Smashed Brussels Sprouts: the Ultimate Hack for Brussels Sprouts Leaves

Learning how to separate Brussels sprouts into leaves is a game change that makes your salad prep so much easier. Once you master this simple technique, you can use the tender leaves in a variety of uniquely flavorful salads that hold up all week. Here you will learn, step-by-step how to prep the sprouts and below I link to several yummy salads to make with them.

Why Separate Brussels Sprouts into Individual Leaves?

Because we’ve all been there…three bites into a shaved Brussels sprouts salad when you get a tough bite that you must strain to swallow because even the thinnest shavings sometimes contain cumbersome pieces of its core. Smashing Brussels sprouts eliminates that nuisance. 

How to Smash Brussels Sprouts into Individual Leaves?

Here’s my technique:

• 1. Make a v-shaped cut into each of the Brussels sprouts to remove each core. 
• 2. With the cut side down on the cutting board, use a sturdy small fry pan (I’ve used everything from a mini Lodge cast iron, to an 8-inch All-Clad- use what you got) to smash each Brussels sprout one at a time.
• 3. Break each Brussels sprouts apart into its individual leaves.
• 4. Wash, dry, then roughly chop the leaves.

How Do I Store Brussels Sprout Leaves?

Once washed and dried, Brussels sprout leaves store beautifully in a zip-lock bag or in the salad spinner for about 5 days, or longer if you dry them really well.

What Should I Make With All These Brussels Sprout Leaves?