Gluten Free Basil-Pesto Brussels Sprout Salad
Raw, shaved Brussels sprouts are the kind of ingredient that can turn skeptics into believers, especially when they're tossed in a punchy, herb-forward dressing like this one. The homemade basil pesto comes together in a food processor with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, a hint of ground ginger, and good olive oil — no store-bought shortcuts needed, and no hidden gluten to worry about. Every ingredient here is naturally free of wheat and grains, so this is one of those recipes where the diet takes care of itself without any substitutions or label-reading stress. The dried cranberries add little pops of sweetness that play beautifully against the bright, garlicky pesto and the slight bitterness of the sprouts. A short rest at room temperature lets the shaved greens soften just enough to soak up all that flavor without losing their satisfying texture. It works as a vibrant side dish or a light main, and it holds up well in the fridge overnight, making it a smart choice for meal prep or entertaining.
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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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