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Low Carb Brussel Sprouts Caesar Salad

Low Carb Brussel Sprouts Caesar Salad
Home » Low Carb Lifestyle » Low carb side dishes » Brussel Sprouts Caesar Salad

Brussel sprouts are often hailed as one of the most-hated foods.  However, Caesar salad is one of the most popular.  This unique combination of brussel sprouts and Caesar salad brings out the best in both dishes for a spectacular side dish to any meal.

Jump to: RECIPE
Health Benefits of Brussels
Substitutions
How to Use a Mandolin
How to Serve

Brussels sprouts salad with caesar dressing
Brussels sprouts caesar salad topped with bacon and chicken

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Health Benefits of Brussel Sprouts

Turns out, there is apparently a scientific reason why people dislike brussel sprouts.  Many bitter plants are poisonous and, therefore we have an instinctual aversion to bitter foods. 

Bitter can be an acquired taste however (think negroni) and sprouts have many key nutrients that can really make a difference in health.

They are packed with vitamin C and K.  They are also very high in fiber and have iron, calcium and magnesium.

This particular low carb brussel sprouts Caesar salad is delicious, and can be easily modified to suit vegetarian diets by leaving out the anchovies.

Ingredients for brussels sprouts caesar salad
Ingredients for brussels sprouts caesar salad

And as an added benefit, it is quite filling and could be a meal unto itself. My mom added bacon and chicken to make it a full low carb meal (see above photo).

How to Serve Brussel Sprouts

Brussel sprouts are often over-boiled until mushy.  Bitter and mush…..I can understand why people wouldn’t like brussel sprouts after eating them like that! 

This particular recipe for a brussel sprouts Caesar salad was based off a recipe found in a 2015 People Magazine article. 

I made this salad for literally every single potluck and party I hosted- so much so that some of my friends asked me to make something else.  Oops!  But I liked it that much.

I served it recently as a side to these ribs but it goes with a whole host of other main dishes.   

Mandoline vs Sharp Knife for Slicing

When I first made this dish, I had not yet discovered the magic of a mandoline.  I would typically quarter the brussel sprouts, and although this still works with the recipe, I would recommend slicing the brussel sprouts even thinner. 

To get a consistent thin slice of a fruit or vegetable, a good mandoline works best. It is also much quicker and easier than a knife if it has a good quality sharp blade.

If you don’t have a mandoline, don’t let that deter you from slicing the sprouts with a sharp knife however!

Whether you choose the mandoline or a knife, be very careful. Sharp blades can do a lot of damage to your tender fingers. Here is the mandoline I use– it works wonderfully!

Ingredient Substitutions

In order to make this salad vegetarian, you can simply omit the anchovy paste. Although I’ve never tried it, you could use a vegan mayonnaise.

If you don’t like using tinned anchovies or anchovy paste, a little fish sauce works the same way to give you the umami that is necessary to a classic caesar salad dressing.

One of the great things about this salad is that, although it has a very unique flavor alone, it pairs nicely with a multitude of other garnishes as well.

Additions could include:

  • capers,
  • cornichons (those little French pickles),
  • parmesan crisps.

This vegetable medley using brussel sprouts, cauliflower and red peppers is another delicious way to enjoy brussel sprouts. Guaranteed to turn a brussel sprouts hater into a brussel sprouts lover!

Broccoli cauliflower and brussels medley of vegetables in blue bowl.
Broccoli Cauliflower Brussels Medley

Recipe for Brussel Sprouts with Caesar Dressing

Low Carb Brussel Sprouts Caesar Salad

Brussels sprouts salad with caesar dressing
A slightly salty, tangy way to use brussel sprouts in a side dish that even brussel sprout haters will enjoy
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 316

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1.3 lb brussel sprouts prior to slicing
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • ½ cup parmesan or asiago cheese finely grated or shredded
  • cup mayonnaise
  • ½ tsp Dijon mustard
  • ¾ tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice fresh lemon juice
  • ½ tsp minced garlic Can use jarred if no fresh bulbs on hand
  • 2 tsp anchovy paste can substitute fish sauce or 6 anchovy fillets
  • 6 dashes hot sauce I used Frank’s hot sauce
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
 

For the Brussel Sprouts

  • Rinse the brussel sprouts and using a sharp knife, remove stems. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, thinly slice the brussel sprouts
    1.3 lb brussel sprouts
  • Heat 2 Tbsps of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add brussel sprouts to skillet and toss to ensure even coating of olive oil.
    2 Tbsp olive oil
  • Cook, stirring occasionally for 7-9 minutes. Set aside to cool while you make the dressing.

For the dressing

  • In a large bowl, add the Parmesan, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, anchovy paste, hot sauce. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Mix all ingredients well and add brussel sprouts to the bowl. Stir to combine.
    1/2 cup parmesan or asiago cheese, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard, 3/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, 2 tsp anchovy paste, 6 dashes hot sauce, salt & pepper
  • Serve warm or cold- if serving cold, set in refrigerator for 1 hour.

Video

Notes

**NOTE: If you don’t like using tinned anchovies or anchovy paste, a little fish sauce works the same way to give you the umami that is necessary to a classic caesar salad dressing.

Nutrition

Calories: 316kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 11gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 479mgPotassium: 614mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1220IUVitamin C: 128mgCalcium: 208mgIron: 2mg
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Low Carb Brussel Sprouts Caesar Salad
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Recipe Rating




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Cindy

Monday 24th of January 2022

We loved this recipe! It's so nice to have another excellent way to make brussels sprouts, one of our favorite vegetables.

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