Easy Brussel Sprout Fish Taco Slaw Recipe (2024)

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Doctor up your fish taco night with the perfect spicy slaw recipe. Swap out classic cabbage for some shaved brussels instead for the perfect side dish, coleslaw or salad recipe.

One of my staple easy dinner recipes are these easy blackened mahi mahi fish taco bowls. They’re perfect for making a healthier, deconstructed buddha style bowl for dinner and this shaved brussel sprout coleslaw recipe was the perfect addition.

Traditional coleslaws or even my keto Cajun coleslaw require you to buy a large head of cabbage. While these recipes taste delicious, that’s so much extra cabbage that often gets wasted.

So instead, I swapped cabbage for brussels sprouts to make a shredded brussel sprouts style slaw instead. Crazy, I know!

I love this make ahead spicy brussel sprout salad so much I have even paired it with my crispy chicken quarters, with this adobo marinated flank steak, or even when I smoke a pork shoulder BBQ style too.

This recipe is extremely versatile, perfect for meal prep, packed with veggies and flavor, and lasts really nicely in the fridge without loosing texture or flavor.

Easy Brussel Sprout Fish Taco Slaw Recipe (1)

Grab all the details and learn how to make this fish taco staple and how it can be used for so many other recipes too!

“School” Supplies:

  • 1 Large Bowl
  • 1 Small Bowl
  • Knife and Cutting Board (or Food Processor)
  • Whisk
  • Tongs

“Class” Notes:

This recipe uses raw, uncooked brussel sprouts. Roasted brussel sprouts are great as a side, but not a good option for this recipe. Read through to learn more about the process of making a shaved brussel sprout dish, the other slaw ingredients, and how to use this for fish tacos and more!

What are shaved brussel sprouts?

It’s exactly what it sounds like! Thinly sliced, shredded pieces of brussel sprout. These little veggies are a part of the cabbage family and are made up of layered leaves than can easily be sliced into thin strips.

I can chop and slice through my sprouts fairly quickly with just a knife , but many people can do this much faster in a food processor with an attachment. Some stores even sell them pre-shaved as well if you want to make things even easier!

How do raw, shaved brussel sprouts taste?

I would only ever recommend eating a raw sprout if it was shaved. Why? If you tried eating a whole one right out of the bag it would be very dense and rubbery.

When they are shaved and sliced thin, the texture becomes more tender and easier to chew. It makes a great base for adding to slaws or for a make ahead salad because that waxier texture doesn’t lend to a soggy mess.

Easy Brussel Sprout Fish Taco Slaw Recipe (2)

Making your fish taco slaw:

In a bowl combine:

  • Shaved brussels
  • Shredded Purple Cabbage
  • Shredded or Julienned Carrots
  • Green Onion
  • Red Pepper
  • Jalapeno
  • Cilantro

The most time consuming part of this recipe is literally chopping and dicing everything up. It’s also a great way to mix in other vegetables from your fridge you need to use up too (I definitely do this sometimes and no one knows the difference).

Easy Brussel Sprout Fish Taco Slaw Recipe (3)

Mixing your slaw dressing:

I keep my dressing very simple and use the following ingredients:

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Lemon Juice
  • Lime Juice
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Touch of Honey (optional, omit if low carb/keto etc.)

Into a bowl, whisk your ingredients together. The Dijon mustard acts as a binder for the oil and citrus juice so it needs to be added. If you don’t like Dijon, add regular mustard instead or even a little mayo if you need to.

Easy Brussel Sprout Fish Taco Slaw Recipe (4)

How to serve and store:

Once the veggies are prepped and the dressing is made, toss everything together in one large mixing bowl. This slaw can be used right away but always tastes best after its sat for a few hours in the fridge.

Serve with the Mahi Mahi tacos, these salmon tacos, with my hot and fast ribs or even with some delicious crispy pork belly or with the best grilled chicken.

Easy Brussel Sprout Fish Taco Slaw Recipe (5)

Store in an air tight container for up to a week in the fridge. The dressing will tend to sit at the bottom of the bowl, so give it a good stir whenever you take it out of the fridge and before serving again.

Easy Brussel Sprout Fish Taco Slaw Recipe (6)

Easy Brussel Sprout Fish Taco Slaw Recipe

Doctor up your fish taco night with the perfect spicy slaw recipe. Swap out classic cabbage for some shaved brussels instead for the perfect side dish, coleslaw or salad recipe.

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Easy Brussel Sprout Fish Taco Slaw Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 82kcal

Author: Bon Appeteach

Ingredients

  • 4 cups Shaved Brussel Sprouts
  • 1/2 cup Red Cabbage shredded
  • 1/2 cup Shredded Carrots
  • 1 cup Red Pepper diced small
  • 1 Jalapeno seeded diced small
  • 1/2 cup Cilantro minced
  • 3 Green Onion Stalks sliced thin
  • 1/3 cup Olive Oil
  • 1 tbsp. White Wine Vinegar
  • 2 tbsp. Dijon Mustard or sub mayo
  • 1 tbsp. Lime Juice
  • 1 tbsp. Lemon Juice
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Shred or shave your brussel sprouts with a knife or in a food processor. Discard any stems.

