Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter

 Suppose you are looking for an exciting way to eat Brussels and want to do some variations to the old-school Brussels salad. This combination will definitely change the way you eat Brussels and make you fall in love with this Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter. This dish will be perfect to blend your weekly dinner concept or the center of attention at a party or holiday. Trust me, this recipe will make you look like a cooking genius among your guests, without even breaking a sweat.

It is time to drown in this irresistible Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter that even the opponents of the Brussels sprouts will be tempted to go back to have it once again. There are many other ways to use Brussels sprouts. You can also make Brussels sprouts Caesar salad, chicken Brussels sprout salad.

Why Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter Works so well

Brussels sprouts are the hero of the vegetable kingdom. Shredded down, they grow as cabbages and leaves, crispy and fine, and they take the dressing to the next level. What is Cowboy butter dressing? This is a rich, melting butter sauce made with garlic, fresh herbs, lemon zest, and a pinch of spiciness from chili that gives it a brash Western flavor that turns the sprout into a kind of obsession.

Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter is a very rich salad, so you need to add crunchy pecans, dried cherries to add the sweetness, a sprinkle of sharp Parmesan to add umami, and a touch of spice.

How to make Brussels sprout salad with cowboy butter

This recipe is versatile as well, as it also stays fresh and can be kept for at least a day or two in the refrigerator; therefore, ideal for the preparation of meals or a party night dinners. Ready to eat a juicy steak, a roasted chicken, or become the main piece of the vegetarian meal, this salad dressing will not let you down.

Instructions:

Brussels Sprouts preparation.

Start by preparing your Brussels sprouts. Pull off the thick ends and the outer leaves of the lettuce, which are discolored. Using a sharp knife (do not cut too deep) or a mandoline, halve the sprouts cut the Brussels sprouts into ribbons. When using a knife, the slice depth should be about 1/8-inch to be able to attain that crisp-tender quality. Waste the sprouts in a vast combining bowl and toss the sprouts to loosen the layers.

Step 2: Toast the Pecans

In a non-stick skillet, roast the pecans on medium heat with occasional stirring for 3-5 minutes until the pecans become aromatic and faintly golden. Keep an eye on them as nuts catch fire easily! Brown them, cut them into pieces, and leave them to cool.

Step 3: Cowboy Butter Dressing.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan on low heat (or in a bowl with a cover made of microwave-safe material). Melt down, remove the heating stove, and mix in the minced garlic cloves, parsley, chives, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. The dressing is drizzled with olive oil, and drizzled slowly. It has to look glossy and like a garlicky, herby butter sauce. Add flavor and seasoning- Add more lemon to make it brighter and cayenne to make it spicier.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

Add the dried cherries, toasted pecans, and remaining shallot to the Brussels sprouts bowl. Pour the warm cowboy butter dressing into the salad and shake the salad to cover every leaf. The sprouts will be dressed to make them tender but not soft. The sprouts will be softened a bit with the dressing. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir it one more time. Add more salt and pepper to season according to taste, as needed.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

You can eat Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter bowl when you feel it is crunchy, or you can leave the salad to rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavor to mix. In order to store it, refrigerate it and cover it within 24 hours (though it requires a brief shake each day to redistribute the dressing). It is a fantastic salad on its own; however, Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter works wonderfully with grilled meat, roasted roots, or even a piece of crusty bread so that it can absorb additional dressing.

Tips for Success

• Shaving Brussels Sprouts: a mandoline will have your job done in the shortest time, though with the assistance of a knife, you must take your time to cut the sprouts into thin and even cuts.
• Customize according to your choice: you can always make changes to Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter according to your choice, like if you don’t want pecans, you can have walnuts or almonds instead, dried cranberries are also optional. You can also skip parmesan and use a vegan alternative to parmesan cheese or crumbled cheese.
•  Spice It Up: Add more cayenne or a pinch of red pepper flakes or Dijon mustard to the salad dressing in case you like it hot.
• Storage: The mixed salad could be stored in the fridge up to a whole day or two, but in an actual case, if you are planning to have it, it will be better to put the dressing in another container so that there is a lot of crunch left when you eat.

