Brussels Sprout Pomegranate Salad

A simple, delicious salad of shredded Brussels sprouts, sweet pomegranate arils and slivered almonds dressed in a light and refreshing lemony vinaigrette.

Growing up, I didn't like Brussels sprouts very much. Probably since they were usually served boiled, often bitter and treated more like an after thought just to get something green on the plate. Fortunately, I discovered later in life how wonderfully delicious they can be with the right preparation. And because I've found delicious ways to prepare these little green veggies, my kiddos love them too. We're big fans of simply seasoned and roasted until browed and slightly charred, in gratin and this crazy delicious Brussels Sprout Pomegranate Salad.

I've been making this salad for several years now only I've never gotten around to sharing it here for some reason. That's really a shame since it is so delicious.

I've talked about my youngest before who is extremely picky about food. Well even she likes this salad except for the pomegranate, which doesn't surprise me. Much of her pickiness is related to texture and fruits with edible seeds like pomegranates, raspberries and blackberries are a no go. So she picks around the arils, but eats the rest and I'm okay with that.

Jump to:

• health benefits of Brussels sprouts and pomegranates
• how to remove pomegranate seeds
• prep and cut the sprouts

Besides being super tasty this salad is also beautiful thanks to those lovely deep red pomegranate arils and quite nutritious too.

health benefits of Brussels sprouts and pomegranates

Brussels sprouts named after the capital of Belgium where they first grew are part of the cruciferous family of vegetables. Think broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and other greens. They're loaded with:

• vitamin C
• folate
• iron
• calcium
• vitamin K
• fiber

Pomegranates are equally nutritious with many of the same vitamins and minerals listed above and more along with being rich in antioxidants, which we all know are important to our bodies to remove free radicals.

how to remove pomegranate seeds

To remove the seeds also known as arils from the peel start by cutting just the very top off. The next step is to gently cut down the sides of the fruit beginning at the top being careful not to cut too deep. You don't want to cut through the seeds inside. Make four of these shallow cuts to quarter the fruit and then pry the sections apart to separate. Use your fingers to carefully peel the arils away from the peel and membrane. You can do this over a bowl to catch the arils.

If you need to save time, many grocery stores sell prepackaged arils removed from the peel.

prep and cut the sprouts

Clean Brussels sprouts in water then trim the root end to remove any woody inedible pieces of stalk that may still be attached. Pull off any tough or blemished outer leaves as well.

Cutting the sprouts into thin shreds may seem difficult, but it's actually quite easy. Admittedly a little time consuming, but I find the chopping therapeutic so I don't mind. BUT if you're short on time or just prefer not to, you might be able to find prepackaged sprouts labeled shaved at the grocery store. You can also use a food processor with a shredding disc attached.

If you don't mind cutting the sprouts yourself, this is how to do it. Start by cutting the sprouts in half lengthwise. With the cut side down, using a sharp chef's knife slice across the width to create thin shreds, discarding the root. Separate the shreds using your fingers.

If you make a recipe, I would love to know how it turns out! You can leave a comment and rating below or snap a pic and tag it @weelittlevegans on Instagram so I’ll be sure to see it!