Mediterranean Diet Friendly Basil-Pesto Brussels Sprout Salad
Raw Brussels sprouts get a serious glow-up here — shaved paper-thin so they turn tender and silky once they soak up that bright, garlicky pesto. The dressing itself is a blender-quick blend of fresh basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, a hint of ground ginger, and good extra-virgin olive oil, which is basically a Mediterranean pantry dream in one bowl. Dried cranberries and thin-sliced red onion add just enough sweetness and bite to keep every forkful interesting. This kind of dish sits squarely in the heart of Mediterranean-style eating — plenty of plant-forward ingredients, healthy fats from olive oil, and zero need for anything processed or heavy. The ten-minute rest after tossing is a small but important step; it lets the sprouts relax and drink in the pesto so the whole salad tastes cohesive rather than just dressed. It holds up well in the fridge overnight, making it a smart choice for meal prep or a make-ahead side for a dinner party. Fresh, vibrant, and genuinely satisfying — this one earns a permanent spot in the rotation.
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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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