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    Healthy Green Goddess Dressing

    Published: Apr 14, 2023 · Modified: Jul 3, 2023 by Cheryl Whyte · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    72 shares

    This Green Goddess Dressing is simply irresistible. It’s bursting with fresh herbs that bring incredible flavor to your salads and veggie-packed nourish bowls. And that’s not all. This heavenly dressing also triples up as a dip for your favorite chips and veggies, a delectable sauce for pasta, and a mouth-watering marinade for chicken and fish.

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    Side view of a glass jug containing green goddess dressing this RECIPE

    Page Contents

    • What is Green Goddess Dressing?
    • Why You’ll Love This Green Goddess Dressing
    • Ingredients for Green Goddess Dressing
    • Recipe Notes
    • How to Make Green Goddess Dressing: Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Nutrition Tips: The Potential Health Benefits of Herbs
    • Recipes that Use Green Goddess Dressing
      • Green Goddess Pasta
      • Green Goddess Salad
    • More Delicious Sauces and Condiments
    • Printable Recipe Card
    • Pin Recipe for Later!


    What is Green Goddess Dressing?

    Green goddess dressing is a famous condiment that has been around for decades. But have you ever wondered where this delicious creamy green sauce comes from?

    The origins of green goddess dressing trace back to early 1920s California. As the story goes, the dressing was the masterpiece of chef Philip Roemer of the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. He created the dressing in honor of actor George Arliss, who was starring in a play called “The Green Goddess.”

    The dressing quickly became a sensation in San Francisco and soon spread to other parts of the country. The original recipe included anchovy, garlic, mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, tarragon, chives, and lemon juice. These ingredients created a tangy, herbaceous flavor that perfectly complemented the fresh greens in a salad. Over the years, the recipe for green goddess dressing has evolved, with some variations, including avocado, cilantro, and even jalapeno. But the core ingredients of anchovy, herbs, and mayonnaise or sour cream often remain the same.

    Today, I’m sharing my version of green goddess dressing with you. It’s a lighter recipe packed with nutrition without compromising on flavor!


    This Goddess Dressing is so versatile. I use it to make this fresh and nutritious Green Goddess Salad and this super-satisfying Green Goddess Pasta.


    Side view of a glass jug containing green goddess dressing

    Why You’ll Love This Green Goddess Dressing

    It’s:

    • Fresh and vibrant
    • Loaded with nutrients
    • Great for meal prep
    • Incredibly versatile

    Ingredients for Green Goddess Dressing

    You can whip up a tasty green goddess dressing using ingredients that are easy to find at your nearby grocery store. It’s a quick and easy recipe that you’ll love!

    Ingredients for green goddess dressing on a kitchen worktop.

    Recipe Notes

    • Fresh Herbs: I make this recipe with my tried and true combination of fresh herbs – parsley, basil, mint, and chives. They are the star of the show!
    • Avocado: For its creamy and buttery texture. As a bonus, the addition of avocado elevates the nutritional value of the dressing significantly.
    • Quark and Greek Yogurt: A classic green goddess dressing will likely be heavy on mayonnaise, sour cream, or both. In this recipe, I’m ditching them in favor of quark and Greek yogurt. Together they provide the same tangy flavor and creamy texture you may be used to but make the dressing much lighter.
    • Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds vibrancy and rounds out the flavors.
    • Green Olives: Traditional green goddess dressing contains anchovies, but I prefer to get the savory briny flavor from olives in this recipe.
    • Garlic: For a nice kick and depth of flavor.
    • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For richness. And also for a dose of healthy fats to help the body absorb the vitamins in the dish.
    • Sea Salt Flakes and Pepper: Seasoning makes the flavors pop!

    How to Make Green Goddess Dressing: Step-By-Step Instructions

    Once you’ve prepared your ingredients, this green goddess dressing comes together in less than five minutes. It really couldn’t be easier. Here’s how in two simple steps:

    1. Add Ingredients

      Add all the ingredients to a food processor (or high-speed blender).

      Ingredients for green goddess dressing in a food processor bowl.

    2. Blend Ingredients

      Blend until smooth.

      Food processer with blended green goddess dressing.

