This homemade green goddess dressing recipe is deliciously creamy, tangy, and flavorful. It’s a simple, versatile recipe that’s easy to adjust based on the herbs you have available.
About Green Goddess Dressing
Green goddess salad dressing is traditionally made with a mix of sour cream and fresh herbs. It’s most popular as a salad dressing or vegetable dip.
The origins of green goddess dressing in the U.S. date back to the 1920s, when it became popular at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco; but it's said that the original version was a sauce served in France that dates back to the time of Louis XIII.
Green goddess dressing is a classic for a reason: it’s a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and fresh flavor that goes with a wide range of salads and vegetables.
Ingredients:
Here's what you'll need to make this recipe. The full recipe and ingredient list can be found at the bottom of the page.
- Greek yogurt
- Garlic
- Chives (or green onions)
- Fresh parsley
- Cilantro
- Terragon (or mint)
- Fresh lemon juice
- Salt & pepper
How to Make Green Goddess Dressing:
This recipe is easy to make and ready in about 5 minutes by throwing everything into a blender, pulsing until smooth, and adding water until it reaches the right consistency. It can be used on your favorite salad or as a veggie dip.
Plus making this dressing at home tastes so much fresher than the store-bought version! Making homemade salad dressing is also a great way to skip some of the 'sneaky' ingredients that are often found in store-bought versions: additives (like xanthan gum), low-quality oils (like canola oil), and extra sugar.
Ingredient Notes
Overall, this recipe is very versatile in the amount of herbs that you can add. Depending on which herbs are your favorite, add a total of 1 ¼ cups of herbs with a mix of chives, green onions, parsley, and/or cilantro. Then add up to 2 tablespoons of mint or tarragon for added tanginess, which is a signature flavor of green goddess dressing.
Here are a few other important ingredient notes:
- Parsley: use flat-leaf parsley, if available (instead of curly leaf). Use cilantro and/or fresh basil as a substitute.
- Tarragon: mint can be substituted for this. If you aren’t able to find fresh mint and tarragon you can leave them both out and the recipe will still be tasty.
- Mint: this is a tasty addition to the recipe, but use it in moderation and skip it if you aren’t a fan of mint flavor.
- Anchovy paste: like in Caesar salad dressing, anchovy paste is a traditional ingredient in green goddess dressing and you can add some for umami flavor.
- Lemon juice: apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or lime juice can be substituted.
- Extra virgin olive oil: you can use a drizzle of this to help thin your dressing (in addition to some water).
It's also important to note that the recipe calls for fresh ingredients: fresh herbs (not dried) and garlic (not garlic powder or minced garlic).
Top Tips for Making This Recipe
- Use fresh herbs: this recipe relies heavily on the flavor of fresh herbs, so it’s important to use fresh herbs instead of dried ones.
- Blend until smooth: blend your dressing until it’s completely smooth and creamy. Add water (one tablespoon at a time) until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.
- Adjust the herbs and seasonings to taste: this recipe is very versatile! Once you blend it, taste it and adjust the amount of salt, pepper, lemon, garlic, or herbs to fit your preference.
What salads go with green goddess dressing?
Green goddess dressing pairs well with a wide range of salads, especially ones that are seasonal to spring and summer. Some popular options include spinach salads, Cobb salads, grilled vegetable salads, and kale salads.
Here are some recipes where green goddess dressing would be tasty:
How to Store
Store your green goddess dressing in an airtight container in the fridge (like a jar) for up to 5 days. Stir or shake well before using as it may separate over time.
Recommended Tools
The only item below that is necessary for making this salad is a blender, but the others are handy to have in your kitchen if you like making homemade salad dressings:
- Blender: you’ll need a blender, food processor, or immersion blender to make this dressing. A high-speed blender works best.
- Airtight container: these glass jars are perfect for storing the dressing in your fridge.
- Lemon juicer: this sturdy juicer is a quick, clean, one-handed way to juice your lemon. A must-have if you like making homemade salad dressings!
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s not recommended to freeze green goddess dressing because the texture and flavor of the herbs and sour cream can change. It’s best to make a batch and then keep it in your fridge where it will stay good for up to 5 days.
Yes, you can make vegan green goddess dressing by substituting the sour cream for a vegan alternative of sour cream, mayonnaise, or coconut yogurt.
Similar Recipes
If you like this dressing, you’ll love these other popular homemade salad dressing recipes:
If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment & rating at the bottom of this page!
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Green Goddess Dressing
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
This homemade green goddess dressing recipe is deliciously creamy, tangy, and flavorful. It’s a simple, versatile recipe that’s easy to adjust based on the herbs you have available.
Ingredients
1 cup whole milk Greek yogurt
1 clove garlic
¼ cup chives chopped into ½ inch pieces (or green onions)
½ cup packed fresh parsley
½ cup packed cilantro
2 tablespoons tarragon (or mint), optional
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender or the bowl of a food processor. Pulse and then blend until smooth. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed, until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.
- Store the dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad Dressing
- Method: Blender
Keywords: dressing, green goddess, creamy, homemade, green, yogurt, sour cream
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