Charred Brussels Sprouts Salad

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Say hello to the irresistible combination of crispy Brussels sprouts, tangy goat cheese, and savory pancetta in this mouthwatering Brussels Sprouts Salad. Perfect as a hearty side dish or a standalone meal, it’s a fall recipe you won’t want to miss!

Charred Brussels sporuts salad with balsamic drizzle.

What you’ll love about this recipe:


  • Quick and Convenient: From prep to plate, this Brussels Sprouts Salad is made with simple ingredients and can be ready in under 20 minutes! That makes it perfect for a hassle-free weeknight dinner or a quick lunch.
  • Nutrient-Packed: Brussels sprouts are a superfood packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. Combined with the protein from pancetta and healthy fats from the goat cheese, this salad is as nourishing as it is delicious.

A Delightful Fall Salad

Finding delicious ways to sneak in more veggies is a constant struggle in my kitchen, so when I had the opportunity to taste an amazing Brussels Sprouts Salad at a local restaurant, I immediately knew I had stumbled on a winner. 

It’s a dish I had been eyeing for a while because it sounded so good, but it was on the pricy side for an appetizer so I always skipped it. Finally one day when I wasn’t very hungry I gave in. I was pleasantly surprised by the generous portion and amazed at just how flavorful it was. I had it with a small order of macaroni and cheese (a personal favorite!) but it easily could have been a meal on it’s own. In fact, there was enough of each left over for lunch the next day. 

This salad is a testament to the versatility of a humble vegetable that often gets a bad rap. Gone are the memories of mushy, overcooked sprouts on your plate — these are fantastically tender-crisp and perfectly charred in the air fryer, which brings out their inherent sweetness. Chewy raisins, crunchy apple, creamy goat cheese, and crispy pancetta provide loads of textural contrast and flavor to support the star ingredient. It’s a delicious way to transform a once humble veggie into a treat you’ll want to make again and again.

The beauty of this roasted brussels sprouts salad recipe lies in its flexibility. Served as an entree in its own right, this incredible dish goes equally well as a veggie side dish with butternut squash mac and cheese or a grilled cheese sandwich. The process of making the salad itself is straightforward and easy enough for weeknight cooking, but the result is so impressive it would be a welcome addition to your holiday table this Thanksgiving or Christmas.  

Ingredients for Brussels Spouts Salad.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Brussels Sprouts: Look for Brussels sprouts that are firm, bright green, and uniform in size. You can usually find them in the fresh produce section of your local grocery store.

Pancetta: A good quality Italian pancetta adds a deep, savory flavor to the salad. Look for small packets of diced pancetta by the packaged deli meats at your supermarket. It will be refrigerated. If you can’t find pancetta, you can substitute crispy bacon or prosciutto for a similar salty and meaty flavor.

Raisins: These add an unexpected sweetness and a great texture to the salad. If you don’t like how chewy raisins are, soak them in hot water for a few minutes to soften them and plump them up before adding them to the salad. 

Apple: Opt for fresh and crisp apples; a variety like Honeycrisp or Fuji works well. You can find these in the fruit section of your grocery store.

Goat Cheese: Soft goat cheese, like chevre, gets ever so slightly melted from the warm Brussels sprouts. It’s so deliciously creamy and tangy! 

Balsamic Glaze: Choose a high-quality balsamic glaze or balsamic vinegar reduction that’s not overly sweet and has a nice balance of acidity. I like Alessi brand, which is usually available in a squeeze bottle in the condiments or vinegar aisle of your supermarket. It’s pricey, but a little goes a long way and it lasts for practically forever! If you don’t have balsamic glaze, you can substitute your favorite balsamic vinaigrette. 

Recipe Tips

  • Take advantage of the convenience and efficiency of an air fryer, which give the Brussels sprouts to a delicious char without excessive oil. Check out my guide on how to air fry Brussels Spouts for more tips!
  • Want more crunch? Try topping the salad with toasted pecans or pomegranate arils
  • For a unique twist, experiment with replacements for the raisins, like dried cranberries or cherries 
  • If you’re a fan of heat, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes is never a bad idea
Air fryer Brussels Sprouts after cooking.
Adding the apples, raisins, and cheese.

Commonly asked questions

How to store Leftovers

This salad definitely tastes best right away, but you can keep any leftovers in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. I prefer the leftovers served cold, but you can gently reheat them to take the chill off.

Can I freeze this recipe

I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

What if I don’t have an air fryer? 

Not a problem. Roasting the Brussels sprouts and pancetta in a preheated oven at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, periodically stirring them to ensure even cooking, will provide similar results. For the best results, make sure the sprouts are in a single layer on the sheet pan, with the cut sides facing down. 

Can I replace the goat cheese with other cheeses? 

Absolutely. Feta or crumbled blue cheese would also work wonderfully in this salad.

More Brussels Sprout You’ll Love

More Salad Recipes:

Table setting with a platter of Brussels Sprouts Salad.
Charred Brussels sporuts salad with balsamic drizzle.

Charred Brussels Sprouts Salad

This Charred Brussels Sprouts Salad is a heartfelt recreation of a memorable restaurant dish, bursting with a medley of flavors and textures that will absolutely delight your palate. Happy cooking, and above all, enjoy your meal!
5
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Course: Healthy Salad Recipes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: brussels sprouts salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 153kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound brussels sprouts halved through the stems
  • 1 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 ounces pancetta diced
  • ¼ cup raisins
  • 1 apples diced
  • 2 ounces soft goat cheese crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic glaze

Instructions

  • Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF. In a large mixing bowl, combine the Brussels sprouts, olive oil, and salt. Mix well until the sprouts are evenly coated.
  • Pour the sprouts into the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Give the basket a good shake to redistricute the sprouts and add the pancetta to the air fryer basket. Cook another 5 minutes, or until the sprouts are golden brown and cooked through.
  • Transfer the cooked brussels sprouts to a serving bowl. Add the apples, raisins, and goat cheese. Stir to combine.
  • Drizzle with balsamic glaze.

Notes

No air fryer? No problem! Check out the post narrative above for helpful tips as well as instructions on how to make this Brussels sprout salad in the oven. 
Nutrition Facts
Charred Brussels Sprouts Salad
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 153 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 0.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 11mg4%
Sodium 312mg14%
Potassium 398mg11%
Carbohydrates 16g5%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 688IU14%
Vitamin C 66mg80%
Calcium 49mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @HealthyDelish or tag #HealthyDelish!
lauren

Hi, I'm Lauren!

I'm a certified plant-based cook and enthusiastic omnivore who loves looking for creative ways to make weeknight meals more nutritious. I'm the author of Heathy Eating One Pot Cookbook and Healthy Meal Prep Slow Cooker Cookbook. I also blog at The Busy Foodie. Read more...

 

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