Recipe For Green Goddess Dressing

Get ready to meet the ultimate Green Goddess Dressing—crafted with expert precision and ZERO MAYONNAISE to elevate your meals to the next level without any guilt! It’s a hypnotic symphony of herbaceous, bright, tangy, garlicy perfection that’s more than just a salad dressing—it’s a kitchen game-changer. Whether drizzling it over greens, dipping veggies, or spreading it on sandwiches, you’ll love having this dressing on hand!

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Watch How to Make Green Goddess Dressing

green goddess dressing recipe in a glass jar showing how green and vibrant it is

Green Goddess Salad Dressing

Customizable Herbs: Parsley, dill, and green onions ensure a vibrant base – then YOU control the remaining cup of herbs. Add any combination of basil, cilantro, tarragon, and mint, depending on what you’re serving it with, your mood, what’s in your garden, or what’s on sale.
Guilt-Free Creaminess: Using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise as the base gives the dressing a smooth creaminess without being too heavy, making it ideal for salads, dips, and more.
Bold, Zesty Freshness: A generous splash of lemon juice and zest adds a bright, tangy kick that perfectly complements the herbs, bringing flavor to every bite.
Umami Depth: Capers provide a subtle, savory note that deepens the overall flavor, making the dressing more complex and satisfying without opening an anchovy can.
Versatile Use: This dressing is perfect for salads and also doubles as a dip, sandwich spread, or marinade, making it a versatile addition to your kitchen.
Quick and Easy to Make: Add to your food processor, pulse, and chill!

showing how to serve green goddess dressing as a dip in a bowl surrounded by vegetables

What is Green Goddess Dressing?

Green Goddess Dressing is the ultimate flavor-packed, herb-loaded, creamy dream of a dressing! Fresh herbs like parsley, tarragon, dill, and green onions mingle with the tangy richness of Greek yogurt or mayonnaise. It’s zesty, thanks to a splash of lemon, and has a little savory magic from capers or anchovies. This dressing is perfect for salads, dips, or just about anything that needs a burst of fresh, vibrant flavor. It’s the kind of dressing that makes everything taste like sunshine and green goodness!

What does Green Goodess Dressing taste like?

Green Goddess Dressing is like a burst of garden-fresh flavor in every bite! It’s creamy and tangy with a smooth, velvety texture, thanks to Greek yogurt. The real star, though, is the medley of herbs like parsley, dill, tarragon, and green onions, which give it that vibrant, earthy punch. Add in a zesty kick from lemon juice and a hint of savory goodness from capers, and you’ve got a dressing that’s the perfect blend of bright, herby, refreshing, and downright irresistible!

showing how thick and creamy green goddess salad dressing is in a bowl with a spoon

What is in Green Goddess Dressing?

Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to make this recipe and hopefully answer any questions you might have (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Greek yogurt: Acts as the creamy base for the dressing, providing thick creaminess and a tangy flavor. Opt for full-fat Greek yogurt for a creamier dressing, or adjust the amount for your preferred consistency. You can even experiment by substituting ½ cup of the yogurt with mayonnaise for a more indulgent, creamy dressing.
Parsley: Use flat-leaf parsley instead of curly parsley. Flat-leaf parsley has a stronger and more robust flavor, whereas curly parsley has a milder, more subtle taste and is often used more for garnishing. To avoid bitterness, use only the leaves, discarding the stems.
Soft leafy herbs: Choose from basil, cilantro, mint, and up-to ¼ cup tarragon to create a complex, aromatic flavor profile. Each herb will add its own unique character to the dressing, so customize the herb mix based on your taste preferences.
Lemon juice: Infuses the dressing with a vibrant, tangy acidity that beautifully balances the creaminess of the yogurt. The use of fresh lemon juice and zest is crucial for the best flavor, ensuring a burst of freshness in every bite.
Fresh dill: Provides a distinct, slightly tangy flavor that complements the other herbs. Fresh dill is best, but two teaspoons of dried dill can be used in a pinch.
Green onions: Add a mild, oniony flavor that blends well with the herbs. Two green onions are included, including all the stalks attached to the base. Use both the white and green parts for maximum flavor.
Garlic cloves: Adds a sharp, pungent kick that deepens the overall flavor of the dressing. Adjust the amount based on your preference for garlic intensity.
Capers: Provide a salty, briny note that enhances the dressing’s umami and depth. They are located next to the pickled condiments.
Salt and pepper: These are critical to elevating all the flavors. Add the prescribed amount, then add freshly cracked pepper to taste after the dressing has chilled or over whatever dish you’re serving the dressing with.

