Weekly Meal Prep: Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon, Dried Figs & Tangy Citrus Vinaigrette
Prepare to revolutionize your weekday lunches with this incredibly easy and fresh Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad. Packed with crispy bacon and sweet dried figs, and neatly layered in convenient mason jars, this salad is designed to stay vibrant and delicious for up to five days. It’s the ultimate solution for anyone looking to enjoy clean, flavorful eating throughout the week without the daily hassle of meal preparation.
If you’re anything like me, you understand the magic of mason jar salads. They’re not just a trend; they’re a lifestyle hack for busy individuals who prioritize health and convenience. The genius lies in their layering technique, which keeps ingredients separate until you’re ready to eat, preventing sogginess and ensuring every bite is as crisp and fresh as possible. This approach means all your vibrant greens and savory toppings are perfectly prepped and waiting, setting you up for a week of wholesome, satisfying meals.
Embracing Autumn Flavors (Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like Fall)
While I often find myself dreaming of harvest-inspired dishes bursting with the rich, earthy flavors of autumn, seasonal availability can sometimes be a challenge. Especially when you’re in places like Florida, where “fall” can still mean a humid 93 degrees, it’s not always easy to get your hands on fresh autumn produce. That’s where clever substitutions come in. Dried fruits, in particular, are a fantastic way to infuse that desired sweetness and depth of flavor into your meals, satisfying those fall cravings no matter the weather outside.
Dates, for instance, are a natural sweetener that can elevate countless dishes, from baked goods to savory sauces, and even homemade salad dressings. For this particular Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad, I was keen to highlight just how incredibly simple yet impactful dried dates can be. They bring a subtle sweetness and a beautiful texture to the vibrant citrus dressing, making this mason jar salad not just delicious but also effortlessly easy to assemble. The convenience factor of using dried fruit cannot be overstated when it comes to quick meal prep.
Beyond Basic Greens: The Power of Shredded Brussels Sprouts
When planning easy meal prep for my weekday lunches, salads are always a go-to option. However, I confess that I can quickly grow tired of the usual romaine or mixed greens. While arugula has its place as a garnish or a small mix-in, using it as the primary base for an entire salad can feel a bit monotonous. This is precisely why raw, shaved Brussels sprouts are a game-changer, especially when crafting a hearty, harvest-inspired salad that stands up to a few days in the fridge.
Brussels sprouts, when thinly shredded or shaved, offer a delightful crunch and a robust texture that holds up exceptionally well against dressings and other ingredients. Unlike delicate leafy greens that wilt quickly, shredded Brussels sprouts maintain their integrity, making them ideal for meal prepping in mason jars. They provide a satisfying chew and a slightly peppery, earthy flavor that beautifully complements a variety of toppings.
To really load this mason jar salad with flavor and substance, I opt for crispy, chopped bacon as the protein. While chicken is often a popular choice, the smoky, savory notes of bacon pair perfectly with the earthy sprouts and sweet figs, creating a more dynamic and satisfying profile. And with a bright, citrus-infused dressing tying everything together, the salad truly comes alive. To balance the tanginess of the dressing and the bitterness of the sprouts, a generous handful of roughly chopped dried figs adds a much-needed touch of natural sweetness, along with a pleasant chewiness that elevates the overall texture.
Crunch and Creaminess: Perfecting Your Salad Texture
Beyond the primary components, I love adding chopped celery to this salad for an extra layer of refreshing crunch. It provides a crisp texture that contrasts beautifully with the softer figs and shredded sprouts. If you prefer, you could certainly swap the celery for chopped apples, but personally, I felt that having both sweet apples and sweet figs in this particular mason jar salad would be a bit too much sweetness for my palate. However, feel free to customize it to your heart’s content – make this salad truly *yours*!
This delightful salad recipe also features crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, which adds a wonderful pungent, creamy, and salty counterpoint to the sweetness of the figs and the richness of the bacon. However, if you’re currently following a Whole30 or Paleo lifestyle, or if you simply can’t have dairy, rest assured that you can easily omit the cheese. I promise you, this Brussels sprouts salad will still deliver an abundance of fresh, tangy, and satisfying flavors to enjoy throughout the entire season. The combination of other ingredients ensures it remains incredibly flavorful and balanced, even without the cheese.