  • In a bowl combine all your vegetables and mix them together.

  • In a separate bowl, combine the olive oil, vinegar, lemon and lime juice and Dijon mustard together in a bowl. Whisk vigorously until the mixture emulsifies and pour over the slaw.

  • Season the whole slaw with salt and pepper to taste and mix well and serve with your Salmon tacos or Mahi Mahi tacos.

Notes

If you don’t have brussel sprouts, you can sub with regular cabbage as needed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 82kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 110mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g

Easy Brussel Sprout Fish Taco Slaw Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are Brussel sprouts just baby cabbages? ›

Are Brussels Sprouts Just Baby Cabbages? Sorry to burst a Barbie-sized bubble, but no, these sprouts are not actually baby cabbages. However, they are in the same family, the Brassica, or cruciferous family. Other members include kale, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, turnips, mustard, and bok choy.

Why do you soak brussel sprouts in water? ›

Not only can soaking make the centers more malleable, but the water that's absorbed into them will create a steaming action, whether you choose to roast, saute, or make your Brussels sprouts in your air fryer. The steam can help to ensure the cooking is even throughout the Brussels sprout.

When not to use brussel sprouts? ›

If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).

Do brussel sprouts thin or thicken your blood? ›

Like some other cruciferous veggies, Brussels sprouts are high in vitamin K, which helps your blood clot. If you take medicine called blood thinners, too much vitamin K could prevent them from working as well as they should.

Why not to boil brussel sprouts? ›

Steaming and boiling use moist heat, and moist heat can make Brussel Sprouts mushy and stinky—not a good combo. Give them the treatment they deserve by roasting them instead.

Can you eat too many Brussels sprouts? ›

You can prepare Brussels sprouts by sautéing them with garlic and olive oil or serving them with lean protein and whole grains. 3 Just keep in mind that Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, which can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and gas if you eat too many.

What country eats the most brussel sprouts? ›

Did you know? Britons eat more Brussels sprouts than any other nation in Europe. Our sprout industry is worth £650m and the area covered by sprout fields in the UK is the equivalent of 3,240 football pitches. It's fair to say that these days, no one loves sprouts more than the British.

Is Brussels sprouts good for weight loss? ›

They may help support healthy weight loss. Brussels sprouts are loaded with nutrients — but not calories. If one of your health goals is to lose weight, adding Brussels sprouts to your meals can help because they're low-calorie yet filling.

Do you wash or cut brussel sprouts first? ›

Rinse under cold running water to remove any dust or dirt. Use a small knife to remove the sprout tip, and then remove any leaves that have bad spots. Raw: Slice thinly and toss with other shredded vegetables like cabbage, carrots, or beets.

Is it better to steam or boil brussel sprouts? ›

Steaming Brussels sprouts preserves more of the nutrients and antioxidants than any other cooking method. And they turn out tasting like crisp-tender, sweet little nuggets. Plus they're just about the quickest veggie side dish you can cook.

Why won't my Brussels sprouts get crispy? ›

Roasting at a low temperature won't allow them to brown properly, so you want to get that oven nice and hot before tossing in your baking sheet. Follow this tip: Roast Brussels sprouts at a minimum of 400°F. (425°F is even better.)

What is the black stuff on Brussels sprouts? ›

Alternaria Leaf Spot and Blackleg are the fungal party crashers ruining your Brussels sprouts' vibe. These fungi love a moist environment and will exploit any weakness in your plants, be it a tiny wound or just the plant's natural openings.

Why can't some people eat brussel sprouts? ›

This receptor is coded by a gene named TAS2R38, or the PTC gene. Even though PTC is not normally found in our food, it is very similar to chemicals found in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, kale and Brussel sprouts. The PTC gene comes in 2 common forms – bitter-tasting or non-tasting.

What is the secret to growing brussel sprouts? ›

Brussels sprouts like a sunny location with fertile, well-drained, firm soil. They form quite tall plants, so choose a sheltered spot, where they won't be buffeted by strong winds. If your soil is very acidic, apply lime to raise the pH to at least 6.5.

Why do brussel sprouts make you go to the bathroom? ›

“Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, which can promote digestive regularity,” says Rifkin. She explains that eating fiber-rich foods, like Brussels sprouts, is important because it increases stool frequency and alleviates constipation.

Why do you cut a cross in the bottom of a brussel sprout? ›

In fact, the tradition of cutting a cross in the base of a sprout might have less to do with culinary technique and more to do with superstition. In Medieval times, it was believed that evil spirits and demons lived between the leaves of the vegetable, and they would enter anyone who ate them, making them ill.

Is not liking brussel sprouts genetic? ›

"People with certain genetic variants in the TAS2R38 gene can detect bitter taste more than others and therefore may be more likely to dislike sprouts,” 23andMe senior product scientist Alisa Lehman recently told the Daily Record. "There are many factors outside genetics that play a part in the foods we like.

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