Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

This homemade avocado green goddess dressing is so easy to make, addictively delicious and healthy too! It’s light, vibrant and fresh, yet ultra creamy, super rich and packed with savory, tangy and herbaceous flavor! It’s a wonderful way to use up fresh leafy herbs and totally customizable!

You can serve this as a dressing, dip, spread or sauce! Try it with fresh vegetables, on salads, in sandwiches and drizzled over taco bowls, roasted chicken or grilled fish! No matter how you use it, you will fall in love with this silky, smooth avocado-based dressing!

Move over ranch, today we are celebrating a better cool, creamy and totally addicting dressing!

In case you haven’t heard of green goddess dip or dressing, it is my pleasure to introduce you to what is sure to become your new condiment bestie – avocado green goddess!

This green-hued beauty is creamy, tangy, herbaceous and can pull triple-duty as a dressing, dip and spread! You can serve it with fresh vegetables, on salads, drizzled on grain bowls, spread on sandwiches and so much more! And, after one bite I guarantee you will be dreaming up new ways to use this vibrant dressing!

Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

Say hello to your new favorite sauce, my friends! This homemade avocado green goddess recipe is so easy to make and comes together in 10 minutes or less!

This dressing is thick, super smooth and bursting with flavor! It’s jam packed with rich avocado, fresh herbs, pungent garlic, tart lemon, creamy yogurt, luscious extra virgin olive oil and mild vinegar. With a delicate touch of sweet honey and subtle sprinkling of spicy cayenne pepper, this dressing is robust and perfectly balanced in taste!

And, this recipe is healthier to0! Classic green goddess dressing contains both saturated fat-laden mayonnaise and calorie dense sour cream. However, this lightened-up version is made with avocado and Greek yogurt – and not a drop of mayo or sour cream in sight! It’s light, fresh and every bit as flavorful and creamy-dreamy as it’s traditional counterpart!

This silky, rich dressing is completely delicious and totally customizable! You can use any combination of your favorite fresh herbs, or simply use up any leftover herbs you have hanging out in the fridge!

Plus, this greek yogurt-based dressing is incredibly versatile! After one taste you will drizzling, dipping and dolloping this avocado-packed sauce on all the things – from leafy greens and raw veggies to tacos, burgers and beyond! Say goodbye to store-bought dressings, and hello to a healthy and beautifully fresh dressing that will knock your socks off!

What is green goddess dressing?

Green goddess dressing is a creamy garlic and herb dipping sauce or salad dressing. Green goddess is typically mayonnaise and sour cream-based and flavored with fresh herbs, garlic, lemon juice and anchovy paste.

For a lighter, healthier dressing this recipe swaps mayonnaise and sour cream for nutrient-rich Greek yogurt and heart-healthy avocado. This creates a more modern dressing that is fresher in taste with an intensely creamy and ultra-smooth texture!

Green goddess is typically used as a dressing on salads or as a dip for fresh vegetables and crudité platters. However, it is an incredibly versatile sauce! Use it as a spread on sandwiches, a sauce for fish and chicken, or even as a substitute for pizza sauce on pies!

When was it invented?

While most people assume green goddess sauce acquired the name from its light green color and specks of fresh green herbs, that is not the case.

The dressing originated in 1923 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California. According to food historians, chef Philip Roemer invented the dressing to honor actor George Arliss after he starred in the play “The Green Goddess.” Originally, guests at the hotel enjoyed the dressing served over canned artichokes. The dressing was revived in the 1960s and appeared bottled on grocery store shelves. In the 70’s and 80’s the dressing was offered at most salad bars as a healthy dressing option. You probably now recognize the dressing from the condiment aisle of Trader Joe’s or from the popular restaurant chain Panera Bread who serves it with their Green Goddess CobB Salad.

 

What’s it made of?

The original recipe contains mayo, sour cream, parsley, chives, anchovies, lemon juice and vinegar. However, it has been tinkered with and modernized countless times over the years. Now you can find ingredients such as spinach, capers, mint or chervil included in green goddess salad dressing.

This recipe is healthier than other recipes, but the taste and texture remain spot on! It’s extremely well rounded and perfectly balanced with flavor!

Ingredients in healthy goddess salad dressing:

• Yogurt: I recommend a high-quality whole-milk Greek yogurt for the best taste! While you can use regular yogurt, you will end up with a runnier dressing.
• Avocado: The addition of ripe avocado adds rich, buttery flavor and creates a thick and luxurious dressing!
• Green Onion: Green onion adds the perfect touch of mild onion flavor!
• Fresh Herbs: You can use any combination of fresh herbs for this recipe! Tarragon and chives are excellent if you are looking for the classic dressing flavor! Basil, parsley, cilantro, dill and mint are all beautiful additions! You don’t need to go out and purchase all the herbs. I recommend selecting 2 to 3 of your favorites.
• Lemon: Fresh lemon is a must as it adds a beautiful touch of acidity.
• Garlic: One clove of garlic provides just enough robust flavor. If you are someone who loves garlic, you can absolutely use two cloves.
• Oil and Vinegar: A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and rice vinegar round out all the flavors and help to slightly thin out the dressing.
• Honey: A touch of sweet honey provides balance to the tangy flavors.
• Cayenne: While entirely optional, a dash of cayenne pepper gives the dressing the perfect mellow hint of spice.
• Salt and Pepper: Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper enhance all the flavors and really brings the dressing to life!

