Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite vegetables of all time, and I’m far from alone. Shredded Brussels sprouts are a great way to use them in varied preparations; they are extremely versatile and can be added to both raw and cooked recipes.

Shredding or shaving Brussels sprouts is quite easy, and you have three choices on how to do it! You can also buy pre-shredded Brussels sprouts, but they are going to be less fresh than shredding them yourself and also more expensive per pound. Instead, use a sharp knife and cutting board, a mandoline (check out one of my favorite kitchen tools, the mini mandoline!), or a food processor to get those perfectly thin and delicate shaved Brussels sprouts.

You can then use them in cooked dishes like Balsamic-Glazed Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, salads like Brussels Sprouts, Pecorino, and Apple Salad, and slaws like Creamy Brussels Sprouts Slaw. Scroll down for more ways to use thinly sliced Brussels sprouts!

Prepare the Brussels Sprouts

Whichever method you choose to shred Brussels sprouts, start by removing any yellowed, discolored, or damaged outer leaves. Read about how to choose and store Brussels sprouts for more tips.

Also, know that if you want very delicate shredded Brussels sprouts, you should plan to trim off the stem and a bit of the core from the bottom. This ensures the sprouts will fall apart into leafy bits without too much of the stem holding them together.

Shredding Brussels Sprouts by Hand

You don’t need a mandoline or a food processor to shave Brussels sprouts! All you need is a sharp chef’s knife and a cutting board. 

1. Trim the bottoms from the Brussels sprouts.
2. Thinly slice each Brussels sprout from top to bottom.

Shredding Brussels Sprouts With a Food Processor

This method is the best way to shave a lot of Brussels sprouts quickly. Using a food processor is very fast and easy, though you might not get the most consistent pieces of shredded Brussels, but that’s very much ok!

1. Trim the bottom from the Brussels sprouts.
2. Outfit the food processor with the slicing disc or blade.
3. Place handfuls of Brussels sprouts into the feed tube and turn the machine on to slice them in batches, refilling the top as they are shredded. Empty the food processor if it gets too full.

Shredding Brussels Sprouts Using a Mandoline

If you are using a regular mandoline, you will want to use the safety guard to protect your fingers as you slice these little vegetables.

1. Trim the bottoms of the sprouts.
2. Set your mandoline to the thinnest slicing width (or the width that you desire).
3. Use the safety handle to slide the Brussels sprouts over the blade until each sprout is completely sliced. Repeat until they are all sliced.

I have a mini mandoline from OXO (the kind I have no longer exists, but this is the new version). I use it all the time to slice radishes, Brussels sprouts, garlic, and other small vegetables.

OXO also makes one that is quite small, which they call a garlic slicer, but if your Brussels sprouts are small enough, it will work! Other mini mandolines exist, and if you are a fan of shredded or shaved Brussels sprouts, it might be a worthwhile investment! 

Storage

You can definitely shred your Brussels sprouts ahead of time. Just thinly slice them and store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Shredded Brussels Sprouts Recipes

Brussels Sprouts, Pecorino, and Apple Salad

Crispy Brussels Sprouts Salad

Brussels Sprouts, Apple, and Pomegranate Slaw Salad

More Quick Kitchen Tips

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• How to Cut Corn Kernels from the Cob
• How to Seed Pomegranates
• How to Make Hard-Boiled Eggs in the Oven
• How to Cut Cake Cleanly