This easy 5-minute homemade avocado green goddess dressing recipe is tangy, creamy, and packed with fresh herbs. It’s made with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise; the perfect healthy salad dressing and dip!
The easiest 5-minute avocado green goddess dressing recipe
So say goodbye to store-bought dressings filled with preservatives and unhealthy additives. This homemade avocado green goddess dressing is not only a delicious addition to your meals but also a healthier alternative to store-bought options. You guys love my healthy yogurt Caesar dressing, so I cannot wait to hear what you think.
If you’re looking for a delicious and health-conscious dressing and dip to elevate your salads and appetizers – look no further! Our avocado green goddess dressing recipe is bursting with flavor and packed with wholesome ingredients that will make your taste buds sing.
We use simple and healthy ingredients like avocado, fresh parsley, watercress, chives, green onion, lemon juice, and Greek yogurt. The best part is that this recipe is made healthier with Greek yogurt and avocado and without oil or mayo.
The combination of creamy avocado, tangy Greek yogurt, and fresh herbs is mouth-watering. You can serve it as a salad dressing, marinating for chicken or grilled vegetables, dip for crudité, roasted potatoes, and pita, or as a sauce for sandwiches. Green goddess avocado dressing is light, bright, healthy, and so flavorful.
What is green goddess dressing?
Green goddess dressing is a herbaceous dressing known for its vibrant green color and rich flavor profile. It originated in the United States in the 1920s and gained widespread popularity due to its unique combination of fresh herbs, tangy notes, and creamy texture. This dressing is typically served with salads, sandwiches, and vegetable dishes, adding a burst of freshness to any meal.
Why you’ll love this healthy recipe:
- This avocado green goddess dressing is light, bright, creamy, and tangy.
- A great healthier dressing alternative.
- This recipe has no mayo, no sour cream, and no oil.
- It’s made gluten-free.
- Serve it as a dressing, marinade, dip, or sauce.
- Great for meal prep.
- Green goddess dressing is customizable, so pick the herbs you like.
- This recipe is quick and easy.
- It takes 5 minutes to make one batch.
- Easily make it vegan by using tahini instead of yogurt.
- Try this healthy caesar dressing without anchovies next!
Ingredients needed & substitutions
This healthy, no-mayo green goddess dressing is seriously the best recipe you’ll ever try! We use Greek yogurt and a fresh avocado as the base of the dressing, which makes it high protein and healthier. Here is a list of everything you need so you are prepared:
- Avocado: You need 1 large, ripe avocado for this green goddess dressing. It makes it super creamy and packed with good-for-you fats.
- Greek Yogurt: We use non-fat plain Greek yogurt instead of mayo as the base of this high-protein dressing. I used Chobani 0%, but you can also use 2% or 5%. Do not use flavored Greek yogurt – it must be plain!
- Fresh Herbs: To make this recipe, you’ll need a combination of parsley, cilantro, watercress, and chives. If you’re missing one of these herbs, you can substitute it with a similar herb of your choice, like tarragon or basil. You can also substitute the watercress with baby spinach.
- Green Onion: This adds a wonderful sharpness to the dressing.
- Lemon: For that classic tangy lemon flavor. You need the juice and zest.
- Dijon Mustard: This is my secret ingredient. Dijon mustard gives this green goddess dressing a tangy flavor. I promise you cannot taste it.
- Garlic Cloves: Freshly minced garlic is best; however, you can use 1 – 1.5 teaspoons of garlic powder if needed.
- Salt & Pepper: For seasoning.
Kitchen tools you’ll need
Here is a list of kitchen utensils you will need to make this healthy green goddess dressing.
- Food Processor
- Spatula
- Cutting Board + Kitchen Knife
- Measuring Tools: 1/4 teaspoon, 1 Tablespoon, and 1/3 cup.
How to make wholesome avocado green goddess dressing from scratch
This easy avocado green goddess dressing takes 5 minutes to make. It’s tangy, delicious, and made without mayo or sour cream! Here are detailed step-by-step instructions with pictures for visual reference so any level cook can make it. The full recipe and ingredient measurements are at the bottom of this page in the recipe card.
Step 1:
Combine the avocado, Greek yogurt, cilantro, parsley, spinach, lemon juice, olive oil, chives, garlic, Dijon mustard, green onion, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor.
Step 2:
Then, blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated. Remember, tiny flecks of herbs are totally okay!
To make the dressing thinner: add 1 tbsp of water at a time until you get the consistency you want! For reference, I added 3 tbsp to mine.
Step 3:
Finally, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice according to your preference.
Serve chilled and drizzle over your favorite salads, roasted vegetables, or use it as a dipping sauce for crudités or roasted potatoes. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Enjoy!
Expert recipe tips & tricks
By following these expert tips and techniques, you’ll be well on your way to creating the perfect avocado green goddess dressing.
- Don’t skip out on the Dijon mustard. You cannot taste it! The Dijon mustard gives this homemade green goddess dressing that classic tangy flavor.
- Balance creaminess and tanginess. Balance the flavors by adjusting the ratio of ingredients based on your preference. Experiment with the amounts of herbs, tangy elements (lemon juice), creamy base (Greek yogurt), and seasonings until you achieve the desired taste and consistency.
