Learn How to Shred Brussels Sprouts two different ways! Either with a simple knife and cutting board or quick and easily with your food processor, always have perfectly shaved Brussels sprouts ready to add to a meal.

Le Creuset pan filled with finely chopped (shaved) Brussels sprouts. Wooden spoon in the shaved Brussels sprouts (as if stirring).

Brussels sprouts are a favorite veg in our house! Perfect in salads, roasted, or simply sautéed, Brussels are the perfect addition to any meal.

Shredding your Brussels sprouts can be done in a few different ways, but these two are methods I (a home cook of 30+ years and a bit of a veggie expert, if I do say so myself) find to either be the fastest or require the least amount of kitchen gear.

How to Shred Brussels Sprouts with a knife

The first method involves using a sharp knife to thinly slice the sprouts from end to end. All you need for this method is a sharp knife (I suggest a chef’s knife) and a cutting board. This method creates lovely ribbons of Brussels sprouts that give a great texture when added to pasta. However, this method can be a bit time consuming and not ideal if you are in a hurry!

Step 1: Slice the clean Brussels sprouts in half lengthwise.

Step 2: Place the cut side of the Brussels sprouts down on the cutting board. Holding on to the stem end, use your knife to thinly slice the Brussels sprouts, starting at the top and moving towards the stem.

Step 3: Use your fingers to toss and separate the shreds a bit before adding to this recipe. 

Two hands holding chef's knife cutting a Brussels sprout in half on a cutting board. Two white bowls set to the side of the image. One bowl has whole Brussels sprouts. The other bowl contains finely chopped Brussels sprouts.
Cut the whole Brussel sprout in half lengthwise.
Two hands holding a chef's knife finely chopping half of a Brussels sprout on a cutting board. The remaining half of the Brussels sprout is set to the side on the cutting board. Two white bowls set to the side of the image. One bowl has whole Brussels sprouts. The other bowl contains finely chopped Brussels sprouts.
Place the cut side of the Brussels sprout down on the cutting board. Holding on to the stem end, use your knife to thinly slice the Brussels sprout, starting at the top and moving towards the stem.

How to Shred Brussels Sprouts with a food processor

The second method I like to use for shredding Brussel sprouts involves your food processor. This is the method I personally use the most often since it is quick and cuts the Brussels sprouts into much smaller pieces, ideal for sautéing or adding to a salad (yes, you can eat Brussels sprouts raw!). I also find this to be the best method for introducing Brussels sprouts to veggie-iffy eaters, since it breaks the veggie down nice and small, making it easy to eat and incorporate into a recipe.

Step 1: Wash, trim, and cut your Brussels sprouts in half.

Step 2: Place your “S” blade in your food processor. Place HALF of the raw and trimmed Brussels sprouts in the food processor.

Step 3: Pulse until finely chopped. Remove and add the second batch, pulsing again until finely chopped.

Red food processor on white counter filled with Brussels sprout halves. Bowl with kale set to the side slightly out of frame. Tea towel on the counter.
Red food processor on white counter filled with finely chopped Brussels sprouts. Bowl with kale set to the side slightly out of frame. Tea towel on the counter.

There is technically a third method….

You can also use a mandoline slicer to shred your Brussels sprouts. While this method creates even, uniform shreds similar to the slicing method….I have sliced too many fingers on a mandoline to suggest this method.

Recipes using shredded Brussels sprouts

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Shredded brussels sprouts in a skillet
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5 from 1 vote

How to Shred Brussels Sprouts (2 different ways!)

Learn How to Shred Brussels Sprouts two different ways! Either with a simple knife and cutting board or quick and easily with your food processor, always have perfectly shaved Brussels sprouts ready to add to a meal.
Prep Time1 minute
Cook Time5 minutes
Keyword: brussels sprouts
Servings: 1 pound shredded Brussels sprouts
Calories:
Author: Taesha Butler

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Brussel sprouts washed and patted dry

Instructions

How to Shred Brussels Sprouts with a knife

  • Use a large, sharp knife (like a chef's knife) to slice the clean Brussels sprouts in half lengthwise.
    A hand cutting a Brussel sprout in half on a cutting board with a knife
  • Place the cut side of the halved Brussel sprout down on your cutting board. This will give a stable veggie to cut. Thinly slice the Brussels sprouts, starting at the top and moving towards the stem, stopping right before the stem.
    A person cutting a halved Brussel sprout into shreds with a knife on a cutting board.
  • Discard the hard stem and use your fingers to separate the strands of shredded Brussel sprouts before adding it to a recipe.

How to Shred Brussels Sprouts with a food processor

  • Trim the hard stem off of your Brussels sprouts and then cut them in half.
  • Place your “S” blade in your food processor. Place HALF of the raw and trimmed Brussels sprouts in the food processor.
    Trying to shred the whole pound at once will likely be too taxing on your food processor and you will end up with an uneven shred and some still-whole sprouts.
    Red food processor on white counter filled with Brussels sprout halves. Bowl with kale set to the side slightly out of frame. Tea towel on the counter.
  • Pulse until finely chopped. Remove the shredded Brussels sprouts and place in a bowl. Add the other half, pulsing again until finely chopped.
    Red food processor on white counter filled with finely chopped Brussels sprouts. Bowl with kale set to the side slightly out of frame. Tea towel on the counter.
  • Add your shredded Brussels sprouts to a recipe or simply sauté them and enjoy as a delicious side dish.