Capsaicin Free Basil-Pesto Brussels Sprout Salad
Shaved raw Brussels sprouts make a surprisingly tender, almost silky base for a salad — especially once they've had a few minutes to soak up a bright, herby dressing. The homemade pesto here skips pine nuts entirely and leans on fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a hint of ground ginger blended with good olive oil, so the flavor is bold and layered without any heat. That's the real win for anyone avoiding capsaicin: so many store-bought dressings and pesto jars sneak in red pepper flakes or chili-based ingredients, but this one is completely built from scratch with nothing spicy in sight. Thinly sliced red onion adds a little sharpness, and the dried cranberries bring just enough sweetness to balance the lemony punch of the dressing. Tossing everything together and letting it rest for ten minutes is the move — the sprouts soften just enough to lose any bitterness while still holding their texture. It works beautifully as a make-ahead lunch or a vibrant side dish that holds up well in the fridge overnight.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 1 ½ lb brussels sprouts, tough outer leaves removed, ends trimmed
- ¼ small red onion, very thinly sliced
- ¼ cup dried cranberries, unsweetened or honey-sweetened
For the pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, for finishing (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Shave the Brussels sprouts: working in batches, halve each sprout through the root end, then place cut-side down and slice crosswise as thinly as possible with a chef's knife, or use the slicing disc of a food processor. Transfer the shaved sprouts to a large mixing bowl.
- 2
Add the thinly sliced red onion and dried cranberries to the bowl with the shaved sprouts and toss to combine.
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