Walnut Free Basil-Pesto Brussels Sprout Salad
Shaved Brussels sprouts tossed in a bright, garlicky basil pesto is the kind of salad that makes people go back for seconds before the main course even hits the table. The sprouts are sliced paper-thin so they soak up every bit of that vivid green dressing, softening just enough after a short rest while still keeping a satisfying bite. Chewy dried cranberries and sharp slivers of red onion add pops of sweetness and tang that balance the herby, lemony pesto beautifully. The pesto itself skips tree nuts entirely — it's built on fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and a subtle hint of ground ginger that makes it genuinely interesting. That's great news if you're navigating store-bought pestos, which almost always rely on pine nuts or walnuts as a base. Everything comes together in a food processor in minutes, making this an easy win for weeknight dinners or a crowd-pleasing dish to bring to a gathering. A final squeeze of lemon and a scatter of torn basil leaves finish it off with a freshness that's hard to beat.
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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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