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I love a great salad anytime, and this Crisp Fall Salad with Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Apple, and Vibrant Vinaigrette is perfect for the season. It’s packed with flavor, texture, and all the best autumn ingredients. The salad combines crunchy Brussels sprouts, sweet-tart apple, and creamy cheddar. Tossed in a vibrant vinaigrette, it strikes the ideal balance of flavors and textures.
Why This Fall Salad Stands Out
- Flavorful Vinaigrette: A tangy blend of apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, and a touch of honey creates a dressing that’s bright, slightly sweet, and perfect for fall salads.
- Seasonal Ingredients: The combination of crunchy Brussels sprouts, celery, and endive adds texture, while apple and cheddar bring a hint of sweetness and creaminess—capturing the best of autumn.
- Meal-Prep Friendly: This salad holds up beautifully in the fridge, making it a convenient choice for healthy leftovers.
This salad is audibly crisp and has a touch of Waldorf-inspired charm, with crunchy celery, sweet apples, creamy cheddar, Brussels sprouts, and endive. Instead of the usual mayonnaise dressing, it uses a tangy, layered vinaigrette that complements the fruit’s natural sweetness. For the best results, dress the Brussels sprouts first while you chop the other ingredients, giving them time to soften and absorb all those vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
For the Vibrant Vinaigrette
- Apple Cider Vinegar & Red Wine Vinegar: The tang of these vinegars highlights the fall produce.
- Lemon Juice & Honey: Brightens the dressing with a burst of citrus and a touch of sweetness.
- Fresh Garlic & Thyme: Adds earthy, cozy flavors that complement the autumn ingredients.
- Olive Oil: Brings everything together into a smooth, balanced dressing.
For the Crisp Fall Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts: The base of the salad, offering crunch and a sturdy texture.
- Celery & Endives: Provide refreshing bitterness that balances the sweetness of the apples.
- Apple: Adds a crisp, juicy contrast to the savory ingredients.
- Cheddar or Manchego Cheese: These cheeses add creamy, tangy richness, rounding out the flavors.
How to Make This Fall Salad
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: In a jar, combine apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, garlic, and thyme. Add olive oil, shake well, and taste. Adjust as needed for a balanced fall dressing.
- Dress the Brussels Sprouts: Toss the shaved Brussels sprouts in a little vinaigrette to soften them while you prepare the rest of the salad.
- Assemble the Salad: Shave the celery and slice the apples and cheese into matchsticks. Combine with endive leaves, and toss with additional vinaigrette to your liking.
- Finish and Serve: Add a final grind of black pepper over the top. Your healthy fall salad is now ready to enjoy!
Recipe Note: Mandoline Safety and Equipment
- Not everyone may have access to a mandoline, but it’s a worthwhile investment for precise, even slices—perfect for this salad’s crisp textures.
- If you do use a mandoline, be sure to wear a protective glove for safety, as these tools can be very sharp.
- If you don’t have a mandoline, a sharp knife will work just as well for slicing.
- Besides a mandoline or knife, you’ll need a large stainless steel bowl for assembling the salad. A ball mason jar works well for shaking and pouring the vibrant vinaigrette.
Tips for the Best Fall Salad Experience
- Easy Variations: Swap endive for radicchio or add toasted nuts for extra crunch.
- Leftover-Friendly: This salad holds up well in the fridge, making it easy to enjoy over a few days.
- Serving Ideas: Perfect as a side to roasted meats or fish, or as a satisfying, vegetable-forward meal on its own.
Serving Suggestion
Inspired by Chef Clare DeBoer, this recipe brings out the best of fall’s flavors with a unique twist, making it a standout dish at any meal.
Crisp Fall Salad with Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Apple, and Vibrant Vinaigrette
This Crisp Fall Salad is a vibrant, seasonal dish with the perfect mix of textures and bold flavors. It features crunchy Brussels sprouts, fresh endive, sweet apples, and creamy cheese, all tossed in a tangy, vibrant vinaigrette. Hearty enough to stand alone as a lunch or a refreshing addition to any fall meal!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- To make the dressing, combine all the ingredients in a small jar and shake. Dip a finger or endive leaf into the dressing to taste it, and adjust as you like.
- Trim and discard any tatty outer Brussels sprouts leaves and roots, then sliver the rest and place in a large salad bowl. Toss with half the dressing.
- Slice the cheese into matchsticks and set aside. Slice the apples into matchsticks and drop them into the remaining dressing so they don’t go brown.
- Slice the top inch off the endives, adding these cup-like leaves to the dressed sprouts.
- Sliver the rest of the endive and add to the bowl. Finely slice celery and add this, too. Add the apples and some or all of the remaining dressing, and the cheese, and toss.
- Grind black pepper over the top and enjoy lunch!
Notes
Storage and Serving Notes for Dressing:
- Storage: This dressing can be kept at room temperature for up to a few days.
- Serving Size: The quantities provided yield enough dressing for a salad serving 4–6 people.
- Customize to Your Taste and Ingredients: Homemade salad dressings are easy to adapt based on what you have on hand and your flavor preferences.
- Mind Your Vinegar: Different vinegars have distinct flavor: Taste as you go! For example, balsamic vinegar can vary from sweet and thick to sharp and acidic, so adjust accordingly.
- Balance Sweetness: If your salad has naturally sweet elements (like pumpkin or cheese), use less honey or maple syrup in your dressing. Add a bit more sweetness if you’re pairing it with bitter greens like radicchio.
- Incorporate Citrus: For a bright, seasonal twist, add juice from winter citrus or pomegranate segments to your dressing. This can add freshness and complexity, especially in colder months.
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4 responses to “Crisp Fall Salad with Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Apple, and a Vibrant Vinaigrette”
I’m in the mood for apples and something tangy, might have to give this one a try!
Wow, this looks like quite the treat 🥗😆🙌💯
This sounds like a “keeper” recipe. 🙂
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