Brussels and Apple Salad with Creamy Vegan Dressing

Crunchy shaved brussel sprouts and sweet crisp apples come together nicely in this salad. The creamy vegan dressing is a delicious addition to this fall salad. Make this easy recipe in under 10 minutes for the perfect side dish, healthy dinner, or holiday meal.

My favorite way to celebrate the holiday season is gathering around the dinner table with delicious food and wonderful company. Serving healthy and tasty dishes is what it’s all about. This brussel sprouts and apple salad is the perfect side salad for a fall meal.

Why You Will Love This Salad

It’s crunchy. There’s something about a crunchy salad that says fresh to me. From the pecans to the apples to the brussels, it has the perfect crunch that you will love.

It’s healthy. Have you heard about the health benefits of cruciferous vegetables? Brussel sprouts are a wholesome salad addition that you should try.

It’s delicious. It’s almost like a brussel sprout slaw and it is out of this world. I know this salad will be on repeat all season long in your home as it is a favorite recipe over here.

It’s meal prep worthy. I don’t know about you but I love a salad that holds its own in the fridge and doesn’t get soggy. Make this an hour before your gathering and you won’t regret it.

It’s a crowd-pleaser. Put out this shaved brussel sprouts salad around your holiday table and your holiday gatherings will be complete.

Healthy Swaps

Beans: This recipe calls for chickpeas, however, other varieties will work well in this salad. You can use kidney beans or cannellini beans instead. No matter what you choose, it will taste great.

Raisins: You can swap out golden raisins for Craisins. I just love using golden raisins because there is no added sugar. They are just naturally sweet. Either option will work.

Pecans: If you are looking to lower your sugar intake, swap out the candied pecans for raw, organic pecans. Once again, it will still taste incredible no matter which type of pecans you use. 

Ingredients for this Brussels and Apple Salad

For the salad you will need:

Raw shaved brussel sprouts-This is the base of this salad. You can purchase a small bag of shaved brussels from your local grocery store. It is probably the easiest way to use them. 

Arugula-The combination of brussels and arugula provides a wonderful texture for this salad.

Apples-Sweet and crunchy apples are the best part of this salad, in my opinion. However, you have got to find yourself the best variety of the season. Otherwise, you could end up with a soft and unsweet apple. Yuck.

Red onion-You will want to finely dice the red onion for this brussel sprout salad. You can also use minced shallot. Either will work well for this recipe. 

Pecans-You have two options here. You can use candied or raw pecans. It is up to you. While candied pecans taste great, they do have a lot of sugar. 

Golden raisins-These raisins add a little sweetness to the salad and the texture is spot on. You can swap these out for dried cranberries, also.

Chickpeas-As a vegan, I always try to add plant-based protein to my salads. Chickpeas are great because they are high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats.

For the homemade dressing you will need:

Plant-based yogurt-Yogurt will take this dressing from normal to absolutely creamy in 10 seconds. I personally use coconut yogurt but any variety should work. The creamier the better though.

Dijon mustard-This spicy mustard adds so much flavor to this creamy vegan dressing. Not to mention, mustard does not contain sugar or fat. It is the ideal condiment for a healthy diet.

Pure maple syrup-This will add the perfect amount of natural sweetness to this dressing. Maple syrup is the way to go when it comes to plant-based living.

Extra virgin olive oil-This oil is a great salad base. Honesty, olive oil is really the only oil I ever use in salad dressings. 

Apple cider vinegar-I enjoy using ACV for its awesome health benefits. It has a great fall flavor, as well. Red wine vinegar can work as an alternative.

Fresh garlic-I will always recommend fresh garlic over garlic powder. If you have to use it, go for it. However, I highly encourage you to use the real deal.

Lemon juice-Fresh lemon juice is always a good idea in a homemade dressing. What an awesome way to add freshness and more healthy perks to your bowl of dressing.

How to Make This Vegan Salad

Step one: Make the dressing. Grab a mason jar or a small bowl. Add all of the ingredients and either give it a good shake or whisk it well. Set it aside. *Side note: If your dressing is too thick, add a little bit of filtered water and give it another shake.

Step two: Add the raw brussell sprouts to the base of a food processor and pulse until they are broken down and not in thick pieces. Make sure you do not over-process them, though.

Step three: To a large bowl, add the shaved brussels and arugula as the base. Next, add the remainder of the salad ingredients.

Step four: Pour the creamy dressing over the salad and toss it all up. Make sure everything is evenly coated.

Serve immediately or chill the salad in the fridge for an hour before serving. Enjoy!

How to Store this Vegan Brussels Salad

Place leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. This salad should last 1-2 days in the fridge. 

Tips + Modifications

Feel free to use raw pecans instead of candied pecans if you are looking to cut down on sugar.

For leftovers, you may want to whip up 1/2 of the dressing recipe to toss into the salad. It tends to absorb a lot of it overnight.

Other Vegan Salads That Rock

This fall-themed salad has it all going on! With a hint of spice and sweetness, you will love this delicious salad. It’s hearty and easy to make. The best part is the Pumpkin Maple Vinaigrette that you can throw together in a mason jar. This Fall Salad is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free and is made from real ingredients.

If you are looking for an incredibly healthy salad, that actually lasts a few days in the fridge or looking to impress some friends with a pot-luck dish, look no further. Green Goddess Creamy Cabbage Salad is crunchy and the dressing is creamy and dreamy! I promise you will be addicted to this once you start.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Michelle