Green Goddess dressing is a creamy, herbaceous salad dressing that has been popular since the 1920s. But what exactly is in this tangy, green concoction? Here is a comprehensive look at the key ingredients that give Green Goddess dressing its signature flavor profile.
The Base – Mayonnaise and Sour Cream
Like most creamy salad dressings, Green Goddess dressing starts with a base of mayonnaise and sour cream. These ingredients provide the creamy texture and some of the fat and flavor. Most Green Goddess dressing recipes call for:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil, egg yolks, and vinegar or lemon juice. It provides the base creaminess and thickness to Green Goddess dressing. Sour cream adds even more richness and tanginess.
Dairy – Buttermilk and Soft Cheese
In addition to mayonnaise and sour cream, many Green Goddess dressing recipes also incorporate dairy ingredients like buttermilk and soft cheese. These provide extra creaminess and tang.
Typical dairy ingredients in Green Goddess dressing include:
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 2-3 ounces soft cheese like cream cheese, goat cheese, or ricotta
The buttermilk adds a nice tanginess while also thinning out the dressing slightly. The soft cheese contributes more richness and flavor depth.
Herbs – Parsley, Chives, Tarragon
What really gives Green Goddess dressing its name is the abundance of fresh green herbs. Traditional recipes call for a mix of parsley, chives, and tarragon. These provide freshness and that signature herbal flavor.
A typical Green Goddess dressing may contain:
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
Parsley has a fresh, mildly bitter taste. Chives add oniony notes. And tarragon contributes an anise-like licorice flavor. Combining all three gives Green Goddess dressing it’s herbaceous complexity.
Flavorings – Garlic, Anchovies, Lemon Juice
To balance and round out the herbaceous flavors, Green Goddess dressing often contains:
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2-3 anchovy fillets
- juice of 1 lemon
Garlic provides a mellow spiciness. Anchovies give savoriness and umami. And lemon juice brightens everything up with acidity. These ingredients work together to create a complex, dynamic flavor profile.
Emulsifier – Egg Yolks, Mustard
To help emulsify and thicken the dressing, many recipes also include:
- 2 egg yolks
- 1-2 teaspoons Dijon or whole-grain mustard
Egg yolks act as natural emulsifiers, helping blend the liquid ingredients together. Mustard also helps emulsify, while providing a tangy flavor.
The Complete Ingredient List
Putting it all together, a typical recipe for classic Green Goddess dressing contains some or all of these ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 2-3 ounces soft cheese like cream cheese, goat cheese or ricotta
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2-3 anchovy fillets
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 egg yolks
- 1-2 teaspoons Dijon or whole-grain mustard
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Some modern versions may also add other herbs like basil, dill or mint. Avocado oil or olive oil may be used along with or instead of mayonnaise. Green onions, shallots or onion powder provide more allium flavor. And some recipes even incorporate spinach, kale or avocado for color and added nutrients. But the core ingredients of mayonnaise, dairy, and fresh green herbs are what really define classic Green Goddess dressing.
Making Your Own
Want to try your hand at making authentic Green Goddess dressing at home? Here is a recipe to get you started:
Green Goddess Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 anchovy fillets, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a food processor or blender, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk and cream cheese. Process until smooth.
- Add the parsley, chives, tarragon, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice and mustard. Pulse several times to combine, but leave some small pieces of herbs visible.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. For more garlic flavor, add up to 1 more minced clove.
- Transfer dressing to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Store leftover dressing in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
This fresh, flavorful Green Goddess dressing can transform any salad or vegetable side into something special. The zesty herbal flavors pair especially well with lighter greens, new potatoes, green beans, asparagus, artichokes, chicken, fish and more. Shake up your salad routine with this creamy, herbaceous classic.
The History of Green Goddess Dressing
So where did Green Goddess dressing originate? The iconic green dressing was the creation of chef Phillip Roemer of the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. According to legend, Roemer devised the dressing for a special dinner saluting actor George Arliss in the early 1920s. Arliss was starring in the play “The Green Goddess” at the time, hence the name.
Roemer’s original Palace Hotel version was made with parsley, tarragon, chives, anchovies, sour cream, and mayonnaise. It was instantly popular with guests and soon became a fixture on menus at finer establishments. Throughout the 1920s and 30s, Green Goddess dressing was synonymous with sophistication and class.
The dressing fell out of favor for a few decades, but made a major comeback when reintroduced by the Golden Door spa in Escondido, California in the 1970s. This updated version included avocados, buttermilk and lemon juice. The spa served Green Goddess dressing over spinach salads tossed tableside, delighting guests.
