are great. I like granny apples or honey crisp. Vegetables: onions, bell peppers or cucumbers are a great way to add more crunchy texture. Cheese: feta cheese or a jalapeño jack cheese is fun to spice it up with. Meat: add in chicken or steak strips. Nuts: walnuts or pecans or almond slices.

Tips for making Apple Bacon Brussels Sprouts Salad

Make this salad as easy as you would like or as fresh as you would like! It is that simple. Just with a few moderations and help with tips, you can have your salad ready in no time. Preparing and the dressing ahead of time and help same time the day of and makes a quick lunch or side dish for an extra special day. Try this salad just the way you love it and enjoy it time and time again this fall season!

If you are short on time, buying pre-shredded Brussel sprouts and pre-cooked bacon from your local grocery store. Mix and substitute any of the add ins for what you have in your pantry. Make the Brussel sprouts ahead of time to help save time on the day of. Prepare your salad dressing ahead of time too. Enjoy a richer blend of goat cheese by buying a fresh block of goat cheese instead of the pre-crumbed goat cheese that comes in a plastic tube. You can do the same for feta cheese too.

Storing Apple Bacon Brussels Sprouts Salad

This salad is best to make and enjoy right away. You can pre-shred your Brussel sprouts and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. The dressing can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you are ready to make your salad mix all the ingredients together and follow the instructions for best results. It is best to enjoy and serve immediately after it is tossed together!

Making the dressing ahead: make this dressing ahead of time and placing in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days and stored in the refrigerator. When ready to use, whisk until all the ingredients are mixed together. Making the Brussel sprout ahead: rinse and prepare your shredded Brussels sprouts ahead of time. These will last about one week in a ziplock bag stored in the refrigerator. Refrigerating: Once the dressing and salad is mixed together it is hard to keep it from going bad even when refrigerated. This salad is easy to toss together the day of and making smaller portions is helpful if you are wanting it all week long. You will want to leave your salad dressing off until you are ready to eat.

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All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.