Welcome to the tantalizing world of the Green Goddess Salad recipe, where vibrant colors and refreshing flavors unite to create a culinary masterpiece that will leave you craving for more.
Green Goddess Salad
The Green Goddess Salad has its origins in the United States, specifically at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California, back in the 1920s. It's fascinating to think that this iconic salad was created during that time. You see, it was actually named after a popular play called "The Green Goddess" that was running at the time.
This is a great way to enjoy fresh, flavorful ingredients, and it's sure to please the toughest crowd! This Green Goddess Salad recipe celebrates the bountiful treasures of nature, carefully curated to create a harmonious medley of flavors and textures.
This dish combines crisp greens, creamy avocado, and fresh herbs. Topped with sunflower seeds, crumbled feta cheese, and creamy dressing, it’s a vibrant and flavorful dish that’s guaranteed to be a hit with everyone, even those who can be a little hard to please!
Ingredients
For the salad I use the following ingredients:
- 10 cups Fresh salad greens (bright green romaine lettuce, baby spinach, or mixed greens)
- 1 large Cucumber, sliced
- 2 ripe Avocados, diced or sliced
- 1 cup Broccoli florets (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh herbs (basil, cilantro, parsley, or tarragon), chopped
- ⅓ cup chopped Green Onions (You can also use red onions here 🙂
- ⅓ cup Sunflower seeds (optional)
- ⅔ cup crumbled feta cheese (this is optional, You could also use fresh parmesan cheese here)
- *5 chopped Hard-Boiled Eggs (optional, omit for vegan recipes)
Optional add-ins:
- Grilled Chicken
- Red Onion
- Bacon Pieces
How to Make Green Goddess Salad
Here are step-by-step instructions for making the Green Goddess Salad:
First, gather all the fresh ingredients for my Green Goddess Salad. Make sure to have a variety of crisp salad greens, such as lettuce, spinach, or mixed greens, as the base.
Thoroughly wash and dry the salad greens, ensuring they're clean and ready to be the foundation of my vibrant salad. DONT SKIP THIS STEP... There are parasites and al sorts of yucky things on lettuce, so give it a good rinse!
Next, slice the cucumber into thin rounds... This adds a vibrant and crunchy element to the salad.
Then, carefully dice or slice the creamy avocado, allowing its velvety texture to harmonize with the other ingredients.
Next, move on to the fresh herbs.... Chop a generous amount of herbs like basil, cilantro, or parsley, depending on my personal preferences and what's available. These herbs infuse the salad with an aromatic essence.
Once all the ingredients are prepared, combine them in a large bowl, gently tossing them together to ensure an even distribution of flavors & textures.
At this point, you can choose to sprinkle some sunflower seeds over the salad for an extra crunch and nutty flavor. For a touch of saltiness, crumble a bit of feta cheese on top!
Now, my Green Goddess Salad is ready to be dressed.
Homemade Green Goddess Dressing Ingredients
Green Goddess Salad dressing is typically green. It gets its lovely green color from the inclusion of fresh herbs like parsley, chives, tarragon, or basil.
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2-3 anchovy fillets or 1-2 teaspoons anchovy paste (optional for best flavor)
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup fresh herbs (such as parsley, chives, tarragon, or basil), chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
To Make the Dressing
First, gather all the ingredients needed for the Green Goddess Salad dressing. Make sure to have mayonnaise, Greek yogurt or sour cream, fresh lemon juice, anchovy fillets or anchovy paste (optional), minced garlic cloves, fresh herbs like parsley, chives, tarragon, or basil, olive oil, and salt and black pepper.
Start by adding the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt or sour cream, fresh lemon juice, and minced garlic cloves to the food processor. Close the lid securely.
Next, carefully add the anchovy fillets or anchovy paste to the food processor.
Now, it's time to include the fresh herbs. Add a generous amount of my chosen herbs, such as parsley, chives, tarragon, or basil, to the food processor.
To bring it all together, drizzle in the olive oil to add richness and smoothness to the dressing. Season with salt and black pepper according to my taste preferences.
With all the ingredients in the food processor, securely attach the lid and pulse the mixture until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency. Pause occasionally to scrape down the sides of the processor bowl, ensuring that all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Once the dressing has reached the desired texture, give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add a little more olive oil or a splash of water and blend again.