From California, the revived dressing spread across the country once again. It became a mainstream staple and modern classic found on both restaurant menus and grocery store shelves.
While formulations vary, the defining green herbal flavor remains unchanged almost 100 years later. Green Goddess dressing maintains its mystique and appeal as a cool, creamy complement to salads and vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
Like most salad dressings, Green Goddess is high in fat from the mayonnaise, sour cream and cheese. A 2 tablespoon serving provides around 140 calories and 14 grams of fat. However, the fresh herbs provide dietary benefits as well:
- Parsley is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin C and folate.
- Chives contain trace minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
- Tarragon provides antioxidants like caffeic acid.
So while Green Goddess dressing should be used in moderation due to its high fat content, the addition of fresh herbs elevates its nutritional value. The herbs also provide phytonutrients that may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects.
Nutrition Facts for 2 Tablespoons Green Goddess Dressing
| Calories | 140 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 14g |
| Saturated fat | 2g |
| Sodium | 340mg |
| Carbohydrates | 2g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 1g |
| Protein | 0g |
Buying Green Goddess Dressing
Looking to keep a bottle of Green Goddess dressing on hand for easy salads? Here are a few top options to buy at the store:
1. Follow Your Heart Original Green Goddess Dressing
– Vegan and dairy-free
– Made with plant-based yogurt and olive oil
– No artificial flavors or preservatives
2. Brianna’s Homestyle Green Goddess Dressing
– Gluten-free and kosher
– Uses avocado oil mayonnaise
– Includes onion, garlic and lemon juice
3. Marie’s Green Goddess Dressing
– Classic flavor
– Made with sour cream and mayonnaise
– Added anchovies and vinegar
4. Annie’s Organic Goddess Dressing
– Certified organic
– Uses olive oil and vinegar
– Includes lemon juice concentrate
5. Ken’s Steak House Green Goddess Dressing
– No high fructose corn syrup
– Contains buttermilk and yogurt
– Aged for a robust flavor
When purchasing Green Goddess dressing, read labels and look for those made with quality oil, dairy and minimal added sugars or preservatives. Shake the bottle well before using, as the ingredients may separate.
Green Goddess Dressing Uses
How do you incorporate the herbaceous goodness of Green Goddess dressing into recipes? Here are some delicious ways to use up a bottle:
- Tossed green salads – Mix Green Goddess dressing with tender lettuces, baby spinach, kale or arugula.
- Wedge salads – Drizzle dressing over iceberg wedges for a creamy coat.
- Vegetable salads – Toss with green beans, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower or roasted veggies.
- Potato salad – Bind diced potatoes with Green Goddess dressing for a flavor twist.
- Grain bowls – Add dressing to bowls with quinoa, farro or rice for a dose of flavor and fat.
- Wraps or sandwiches – Schmear inside wraps, pitas or sandwiches for added flavor.
- Fish or seafood – Serve alongside simply grilled or baked fish, shrimp or scallops.
- Chicken salad – Bind shredded chicken salad with Green Goddess dressing.
- Veggie dip – Use as a tasty dip for raw or roasted vegetables.
Drizzle creatively and enjoy Green Goddess dressing as a zesty topping for all kinds of healthful dishes. The possibilities are endless!
Make it Your Own
Once you master the classic Green Goddess dressing recipe, feel free to customize it to suit your tastes. Try these easy variations for your own signature versions:
- Add fresh dill, mint, basil, cilantro or green onion.
- Use avocado oil mayonnaise or olive oil instead.
- Mix in diced avocado for creaminess.
- Substitute Greek yogurt for some of the sour cream.
- Include shallots or onions for more flavor.
- Add a dash of hot sauce for a kick.
- Use lime juice instead of lemon juice.
- Blend in spinach or kale for color and nutrients.
- Garnish with extra chopped herbs before serving.
The possibilities are endless for crafting your own signature Green Goddess dressing recipe. Let your creativity run wild!
Conclusion
With its rich herbal flavor and luscious creamy texture, Green Goddess dressing has remained a favorite for generations. Today it graces tables from fine dining restaurants to home kitchens. The key to authentic Green Goddess lies in the combination of mayonnaise, dairy and fresh green herbs like parsley, chives and tarragon. These ingredients come together to create a tangy, savory dressing perfect for salads and vegetables.
Beyond its great taste, Green Goddess dressing has a fascinating history dating back to a 1920s San Francisco chef honoring an actor. Both elegant and approachable, it’s a versatile salad dressing for the ages. So embrace the goddess within, get creative, and whip up a batch of your own Green Goddess dressing soon.