It’s always fun when creating a salad to try and find that perfect balance of flavors and textures – crunchy and soft, salty and sweet, etc…That delicious balance is the mark of a great salad, in my opinion. This Broccoli and Brussels Sprout Salad is a perfect example of that!
You get the crunch from the broccoli, the salty from the bacon and sunflower seeds, and the chewy/sweet from the craisins. The lemon and orange citrus vinaigrette is just tangy and bold enough to balance out all the raw veggies. I love the taste of lemon and Brussels sprouts together, and who doesn’t love the combo of orange and cranberry?! It’s a classic pairing. Everything adds up to be the perfect bite.
One unique thing that I really love about this salad is its lack of lettuce. Not that I have anything against lettuce or any other type of green, but it always ends up at the base of a salad. The dressing and toppings are usually the highlights anyway, so how ’bout we ditch the greens and just stick with the best parts for this one!
The lack of lettuce in this salad really makes the final dish heartier and more filling. Rather than eating a bowl that contains 60% greens and 40% veggies, which isn’t quite as filling, here you have an entire bowl full of delicious vegetables and other add-ons: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, craisins, bacon (yum), sunflower seeds, green onion, all topped off with a bright, tangy citrus dressing.
This dish can easily be eaten all by itself for dinner, or you can use it as a side!
While I was making this salad, Seth pulled some ground turkey out of the fridge and created turkey burger patties to go with it. When Seth cooks, he doesn’t usually use recipes – he more often than not just looks through the fridge and pantry and makes something crazy out of the MOST random ingredients…it’s awesome. Last night for example, he made turkey burgers that had shallots, garlic, horseradish mustard, bacon hot sauce, and-this is the weirdest part-apple cider vinegar!
I was so skeptical of the apple cider vinegar going into a turkey burger, but I kept my mouth shut because his random ingredient additions always turn out really well, and it actually ended up being one of the best burger patties I have ever eaten. We were both pretty blown away by it. Who would have ever thought to put apple cider vinegar into a turkey burger?? We might try and recreate the exact burger for a blog post since it turned out so well.
The burger ended up pairing perfectly with this salad, so for future reference if you make this dish — pairs well with turkey patties ;).
Here is the recipe:
- For the dressing:
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- Juice from 2 lemons (about 7 tablespoons)
- Juice from ½ orange (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon finely minced shallot
- 1 clove finely minced garlic
- For the salad:
- 20 Brussels sprouts
- 1 head broccoli
- 5 pieces bacon
- 3 green onions
- ½ cup craisins
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- Start by cooking your bacon
- While your bacon is cooking, mince your shallot and garlic for the dressing
- Combine all the ingredients for your dressing in a bowl and whisk together
- Set aside until ready to serve
- Chop your broccoli into small, bite size florets
- Cut the bottoms off your Brussels sprouts and thinly slice them
- Thinly slice your green onions
- Crumble your bacon
- To assemble, in a large bowl place the broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green onions, craisins, bacon, and sunflower seeds
- Dress the salad and toss to combine
- **The dressing recipe isn't necessarily the exact amount you want to use. Dress the salad according to your preference**
*Gluten Free*
Vegan? Omit the bacon and you are good to go!
If you make this or any of my other recipes, make sure to Instagram it and hashtag #thegarlicdiaries!
Lisa says
October 30, 2016 at 1:49 pmI made your salad for a church luncheon. It was a big hit!
I had already cut a bowl of Brussels sprouts before I looked for a recipe so I made this without the broccoli. I also have a bunch of food allergies so I used 1/2 tsp of dry mustard instead of the dijon. I omitted the green onions and I needed to use a whole orange because my lemons were so big.
I mixed the dressing in with the Brussels sprouts about 3 hours before serving and right before putting it out I added the bacon and sunflower seeds. The salad was soooo good. Several of the ladies commented on how yummy it was and one asked what was in the dressing. She loved the orange in it! Great salad!!! I will be making it again. Thanks for the recipe!
Annie Chesson says
October 31, 2016 at 4:32 pmThis makes me so happy, Lisa! I’m so glad that it turned out well for you and your church friends :).
Annie @ ciaochowbambina says
April 29, 2015 at 3:31 pmHi Annie, I saw you over on nospoonnecessary and so glad I did! I love this salad! So robust and full of flavor! Will no-doubt be making this, soon!
