Our family loves this Easy Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon, Almonds, and Gorgonzola! The flavors and textures create a truly remarkable salad that can be enjoyed as a side dish or a light main course. Thinly sliced Brussels from the foundation, accompanied by crispy bacon, sweet dried cherries, buttery almonds, and more.
Brussels sprouts salads have become a popular choice for healthy eaters and those looking for a variation of traditional greens. This salad features thinly sliced Brussels sprouts, which give it a delicate texture and allow the flavors of bacon, almonds, and Gorgonzola to shine through.
Why We Love This Recipe:
- Flavorful Combination: The smoky bacon, crunchy almonds, and creamy Gorgonzola create an irresistible mix.
- Healthy Ingredients: Packed with vitamins and nutrients from Brussels sprouts and dried cherries.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy parents.
- Versatile Dish: Great for family dinners, entertaining, or as a holiday side dish.
If you like this salad recipe, you may also love our Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad and Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Salad.
Jump to:
- What Ingredients Will You Need?
- Instructions
- What Are Some Good Substitutions?
- How Can You Change This Recipe Up?
- What Kitchen Equipment Is Best?
- How Should You Store This?
- What Are Some Expert Tips?
- More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 📖 Recipe
- Important Food Safety Tips
- 💬 Share Your Thoughts
What Ingredients Will You Need?
- Brussels Sprouts: Thinly sliced for a delicate texture.
- Bacon: Cooked until crispy and crumbled for a smoky flavor.
- Red Onion: Adds a slight sharpness and vibrant color.
- Sliced Almonds: Toasted in butter for added crunch and richness.
- Dried Cherries: Provide a sweet contrast to the savory elements.
- Gorgonzola Cheese: Crumbled for a creamy, tangy kick.
- Olive Oil: Forms the base of the dressing.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a rich, tangy flavor to the dressing.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, enhancing the overall flavor.
Instructions
How to Make Easy Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon, Almonds, and Gorgonzola
STEP ONE: Prepare the Brussels Sprouts
Rinse the Brussels sprouts under cold running water. Trim off the tough stem ends and remove any outer leaves that are wilted or discolored. Thinly slice the Brussels sprouts using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer.
STEP TWO: Toast the Almonds
In a skillet or frying pan, heat the almonds over medium heat with ½ tablespoon butter, stirring frequently, until they turn golden brown. Remove and set aside.
STEP THREE: Cook the Bacon
In the same skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
STEP FOUR: Assemble the Salad
In a large salad bowl, combine the thinly sliced Brussels sprouts, crumbled bacon, dried cherries, almonds, and crumbled Gorgonzola cheese. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad.
Gently toss the ingredients together until they are well coated with the dressing. Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
What Are Some Good Substitutions?
- Almonds: Substitute with walnuts or pecans for a different nutty flavor.
- Dried Cherries: Use dried cranberries or raisins for a similar sweet touch.
- Gorgonzola Cheese: Replace with feta or blue cheese for a different flavor.
How Can You Change This Recipe Up?
- Diet: Make it vegetarian by omitting the bacon and adding more nuts or seeds.
- Flavor: Add a squeeze of lemon juice for extra brightness.
What Kitchen Equipment Is Best?
This post shows some of our kitchen essentials. Please visit our shop if you would like to see more of our favorites. These are Amazon affiliate links and we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
- Sharp knife or mandoline slicer
- Skillet or frying pan
- Large salad bowl
- Small bowl for dressing
How Should You Store This?
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The dressing can be stored separately to keep the salad fresh longer.
What Are Some Expert Tips?
Always toast nuts before adding to salads to improve their flavor.
Use fresh Brussels sprouts for the best texture and taste.
If needed, reheat the bacon separately to maintain its crispiness.
More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
Have Leftover Ingredients?
- Use extra Brussels sprouts in a stir-fry.
- Add leftover Gorgonzola to a creamy pasta sauce.
- Incorporate dried cherries into these Healthy Steel Cut Oats Recipe (Instant Pot).
Need Something To Pair This With?
- Serve with roasted chicken for a complete meal.
- Pair with a light white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc.
- Enjoy alongside a warm bowl of soup, like tomato bisque.
In the Mood for a Similar Dish?
- Copycat Panera Spinach and Bacon Salad
- Amish Broccoli Salad
- Fall Salad Recipe: Kale, Delicata Squash, and Maple Dressing
More lunch recipes you will love:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make this salad vegetarian by omitting the bacon and adding more nuts or seeds for extra crunch. To make it vegan, also replace the Gorgonzola cheese with a plant-based cheese or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
To keep your Brussels sprouts crunchy, make sure to slice them thinly and dress the salad just before serving. If you're preparing the salad in advance, store the dressing separately and toss it with the salad right before eating.
The best way to slice Brussels sprouts for this salad is to use a mandoline slicer, which allows for uniform thin slices. If you don't have a mandoline, a sharp knife will work, but be sure to slice as thinly as possible to ensure a delicate texture.
📖 Recipe
Easy Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon, Almonds, and Gorgonzola
Equipment
- Sharp knife or mandoline slicer
- Skillet or frying pan
- Large Salad bowl
- Small bowl
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 lb brussels sprouts trimmed and thinly sliced
- 4 slices bacon cooked until crispy and crumbled
- ½ small red onion thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoon almonds sliced
- ½ tablespoon butter for toasting almonds
- ¼ cup dried cherries
- ¼ cup Gorgonzola cheese crumbled
- salt and pepper to taste
Dressing
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions
Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and olive oil to prepare the dressing. Set aside.
Salad
- Rinse the Brussels sprouts under cold running water to remove any dirt or impurities. Trim off the tough stem ends and any outer leaves that are wilted or discolored. Thinly slice the Brussels sprouts using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer.
- In a skillet or frying pan, heat the almonds over medium heat with ½ tablespoon butter, stirring frequently, until they turn golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the thinly sliced Brussels sprouts, crumbled bacon, dried cherries, almonds, and crumbled Gorgonzola cheese.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad. Gently toss the ingredients together until they are well coated with the dressing. Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
Notes
- Almonds: Substitute with walnuts or pecans.
- Dried Cherries: Use dried cranberries or raisins for a similar sweet touch.
- Gorgonzola Cheese: Replace with feta or blue cheese for a different flavor.
Nutrition
This Easy Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon, Almonds, and Gorgonzola is a delightful and healthy dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
Give it a try and let us know how it turns out! For more delicious recipes, check out our related posts.
Important Food Safety Tips
Always wash Brussels sprouts thoroughly to remove any dirt or pesticides. Cook bacon to a safe internal temperature to avoid any risk of foodborne illness.
- Create a clean work area.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat or seafood.
- Rinse fresh produce thoroughly.
- Do not use the same cutting board or utensils on cooked food or produce, that previously touched raw meat or seafood.
- Do not leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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