 

What’s taste like?

Green goddess salad dressing is incredibly creamy in texture. It’s savory, tangy and herbaceous in flavor with subtle notes of robust garlic. Overall, it has an extremely rich, bright and fresh taste.

How do you make green goddess?

This healthy avocado green goddess recipe is simple to prepare and comes together in 10 minutes or less!

1. Chop: In the bowl of a food processor or high-speed blender, add the garlic and scallion. Pulse until finely chopped.
2. Puree: Add the avocado, lemon juice, herbs, yogurt, oil, vinegar, honey and cayenne. Season with salt and black pepper. Puree until very smooth and pale green in color. With the motor running, drizzle in water, a little bit at a time, until dressing reaches desired consistency.
3. Adjust to taste with more salt, pepper, lemon, honey or cayenne if desired.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!
5. Store: Or, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How to make healthy green goddess dip and dressing step by step photos:

What’s green goddess dressing is good on?

Creamy, bright green goddess is incredibly versatile and pairs well with everything! You can use it as a dressing, dip, spread and sauce! It’s a magical condiment and great way to liven up vegetables, salads, sandwiches, grilled steaks, roasted chicken and so much more!

How to use goddess dressing:

• Vegetables: Crisp, fresh vegetables and thick green goddess dip go hand in hand!
• Dip: Use this vibrant dressing as a dip for appetizers – anything from chips to fried green tomatoes pair deliciously!
• Green Salad: The most common use is as a dressing for salads.
• Potato and Pasta Salads: Dress potato and pasta salads with green goddess for a fresh twist!
• Chicken and Tuna Salads: Swap out mayo and use green goddess dressing in chicken and tuna salads!
• Sandwiches: Swap mayo for green goddess as a spread for sandwiches.
• Bowls: Add a dollop to the top of grain and veggie noodle bowls.
• Mexican food: Drizzle it on tacos, burritos and fajitas!
• Pizza: Shake things up and use it as a pizza sauce topped with plenty of mozzarella, tomatoes and bell peppers!
• Marinade: Marinate chicken and shrimp in green goddess to add tons of flavor!
• Seafood: Use dressing as a dip for fried oysters or a serving sauce with grilled fish.
• Chicken: The sauce works great as a dip for chicken fingers or a sauce for grilled or roasted chicken and kebabs!
• Steak: This vibrant sauce is perfect with grilled steak or drizzled over steak fajitas!

How to store avocado salad dressing?

Unfortunately, avocados by nature turn brown due to oxidation. However, there is an incredibly easy way to store this dressing and prevent it from turning brown!

• Add lemon juice: Place the dressing in a storage container. Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon (or lime) juice to the top. Make sure you add enough juice to thinly cover the dressing.
• Cover with plastic wrap: Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the dressing. Gently press the plastic wrap down so it is touching the surface of the dressing.
• Cover and store: Fit the storage container with an airtight lid and store in the refrigerator.

How long does green goddess keep?

Store dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can you freeze it?

While you can freeze this healthy green goddess dressing to extend its shelf life, I don’t recommend it. Since this dressing contains Greek yogurt, the texture will be altered once it is thawed.

Is this healthy?

Traditional green goddess salad dressing is loaded with saturated fats from calorie-dense mayonnaise and sour cream. In contrast, this avocado green goddess dressing is lightened way up and made with fresh, clean ingredients! It’s a creamy, bright dressing (dip, sauce or spread!) that you can actually feel good about eating!!

• Avocados: Ripe avocado is full of healthy fats, fiber and vitamin K.
• Yogurt: Greek yogurt is chock-full of probiotics and a wonderful source of protein.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs contain polyphenols, a potent plant compound that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic has high amounts of vitamin c, which supports your immune system and liver health.
• Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil is rich in antioxidants and heart-healthy fat.
• Lemon: Lemon juice is high in vitamin C and contains pectin, which is a dietary fiber that aids digestion.
• Honey: High-quality honey is rich in antioxidants and has antibacterial properties that helps to boost your immune system .
• Cayenne: Ground cayenne pepper aids in metabolizing food by stimulating the digestive tract.

Insanely creamy and packed with punchy, bright, herbaceous flavors, this vibrant avocado dressing is beyond delicious! It’s lightened up, so simple prepare and the perfect way to add fresh, fragrant flavor to everything! This healthy all-purpose Greek yogurt green goddess sauce will become your new go-to recipe when you are craving something bold, bright and overwhelmingly delicious!

Until next week, friends, cheers – to a dressing fit for Gods and Goddesses!

 

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Looking for more healthy recipes?

If you love this dish, try one of these fresh avocado recipes next:

Spicy Avocado Hummus Recipe

Cucumber Avocado Salad

Grilled Corn with Avocado Sriracha Butter

Avocado Mango Tuna Poke Salad Bowl

Chunky Avocado Salsa – Cookie and Kate

 

How to make the best avocado green goddess dressing and dip 👇

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