How to Make Green Goddess Dressing

Let’s take a closer look at how to make Green Goddess Dressing (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Step 1: Add the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor.

showing how to make green goddess dressing by adding parsley, basil, cilantro, green onions, chives, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and Greek yogurt to a food processor

Step 2: Process until smooth, about 30 seconds.

showing how to make green goddess dressing by processing the dressing until smooth

Step 3: The dressing is best chilled in the freezer for 30 minutes or for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.

showing how to make green goddess dressing by chilling in the refrigerator

Tips For Making Homemade Green Goddess Dressing

Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs are essential to the vibrant flavor of Green Goddess Dressing. Be generous with basil, parsley, dill, tarragon, and chives for the best results.
Balance the Flavors: The most accurate taste test is after chilling the dressing. Dip whatever you’re serving the dressing with (lettuce leaf, carrot, etc.) instead of a spoon. For tangier, add additional lemon juice; for a more herb-forward, add extra herbs; for creamier, add extra yogurt or mayonnaise. If it’s too tangy, add a touch of honey.
Blend Until Smooth: To achieve a creamy, cohesive dressing, process the ingredients thoroughly in a food processor, scraping down the sides of the bowl several times.
Adjust Consistency: For a thicker dip, add additional yogurt or a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise. For a thinner dressing, add olive oil, milk, or water until you reach your desired consistency.
Experiment with Add-Ins: Don’t be afraid to get creative with your dressing. Feel free to customize it with additional ingredients like avocado for creaminess, jalapeño for heat, or different herbs for unique flavor profiles. The possibilities are endless, so have fun and experiment!
Don’t Skip the Capers: Even if you’re not a fan, don’t skip them—they add depth and tangy umami without overpowering the herbs.
Chill Sufficiently: Chilling the dressing is not just a step; it’s a crucial part of the process. It melds and marries all the flavors, enhancing the taste exponentially. So, always make the dressing before prepping salad ingredients to ensure sufficient chilling time. If you only have 30 minutes, pop the dressing in the freezer and then transfer it to the refrigerator after 30 minutes. The wait will be worth it!

showing how to serve green goddess salad dressing by pouring over a salad

Green Goddess Dressing Recipe Variations

Play with ingredient quantities. Use more or less of any of the ingredients to make this recipe perfect for YOU! I love a bold, full-flavored dressing, but you can tame it by using fewer herbs, garlic, lemon juice, capers, etc.
Make it creamier: If you’re craving a creamier texture, try replacing ½ cup of the yogurt with mayonnaise. The options are endless-you can use traditional mayo, avocado-based mayo, olive oil mayo, or vegan mayo to suit your dietary preferences.
Swap in sour cream: Use sour cream instead of yogurt or a combination of sour cream and mayonnaise for a richer, creamier dressing.
Vegan/Diary Free Green Goddess Dressing: Use vegan mayonnaise/yogurt, avocado, or silken tofu instead of yogurt.
Avocado Green Goddess Dressing: For extra creaminess and a richer texture, add one ripe avocado, replacing some or all of the yogurt with the avocado.
Spicy Green Goddess Dressing: Add a teaspoon of sriracha, a dash of hot sauce, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick, or include a small jalapeño or green chili in the blend for added heat.
Jalapeno Lime Green Goddess Dressing: Swap the lemon juice for lime, add one seeded jalapeno, and use cilantro for some herbs.
Tahini Green Goddess Dressing: Incorporate 2 tablespoons of tahini for a nutty, creamy flavor, perfect for Middle Eastern-inspired salads or grain bowls.
Buttermilk Green Goddess Dressing: Replace some mayonnaise or yogurt with buttermilk for a tangy, thinner dressing ideal for marinades.

Ways to use this Recipe for Green Goddess Dressing

Homemade Green Goddess Dressing is fabulous for so much more than salads–everything is a vehicle to inhale this dressing! Use it in wraps, on sandwiches, as a dipping sauce, and more!

