Are you looking for a fresh and flavorful chopped salad that’s easy to make and good for you? Look no further than this delicious green goddess salad. It’s a crowd-pleaser packed with fresh greens, sweet apples, and a creamy and herby dressing. This salad makes a super-satisfying weeknight meal or an excellent side salad for your next gathering.
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The BEST Green Goddess Salad
Green goddess salads have been around for years. The original recipe from 1920s San Francisco is simply a salad tossed with a creamy green goddess dressing. Nowadays, there are hundreds of variations, and today, I’m bringing you my take, and between you and me, it really doesn’t disappoint!!
This Fresh Green Salad is:
Hearty & Satisfying
Loaded with Vitamins & Minerals
Jam-Packed with Delicious Veggies
Green Goddess Salad Recipe Ingredients
This recipe contains tons of good-for-you ingredients that your body will love you for! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Green Goddess Salad Dressing: You can find my healthy green goddess dressing recipe here or use your favorite recipe or brand. It’s a deliciously creamy tangy dressing recipe that contains loads of fresh herbs, ripe avocado, greek yogurt, quark (a low-fat soft cheese), a garlic clove, fresh lemon juice, and green olives.
- The Greens: First up, broccoli “rice” that’s sauteéd with scallions (spring onions) for flavor and red chili flakes for an extra kick. I find that sautéing broccoli removes some bitterness and allows it to absorb more of the creamy dressing. Next up, some finely chopped kale. No need to massage it; a fine chop will get this antioxidant-rich cruciferous vegetable tender enough. And finally, some julienned zucchini (courgette) for its slightly sweet and pleasant crunch.
- The Beans: I’m adding edamame beans, a soybean with a buttery, sweet, and nutty vibe. Yum! I always have some in my freezer that can be easily thawed to inject some essential omega-3s and protein into any meal.
- Quinoa: A gluten-free pseudo-grain that laps up the gorgeous green goddess dressing. One of my favorite protein and fiber boosters that makes this salad extra hearty and satisfying.
- Apple: For a satisfying fresh crunch and a natural sweetness.
- Almonds: For their nutty, creamy texture and a dose of immune-boosting vitamin E.
- Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds): An excellent source of magnesium to support energy production.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For richness. And also for a dose of healthy fats to help the body absorb the nutrients in the dish.
Variations and Substitutions
Don’t let ingredients you don’t like or can’t get hold of at your local grocery store stop you from making this delicious recipe. There are so many options to make the recipe work for you. Here are just some of my favorite substitutions:
| Recipe Ingredient | Excellent Substitutions |
|---|---|
| Kale | Green Cabbage, Cavolo Nero, Spinach |
| Broccoli | Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts |
| Scallions (Spring Onions) | Green Onions, Red Onion, Shallots |
| Almonds | Pine Nuts, Hazelnuts, Walnuts |
| Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds) | Sunflower Seeds, Hemp Seeds, Flax Seeds |
| Red Chili Flakes | Red Pepper Flakes, Chili Powder, Paprika |
| Zucchini (Courgette) | Cucumbers, Persian Cucumbers (Small Cucumbers) |
| Edamame Beans | Chickpeas, Black Beans |
| Apple | Pear, Pomegranate Seeds |
| Cooked Quinoa | Cooked Brown Rice, Couscous, Barley |
TIP: For extra protein, top your salad with hard-boiled eggs or sliced chicken breasts.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
How to Make a Green Goddess Salad
Once you’ve prepared your ingredients, this green goddess salad comes together easily. Here’s what you need to do:
- Toast Nuts & Seeds
Toast the almonds and pepitas (pumpkin seeds) in a dry frying pan ~ for about 4 minutes. Pour out onto a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Broccoli Rice
Pour extra virgin olive oil into the frying pan. Add the broccoli, scallions (spring onions), and chili flakes. Sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add Quinoa
Add the cooked quinoa and warm through for about 2 minutes. Pour into a large mixing bowl.
- Add Remaining Ingredients
Add the kale, courgette, edamame, apple, almonds, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), and green goddess dressing to the big bowl with the quinoa and broccoli.
- Toss Salad
Gently toss the salad ingredients to combine. Spoon into individual bowls and drizzle with leftover dressing.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full instructions and ingredient list.
Jump to Recipe
~ Culinary Medicine Scoop ~
What are the Potential Health Benefits of Kale?
Green veggies are an important part of a healthy balanced diet. They are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber yet low in calories. Let’s look at kale and take a deeper dive:
1Kale May Protect Against Chronic Disease
As it contains an array of powerful antioxidants, including beta-carotene, vitamin C, flavonoids, and polyphenols, kale has the potential to protect against damage to the body’s cells by neutralizing the toxic free radicals that can cause oxidative stress. Studies have shown that oxidative damage can lead to chronic inflammation and conditions like diabetes and heart disease1.
2Kale May Support Bone Health
Kale is an excellent source of vitamins C and K, as well as the minerals calcium, magnesium, and boron. All these nutrients are vital for good bone health2.
3Kale May Aid in Weight Loss
Kale is a low-calorie cruciferous vegetable with a high nutrient density, making it an ideal ingredient to add to the diet to promote weight loss. It also contains a significant quantity of bulk in the form of fiber, which may help with satiety3.
More Delicious Salad Recipes
- Tomato Salad with Basil Oil
- Fresh Vegetable Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
- Herby Potato Salad with Homemade Salad Cream
- Pan-Fried Salmon Rainbow Salad with Roasted Garlic Tahini
Green Goddess Salad ~ Full Recipe
Green Goddess Salad
Equipment
- Food Processor optional
- Frying Pan
- Salad Servers
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (36 g) almonds roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 head broccoli trimmed and grated or blitzed in a food processor
- 4 scallions (spring onions) finely sliced
- ½ tsp red chili flakes
- 1⅓ cup (250 g) cooked quinoa
- 1¾ cups kale thick stalks removed, finely chopped
- 1 zucchini (courgette) julienned or chopped into thin matchsticks
- ½ cup (80 g) edamame beans fresh or frozen and thawed
- 1 green apple small dice (I used Granny Smith)
- ½ portion green goddess dressing you can sub your own recipe or favorite brand
Instructions
- Prepare: Gather and prepare your ingredients.
- Toss Salad: In the large bowl, along with the quinoa and broccoli, add the kale, zucchini (courgette), edamame, apple, almonds, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), and most of the green goddess dressing. Save a little for drizzling. Gently toss the salad ingredients to combine. Then, spoon into individual bowls and drizzle with leftover green goddess dressing.
Notes
Nutrition
I can’t wait for you to make this green goddess salad for yourself! Get in touch via the comments section, and let me know how it turns out.
Thanks for stopping by!
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