As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A delicious and healthy take on the classic Green Goddess Dressing recipe. Avocado and fresh herbs make a life-changing dressing that is Whole30 compliant, paleo, and vegan (adaptable).

A container of green goddess dressing on a plate with a salad and fork in the background

What is “life-changing” about this dressing? That it doesn’t have mayo in it. Hollah!

Green goddess dressing was created in 1932 by the chef at the Palace Hotel in San Fransico to celebrate actor George Arliss and the play, The Green Goddess. The dressing, full of fresh herbs and a pretty green tint became a cultural icon.

Back when my nana was crushing her Tupperware sales game (seriously, she was like the most bad-ass saleslady in Washington), green goddess dressing was the height of chic. Served in Harvest Gold or Avocado Green containers (lid sealed and burped for freshness obvs), green goddess dressing was the business.

How to Use Green Goddess Dressing

It’s thick, so it’s wonderful as a dip or a dressing. The recipe below makes a thicker sauce, but thin with 1/4 cup buttermilk if you’d like to make it easier to pour over salads (related: Kale Chopped Salad).

Due to the heavy nature of the dressing, it is best for hardier salads like romaine or kale. Avoid using it on delicate salads such as spinach or arugula.

What Are The Ingredients of Green Goddess Dressing?

Avocado, parsley, greek yogurt and other ingredients for homemade green goddess dressing

Well, there are anchovies for one. I know, it can creep a lot of people out, but I have an alternative for you! This recipe gives options for either anchovy paste or kalamata olives. You’ll get that amazing briny flavor from the olives without anchovies if that just isn’t your bag.

But word to the wise – because the kalamata olives are brined in red wine vinegar, they will give off a vinegary taste. If that does not appeal to you, leave them out or sub in the anchovies.

This green goddess dressing recipe also includes:

  • apple cider vinegar
  • green onions (spring onions or scallions depending on where you live)
  • fresh parsley
  • lemon juice
  • greek yogurt (related: Easy Instant Pot Greek Yogurt)
  • avocado
  • Garlic
  • tarragon

Can I Make This Whole30/Paleo?

Yes! Use coconut milk in lieu of the greek yogurt and make sure the olives don’t have added sulfites. Alternatively, you could just use homemade Whole30 mayo if that is your jam.

Need help getting started off with your Whole30 round on the right foot? Download my totally free Trader Joe’s Whole30 Shopping List and Whole30 Costco Shopping List. I have done all the work for you with checking ingredients and figuring out safe foods. Happy shopping?

Here’s How to Make It:

  1. In a food processor pulse the garlic, olives, and green onions until they resemble a fine mince. Ingredients in a food processor for making homemade green goddess dressing
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse to combine.Avocado and other ingredients in a food processor for making green goddess dressing
  3. Store in a container with a lid and allow the flavors to “meld” for 24 hrs in the fridge.homemade green goddess dressing in a bowl

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes:

  • Need to make more or less of the recipe? Click and slide the “servings” number on the recipe card and the ingredients will adjust as needed. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
  • The directions say to let the dressing sit for 24 hours in the fridge. That is for optimal flavor. It’s totally fine to eat it right away, but it will get better if left to sit for a bit.
  • If you don’t have a food processor, finely mince all the ingredients that are meant to be pulsed together. Smash the avocado with a fork until smooth and creamy, and add it along with the remaining ingredients.
  • If you are using anchovy paste instead of the olives, add the paste in step 2.

Green goddess dressing in a container on a plate with parsley and a lemon wedge

More Recipes Like This:

WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS

One serving has 0 WW Freestyle SmartPoints.

5 from 3 ratings

Life-Changing Green Goddess Dressing Recipe

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
homemade green goddess dressing in a bowl
A delicious and healthy take on the classic Green Goddess Dressing recipe. Avocado and fresh herbs make a life-changing dressing.

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a food processor pulse the garlic, olives, and green onions until they resemble a fine mince. 
  • Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse to combine.
  • Store in a container with a lid and allow the flavors to "meld" for 24 hrs in the fridge. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1tbspCalories: 21kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 46mgPotassium: 74mgFiber: 0gSugar: 0gVitamin A: 230IUVitamin C: 4.8mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Condiments
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @sustainablecooks or tag #sustainablecooks!

This recipe was originally published in April 2011. It has been retested and updated with reader feedback. Photos have been added and the recipe has been made printable. 

Shop This Post

About Sarah

Helping you serve up budget-friendly sustainable recipes with a side of balanced living.
Come for the food. Stay for the snark.

You May Also Like:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

10 Comments

  1. Since I had cilantro in the fridge, I swapped out the parsley. Amazing! Great as a dressing on our salad and will use it for the burritos planned for later in the week.5 stars

  2. Made this yesterday! Was so yummy ????highly recommend! I used Greek yogurt instead of coconut yogurt because that’s what I had and it worked out well! 5 stars

  3. I love that this recipe uses avocado in place of the mayo! Such a good source of healthy fats and so delicious as well. I’d pretty much drink this stuff if I could.5 stars

  4. @THM, I think you absolutely could substitute greek yogurt. I’m not a mayo fan either, and I think yogurt would be great! You may wish to start with a little less vinegar to start since greek yogurt is pretty tart compared to mayo.