Why You’ll Love Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter

This Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter Dressing is the kind of food that will give you a total turnaround when it comes to salads. It is not just a side, but it is a conversation starter. The butter dressing consists of cowboy butter that gives the sprouts a pleasant, earthly spicy taste to as it has a tangy taste. This salad never fails, whether you are planning a feast at your vacation or have a lunch to take with you on a weekly basis, or you are simply getting a desire to have something fresh and at the same time, indulgent.

FAQs

Can Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter be prepared in advance?

Yes! This is a great salad to meal prep or serve at a party as it is very holding. The ingredients can be prepared 24 hours before: Peel off Brussels sprouts and keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Prepare the dressing of cowboy butter and keep it in a closed jar. Warm up in the microwave or on the stovetop and then mix with the salad.

Roast pecans and store at room temperature in an airtight container. Combine all ingredients, and toss them when you are ready to serve. The salad is going to be crisp within a day when dressed in advance in the refrigerator, but the sprouts will be soft after some time.

Can one make Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter vegan or dairy-free?

Absolutely! To make Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter vegan or dairy-free:

 In place of the unsalted butter in the cowboy butter dressing, use an alternative vegetable butter substitute (such as Earth Balance) or just all the extra-virgin olive oil, which will leave the dressing lighter.

 Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter does not need the addition of Parmesan or the use of a vegan cheese alternative, nutritional yeast, or a sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs to make it have some crunchy cheese. The rest of the ingredients (Brussels sprouts, pecans, dried cherries, shallots, and herbs) are vegan in nature.

What do you think is a substitute for pecans or dried cherries?

One can prepare this salad in any manner:

 With pecans: Toast almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts, but substitute them with sunflower seeds.

 When dried cherries are unavailable: Substitute with dried cranberries, golden raisins, chopped apricots (dried), or even pomegranate seeds in order to make it taste different. Choose substitutes with their own mix of crunchy (in case of nuts) and sweet-tart flavor (in case of dried fruit).

What are the most compatible foods to go with this salad?

The salad can be served with any food:

•  Dinner: Steak on the grill, roasted chicken, pan-seared salmon, or a full vegetarian dish like stuffed portobello mushrooms.
•  Sides: Roasted root vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a loaf of baguette to soak up the extra dressing.

 Occasions: It is an amazing accompaniment to dishes of the holiday (like Thanksgiving or Christmas) or a light and refreshing accompaniment to heavy, dense dishes on a barbecue or a potlatch.

But what of leftovers; when and where do those last?

•  Storage: To store the leftovers, place them in a refrigerator with the cover on a container. Store the dressing in a different container so as not to make the sprouts soft.
• Shelf life: The dressed salad remains satisfactory in the fridge after 1-2 days. Nude Brussels sprouts should have a refrigeration life of up to 3 days, and cowboy butter dressing should be stored in refrigeration up to 5 days (reheat and use).

Is it possible to eat Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter warm or at room temperature?

Yes! The salad can be eaten right away with the warm cowboy butter dressing, as it slightly wilts the Brussels sprouts, giving them a tender-crisp bite. It works well too at room temperature, in potlatch or parties.

What should I do to make the dressing less heavy?

Use 4 tbsp of butter and more olive oil, 4 tbsp, so as to have a lighter texture. Add more lemon juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar to add more tang.

Reduce the amount of garlic to 1 clove to have a less pronounced flavor. Experiment with it and modify it to your liking.

Is there any other green that I can add to Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter?

Although the center stage belongs to Brussels sprouts, feel free to combine or replace other greens:

• Kale: Lacinato kale is finely chopped to provide the same hearty texture.
• Arugula: Add in some pepper with a handful.
• Cabbage: Very thin slices of Green or red cabbage are added in order to add crunch.

Keep the cowboy butter dressing to bind the flavors and change the time of tossing because the greens that are softer, such as arugula, can easily wilt.

 What is the source of the cowboy inspiration?

The cowboy in cowboy butter is a reference to the aggressive rustic flavor profile, the hearty, campfire-style cooking. The butter, garlic, herbs, and a sprinkle of spice are combined to make you think of the type of food you can imagine ranchers or cowboys making out of simple, punchy food. Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter makes the Brussels sprouts exciting and pleasing to eat, and the perfect way to modernize an old vegetable.

Have more questions about Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter? Tell me, and I will make you perfect your Brussels Sprout Salad with Cowboy Butter Dressing!