This creamy shaved Brussels sprout Caesar salad is a fresh, flavorful twist on the classic Caesar salad. Thinly sliced Brussels sprouts are tossed with a rich homemade Caesar dressing, crispy bacon, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and crunchy croutons. Every bite is creamy, salty, crisp, and completely irresistible.
Unlike lettuce, shaved Brussels sprouts stay crunchy even after they are dressed. That makes this easy salad perfect for holidays, dinner parties, meal prep, or a simple weeknight side dish. It pairs beautifully with roasted chicken, steak, pork chops, pasta, or your favorite soup.
If you think Brussels sprouts are only meant to be roasted, this creamy Brussels sprout salad may change your mind.
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Why You’ll Love This Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad
- The shaved Brussels sprouts remain crisp and crunchy.
- A homemade Caesar dressing adds plenty of creamy, savory flavor.
- Crispy bacon makes the salad smoky and satisfying.
- It can be prepared ahead without becoming soggy.
- The recipe works as a side dish or light main course.
- It is an easy way to serve Brussels sprouts for the holidays.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Brussels Sprout Salad
Fresh Brussels sprouts: Look for firm, bright green sprouts without yellow or wilted leaves. Shaving them thinly makes them tender enough to eat raw.
Bacon: Cook the bacon until crisp so it adds a smoky crunch throughout the salad.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated or shaved Parmesan provides the best flavor and texture.
Croutons: Use your favorite store-bought croutons or make homemade croutons from day-old bread.
Black pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper gives the salad its familiar Caesar flavor.
For the Creamy Caesar Dressing
Mayonnaise: This creates a rich, creamy base without requiring raw egg yolks.
Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens the dressing and balances its richness.
Parmesan cheese: Finely grated Parmesan helps thicken and season the dressing.
Dijon mustard: Dijon adds tanginess and helps bring the dressing together.
Worcestershire sauce: This adds depth and savory flavor.
Anchovy paste: Anchovy paste gives Caesar dressing its signature umami flavor without making it taste fishy. It can be omitted if preferred.
Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a sharp, savory bite.
Olive oil: A small amount loosens the dressing and gives it a smoother consistency.
Salt and black pepper: Season the dressing after adding the Parmesan, anchovy paste, and Worcestershire sauce because those ingredients are already salty.
How to Shave Brussels Sprouts
Begin by trimming the dry stem end from each Brussels sprout. Remove any damaged or discolored outer leaves.
Use one of these methods to shave them:
- Slice each Brussels sprout very thinly with a sharp chef’s knife.
- Run the sprouts through a food processor fitted with the slicing attachment.
- Carefully shave them with a mandoline slicer using the hand guard.
Separate the sliced layers with your fingers and transfer them to a large salad bowl. For the best texture, the Brussels sprouts should resemble a fine, leafy slaw.
You can also purchase pre-shredded Brussels sprouts when you need a quicker option. Check them carefully and remove any large stem pieces before assembling the salad.
How to Make Creamy Shaved Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad
1. Cook the bacon
Add the bacon to a skillet and cook it over medium heat until browned and crisp. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate and allow it to cool. Once cool, crumble or chop it into bite-size pieces.
2. Prepare the Caesar dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, garlic, and olive oil.
Taste the dressing and season it with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. If it is thicker than you prefer, whisk in one teaspoon of water at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
3. Massage the Brussels sprouts
Place the shaved Brussels sprouts in a large mixing bowl. Add about half of the Caesar dressing and use clean hands or salad tongs to massage and toss the sprouts for one to two minutes.
This step lightly softens the Brussels sprouts while helping the dressing coat all the thinly shaved pieces.
4. Assemble the salad
Add the bacon, Parmesan cheese, and croutons. Drizzle in additional dressing as needed and toss again until everything is evenly coated.
5. Garnish and serve
Finish the salad with more Parmesan, crumbled bacon, and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper. Serve it immediately or refrigerate it briefly before serving.
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Tips for the Best Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad
Slice the Brussels Sprouts Thinly
Thick slices can be difficult to chew when the sprouts are served raw. Shave them as finely and evenly as possible for a tender, slaw-like texture.
Massage the Salad
Massaging the shaved Brussels sprouts with the dressing softens their texture without taking away their crunch. Even one minute makes a noticeable difference.
Use Freshly Grated Parmesan
Pre-grated Parmesan does not melt into the dressing as smoothly and may have a drier texture. Grating Parmesan from a block gives both the dressing and salad a fresher flavor.
Add the Croutons Last
If you are preparing the salad in advance, wait to add the croutons until shortly before serving. This keeps them crisp.
Taste Before Adding Salt
Bacon, Parmesan, anchovy paste, and Worcestershire sauce all contain salt. Taste the finished salad before adding extra seasoning.
Make It Your Own
This creamy shaved Brussels sprout Caesar salad is easy to adjust depending on what you have available.
- Add grilled chicken for a filling lunch or light dinner.
- Top the salad with sliced steak or grilled shrimp.
- Substitute toasted breadcrumbs for the croutons.
- Add chopped hard-boiled eggs for extra protein.
- Mix in thinly sliced kale for more color and texture.
