So I know salads are not typically a Sunday thing.

Caramelized Brussels Sprout Salad w/Blue Cheese, Bacon + Caramel Apple Vinaigrette | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

But this Caramelized Brussels Sprout Salad just seemed like more of a Sunday thing.

I mean, this is not your typical salad, and to be honest, it is more of a side dish than a salad. This is a warm salad with all the fixins. There are caramelized brussels sprouts, apples, pecans, crispy bacon, blue cheese and the sweetest, savoriest caramel apple vinaigrette that can be kind of addicting.

Can you tell I am ready for the official start of fall on Tuesday? I have tried so hard these last couple weeks not to be too heavy into fall-like foods, but as of last Friday, I pretty much just gave up on that.

Falls foods are my favorite, and every year the season flies by even quicker. So I hope you are ready for apples, pumpkins, pomegranates, roasted everything and lots of sweets.

Come on, that totally makes you excited. You know it does.

Caramelized Brussels Sprout Salad w/Blue Cheese, Bacon + Caramel Apple Vinaigrette | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest Caramelized Brussels Sprout Salad w/Blue Cheese, Bacon + Caramel Apple Vinaigrette | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Ok but anyway, I am eager to tell you about this salad because it’s another post for my favorite pasta company DeLallo. DeLallo has created a line of “salad savors” and they are the coolest thing ever.

Basically the idea is that the salad savors give you all the toppings every delicious salad needs. All that is left for you to do is add some greens, maybe a protein if you are into that, or maybe a fun dressing. It makes dinner prep SO easy and convenient.

Caramelized Brussels Sprout Salad w/Blue Cheese, Bacon + Caramel Apple Vinaigrette | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest Caramelized Brussels Sprout Salad w/Blue Cheese, Bacon + Caramel Apple Vinaigrette | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Today I am showing you how I used the Vibrant Blue Salad Savors.

I took the pecans and dried cherries out of the DeLallo Salad Savors box and stirred them into a mix of caramelized onions and apples. Perfect for fall, right?? Then I needed a dressing, so for some reason a caramel apple vinaigrette sounded pretty darn good. I love sweet and savory flavors together and that is this salad. Last up – I took the blue cheese from the Salad Savors box and sprinkled it on top of the salad.

This is definitely a side salad, actually now that I am thinking about it, it is sort of perfect as a Thanksgiving side. I know, Tieghan shut up, it is not even October. But hey, just thinkin ahead for you and bonus that it is such an easy salad to make.

Caramelized Brussels Sprout Salad w/Blue Cheese, Bacon + Caramel Apple Vinaigrette | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

When I served this for dinner, I made it into more of a heartier salad by adding a fried egg and a side of creamy polenta. Delicious either way.

Caramelized Brussels Sprout Salad w/Blue Cheese, Bacon + Caramel Apple Vinaigrette | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

If you’ve never had caramelized brussels sprouts, now is the time to start. Plus, if you start now, you will still have all of fall + winter to eat and enjoy them. Caramelization makes everything so much better, and caramelized brussels sprouts are one of my favorites. Top them off with these DeLallo Salad Savors toppings and this caramel apple vinaigrette dressing and you’ll have a salad that everyone will love.

Caramelized Brussels Sprout Salad w/Blue Cheese, Bacon + Caramel Apple Vinaigrette | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

And how cool is the idea of Salad Savors? I love it!

Caramelized Brussels Sprout Salad w/Blue Cheese, Bacon + Caramel Apple Vinaigrette | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

*This post is sponsored by DeLallo Foods. All opinions are of course my own.

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4 from 31 votes

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

The Recipe

Caramelized Brussels Sprout Pecan Salad w/Bacon + Caramel Apple Vinaigrette.

By halfbakedharvest

Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple, bacon, brussel sprouts, pecan

This is a warm salad with all the fixins. There are caramelized brussels sprouts, apples, pecans, crispy bacon, blue cheese and the sweetest, savoriest caramel apple vinaigrette that can be kind of addicting.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 490 kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon chopped (leave bacon out and swap 1 tablespoon olive oil for a vegetarian version)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced or grated
  • 1 pound brussels sprouts stems removed and sliced
  • 1/2 a small onion chopped
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/2 a green apple chopped
  • 2 honeycrisp apples thinly sliced
  • 1 DeLallo Vibrant Blue SaladSavors® salad topping

Caramel Apple Vinaigrette

  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 of a green apple finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 4 leaves sage chopped
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • pinch of cayenne pepper
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet with high sides over medium-high heat and cook bacon until crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Remove all but one tablespoon of bacon fat from the pan and then add 1 tablespoon olive oil, heat over high heat. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add the brussels sprouts and chopped onions in a single layer and sprinkle with brown sugar and salt. Let sit 1 minute and stir. Continue to saute for another 4-5 minutes, until bright green and tender. Now add the apples and cook another 3-5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the the pecans and dried cherries from the Vibrant Blue SaladSavor toppings. Divide the salad among plates and top with Vibrant Blue SaladSavors blue cheese. Drizzle with the caramel apple vinaigrette and the crispy bacon.

Caramel Apple Vinaigrette

  1. Add the apple cider, brown sugar and chopped apples to a medium sauce pot and bring to a boil, boil for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the cider has reduced to about 1/2 cup and is slightly thick and syrupy. Remove from heat and add the cider vinegar and sage leaves. Pour the mixture into a food processor or blender and add the olive oil, pinch of cayenne, salt and pepper. Pulse the vinaigrette a few time to mince the apples (do not puree the apples). Taste and season with more salt and pepper if desired. Keep the dressing in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Caramelized Brussels Sprout Salad w/Blue Cheese, Bacon + Caramel Apple Vinaigrette | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Oh and another idea – roast a chicken today, make this salad, and Sunday dinner is done. Bonus, the house will smell all kinds of amazing!