Yeast Free Basil-Pesto Brussels Sprout Salad
Raw, shaved Brussels sprouts are the unexpected star here — sliced paper-thin, they turn tender and almost silky once they've had a few minutes to soak up the bright, herby pesto. That dressing is completely homemade, built from fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, and a subtle hit of ground ginger that makes it feel a little more interesting than your average green sauce. Because everything is blended from scratch, there's no need to scan labels for hidden yeast extracts or fermented additives that sneak into so many store-bought dressings and condiments. The dried cranberries and thinly sliced red onion add little pops of sweetness and sharpness that balance the richness of the olive oil beautifully. It's the kind of salad that actually gets better as it sits — a short rest at room temperature lets the sprouts soften just enough without losing their satisfying bite. Serve it as a vibrant side or pile it into a bowl for a light, produce-forward meal that feels genuinely special without much effort at all.
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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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