If you only know Brussels sprouts boiled, try them raw. Shaved thin and dressed, they're crisp, sweet and mildly peppery, and they hold their crunch for hours, which makes this slaw ideal for a holiday buffet.
Pomegranate seeds and pink peppercorns make it look festive, and they bring bursts of sweetness and gentle spice.
The original Princess Tofu blog published a celebration slaw with shaved Brussels sprouts, pomegranates and pink peppercorn recipe back in 2013, and food sites still link to it. This is our own fully vegan version, written from scratch.
Ingredient notes and swaps
- Pink peppercorns: a little black pepper.
- Pecans: toasted almonds or hazelnuts.
Tips for success
- Use a food processor slicing disc for big batches.
- Dress the sprouts 10 minutes ahead so they soften slightly.
Variations
- Apple: add matchsticks of crisp apple.
- Maple-mustard: increase the mustard for a sharper dressing.
What to serve it with
- Holiday dinners, next to stuffed acorn squash.
- Sandwiches, as a crunchy slaw.
Recipe
Celebration Slaw: Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Pomegranate and Pink Peppercorn
Prep20 min
Cook5 min
Total25 min
MakesServes 6 as a side
Ingredients
Slaw
- 400 g (14 oz) Brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly shaved
- Seeds of 1 pomegranate
- 40 g (⅓ cup) pecans or hazelnuts, toasted and chopped
- 1 tsp pink peppercorns, lightly crushed
- Small handful of flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice or cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp salt
Method
- Shake the dressing ingredients together in a jar.
- Toss the shaved sprouts with the dressing in a large bowl and leave for 10 minutes to soften slightly.
- Add the pomegranate seeds, nuts, pink peppercorns and parsley and toss again.
- Taste for salt and serve.
Notes
Make ahead: the dressed sprouts keep well for several hours. Add the nuts just before serving.
Storage: keeps a day in the fridge.
FAQ
Can I make it the day before?
Yes, but keep the nuts and pomegranate separate until serving.
Are raw Brussels sprouts bitter?
Shaved thinly and dressed, they're mild and sweet.
How do you shave Brussels sprouts?
Trim the base and slice them thinly with a sharp knife or on a mandoline, holding the stem end. A food processor slicing disc is fastest.
What do pink peppercorns taste like?
Mildly peppery, fruity and slightly resinous. They're not true pepper, so they're much gentler.