    Find the recipe card with exact ingredients and full recipe instructions at the bottom of this page. ⇩


    Top view of a glass jug containing green goddess dressing

    Nutrition Tips: The Potential Health Benefits of Herbs

    Adding loads of fresh herbs to a green goddess dressing is a game-changer. Not only does it enhance the flavor profile of the dressing, but it also adds a ton of health benefits. Here are just a few of them:

    1. Health Benefits of Basil

    Basil is not only a flavorful ingredient in cooking but also a nutritional powerhouse. This aromatic herb contains essential nutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease [Source]. Basil is rich in vitamins A and C, essential for a healthy immune system [Source] and healthy skin [Source]. There is even some evidence to suggest that basil may help reduce stress [Source]. However, more research is needed.

    2. Health Benefits of Parsley

    Parsley is another excellent source of vitamins A and C. These vitamins act as antioxidants that help prevent toxic free radicals from damaging cells [Source]. In addition, parsley may help regulate blood sugar levels, is beneficial for those with high blood sugar, and reduces blood pressure for improved heart health [Source]


    Side view of a glass jug containing green goddess dressing

    Recipes that Use Green Goddess Dressing

    Bowl of green goddess pasta topped with crispy shallots and microgreens.
    Bowl of green goddess salad, a bottle of olive oil, a glass of water and a small bowl of extra green goddess dressing.

    Green Goddess Pasta

    Green goddess sauce + green lentil fusilli + crispy shallots = one heck of a TASTY pasta dish. It’s creamy, herby, and seriously indulgent.

    Go to Pasta Recipe!

    Green Goddess Salad

    You’re going to be obsessed with this green goddess salad! It’s fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Enjoy as a hearty meal or as a side dish.

    Go to Salad Recipe!

    More Delicious Sauces and Condiments

    • Pickled Red Onions
    • Homemade Chunky Salsa
    • 3-Ingredient Stir Fry Sauce
    • Spicy Mango Salsa
    • Cranberry Sauce
    • Super-Green Pesto

    Thinking of making this recipe? Share your thoughts in the comment section and provide a star rating! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I always LOVE hearing from you.

    Remember to SUBSCRIBE and follow me on INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, and FACEBOOK for more delicious and nutritious recipes!


    Printable Recipe Card

    📖 Recipe

    Glass jug containing green goddess dressing

    Green Goddess Dressing

    Author: Cheryl Whyte
    This Green Goddess Dressing is bursting with fresh herbs that bring incredible flavor to salads and nourish bowls. It also makes a great dip, pasta sauce and marinade.

    If you love this recipe, rate it with 5 stars below!

    5 from 1 vote
    PRINT PIN RATE
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 89kcal
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    Equipment

    • Chopping Board
    • Sharp Knife
    • Food Processor

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup (20 g) fresh basil
    • ⅓ cup (20 g) fresh parsley
    • ¼ cup (6 g) fresh mint leaves
    • 3 tablespoon fresh chives, snipped
    • 1 ripe avocado, flesh
    • ¾ cup (150 g) quark, or low fat cream cheese
    • ⅔ cup (150 g) thick Greek yogurt
    • ¼ cup (60 g) freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tsp chopped green olives
    • 1 garlic clove, sliced
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes
    • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare: Gather and prep your ingredients.
    • Blend: Add all the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until smooth. That's it!

    Notes

    Storage Instructions: Keep your green goddess dressing in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for 3-5 days. Always check for freshness. 

    Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

    Calories: 89kcal (4%) | Carbohydrates: 5g (2%) | Protein: 5g (10%) | Fat: 6g (9%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 198mg (9%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 2g (2%)

    Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional information is estimated using an online nutrition calculator. For accuracy, we recommend you calculate using the exact ingredients and brands you used.

    Course | Sauces
    Cuisine | American
    Keyword | Green Goddess Salad Dressing, Homemade Salad Dressing, Salad Dressing Recipes
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Share a photo and tag @therealfoodgeek so I can see all your delicious creations!

    Pin Recipe for Later!

    Glass jug containing green goddess dressing

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    Hey, I'm Cheryl, The Real Food Geek! I'm all about delicious and nutritious recipes fueled by my love for food, weight loss journey, and expertise as a certified culinary medicine coach. Let's make healthy eating enjoyable by returning to basics in the kitchen and embracing the joy of real food.

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    72 shares
    Glass jug containing green goddess dressing
    Glass jug containing green goddess dressing
    Glass jug containing green goddess dressing