Annie Chesson says
April 30, 2015 at 5:18 pmThanks for stopping by, Annie (name twins ;))! Let me know how it goes if you make it!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
March 27, 2015 at 8:47 amThis salad sounds delicious, Annie! I love the combination of broccoli and brussels sprouts! Sounds healthy and refreshing!
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Annie Chesson says
March 27, 2015 at 12:20 pmThanks, Gayle! Broccoli and Brussels together…yum.
Coty and Mariah@quirksandtwists says
March 26, 2015 at 9:16 pmThis salad looks so fresh and delicious! Perfect with the warmer temps arriving, can’t wait to try it!
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Annie Chesson says
March 27, 2015 at 12:19 pmThanks, Coty and Mariah! Let me know how you like it if you end up trying it!
Maya @ Treats and Eats says
March 26, 2015 at 9:03 pmOooh, this sounds great! I love brussels sprouts and broccoli (and most definitely bacon) but I’ve never put them together. Yum!
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Annie Chesson says
March 27, 2015 at 12:19 pmThanks, Maya! You should definitely try putting them together – such a yummy combo! The bacon is probably the highlight though :).
Keri @ Fashionable Foods says
March 26, 2015 at 3:46 pmI love brussels sprout salads! Yours looks awesome – love the addition of broccoli and citrus vinaigrette. That’s so funny about the turkey burgers! You definitely should try and recreate them for the blog – they sound delicious!
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Annie Chesson says
March 27, 2015 at 12:18 pmThanks, Keri! After Easter is over we will try and recreate the crazy, weird, but surprisingly delicious turkey burger ;).
Crystal says
March 6, 2016 at 2:06 pmAny luck on the turkey burgers they sound amazing!!
Annie Chesson says
March 7, 2016 at 11:51 amThanks for the reminder – I totally forgot about that :). They were really yummy!
Crystal says
March 7, 2016 at 3:17 pmDid you have the recipe? ?
Annie Chesson says
March 7, 2016 at 3:46 pm? You know, I never actually ended up making into a formal recipe!! My husband was the creator of the delicious burger :). I will try to remember to figure out an actual recipe sometime soon, but I know all that he did was add all those random ingredients I mentioned in the post into the meat in increments, mixed it together, and then make little, tiny “tester” patties and cooked them up until he found the amount that he liked. Then he made actual sized burgers. I wish I could give you exact measurements!!
Allie | Baking a Moment says
March 26, 2015 at 10:13 amThis salad is perfection! I totally agree with you, it’s all about that balance when it comes to salads. I think you nailed it on this one, Annie!
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Annie Chesson says
March 27, 2015 at 12:17 pmThanks so much, Allie!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
March 26, 2015 at 6:34 amThis salad is delightful. I love brussels salad because I always feel really satisfied after eating just one bowl; those mini green balls of cabbage really fill you up! :D
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Annie Chesson says
March 27, 2015 at 12:16 pmAgreed Erin. And they are super cute too – little mini baby cabbages :).
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
March 26, 2015 at 5:21 amThis is such a fresh and beautiful salad! I love all the crunch in here and the vinaigrette sounds so light and tasty!
Annie Chesson says
March 27, 2015 at 12:16 pmThanks, Kelly! It does have great crunch, and the vinaigrette is one of the best parts!!
Kathy@ Olives & Garlic says
March 25, 2015 at 9:15 pmAnnie I love this salad. One of my dear friends made a similar recipe for us recently and loved it. Cant wait to try your recipe.
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Annie Chesson says
March 27, 2015 at 12:15 pmThanks, Kathy! Let me know how it goes if you try it :).
mira says
March 25, 2015 at 8:57 pmThis salad looks so good! LOVE BROCCOLI AND BRUSSELS SPROUTS :)
Annie Chesson says
March 27, 2015 at 12:15 pmThanks, Mira! I love broccoli, but Brussels sprouts were never my favorite growing up. But they are absolutely delicious in this salad!
Sarah from Soymilk + Honey says
March 25, 2015 at 5:13 pmYum! My broccoli-loving husband is looking over my shoulder and nudging me, so I think I’ll have to make this one soon :)
Annie Chesson says
March 25, 2015 at 7:09 pmHaha! This made me laugh :). Let me know how it turns out if you make it!
Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel says
March 25, 2015 at 4:23 pmA light and healthy vibrant salad for this warmer weather <3 perfect
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Annie Chesson says
March 25, 2015 at 7:09 pmThanks, Kelsey!