Brussel Sprout Caesar Salad

This Brussel Sprout Caesar salad recipe combines raw shredded and roasted Brussel sprouts with roasted chickpeas, raw vegetables, and a tangy vegan Caesar dressing.

After finding the most beautiful Brussel sprouts at the farmer's market this afternoon, I decided to make a Brussel sprout Caesar salad recipe. Although I meal plan ahead of time, sometimes the produce at the market speaks to me. Today, the Brussel sprouts called my name.  So I switched up my dinner plan to create a warm Brussel sprout salad, or should I say a combination of warm and cold? Shaved Brussel sprouts make a fabulous salad base, but when combined with roasted Brussel sprouts, a marriage of textures occurs. 

Jump to:

• How to Clean and  Prepare Brussel Sprouts
• Salad Ingredients
• Salad Ingredient Substitutions
• How to Make Chickpea Croutons
• Caesar Salad Dressing Ingredients
• Caesar Salad dressing Ingredient Substitutions
• Assembling Vegan Brussel Sprout Caesar Salad
• Recipe FAQs
• Tips
• Vegan Salad Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews

Although typically simple, Caesar salad can be transformed into a culinary delicacy. A simple shaved Brussel sprout salad, for instance, with a few added ingredients, tastes incredible. 

Even though I love Caesar salad, taking it to the next level changes the texture and the taste of a typical vegan Caesar salad. 

So, let's change it up and make a Brussel Sprout Caesar salad that is both warm and cold, with shredded Brussel sprouts! 

How to Clean and  Prepare Brussel Sprouts

1. Step 1:To prepare, cut the ends of the Brussel sprouts and soak them in a bowl of cold, salted water for 20 minutes.
2. Step 2: Unknown to many, dirt and tiny insects are trapped under the outer leaves. As a result, this process cleans the Brussel sprouts thoroughly. 

1. Step 3: Once soaked, rinse the Brussel sprouts thoroughly and separate half for the shredded Brussel sprouts and the other half for roasting. 
2. Step 4: In my opinion, the easiest way to shred Brussel sprouts is to use a food processor with a large blade. If you don't own a food processor, chop the Brussel sprouts finely with a knife or use a box grater.

1. Step 5: Since the shredded Brussel sprouts form the base of the salad, place the shredded Brussel sprouts in the base of a large bowl. 
2. Step 6: Then, cut the reserved whole Brussel Sprouts in half. Next, toss the pieces with fresh lemon juice, garlic powder, and nutritional yeast. 

• Step 7: Preheat an oven to 425 degrees and prepare a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. 
• Step 8: Place the seasoned Brussel sprouts on the baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 25 minutes.
• Step 9: Remove and allow to cool completely before adding to the salad. 

Salad Ingredients

• Brussel Sprouts: Brussels sprouts are especially rich in vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting and bone health. They're also high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps promote iron absorption and is involved in tissue repair and immune function.
• Crispy Roasted Chickpeas: These crispy chickpeas taste like croutons but are made from chickpeas rather than bread.
• Red Onion: Red onion is sweet and crunchy in this Brussel sprout salad recipe.
• Radishes: Radishes add more crunchiness to this vegan salad recipe.
• English Cucumber: English cucumbers have fewer seeds and add freshness to the salad without the salad becoming soggy.

Salad Ingredient Substitutions

• Substitute cauliflower or broccoli for Brussel sprouts.
• Instead of making crispy chickpea croutons, add cooked, canned chickpeas.
• Yellow onion is an excellent substitute for red onions.
• Turnips are similar to radishes.
• Persian cucumbers are similar to English cucumbers.

How to Make Chickpea Croutons

1. Drain the can to prepare the roasted chickpeas, but don't rinse the chickpeas. Instead, place the chickpeas, wet with aquafaba, into a bowl and toss in lemon juice, garlic powder, and nutritional yeast (just like the Brussel Sprouts).
2. Prepare a second baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
3. Cook chickpeas with the Brussel sprouts simultaneously for 25 minutes, using a spatula to slip halfway through roasting.
4. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before adding to the salad. 

Caesar Salad Dressing Ingredients

• Raw Cashews: Raw cashews provide the creaminess of this vegan Caesar dressing. Soak the cashews overnight or boil them for 10 minutes to soften if you don't have a quality blender.
• Water: The water is used as an emulsifier to the dressing and thins it.
• Lemon Juice: I prefer fresh lemon juice when making salad dressings, for the best flavor.
• Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard supplies the dressing with a tangy and savory flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Garlic powder gives the dressing a deep flavor.
• Garlic Cloves: I prefer using fresh garlic cloves in combination with garlic powder.
• Vegan Worcestershire Sauce: I like Wizard's gluten-free brand
• Capers: The taste of a caper is reminiscent of the lemony tang and brininess of green olives but with a smack of floral tartness.
• Fine-Grain Sea Salt and Pepper to Taste: Add salt and pepper as preferred.

This recipe makes ¾-1 cup of dressing.

Caesar Salad dressing Ingredient Substitutions

• Use white beans, silken tofu, or vegan unsweetened, plain yogurt for a nut-free dressing. If using plant-based yogurt, skip the water.
• Or, use sunflower seeds or hemp seeds.
• Bottled lemon juice works well to substitute fresh lemon juice.
• Stone-ground mustard is similar to dijon mustard.
• One clove of garlic equals about ⅛th of a teaspoon of garlic powder.
• If converting from minced garlic to garlic powder, use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder for every 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
• Soy sauce or miso paste is used to substitute vegan worcestershire sauce.
• Green olives are similar to capers.

Assembling Vegan Brussel Sprout Caesar Salad

• Step 1: After shredding half the Brussel sprouts, add the cucumber, red onion, and radishes. 

• Step 2: Next, add the warm roasted Brussel sprouts and roasted chickpeas. 

• Step 3: Now, toss the salad, drizzle with vegan Caesar dressing, and serve.  This warm Brussel Sprout salad with tangy Caesar dressing explodes with flavor. 

Recipe FAQs

Tips

• Cut the ends off the Brussel sprouts and remove any loose outer leaves.
• Soaking the brussel sprouts helps to clean the layers of leaves.
• As a shortcut, buy shaved Brussel sprouts (Whole Foods carries them).
• Use a box cutter to a food processor.
• Avocado is another substitute for cashews in the dressing.
• Keep the crunchy chickpeas separate from the salad ingredients until it is time to serve to keep them crunchy.

Enjoy this vegan Brussel sprout Caesar salad recipe for a different twist on a vegan Caesar salad.

Vegan Salad Recipes

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