Essential Ingredients for Green Goddess Dressing

At the very heart of a truly great Green Goddess Dressing is an abundance of fresh, aromatic herbs. It’s this generous incorporation of herbs that gives the dressing its signature vibrant green color and fantastic depth of flavor. When blended with a creamy base, these herbs create a harmonious balance that echoes the original recipe, which was traditionally rich in mayonnaise.

While this recipe might offer a slight contemporary twist compared to the version first served at The Palace Hotel in San Francisco – the birthplace of Green Goddess Dressing – its fundamental roots remain firmly planted in classic culinary tradition. Our rendition pays homage to the original while embracing modern palates.

What You’ll Need:

• Fresh Basil: Offers a sweet, peppery, and aromatic flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides a clean, slightly bitter, and fresh herbaceous note.
• Fresh Mint: Adds a bright, refreshing, and cooling sensation.
• Fresh Cilantro: Contributes a distinctive citrusy, slightly pungent, and refreshing taste.
• Chives: Delivers a mild oniony flavor without being overpowering.
• Garlic: Essential for a pungent, savory depth.
• Yellow Onion: Adds a foundational sweet and sharp onion flavor.
• Sour Cream: Creates a tangy, rich, and creamy base.
• Mayonnaise: Contributes to the classic creaminess and richness.
• Lemon, juiced: Provides crucial acidity and brightness to balance the richness.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors.
• Fresh Cracked Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and spice.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional, for a gentle kick of heat.

For precise measurements and detailed instructions, please refer to the full recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Notes, Tips, and Frequently Asked Questions

To help you master this delicious dressing, here are some common questions and helpful tips:

What is Green Goddess Dressing made of? Classically, Green Goddess Dressing is made from a rich base of mayonnaise, often combined with sour cream or Greek yogurt, and then vigorously blended with a vibrant medley of fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon juice until it achieves a perfectly smooth consistency. The traditional herbs typically include parsley, chives, tarragon, and sometimes anchovies, though modern versions often adapt this blend.

What is in Trader Joe’s Green Goddess? Trader Joe’s offers its own popular interpretation, which notably features an avocado-based foundation. Their version also incorporates apple cider vinegar and green onions as key flavor contributors. Beyond these, it includes a blend of chives, parsley, olive oil, yellow onion, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper, resulting in a slightly different flavor profile and texture compared to the classic mayo-based dressing.

Does Green Goddess contain Avocado? While the most traditional Green Goddess Dressings do not include avocado, it’s a very popular addition in many contemporary variations. It’s often used as a healthy swap or supplement for mayonnaise, sour cream, or Greek yogurt, especially in recipes striving for a “lighter” or “healthier” profile. Avocado lends a wonderful creaminess and adds a boost of healthy fats.

Can I make this dressing vegan? Absolutely! To make this dressing vegan, simply swap the sour cream for a plant-based sour cream alternative and the mayonnaise for a vegan mayonnaise. You can also use avocado for an extra creamy, plant-based base, as mentioned above.

How can I ensure my dressing is extra vibrant green? For an even more intense green color, you can briefly blanch your herbs (parsley, basil) in boiling water for 10-15 seconds, then immediately plunge them into an ice bath. This locks in the color before blending. While optional, it makes a noticeable difference.

Versatile Substitutions to Customize Your Dressing

One of the joys of making homemade dressing is the freedom to customize it to your personal preference or what you have on hand. Here are some smart substitutions:

• Basil for Spinach: If you’re looking to maintain a bright, rich green color and prefer a slightly milder flavor, spinach can be a good substitute for basil. While it won’t offer the same herbaceous depth as basil, it contributes to the visual appeal.
• Chervil for Parsley and Cilantro: Historically, chervil was a cornerstone herb in Green Goddess Dressing, lending delicate anise-like notes. If you have access to it, you can replace a portion of the parsley and cilantro with chervil for a more traditional, refined flavor profile. Chervil is less common in modern grocery stores, which is why parsley and cilantro are more frequently used.
• Tarragon for Mint: To lean closer to the version served today at The Palace Hotel, consider swapping the mint for tarragon. Tarragon offers a distinct licorice-like flavor with subtle hints of vanilla, providing an elegant and complex taste.
• Shallots or Red Onion for Yellow Onion: For a more subdued and sophisticated onion flavor, shallots are an excellent choice. They offer a milder, sweeter essence than yellow onions. Alternatively, red onion can be used if you prefer a sharper, more pungent onion kick, and it also contributes a beautiful subtle pink hue.
• All Mayonnaise or Greek Yogurt for Sour Cream: If you desire an even richer dressing, you can use all mayonnaise in place of the sour cream. For a lighter, tangier, and protein-packed option, plain Greek yogurt makes a fantastic substitute for sour cream, yielding a thicker consistency.
• Avocado for Mayonnaise: For those seeking a healthier approach or a dairy-free option, replacing the mayonnaise with a ripe avocado is a popular choice. Avocado lends a beautiful creamy texture and healthy fats, often seen in “healthy version” iterations of Green Goddess.
• Rosé Vinegar for Lemon Juice: If fresh lemons are unavailable, or if you simply wish to experiment with different flavor profiles, a high-quality vinegar can be a delightful alternative. I particularly enjoy using my favorite Rosé vinegar for a nuanced, fruity tang. White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar are also suitable options.
• No Spice Option: If you or your guests prefer no heat, feel free to omit the red pepper flakes entirely. The dressing will still be incredibly flavorful without them.

More Delicious Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes!

If you’ve discovered the joy of crafting your own salad dressings at home, you’ll love these other fantastic recipes:

Be sure to give my Caesar dressing a try. It’s a cherished recipe, perfected during my time working in a steakhouse restaurant, and remains my all-time favorite for its authentic, rich flavor!

When time is of the essence and quick preparation is key, whip up this incredibly simple and satisfying Ranch Dressing Recipe. I’ve formulated it to taste just like the beloved ranch served at my favorite chicken wing restaurant – creamy, savory, and utterly addictive.

Continuing the theme of effortless deliciousness, my Honey Mustard Dressing is equally easy to prepare and boasts a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors that will complement a wide range of dishes.

And for those who are truly captivated by the magic of Green Goddess Dressing, don’t forget to explore my complementary recipes: the savory pasta salad, the hearty potato salad, and the fresh chicken salad, all designed to showcase this wonderful dressing!