Gelatin Free Basil-Pesto Brussels Sprout Salad
Shaved raw Brussels sprouts make a surprisingly satisfying base for a salad — tender enough to eat fresh, with just enough bite to hold up to a bold, herby dressing. The homemade basil pesto here is blended entirely from whole, plant-based ingredients: fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, and a hint of ground ginger that gives it a subtle warmth you won't expect but will absolutely love. Tart dried cranberries and paper-thin red onion round out the bowl with sweetness and a little sharpness, making every forkful interesting. Because the pesto is made from scratch in a food processor, there's no need to second-guess store-bought sauces that sometimes sneak in unexpected additives — you know exactly what's in it. A short rest after tossing lets the sprouts soften just slightly and soak up all that bright green dressing, so the flavors meld beautifully before you even take a bite. It works as a make-ahead lunch, a vibrant side dish, or an impressive addition to any spread where you want something fresh and a little unexpected.
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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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