Salad Dressing: The obvious use is as a dressing for mixed green salads, adding a creamy and herbaceous flavor.
Pasta Salad Dressing: Toss it with pasta, vegetables, and salami for a refreshing pasta salad.
Vegetable Dip: Serve it as a dip for fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, and celery sticks or roasted veggies such as Roasted Potatoes, Smashed Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus, Roasted Broccoli, etc.
Sandwich Spread: Use it instead of mayonnaise on a chicken sandwich, burger, or wraps for added flavor, especially with turkey, chicken, or veggie fillings.
Grain Bowl: Drizzle it over grain bowls featuring quinoa, brown rice, or farro, topped with fresh and roasted vegetables (my favs are roasted sweet potatoes, roasted cauliflower, and roasted brussels sprouts), proteins, and nuts.
Marinade: Use it as a marinade for grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp to enhance their flavors.
Finishing Sauce: Use it as a finishing sauce for all your favorite proteins, potatoes, and veggies.
Taco Sauce: Use it as a topping for tacos or burritos for a creamy, herbaceous twist (especially when adding cilantro).
Potato Salad: Incorporate it into potato salad for a unique flavor profile.
Egg Salad: Mix it with hard-boiled eggs and other ingredients for a flavorful egg salad.
Pizza Drizzle: Drizzle it over pizza or flatbreads as a finishing touch.

How to store this Green Goddess Salad Dressing Recipe

To store your Green Goddess Salad Dressing:

1. Transfer it to an airtight container, such as a mason jar or a sealed plastic container.
2. Keep it refrigerated, where it will stay fresh for up to one week.
3. Before using, give the dressing a good shake or stir, as it may separate slightly over time. This will help maintain its creamy consistency and vibrant flavor.

showing how to use green goddess dressing by dipping vegetables in it

Green Goddess Dressing FAQs

Is Green Goddess Dressing healthy?

Green Goddess Dressing can be a healthy option, especially when made with Greek yogurt as the base, which adds protein and reduces calories compared to mayonnaise. The fresh herbs also provide vitamins and antioxidants, making it a nutritious choice for salads and more.

Can you freeze Green Goddess Dressing?

Freezing Green Goddess Dressing is not recommended as the texture can change once thawed. It’s best to make a fresh batch or store it in the fridge for up to a week.

Can Green Goddess Dressing be made vegan?

Yes, Green Goddess Dressing can easily be made vegan by using a plant-based yogurt or mayonnaise and substituting capers for anchovies. The result is a creamy, herb-packed dressing that’s perfect for vegan salads and dishes.

What can I use Green Goddess Dressing for?

Green Goddess Dressing is versatile and can be used as a salad dressing, vegetable dip, sandwich spread, or even as a marinade for chicken or seafood. Its bright, fresh flavor enhances a variety of dishes.

Is Green Goddess Dressing gluten-free?

Yes, Green Goddess Dressing is typically gluten-free as long as the ingredients used, such as yogurt, mayonnaise, and herbs, are free from gluten. Always check labels to be certain.

What ingredients are in Green Goddess Dressing?

Green Goddess Dressing typically includes fresh herbs like parsley, tarragon, and chives, along with Greek yogurt or mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, and capers or anchovies. This combination creates a creamy, herbaceous dressing with a tangy, savory flavor.

What’s the history of Green Goddess Dressing?

Green Goddess Dressing originated in the 1920s at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. It was created as a tribute to actor George Arliss and his play, “The Green Goddess.” The dressing has since become a classic, known for its vibrant green color and rich, herbaceous flavor.

How do you make Green Goddess Dressing from scratch?

To make Green Goddess Dressing from scratch, blend fresh herbs, Greek yogurt or mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, and capers or anchovies in a food processor until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, and thin with olive oil if needed.

Looking for more Dressing Recipes?

Cilantro Lime Dressing
Italian Dressing
Avocado Ranch Dressing
Caesar Dressing
Ranch Dressing
Chipotle Dressing
Blue Cheese Dressing
Thai Peanut Dressing

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Ingredients

1 1/3 cups plain Greek yogurt
1 cup gently packed flat-leaf parsley
1 cup gently packed mixed soft leafy herbs (basil, cilantro, mint, and/or up to ¼ cup tarragon)
1/4 cup gently packed fresh dill (or 2 teaspoons dried dill weed)
2 green onions, roughly chopped (4-5 stalks, white and green parts)
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon capers
1 lemon, juiced and zested (3 TBS juice + ½ TBS zest)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Olive oil as needed to thin

Instructions

Add the ingredients to a food processor bowl. Process until smooth, about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
The dressing is best chilled in the freezer for 30 minutes or for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator. (It will thicken up a bit after being chilled.)
After chilling, adjust the consistency by adding additional yogurt for thicker or olive oil for thinner. Season with freshly cracked salt, pepper, and lemon juice if desired.