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Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

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Super creamy avocado green goddess dressing is refreshing, packed with fresh herbs, and is ridiculously easy to make! You can customize this homemade salad dressing in a variety of ways, because it works as a dressing, dip or a sauce. It’s the perfect way to elevate any dish, and all you need is 9 ingredients and 5 minutes to make it!

Avocado green goddess dressing in a glass jar surrounded by fresh green herbs.

Say goodbye to boring salads and hello to your new favorite sauce with this delightful, tangy, fresh avocado green goddess dressing recipe! 

Made with ripe avocados, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon juice, this healthier version of regular salad dressing is both nutritious and delicious. Whether you’re a fan of classic green goddess dressing or looking for a vegan version, this avocado goddess dressing recipe has got you covered.

This light green goddess dressing recipe with avocado is not only easy to whip up but also brings a creamy, refreshing twist to your favorite salads, grain bowls, and veggie platters. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this vibrant and healthy dressing that will make just about any recipe taste great!

🌿 What Is Green Goddess Dressing? 

Goddess dressing is a classic salad dressing with a rich history, originating at San Francisco’s Palace Hotel in the 1920s. The original recipe was created by the chef of the hotel, Philip Roemer, to honor the popular play running at the time “The Green Goddess.” 

What Is Green Goddess Dressing Made Of? This dressing features fresh herbs like parsley, tarragon, and chives, blended with tangy ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar, and a creamy base – typically mayonnaise. Its vibrant, herby taste has made it super popular and is what makes this bright green sauce a beloved classic recipe to this day.

👩🏽‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

  • Ready in Minutes: This 5 minute recipe is convenient without compromising on any flavor.
  • Heart Healthy: Packed with heart-healthy fats from avocados and plenty of green herbs, this dressing brings both flavor and nourishment to the table.
  • Meal Prep Ready: This dressing can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Homemade Health: It’s a healthier alternative to store-bought dressings, allowing you to control the quality of ingredients.
  • Bright Green Color: With its vibrant colors and healthy ingredients, it’s a feast for both the eyes and taste buds and is good for you too! 

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🥘 Ingredients

To create this green goddess salad dressing with avocado, you will need the following simple fresh ingredients:

Ingredients for avocado green goddess dressing recipe on a white background.
  • Herbs & Spices: Avocado goddess sauce includes plenty of fresh herbs, such as fresh parsley, tarragon, and chives. These aromatic and vibrant herbs mixed with minced fresh garlic cloves give this 5 minute salad dressing a fresh and complex taste. 
  • Ripe Avocado: Fresh avocado is the main ingredient in this recipe! It adds creaminess and a velvety texture to the dressing. It not only makes the dressing richer but also adds a subtle flavor. 
  • Tangy Ingredients: Tanginess is a key component of any green goddess salad dressing. It is achieved through the addition of ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar. These elements help balance the flavors and add a refreshing acidity to the dressing. We used apple cider vinegar and lemon zest in this recipe!
  • Creamy Base: Ingredients like mayonnaise or Greek yogurt are what gives this recipe its smooth and luscious texture. They also add to the dressing’s richness and help bind the flavors together, resulting in a creamy green goddess dressing recipe.
  • Salt & Pepper: A pinch of sea salt and a dash of freshly ground black pepper are added to enhance the overall flavor profile and achieve a well-balanced taste. These simple ingredients bring out the other flavors in the dressing. 
  • Cold Water: Cold water is added to the creamy salad dressing to achieve the desired consistency and to thin it out slightly. It helps in blending the ingredients smoothly and ensures a pourable texture.

🍲 Substitutions

  • Tangy Twist: Substitute the apple cider vinegar with fresh lime juice for a tangier healthy avocado dressing recipe.
  • Mayonnaise: Replace the mayo with a great substitute like Greek yogurt or sour cream to achieve a beautiful creamy texture with no loss of flavor.
  • Herb Substitutions: Feel free to experiment with different herbs based on your preference. Try incorporating fresh basil, cilantro, dill, or mint to add unique flavor profiles to the dressing. Fresh herbs provide the best flavor, but you can use dried herbs as a substitute. Keep in mind that dried herbs have a more intense flavor, so start with a little and add more as needed.

🔪 How To Make Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

Now that you are familiar with the ingredients, let’s dive into the process of creating this healthy avocado green goddess dressing. It takes just minutes to whip up! 

Blend Herbs: To begin, place the chopped chives, tarragon, parsley, and lemon zest into the bowl of a high-speed food processor. Blend on high, scraping down the sides and repeating until the herbs and zest are finely chopped.

Fresh green herbs and lemon zest added to the blender.

Add Other Ingredients: Next, add the remaining ingredients to the blender—the ripe avocados, extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mayo, salt, pepper, and 1-2 tablespoons of cold water. Blend until the mixture is creamy and smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.

Avocado and yogurt along with seasonings are added to the blender.

Blend Until Smooth: Scrape down the sides and continue to blend until completely smooth.

Creamy smooth avocado green goddess dressing in the blender.

Taste & Serve: Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired. Serve this homemade green goddess dressing with avocado immediately, or store it for later use following the storage guidelines below. 

Dipping a cucumber stick into thick creamy green goddess avocado sauce.