- Add toasted walnuts, pecans, or pine nuts.
- Stir in dried cranberries for a sweet holiday variation.
- Use turkey bacon if you prefer.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
- Replace the bacon with crispy chickpeas for a meatless version.
What to Serve With Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad
This crunchy Caesar salad complements many main dishes. Try serving it with:
It is especially useful for holiday dinners because the sturdy Brussels sprouts hold up longer than romaine lettuce.
PrintBrussels Sprout Bacon Caesar Salad
This creamy shaved Brussels sprout Caesar salad combines crisp Brussels sprouts with smoky bacon, Parmesan cheese, rustic croutons, and an easy homemade Caesar dressing. It is a flavorful make-ahead salad for holidays, entertaining, or weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1½ pounds fresh Brussels sprouts
- 8 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
- ¾ cup freshly grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
- 1½ cups seasoned croutons
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving, optional
For the Creamy Caesar Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste, optional but recommended
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated or minced
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 1–3 teaspoons water, as needed
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and crisp. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled, crumble the bacon and set it aside.
- Trim the dry stem ends from the Brussels sprouts and remove any damaged outer leaves.
- Thinly shave the Brussels sprouts with a sharp knife, mandoline slicer, or food processor fitted with the slicing attachment. Separate the shaved layers with your fingers and place them in a large serving bowl.
- Make the Caesar dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise, Parmesan, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, garlic, and black pepper.
- Taste the dressing and add salt as needed. If the dressing is too thick, whisk in water one teaspoon at a time until it reaches a thick but pourable consistency.
- Arrange the bacon, Parmesan cheese, and croutons over the shaved Brussels sprouts.
- Pour about half of the Caesar dressing over the salad. Toss and massage the Brussels sprouts for one to two minutes to lightly soften them.
- Add more dressing as needed and toss until the salad is evenly coated.
- Garnish with additional bacon, Parmesan, and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately with lemon wedges, if desired.
Notes
- Shave the Brussels sprouts as thinly as possible for the best texture.
- Bagged shaved Brussels sprouts can be used as a shortcut. Remove any large, hard stem pieces before assembling the salad.
- Anchovy paste adds the traditional savory Caesar flavor without making the dressing taste strongly of fish.
- Taste the salad before adding salt because the bacon, Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovy paste are already salty.
- Add the croutons immediately before serving to keep them crunchy.
- The Brussels sprouts and dressing can be prepared up to two days ahead and refrigerated separately.
- The salad can be dressed several hours before serving, but keep the bacon and croutons separate until shortly before serving.
- Use gluten-free croutons and certified gluten-free Worcestershire sauce to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three days.
Can You Make Brussels Sprout Caesar Salad Ahead?
Yes. In fact, shaved Brussels sprouts can be dressed earlier than most leafy salads because they do not wilt quickly.
Shave the Brussels sprouts and prepare the dressing up to two days ahead. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
You can toss the Brussels sprouts with the dressing several hours before serving. Keep the bacon, croutons, and final Parmesan garnish separate, and add them shortly before the salad goes to the table.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover Brussels sprout Caesar salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
The Brussels sprouts will remain pleasantly crisp, although the croutons will soften as they absorb the dressing. If you expect leftovers, consider adding croutons to individual servings instead of mixing them into the entire bowl.
The homemade Caesar dressing can be refrigerated separately for up to five days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Brussels sprouts be eaten raw?
Yes. Raw Brussels sprouts have a crisp texture and a mild cabbage flavor. They are best when sliced very thinly and tossed or massaged with a flavorful dressing.
Do you need to blanch Brussels sprouts for salad?
No. Blanching is not necessary for this recipe. Thinly shaving and massaging the sprouts makes them tender enough to eat raw while preserving their crunch.
Can I use bagged shaved Brussels sprouts?
Yes. Bagged shaved Brussels sprouts are a convenient shortcut. Remove any large, hard stem pieces before preparing the salad.
Does Caesar dressing have to contain anchovies?
Traditional Caesar dressing commonly includes anchovies. They add savory depth rather than a strong fish flavor. You can leave out the anchovy paste and add a little more Worcestershire sauce if needed.
How do you keep shaved Brussels sprouts from tasting bitter?
Choose fresh, firm Brussels sprouts and slice them thinly. Lemon juice, Parmesan, creamy dressing, and smoky bacon balance their slightly bitter flavor. Massaging the sprouts with the dressing also helps soften their taste and texture.
Is this salad gluten-free?
The salad can easily be made gluten-free by using certified gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and gluten-free croutons.
Final Thoughts
Creamy shaved Brussels sprout Caesar salad with bacon delivers everything you want in a memorable side dish. It has the crispness of a fresh slaw, the rich flavor of Caesar salad, and an extra smoky crunch from the bacon.
Because the Brussels sprouts hold their texture so well, this salad is dependable enough for entertaining and simple enough for an everyday meal. Serve it beside your favorite roasted meat, bring it to a holiday dinner, or add chicken and turn it into a satisfying lunch.
Once you try Caesar salad with crunchy shaved Brussels sprouts, you may find yourself choosing it over romaine again and again.
