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    Home » Recipes

    Keto Charred Brussels Sprout Salad

    Jan 4, 2019 · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Keto Charred Brussels Sprout Salad is packed with flavor from pepitas, Queso Fresco, pickled red onions, and a creamy cilantro dressing!

    Keto Charred Brussels Sprout Salad in a cast iron skilletWe love a good salad and this Keto Charred Brussels Sprout Salad does not dissapoint! It's absolutely loaded with flavor, is great leftover, and goes perfectly with a variety of proteins but we especially love it with steak and salmon.

    The toppings in this salad may just be the best part but who doesn't love charred Brussels sprouts? They are really what brings it all together. They are what make this recipe a cohesive meal or side dish. We love Brussels sprouts that get a little charred, just the best!

    Keto Charred Brussels Sprout Salad with pepitas, bacon, cojita cheese, pickled red onions, and a creamy cilantro cojita dressing!

    The creamy cilantro dressing is the perfect vehicle to tie it all together, we swear you'll want to drink it it's so good.

    Let's get to some speficis!

    Ingredients in Keto Charred Brussels Sprout Salad

    Salad:

    • 1 pound Brussels sprouts, thinly sliced
    • 5 slices bacon 
    • ¼ cup avocado oil, divided
    • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
    • ⅓ cup green chili roasted pepitas - or regular
    • ⅓ cup crumbled queso fresco 

    Dressing:

    • ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons avocado oil
    • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
    • 1 lime, juiced
    • Handful cilantro
    • 1 clove garlic
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
    • 2 ounces queso fresco 

    Pickled Onions:

    • 1 small red onion thinly sliced
    • 3 limes juiced
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Step-by-step cooking instructions

    1. Start by pickling the onions. Place the thinly sliced onions in a small jar and top with lime juice and salt. Using the back of a spoon push the onions down so that they are covered by the lime juice. Let sit at least 30 minutes at room temperature. The longer they sit the better the flavor.
    2. Make the dressing by combining all of the ingredients in a blender and blending until smooth. Set aside.
    3. Over medium heat in a large 10.5” skillet cook the bacon for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy. [*see notes if not using bacon] Remove the bacon and chop. To the skillet with the bacon grease add 2 tablespoons avocado oil to the pan.
    4. Add in the shredded Brussels sprouts to the pan in 2 batches. Allow the sprouts to cook 2-3 minutes before tossing allowing them to char. Once the first batch is charred push them to the side and add the remaining 2 tablespoons avocado oil along with the remaining sprouts. Repeat the cooking step until charred. Remove from heat.
    5. Add the cabbage, queso fresco, pepitas, bacon, and pickled onions to the sprouts and toss to combine. Top with dressing just before serving.

    How to make this recipe dairy-free and/or plant-based

    For dairy-free, use a plant-based queso fresco, we love Forager.

    If you want this recipe to be 100% plant-based, make that swap for the queso fresco and also choose an egg-free mayo. You'll also want to omit the bacon and add an additional tablespoon of oil to the plan to replace the rendered bacon fat. 

    Keto Charred Brussels Sprout Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing being drizzled over top
    Keto Charred Brussels Sprout Salad with pepitas, bacon, cojita cheese, pickled red onions, and a creamy cilantro cojita dressing!

    Keto Charred Brussels Sprout Salad

    This Keto Charred Brussels Sprout Salad is packed with flavor!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate Pin Recipe
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Southwestern
    Keyword: keto, Salad, side
    Prep Time: 40 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 256kcal

    Ingredients

    Salad:

    • 1 lb Brussels sprouts thinly sliced
    • 5 slices bacon omit for vegan
    • ¼ cup avocado oil divided
    • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
    • ⅓ cup Sprouts green chile roasted pepitas
    • ⅓ cup crumbled queso fresco dairy-free if vegan, we love Forager!

    Dressing:

    • ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons avocado oil
    • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise egg-free if vegan
    • 1 lime juiced
    • Handful cilantro
    • 1 clove garlic
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
    • 2 ounces queso fresco dairy-free if vegan, we love Forager!

    Pickled Onions:

    • 1 small red onion thinly sliced
    • 3 limes juiced
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Start by pickling the onions. Place the thinly sliced onions in a small jar and top with lime juice and salt. Using the back of a spoon push the onions down so that they are covered by the lime juice. Let sit at least 30 minutes at room temperature. The longer they sit the better the flavor.
    • Make the dressing by combining all of the ingredients in a blender and blending until smooth. Set aside.
    • Over medium heat in a large 10.5” skillet cook the bacon for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy. [*see notes if not using bacon] Remove the bacon and chop. To the skillet with the bacon grease add 2 tablespoons avocado oil to the pan.
    • Add in the shredded Brussels sprouts to the pan in 2 batches. Allow the sprouts to cook 2-3 minutes before tossing allowing them to char. Once the first batch is charred push them to the side and add the remaining 2 tablespoons avocado oil along with the remaining sprouts. Repeat the cooking step until charred. Remove from heat.
    • Add the cabbage, queso fresco, pepitas, bacon, and pickled onions to the sprouts and toss to combine. Top with dressing just before serving.

    Notes

    If vegan and omitting the bacon, add an additional tablespoon of oil to the plan to replace the rendered bacon fat. 

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Keto Charred Brussels Sprout Salad
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 256 Calories from Fat 199
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 22.1g34%
    Carbohydrates 7.7g3%
    Fiber 2.8g12%
    Protein 7g14%
    *

    Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

    # Hashtag with us!Don't forget to mention @castiron_keto or tag #castironketo on Instagram with your creations! We love seeing what you're making.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Edie says

      January 16, 2019 at 7:33 pm

      I can't find Sprouts pepitas anywhere, including their website. Do you have a substitution? Or can you tell me what the ingredients are in the ones that you use?

      Reply
      • Alex Lester says

        January 18, 2019 at 1:33 am

        Strange, they are always in the bulk section. You could just sub regular pepitas.

        Reply

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