This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad combines crisp shaved Brussels sprouts, smoky bacon, Parmesan cheese, and creamy Caesar dressing for a hearty salad packed with flavor and crunch.
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If you’ve never made a Brussels sprouts salad before, this is the one that will convert you for life. Shaved Brussels sprouts stay unbelievably crunchy, hold up to dressing like champs, and turn a Caesar salad into something bolder, heartier, and honestly? Way more fun to eat.
Add crispy bacon, creamy lemon-kissed Caesar dressing, salty parmesan, and croutons… it’s giving Tuesday-night ease and holiday-table energy.
Why You'll Love This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Crisp in every bite: Shaved Brussels sprouts stay crunchy and hold up beautifully to the dressing.
- Creamy homemade Caesar dressing: Rich, tangy, and packed with classic Caesar flavor.
- Bacon adds smoky flavor: Crispy bacon brings the perfect salty contrast to the fresh vegetables.
- Easy to make ahead: Brussels sprouts stay crisp longer than lettuce, making this a great prep-ahead salad.
- Hearty and satisfying: Parmesan, bacon, croutons, and Brussels sprouts make this more substantial than a traditional Caesar salad.
Why You'll Love This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Crisp in every bite: Shaved Brussels sprouts stay crunchy and hold up beautifully to the dressing.
- Creamy homemade Caesar dressing: Rich, tangy, and packed with classic Caesar flavor.
- Bacon adds smoky flavor: Crispy bacon brings the perfect salty contrast to the fresh vegetables.
- Easy to make ahead: Brussels sprouts stay crisp longer than lettuce, making this a great prep-ahead salad.
- Hearty and satisfying: Parmesan, bacon, croutons, and Brussels sprouts make this more substantial than a traditional Caesar salad.
What You'll Need & Why
Everything you need to make a crunchy, flavor-packed Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad.
For the Caesar Dressing
- Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy base for the dressing.
- Lemon juice: Adds brightness and balances the richness.
- Worcestershire sauce: Brings savory depth and umami.
- Dijon mustard: Adds tang and helps emulsify the dressing.
- Anchovy paste: Classic Caesar flavor with plenty of savory punch.
- Garlic: Essential for bold, fresh flavor.
- Kosher salt & black pepper: Season the dressing to taste.
For the Salad
- Brussels sprouts: Shaved thin for maximum crunch and texture.
- Bacon: Adds smoky, salty flavor throughout the salad.
- Parmesan cheese: Salty, nutty, and a classic Caesar ingredient.
- Croutons: Bring even more crunch to every bite.
The Recipe Rundown
- Mix the Caesar dressing. Whisk together the dressing ingredients and refrigerate until you're ready to assemble the salad.
- Cook the bacon. Bake until crisp, then chop or crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Shave the Brussels sprouts. Use a mandolin or sharp knife to slice the Brussels sprouts into thin ribbons.
- Toss everything together. Combine the shaved Brussels sprouts, bacon, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing in a large bowl.
- Finish and serve. Top with croutons, extra Parmesan, fresh black pepper, and chives before serving.
Swaps & Variations
This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad is easy to customize with a few simple swaps.
- Add a protein: Grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, salmon, or crispy tofu turn this salad into a complete meal.
- Change the crunch: Swap the croutons for toasted almonds, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds.
- Lighten the dressing: Replace part of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter Caesar dressing.
- Make it vegetarian: Skip the bacon and add crispy roasted chickpeas for texture and crunch.
- Add fresh fruit: Thinly sliced apples or pears pair beautifully with the bacon, Parmesan, and Caesar dressing.
- Add more vegetables: Shaved fennel, red onion, or cabbage add even more flavor and texture.
Tips For The Best Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar
A few simple tips help this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad turn out crisp, flavorful, and perfectly balanced.
- Start with fresh Brussels sprouts: Firm, bright-green sprouts have the best flavor and texture.
- Shave them thin: A mandolin, food processor, or sharp knife creates the ideal ribbon-like texture.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan: It melts into the dressing better and adds more flavor than pre-grated cheese.
- Don't skip the anchovy paste: It adds the savory depth that gives Caesar dressing its signature flavor.
- Dress it ahead of time: Unlike lettuce, Brussels sprouts stay crisp and actually benefit from sitting in the dressing for 20–30 minutes.
