Easy Green Goddess Salad Recipe & Famous Dressing

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. With each vibrant bite of this easy dish, you’ll enjoy a symphony of freshness that awakens your senses and nourishes your body. This Green Goddess Salad recipe celebrates the bountiful treasures of nature, carefully curated to create a harmonious medley of flavors and textures.

This dish nourishes both body and soul, captivating taste buds with a medley of crisp greens, creamy avocado, and delicate herbs. With a sprinkle of sunflower seeds, crumbled feta cheese, and creamy dressing, it’s almost celestial. This is a great way to nourish your soul with wholesome goodness, and it’s sure to please the toughest crowd! 

Green Goddess Salad Ingredients – Original Recipe Serves 6

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)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (basil, cilantro, parsley, or tarragon), chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped Green Onions (You can also use red onions here 🙂
• 1/3 cup Sunflower seeds (optional)
• 2/3 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, 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!

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. These herbs give the dressing its vibrant hue, ranging from a light green to a deeper, herbaceous green, depending on the specific herbs and quantities I choose to use in my recipe. So, when I make my own Green Goddess Salad dressing, it will have that beautiful green color that adds an extra touch of freshness to my green veggies.

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 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
• 1/4 cup fresh herbs (such as parsley, chives, tarragon, or basil), chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

These measurements can be adjusted according to personal taste preferences. However, this quantity should provide enough dressing to generously coat a family-sized Green Goddess Salad.
Remember, you can always taste and adjust the seasoning or consistency as per your family’s preference. Enjoy your Green Goddess Salad!

To Make 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.

With all the ingredients in the food processor, I securely attach the lid and pulse the mixture until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency. I 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, I give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If I prefer a thinner consistency, I can add a little more olive oil or a splash of water and blend again.

Finally, I 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

Crisp salad greens form the lush canvas upon which we layer creamy avocado, crisp cucumber slices, and delicate broccoli florets. Each ingredient bursts with vitality, inviting you to savor the abundance of natural goodness.

But the true enchantment lies in the dressing—a vibrant green elixir that weaves together the essence of fresh herbs, creamy mayonnaise, tangy Greek yogurt, and a squeeze of zesty lemon juice. With each spoonful, the dressing blankets the salad in a vibrant emerald glow, infusing every bite with a burst of herbaceous delight.

Immerse yourself in the symphony of flavors as the creamy richness of the dressing dances with the crunch of sunflower seeds and the subtle saltiness of crumbled feta cheese. This textural symphony elevates the salad to new heights, creating a wholesome and indulgent experience that satisfies both the palate and the soul.

Embrace the Green Goddess Salad—a verdant masterpiece that celebrates the harmony of nature’s treasures. Whether as a light lunch, a side dish, or the star of the table, this salad invites you to indulge in the essence of freshness and the captivating allure of its vibrant colors. Prepare to be enchanted, as you embark on a journey of taste and nourishment that will leave you craving for more.

How to Serve Green Goddess Salad

I serve this salad as a refreshing side dish or even as a satisfying main course with tortilla chips (or pita chips) which ever I have on hand. It’s perfect for family gatherings, picnics, or simply to brighten up a simple meal.

How to Store Leftovers

To preserve the freshness and flavors of your Green Goddess Salad, it’s important to store it properly. After preparing the salad, I transfer any leftovers into an airtight container. The airtight container helps maintain the crispy greens and prevent the dressing from making it 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.

When you’re ready to enjoy the salad again, simply take it out of the refrigerator, give it a gentle toss to redistribute the dressing, and savor its vibrant and refreshing goodness once more.

Unraveling the Origins of the 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. The chefs at the Palace Hotel crafted a dressing to accompany the salad, and they aptly named it Green Goddess dressing, taking inspiration from the play’s name. They used an array of fresh herbs, which gave the dressing its vibrant green color and a burst of flavor. Since then, Green Goddess Salad has become a timeless classic, cherished for its refreshing taste and stunning presentation. It’s fascinating to learn about the history behind this beloved dish and how it has stood the test of time.

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