Pregnancy Friendly Basil-Pesto Brussels Sprout Salad
Raw, shaved Brussels sprouts tossed in a bright, garlicky basil pesto make for a salad that feels genuinely exciting — crunchy, herbaceous, and finished with little pops of sweetness from dried cranberries. During pregnancy, getting enough folate, fiber, and vitamin C from real, whole foods matters, and Brussels sprouts happen to be a powerhouse source of all three. The pesto here skips the pine nuts and parmesan you'd find in a classic version, leaning instead on fresh basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and extra-virgin olive oil for a dressing that's clean, vibrant, and completely safe to enjoy. A pinch of ground ginger adds a subtle warmth that ties everything together in a way that feels intentional rather than accidental. Letting the dressed salad rest for ten minutes before serving is a small but smart step — it softens the sprouts just enough so the texture is tender-crisp rather than tough. Thinly sliced red onion adds a little sharpness that balances the sweetness of the cranberries beautifully. This one holds up well in the fridge overnight, making it an easy make-ahead option for busy days when a nourishing lunch needs to be ready and waiting.
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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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