Turmeric Free Basil-Pesto Brussels Sprout Salad
Shaved Brussels sprouts are the kind of salad base that actually holds up — no wilting, no sogginess, just satisfying crunch in every forkful. The homemade pesto here skips the usual pine nuts and leans hard into fresh basil, bright lemon juice, lemon zest, and a touch of ground ginger for a dressing that's punchy and aromatic without any of the golden spice that so many store-bought dressings sneak in. Tossing the shaved sprouts with thinly sliced red onion and dried cranberries adds a sweet-tart contrast that makes the whole bowl feel balanced and a little unexpected. Because you're blending the pesto yourself from scratch, you stay in complete control of every ingredient — no mystery blends, no hidden additives to second-guess. Letting the dressed salad rest for ten minutes is a small step that makes a real difference, giving the sprouts just enough time to soften and soak up all that herby, garlicky goodness. It works beautifully as a make-ahead lunch or a vibrant side dish that holds its own next to just about anything.
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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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