- Add the bacon just before serving: This keeps it crisp and prevents it from softening in the salad.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad Recipe
Equipment
- mandolin
Ingredients
Caesar Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 1-2 cloves garlic, finely grated
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Brussels Sprouts Salad
- 6-8 slices bacon
- 2 12 oz bags whole Brussels sprouts
- 1½ cups parmesan cheese, shaved
- croutons, optional for extra crunch
Instructions
Caesar Dressing
- Mix all of the dressing ingredients together. Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.
Cook the bacon.
- Place bacon strips onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Add them to a cold oven and turn the heat to 425° oven. Cook until the bacon reaches the desired level of crispiness. Cut or crumble into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
Shave the sprouts.
- Using a mandolin or a sharp chef's knife, CAREFULLY, slice the Brussels sprouts into to very thin shavings.
Build the salad.
- Add the shaved Brussels sprouts, bacon, parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing to a large mixing bowl. Toss to combine. Top with optional croutons.
Garnish and enjoy!
- Add a little more cheese, fresh ground pepper, and fresh chives. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Make It a Meal
This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad works as a side dish, but we usually turn it into dinner with a simple protein and crusty bread.
- Add roasted chicken: A classic pairing that turns this salad into an easy weeknight meal.
- Serve with steak or prime rib: The bold Caesar dressing and smoky bacon pair perfectly roasted prime rib.
- Top with salmon or shrimp: Both add protein while keeping the meal fresh and light.
- Pair with warm bread: Crusty bread or olive bread is perfect for soaking up any extra dressing.
- Serve alongside soup: We love it with a bowl of Creamy Vegetable Soup or Creamy Tomato Soup for a simple lunch or light dinner.
Storage & Make-Ahead
Here’s how to prep this salad ahead of time and keep it crunchy for days.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for 2–3 days — shaved Brussels sprouts stay crisp longer than lettuce.
- Keep bacon separate if storing — add right before serving to keep it crispy.
- Make the dressing up to 4–5 days ahead — the flavors get even better overnight.
- Shave Brussels sprouts 1–2 days ahead and store in an airtight container for easy assembling.
- If prepping for holiday meals — combine sprouts, parmesan, and dressing an hour before serving; top with bacon and croutons right before eating.
- Avoid freezing — the texture will not recover.
You Asked, I Answered
Can I use pre-shaved Brussels sprouts?
Yes. They work beautifully and save prep time. Fluff them with your hands before dressing to separate the shreds.
Do I have to use anchovy paste?
I highly recommend it. It melts into the dressing and adds the savory flavor that makes Caesar dressing taste like Caesar dressing. If needed, add a little extra Worcestershire sauce and Parmesan as a substitute.
Can I make this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad ahead of time?
Yes. Brussels sprouts stay crisp much longer than lettuce. You can toss the salad up to an hour ahead and add the bacon and croutons just before serving.
Do Brussels sprouts get soggy after dressing?
No. Shaved Brussels sprouts hold their texture well and actually improve after sitting in the dressing for 20–30 minutes.
Other Hearty Salads You'll Love
If hearty salads are your thing, here are a few more favorites that eat like a meal.
- Italian Chopped Salad – Loaded with meats, cheese, and a creamy dressing that makes every bite count.
- Thai Steak Salad – Tender steak, crunchy vegetables, and a bold peanut dressing.
- Grilled Steak Salad – A satisfying dinner salad topped with steak and a creamy avocado ranch dressing.
- Crispy Chicken Salad – Crispy chicken, fresh vegetables, and plenty of crunch for an easy lunch or dinner.
Who’s Stirring the Pot?
Hi, I’m Ruth—recipe developer, comfort-food creator, and the voice behind Rufus For Real. I specialize in cozy, doable, flavor-packed meals for real-life kitchens, and I’m a firm believer that breakfast, dinner, and everything in between should be simple, satisfying, and impossible to mess up.
You’ll find me sharing even more comfort-food goodness, kitchen tips, and behind-the-scenes chaos over on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube (@rufusforreal everywhere).
If you love approachable recipes with a whole lot of personality, pull up a chair—there’s always room at this table.
Happy Cooking!
-Ruth aka Rufus
brenda says
so stinking good!