Seeds Free Basil-Pesto Brussels Sprout Salad
Shaved raw Brussels sprouts make a surprisingly satisfying salad base — tender enough to eat fresh, with just enough bite to hold up to a bold dressing. The real star here is a bright, garlicky basil pesto made entirely without nuts or seeds, relying on good olive oil, fresh lemon, and a hint of ginger to deliver that punchy, herbaceous flavor you'd expect. Tart dried cranberries and paper-thin red onion round out the bowl with sweetness and a little sharpness that keeps every forkful interesting. For anyone navigating a seeds-free lifestyle, store-bought pestos are almost always off the table thanks to pine nuts or sunflower seeds hiding in the ingredient list — this homemade version sidesteps all of that cleanly. A short rest after tossing lets the sprouts soak up the dressing and soften just slightly, which makes a huge difference in texture. It comes together with a food processor and a handful of fresh ingredients, making it an easy weeknight side or a make-ahead lunch that actually gets better as it sits.
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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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