Finally, transfer the Green Goddess Salad dressing to a container or jar, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
RECIPE CARD
Green Goddess Salad & Dressing
Green Goddess Salad recipe, where vibrant colors and refreshing flavors unite to create a culinary masterpiece that will leave you craving for more. With each vibrant bite of this easy dish, you'll enjoy a symphony of freshness that awakens your senses and nourishes your body.
Ingredients
- 10 cups Fresh salad greens (bright green romaine lettuce, baby spinach, or mixed greens)
- 1 large Cucumber, sliced
- 2 ripe Avocados, diced or sliced
- 1 cup Broccoli florets (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh herbs (basil, cilantro, parsley, or tarragon), chopped
- ⅓ cup chopped Green Onions (You can also use red onions here 🙂
- ⅓ cup Sunflower seeds (optional)
- ⅔ cup crumbled feta cheese (this is optional, You could also use fresh parmesan cheese here)
- *chopped Hard-Boiled Eggs (optional, omit for vegan recipes)
- Optional add-ins:
- Grilled Chicken
- Red Onion
- Bacon Pieces
- For the Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2-3 anchovy fillets or 1-2 teaspoons anchovy paste (optional for best flavor)
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup fresh herbs (such as parsley, chives, tarragon, or basil), chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
First, I gather all the fresh ingredients for my Green Goddess Salad. I make sure to have a variety of crisp salad greens, such as lettuce, spinach, or mixed greens, as the base.
I thoroughly wash and dry the salad greens, ensuring they're clean and ready to be the foundation of my vibrant salad. DONT SKIP THIS STEP... There are parasites and al sorts of yucky things on lettuce, so give it a good rinse!
Next, I slice the cucumber into thin rounds... This adds a refreshing and crunchy element to the salad.
Then, I carefully dice or slice the creamy avocado, allowing its velvety texture to harmonize with the other ingredients. (This is my favorite ingredient right here... I love avocado!)
If I'm making this for my husband, I include some delicate broccoli florets for added freshness and a subtle crunch. (Hy husband, Darin, loves fresh broccoli... I like it but's it's not my favorite.)
Next, I move on to the fresh herbs.... I chop a generous amount of herbs like basil, cilantro, or parsley, depending on my personal preferences and what's available. These herbs infuse the salad with an aromatic essence.
Once all the ingredients are prepared, I combine them in a large bowl, gently tossing them together to ensure an even distribution of flavors & textures.
At this point, I can choose to sprinkle some sunflower seeds over the salad for an extra crunch and nutty flavor. For a touch of saltiness, I crumble a bit of feta cheese on top!
For The Dressing
First, I gather all the ingredients needed for the Green Goddess Salad dressing. Make sure to have mayonnaise, Greek yogurt or sour cream, fresh lemon juice, anchovy fillets or anchovy paste (optional), minced garlic cloves, fresh herbs like parsley, chives, tarragon, or basil, olive oil, and salt and black pepper.
I start by adding the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt or sour cream, fresh lemon juice, and minced garlic cloves to the food processor. I close the lid securely.
Next, I carefully add the anchovy fillets or anchovy paste to the food processor. If I'm not a fan of anchovies, I can skip this ingredient.
Now, it's time to include the fresh herbs. I add a generous amount of my chosen herbs, such as parsley, chives, tarragon, or basil, to the food processor.
To bring it all together, I drizzle in the olive oil to add richness and smoothness to the dressing. I season with salt and black pepper according to my taste preferences.
How to Serve Green Goddess Salad
Serve this salad as a flavorful side dish or even a filling main course with tortilla chips (or pita chips). It’s ideal for gatherings, picnics, or to elevate any meal.
How to Store Leftovers
To maintain the freshness and flavor of your Green Goddess Salad, store leftovers properly. Place them in an airtight container, which helps keep the greens crisp and prevents the dressing from making them soggy.
Make sure your container is clean and dry before placing the salad inside. Gently press down on the salad to remove any excess air and ensure it's tightly packed. Then, seal the container securely.
Refrigerate the Green Goddess Salad in the airtight container, and it will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days. However, keep in mind that the salad is best enjoyed when it's freshly made, as the textures and flavors may change slightly after storage.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!