This easy green goddess dressing recipe is unbelievably bright and herbaceous! It’s a fresh and tangy way to dress up salads and is bursting with so much goodness.
You may also like Chimichurri or Creamy Pesto Dressing.
Why you’ll love it
There are many versions of green goddess salad dressing out there, but all of them have in common that they’re gorgeously herb forward. This one has plenty of fresh parsley, tarragon, cilantro, basil, and chives along with a deliciously creamy base and lemon juice.
This lively and vibrant dressing gets its name not from its hue, but from a play of the same name. The San Francisco chef who created the original dressing in the 1920s wanted to pay tribute to an actor in the play.
What you’ll need
- Sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and mayo – full-fat versions of both work best
- Fresh herbs – cilantro, basil, parsley, tarragon, and chives. Tarragon is integral to the flavor of green goddess dressing because of its signature savory-sweet, delicate anise-like flavor with notes of vanilla and fennel.
- Lemon juice – adds acidity for balance and brightness
- Worcestershire sauce – contains anchovies to add umami flavor without dealing with anything fishy like the original version does
- Garlic powder – another layer of flavor
Pro tip
Precision isn’t super important with the herbs in this one. In total, you’ll want about 1 cup of loosely packed herbs. Feel free to play with the ratios to include more or less to suit your tastes.
How to make green goddess dressing
Add all the ingredients to a food processor. Combine on high, scraping down the sides as needed. Give it a taste and add extra salt and pepper. You can serve it right away or refrigerate to chill it before enjoying.
Substitutions and variations
- To make it vegetarian, omit the Worcestershire sauce and add a teaspoon or two of capers instead.
- You can switch up the herbs depending on what’s available or what you’ve got growing in your garden. Mint is a great addition, and dill works well too. Adding more herbs won’t break the recipe.
- Use an anchovy fillet instead of the Worcestershire sauce if you prefer.
What to serve with green goddess dressing
- Make an enormous salad and drizzle on a generous amount! The one pictured has romaine lettuce, radishes, microgreens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber. Experiment with your favorite fresh ingredients to make a salad all your own.
- For a soup and salad combo, pair it with Cheesy Potato Soup. If you’re craving a sandwich, it goes great with a Chickpea Salad Sandwich.
- Serve it alongside pretty much any main, from Baked Pork Chops to Easy Chicken Piccata to Sunday Pot Roast.