- Use it as a dressing, condiment, or dipping sauce. This homemade no-mayo and no-oil green goddess dressing is the perfect dipped sauce for fresh vegetables, pita, roasted potatoes, crackers, or bread. You can also use it as a sauce in a sandwich or wrap, as a salad dressing, or as a marinade for chicken or vegetables. The options are endless!
- Let it Rest. For the best-tasting dressing, allow it to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or longer before serving. This resting time helps the flavors meld together and develop a more cohesive taste.
- Tiny flecks of herbs are ok. This dressing is very creamy, but it’s not 100% smooth since it will still have some tiny pieces of herbs. That’s normal!
- Meal prep it and store extra for up to 6 days. Feel free to make extra or store leftovers for meal prep. This homemade healthy avocado dressing is the ideal make-ahead dressing.
Why this green goddess dressing is healthy:
This homemade avocado green goddess salad dressing is healthy for many reasons; here are a few:
- Greek Yogurt Base. Instead of mayonnaise, we use non-fat plain Greek yogurt as the base, which makes this green goddess dressing healthier, lower in calories and fat, and higher in protein.
- No Mayo. I love that this recipe is mayo-free! That means it is lower in fat and fewer calories.
- Avocado. We also add an avocado instead of oil. This dressing has no oil, but the avocado adds healthy fats that will keep you full.
- Low-calorie. Traditional green goddess dressings contain more than 170 calories per serving. This healthy homemade recipe only has 45 calories for the same 3-tablespoon serving size.
- High-protein. Since we use Greek yogurt, not mayo, as the base of this green goddess dressing, this recipe is higher in protein. There are 3g per serving.
- Fresh Ingredients. You only need a handful of straightforward ingredients. It’s full of fresh herbs. There are no preservatives, random ingredients, or sugars!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does green goddess dressing taste like?
Green goddess dressing has a refreshing and vibrant taste thanks to the combination of fresh herbs like parsley, watercress, cilantro, chives, and basil (optional). It is herbaceous, tangy, and creamy from the Greek yogurt and avocado, but don’t worry, you cannot taste the yogurt.
What’s the best substitute for watercress?
Arugula (also known as rocket) is the best substitute for watercress since it has a similar peppery taste. You can also use baby spinach, radish sprouts, or mizuna.
Is it healthy?
Avocado green goddess dressing is healthy when made with wholesome ingredients and consumed in moderation. Here are some reasons: (1)it is packed with fresh herbs, (2) it has protein from the Greek yogurt, (3) there is no mayonnaise in this recipe, (4) it has healthy fats from the avocado, (5) there is no added oil.
Is this green goddess salad dressing low-calorie?
Yes, this homemade avocado green goddess salad dressing is low-calorie. There are 45 calories in a 3-tablespoon serving size.
Can I use it as a dip?
Green goddess dressing can absolutely be used as a dip! It’s a popular and versatile choice for dipping various vegetables, roasted potatoes, chips, pita, or even bread.
Can you taste the Greek yogurt?
No! You can’t taste Greek yogurt in this green goddess recipe.
Does avocado go bad?
Like many fresh fruits, avocados have a limited shelf life and can go bad if not stored correctly or past their prime. The exact time it takes for an avocado to go bad can vary depending on factors such as its ripeness when purchased, storage conditions, and the overall quality of the fruit. Here are some signs to look out for to determine if an avocado has gone bad: (1) the avocado skin appears excessively brown or black and feels mushy or overly soft, (2) if the inside has dark spots, discoloration, or a slimy texture, and (3) if the avocado smells rotten.
What does an avocado taste like?
Avocados have a unique and distinct taste, often described as creamy, buttery, and rich.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
You can make this green goddess dressing vegan and dairy-free by substituting the Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup of runny tahini and 1/4 cup of hummus. You can also use plain dairy-free yogurt (substitute it 1:1 with Greek yogurt).
Does it keep well for meal prep?
Absolutely! You can store this avocado green goddess dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days.
How to store leftovers:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days. Make sure to stir it before using it.
If you love this recipe, try these next!
- Healthy Caesar Dressing without Anchovies
- Yogurt Dill Sauce (Tzatziki)
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Blender Hummus
- Pesto without Pine Nuts
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe avocado , pitted
- ⅔ cup Greek yogurt, whole milk, 2% or 0%
- 1 cup flat-leaf parsley, packed
- ½ cup cilantro, (use basil if you want this to be Italian-style
- ½ cup watercress or baby spinach
- 1 green onion, sliced green + white parts
- 2 tbsp chives, chopped
- 3 – 4 tbsp lemon juice, 1 large or 2 medium lemons
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 medium garlic clove, roughly chopped or minced
- ¼ tsp salt, more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 – 5 tbsp water, to thin out the dressing
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, combine the avocado, Greek yogurt, cilantro, parsley, spinach, lemon juice, olive oil, chives, garlic, Dijon mustard, green onion, salt, and pepper. Don't add the water yet.
- Process until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated. Remember tiny flecks of herbs are totally okay!
- To make the dressing thinner: add 1 tbsp of water at a time until you get the consistency you want! For reference, I added 3 tbsp to mine.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice according to your preference.
- Serve chilled and drizzle over your favorite salads, roasted vegetables, or use as a dipping sauce for crudités or roasted potatoes. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
I only recommend products I love and use myself. In full disclosure, I may receive a small compensation for purchasing a product I recommend. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!
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