Healthy Green Goddess Dressing

Creamy, tangy and full of fresh herbs, our Healthy Green Goddess Dressing is very easy to make in less than 5 minutes. This versatile homemade salad dressing is a delicious accompaniment to many ingredients.

Why You’ll Love Our Green Goddess Dressing

Creamy and full of herbaceous flavour, green goddess dressing is easy to make and perfect for any leftover fresh herbs. 

How often do you buy or cut more herbs than you need? It might be a handful of basil for a Caprese salad, a sprinkling of chives on mashed potatoes or a sprig of parsley for a tuna salad sandwich.

Don’t let these random herbs go to waste. Combine them together and make a healthy green goddess salad dressing! It is one of those anything-goes types of salad dressing recipes that can use an abundance of herbs.

I love the lush herby flavours of green goddess dressing. Even though our recipe is a creamy dressing, the balance of herbs with Greek yoghurt acidity makes it light and refreshing at the same time.

What Is Green Goddess Dressing?

Originating in the mid-1920s, the classic recipe includes mayonnaise, garlic, anchovy, parsley, chives, tarragon, lemon juice, oil and vinegar. Since gaining popularity, this salad dressing has evolved with many different variations and renditions. 

You can combine your choice of leafy fresh herbs with a cream component such as mayonnaise, yoghurt, sour cream, or creme fraiche and add acidity such as lemon juice, lime juice or apple cider vinegar to balance the flavours.

You can, of course, buy a bottle of green goddess salad dressing at the local supermarket, but your own homemade salad dressing will taste better with no wastage.

How to Make a Healthy Version

Over time there have been many different versions of green goddess dressing. The more popular way to make green goddess dressing now is to create a healthier version. 

In our recipe, we have also opted for a healthier version of green goddess dressing. I did this by substituting the mayonnaise with Greek yoghurt to lower the fat content. 

In general, homemade green goddess salad dressing is healthier than store-bought dressing as you are using less processed ingredients.

What Herbs to Use in Dressing?

You don’t need to follow the traditional recipe with parsley, tarragon and chives to make it. 

Instead, green goddess salad dressing can be made with a combination of green leafy fresh herbs, including basil, mint, chives, cilantro and dill. Watercress, spinach or even kale can also be used to add an extra “green” element.

5 Ways to Serve Green Goddess Dressing

Other than salads, green goddess dressing is a popular condiment, especially during the summer months when leafy green herbs are abundant. Here are 5 ways to serve our healthy green goddess dressing:

1. Drizzle over roasted vegetables to add freshness and herbaceous flavours.
2. Serve it as a dip with a colourful plate of raw vegetables, olives and crusty bread.
3. Add it to a vegetarian grain bowl with tofu and veggies.
4. Include healthy green goddess dressing on a loaded baked potato to create a full meal.
5. Try it with baked salmon to add a light and creamy sauce.

Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need for this healthy green goddess dressing:

• Parsley / Chives / Basil: These are the herbs I had available, but you can combine a mix of leafy herbs with whatever you have on hand.

• Greek yoghurt: Substituting the mayonnaise with full-fat Greek yoghurt adds creaminess with a slight tang. Plus, it is a healthier alternative.

• Garlic: To dial up the herby flavours, add fresh garlic to give the dressing a good punch.

• Lemon zest: For a pop of citrus flavours, lemon zest adds aroma but does not mess up the water-solid ratio. 

• Extra virgin olive oil: good quality extra virgin olive oil is always needed in the pantry for salads. 

• Salt and Pepper: to taste

Variations and Substitutions

Herb variation: Try another mix of leafy green herbs such as parsley, basil, dill, mint, tarragon or cilantro.

Extra flavour: Add capers to the green Goddess dressing for a little extra tangy kick, but this is optional.

Vegan option: If you are looking for a vegan green goddess dressing recipe, switch Greek yoghurt with avocado or cashew cream. Both the avocado and cashew cream will create a creamy consistency without the dairy.

Keto friendly recipe: Using avocado and avocado oil can retain the healthy fat content required in a keto diet. Try our avocado herb dressing which is fantastic for keto diets.

Instructions

Step by step instructions for how to make healthy green goddess dressing:

Wash parsley, basil and chives and shake dry.

In a small food processor, place parsley, basil, chives, garlic cloves, Greek yoghurt, lemon zest and extra virgin olive oil.

Process until smooth with tiny flecks of green herbs. 

Season with salt and pepper.

How to Store Dressing?

You can easily store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. This healthy green goddess dressing is a versatile salad dressing recipe to have in your repertoire.

Best Salad for This Dressing

Leftover Roast Chicken Potato Salad

Transform your leftovers with this delicious and super easy Roast Chicken Potato Salad with crunchy vegetables and a herbaceous healthy green goddess dressing.