Lactose Free Basil-Pesto Brussels Sprout Salad
Raw, shaved Brussels sprouts tossed in a bright, garlicky basil pesto make for a salad that's bold, fresh, and genuinely crave-worthy. The sprouts are sliced paper-thin so they soak up every bit of that vibrant green dressing, and a short rest at room temperature lets them soften just enough to turn pleasantly tender without losing their bite. Chewy dried cranberries and thin-sliced red onion add pops of sweetness and a little sharpness that balance the herby, lemony pesto beautifully. The pesto itself is built entirely from basil, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a hint of ground ginger — no cheese, no cream, no dairy of any kind — so it's naturally rich and satisfying without any substitutions required. That makes this a genuinely easy win for anyone navigating dairy sensitivities, since there's nothing to swap out or second-guess. It comes together fast, keeps well in the fridge for up to a day, and actually gets better as it sits — making it a smart choice for meal prep or a make-ahead side dish.
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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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