💭 Expert Tips

  • Creamy Avocados: For the creamiest texture, use ripe avocados that yield to gentle pressure.
  • Wash Herbs: Be sure to wash the fresh herbs before chopping and adding them to the dressing.
  • Adjust Taste: Adjust the seasoning to your personal preferences and feel free to experiment with additional herbs or spices. A little maple syrup can be added for a touch of sweetness.
  • Let It Sit Before Serving: For best results, make the avocado green goddess recipe in advance and refrigerate it for a few hours before serving. This allows the flavors to develop and meld together, resulting in a more flavorful dressing.
  • Meal Prep: This dressing is perfect for meal prep and can be conveniently stored in individual containers, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. So feel free to double or triple the ingredients to make a bigger batch of this creamy avocado dressing that can be enjoyed throughout the week.
  • Consistency Is Key: Need a thinner dressing? Just add water to thin out the dressing as needed at the end. For a thinner consistency, simply add a small amount of water until you reach your desired texture. Add more mayo if you want a thicker dressing. 

📖 Variations 

You can customize this recipe to your personal preference in so many fun ways! Try some of these variations for a twist on the original recipe:

  • Green Goddess Dip: Thicken this avocado herb dressing with additional mayo or Greek yogurt for a creamy dip perfect for crudité and other appetizers.
  • Spinach Avocado Dressing: Add a handful of fresh dark leafy greens while blending for an extra boost of nutrients and a even more of a vibrant green hue.
  • Vegan Green Goddess Dressing: Make this homemade dressing plant-based by substituting the mayonnaise with vegan mayo, plain vegan yogurt or any plant-based yogurt, silken tofu, or creamy alternatives like cashew or avocado-based spreads
  • Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of spice with cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or a dash of hot sauce. Adjust the amount according to your desired level of spiciness.
  • Nutty Twist: Add a nutty element to the dressing by blending in a tablespoon of toasted pine nuts, almonds, or cashews. This adds a subtle crunch to the dressing, and makes it more like a spreadable pesto.

👨‍👩‍👧 How To Serve

There are so many ways you can serve this recipe! It’s the perfect flavorful sauce for all sorts of dishes, and is fantastic as a dipping sauce for crunchy veggies too! Here are some of our favorite ways to use this dressing:

🫙 Storage Directions

In the Fridge: Store this healthy green goddess dressing recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Before serving, give your homemade avocado dressing a good stir before serving to recombine any separated ingredients.

❓Recipe FAQs

Does green goddess contain avocado?

Typically no, the traditional version doesn’t contain avocado! Instead it’s made with fresh herbs, garlic, lemon juice (or any vinegar to provide acidity), mayo, sour cream, olive oil, and sometimes anchovy paste. Our version uses avocado and mayo for a creamier base that’s lightened up! You could also use a combination of avocado and Greek yogurt for a healthier combination.

What does green goddess dressing taste like?

Green goddess salad dressing has a fresh, herby taste with tangy and creamy undertones. The overall flavor is vibrant, balanced, and refreshing. It combines fresh herbs like parsley, tarragon, and chives with tangy elements like lemon juice or vinegar. Creamy ingredients like mayonnaise or Greek yogurt add richness as well. 

Is green goddess dressing healthy?

Traditional green goddess salad dressing is not the healthiest because it contains sour cream and mayonnaise, making it more of a rich indulgence than an every-day dressing. But our healthier recipe for green goddess with avocado is better for you than the original version, thanks to the use of avocado and olive oil instead of sour cream!

Close-up image of the green goddess avocado dressing served in a small glass jar.

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Avocado green goddess dressing in a glass jar surrounded by fresh green herbs.
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5 from 7 votes

Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

Super creamy avocado green goddess dressing is refreshing, packed with fresh herbs, and is ridiculously easy to make! You can customize this homemade salad dressing in a variety of ways, because it works as a dressing, dip or a sauce. It's the perfect way to elevate any dish, and all you need is 9 ingredients and 5 minutes to make it!
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Condiment, Salad, Snack
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Vegetarian
Servings: 20 tablespoons
Calories: 50kcal
Author: Anjali Shah

Ingredients

Equipment

Instructions

  • Place the chopped herbs and lemon zest into the bowl of a hig speed food processor.
  • Blend on high, scraping down the sides and repeat until finely chopped.
  • Next, add the remaining ingredients to the blender and blend.
  • Scrape down the sides and continue to blend until completely smooth.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Dressing can be served as a dip or thinned out with some extra water and served as a salad dressing.
  • Be sure to wash fresh herbs before chopping and adding to the dressing.
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste.
  • ¼ tsp of cayenne pepper can be added if you prefer a slightly spicier dressing.
  • If you prefer the dressing to have more of a tart taste you can substitute the apple cider vinegar with lemon juice and swap the mayo with greek yogurt or sour cream.
  • Fresh herbs are best in this recipe. Use ripe avocados for a delicious creamy dressing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tbsp | Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g

10 responses to “Avocado Green Goddess Dressing”

  1. This green goddess dressing was the perfect topping for my favorite sandwich! Can’t wait to try it on my favorite salad next.5 stars

  2. My new favorite sandwich spread! I substituted the mayonnaise with vegan mayo and it is so delicious!5 stars

  3. This was so fresh and delicious! We love putting together snack trays for movie night – this was a perfect addition, our veggies tasted great dipped in it!5 stars

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