It’s that time of year for all the fresh produce, light and refreshing foods, and minimal cooking. And what better way to use up the abundance of herbs than a batch of green goddess dressing?! It’s no secret we love homemade salad dressing and sauces in our house, and this is a favorite come the warmer months.
It’s creamy, fresh, savory, and has a little zip in it! I like keeping a batch in the refrigerator to have on hand for salads, on power bowls, to drizzle on top of different proteins, or just as a dipping sauce for some chips or vegetables.
Never Miss a Recipe!
Get new recipes like this delivered to your inbox.
Traditional green goddess is made with mayonnaise, but we are swapping it out for greek yogurt to lighten it up, but not skimp on flavor. We also have garlic, lemon juice, shallots, and tons of fresh herbs. You easily swap out what you have or your favorite herbs; the variations are endless!
Why you’ll love this homemade green goddess dressing recipe
- bright and fresh and packed with flavor!
- super easy to make – all you need to do is blend everything up.
- lightened up – it has protein and less fat and calories than your typical store-bought dressing.
What is green goddess dressing?
Green goddess is a dressing or dip using lots of fresh herbs blended with a combo of mayo and sour cream, creating a creamy, tangy, and savory sauce.
Is green goddess dressing healthy?
Classic green goddess dressing is made with mayonnaise and sour cream and can be higher in fat and calories. Of course, it can be enjoyed in moderation, just like any other food. When making it at home, you have full control over the quality of the ingredients. This healthy green goddess salad dressing is lightened up using protein-packed greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter option.
Ingredients
- plain greek yogurt
- lemon zest and juice
- fresh herbs – we are using a mix of parsley, basil, dill, and chives
- fresh garlic
- shallot
- salt and pepper
How to make green goddess dressing
- Make your green goddess sauce. Add yogurt, parsley, dill, basil, chives, garlic, shallot, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a Vitamix, high-powered blender, or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy, or to your desired consistency, about 15-30 seconds. Adjust according to taste.
- Enjoy! Use it as a dressing, dip, a spread, or however you please!
How to use green goddess dressing
- as a salad dressing
- a dressing for power or grain bowls
- spread on sandwiches
- the dressing in pasta salad – try it on this green goddess pasta salad!
- drizzled over chicken, steak, salmon, or roasted veggies
- as a dip for fresh veggies, chips, pita, french fries, or sweet potato fries
Storage
Substitutions and additions
- full-fat greek yogurt – Use dairy-free yogurt if needed. A mix of mayo and sour cream will work instead of yogurt, but will add more fat and calories. To make it completely vegan, use avocado instead of yogurt.
- lemon juice and zest – lime juice and zest will work the same, but be a slightly different flavor.
- fresh herbs – feel free to substitute or add different herbs. Try some cilantro, mint, or tarragon. You need 1
- fresh garlic – dried garlic will also work. Use 1/2 teaspoon.
- shallot – green onions will work instead. Use 1/4 cup.
Here are some additions you can add to your green goddess sauce:
- avocado – for an extra creamy dressing.
- vinegar – for a little more zip, add some apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar.
- olive oil – for more earthiness.
- anchovies – this can be found in traditional green goddess dressing for depth of flavor and extra saltiness. I skipped them, but you can add them if desired.
More healthy salad dressing recipes
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Green Goddess Dressing
equipment
ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat greek yogurt (8 ounces)
- zest from one lemon
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 packed cup parsley
- 1/2 packed cup basil
- 1/2 cup dill
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped chives
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 shallot, roughly chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
instructions
- Make your green goddess sauce. Add yogurt, parsley, dill, basil, chives, garlic, shallot, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a Vitamix, high-powered blender, or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy, or to your desired consistency, about 15-30 seconds. Adjust according to taste.
- Enjoy! Use it as a dressing, dip, a spread, or however you please!
nutrition
Recipe by Kelly Nardo, Eat the Gains | Photography by Sierra Inn
Get My Guide On
How to Build a Balanced Plate
No recipe, no problem! Learn the key factors to build a balanced plate for sustainable eating and to fuel your body to support your activity, goals, and lifestyle.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive so we can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.