The Secret to a Creamy Citrus Vinaigrette
The dressing is a star in its own right, and for this Citrus Vinaigrette, I highly recommend using a blender. Blending isn’t just for thoroughly incorporating all the ingredients; it’s especially effective for two key reasons. First, it ensures that the dried dates are completely broken down, releasing their natural sweetness and contributing to a smooth consistency. Second, the high-speed blending helps to emulsify the dressing, transforming it into a beautifully creamy and cohesive vinaigrette. This results in a richer mouthfeel and ensures that every ingredient in your salad is evenly coated with flavor.
Made with healthy avocado oil, this dressing does tend to solidify slightly when chilled, which is perfectly normal. For the best experience, I suggest pulling your mason jar salad out of the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you’re ready to eat. This allows the dressing to come to room temperature, returning it to its pourable, blendable consistency. Once it’s softened slightly, you can simply give the jar a good shake to combine all the layers, or pour it into a bowl and mix everything together. Either way, you’re guaranteed a fresh, vibrant, and incredibly convenient meal.
This salad truly embodies the best of healthy, delicious, and convenient eating. It’s a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, enjoy wholesome flavors, and streamline your weekly meal prep. Whether you’re a seasoned meal prepper or just starting out, this Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon and Dried Figs is sure to become a new favorite.
Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon and Dried Figs
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Ingredients
Citrus Dressing
- 1 medium lemon – zested and juiced for maximum citrus flavor
- 1 small orange – juiced for added sweetness and complexity
- 2 dried dates – pitted, for natural sweetness and creamy texture
- 2 cloves garlic – peeled, for a pungent kick
- 1 cup avocado oil – or substitute with light olive oil for a different flavor profile
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt – to enhance all the flavors
- 1 teaspoon onion powder – for an added layer of savory depth
Shredded Brussels Salad
- Prepared Citrus Dressing
- ½ cup celery chopped – for a refreshing crunch
- 1 cup Fruit Bliss Turkish Figs – or any high-quality dried figs, roughly chopped for sweetness and texture
- 1 cup almond slivers – or any nut you prefer for added crunch and healthy fats (e.g., walnuts, pecans)
- 1 cup gorgonzola cheese – crumbled, for a tangy, creamy element (optional)
- 6 slices cooked bacon – crumbled or chopped into small pieces for savory crunch
- 4 cups Brussels sprouts – shredded or shaved using a food processor, mandoline, or bought pre-shredded
Instructions
For the Citrus Dressing:
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Combine all Citrus Dressing ingredients (lemon zest & juice, orange juice, dried dates, peeled garlic, avocado oil, sea salt, and onion powder) in a blender. Blend on high until the mixture is completely emulsified and smooth. The dates should be fully incorporated, creating a slightly creamy texture. Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. This dressing can be made several days ahead of time, ensuring it’s perfectly chilled and flavorful.
Assembling the Mason Jar Salads:
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For each individual salad jar (using 4 large mason jars), carefully layer the ingredients in the following order to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess:
- Start with 3 tablespoons of the prepared Citrus Dressing at the very bottom.
- Next, add the ½ cup of chopped celery.
- Layer in ¼ cup of almond slivers (or your chosen nuts).
- Follow with ¼ cup of crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (if using).
- Add the crumbled or chopped cooked bacon.
- Finally, top with 1 cup of shredded Brussels sprouts, packing them gently to fill the jar.
Seal the mason jars tightly with lids. This layering technique ensures the dressing stays at the bottom, away from the more delicate ingredients, keeping your salad crisp for days.
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When you’re ready to enjoy your delicious meal, remove a mason jar from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This allows the avocado oil-based dressing to soften slightly, making it easier to mix. Then, you can either shake the sealed jar vigorously to combine all the ingredients right inside, or simply empty the contents into a large bowl and toss everything together until well coated. Enjoy your perfectly fresh and prepped meal!
Notes
Nutrition
Other Easy & Healthy Meal Prep Ideas You’ll Love
- Chopped Antipasto Mason Jar Salad: A Mediterranean-inspired delight, perfect for savory lunch cravings.
- Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage and Veggies: A quick and simple roasted meal that delivers on flavor with minimal cleanup.
- Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowls (Instant Pot Recipe): Harness the power of your Instant Pot for tender pesto chicken, ideal for nutritious bowls.
*This post is sponsored in partnership with Fruit Bliss. All opinions expressed are genuinely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that enable Casa de Crews to continue creating delicious content. Please see the full disclosure policy here.