Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

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What Is Green Goddess Dressing?

Green goddess dressing first originated in San Francisco in the 1920s as a tribute to a play called The Green Goddess by George Arliss and as a variety of a herby green sauce called ‘sauce au vert’ (green sauce) designed by a chef to Louis XIII in France. Its ingredients were typically mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, chervil, tarragon, anchovy, lemon juice, and pepper.

There have been many variations over the years, though. For example, this avocado green goddess dressing recipe not only includes avocado as a key ingredient but is 100% vegan!

Rich and Creamy Vegan Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

By making this green goddess dressing recipe with avocado instead of dairy-based mayo, sour cream, and oil, it’s still wonderfully rich and creamy but ditches unhealthy saturates, is loaded with heart-healthy fats, dietary fiber, and several micronutrients (including Vitamins B6, C, E, and K, as well as potassium, magnesium, and folate).

Combined with plenty of fresh herbs (basically any herbs you have on hand), tangy lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, aromatic garlic, salt, and just a hint of sweetener to balance all the flavors, this healthy green goddess dressing is to die for. And all you need to do is throw everything into a blender or food processor and wait.

It’s herby, zingy, and bold while still light—unlike many store-bought versions that are heavy, oily, and often not vegan. It’s perfect for serving with veggies, over salads, buddha bowls, tacos, and more. There’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this vibrant avocado salad dressing.

The Ingredients

This avocado goddess dressing contains just 7 simple pantry staples and is oil-free, dairy-free, nut-free, low-carb, paleo, and vegan.

• Avocado: Use a good-quality, ripe to over-ripe avocado. If it’s under-ripe, it can have a slightly bitter flavor and won’t blend smoothly.
• Fresh herbs: This creamy avocado dressing is an incredibly aromatic, herby dressing made with Italian parsley, chives, mint, and basil. However, you could also use tarragon (just 1-2 tbsp as it has a strong licorice-like flavor), scallions, or cilantro.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic works best. Try roasted garlic for a different flavor profile, and increase the amount to taste (as it’s far more mellow).
• Acidic ingredients: We use a combination of fresh lime juice (or lemon juice) and apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar for flavor depth.
• Sweetener: It’s best to use a liquid sweetener, like maple syrup or agave. If preferred, you could use a sugar-free version.
• Salt: Season to taste. Use soy sauce/coconut aminos for a more umami-rich salty element. You could optionally add a pinch of black pepper, too.
• Water: To bring the avocado green sauce to the correct consistency. Alternatively, combine or replace that with plain vegan yogurt, tahini, or cashew cream for a creamier vegan green avocado dressing.
• Red pepper flakes: (optional) To garnish or stir in, to taste.

What Else Could I Add?

• Lemon/Lime zest: For extra zingy flavor.
• Capers: To replace the briny flavor introduced to classic green goddess salad dressing through anchovies.
• Red miso: A small amount of red miso is another great way to replace some of the savory, umami flavor of anchovy paste.
• Jalapeños: Finely minced to add heat to the creamy avocado dressing.
• Nutritional yeast: It’s nutty, ‘cheesy’, and packed with umami flavor.

How to Make Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

Once the ingredients are prepped, this avocado green goddess dressing recipe is as simple as throwing everything in a food processor or blender—ready in minutes!

• 1) First, rinse the herbs, slice the avocado in half, and scoop the flesh straight into a food processor or high-speed blender.

• 2) Add the remaining ingredients and process/blend on high until smooth and creamy.

• 3) Give it a taste and adjust any elements (garlic, salt, acid, sweetener, etc.), then enjoy.

While it’s possible to use immediately, give the flavors 30 minutes (or more) to meld and develop for a more full-bodied flavor.

Storage Instructions

Unfortunately, like most avocado recipes, this avocado green goddess dressing doesn’t store particularly well, as the avocado will oxidize and brown fairly quickly. For that reason, we recommend consuming it on the same day.

However, to preserve it for longer, pour a small layer of olive oil or lemon juice over the top of the dressing (to create a seal), cover that with a layer of plastic wrap, then add a lid and store it for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

You can also freeze it. Spoon 1-2 tablespoon portions into an ice cube tray (optionally covered with a thin layer of olive oil) and freeze until solid, then transfer the cubes to a Ziplock/Stasher bag to store for between 3-4 months.

Serving Suggestions

If you haven’t already gathered, there are practically endless uses for this vegan green goddess dressing. Here are just a few of our favorite serving recommendations.

• Salad dressing: With leafy green salads like a kale salad or vegan Caesar salad, bean salads, potato salad, or pasta salads (including over zoodles).

This vegan green goddess dressing pairs well with carrots, cucumber, chickpeas, beans, tomatoes, nuts/seeds, leafy greens, tofu, etc.

• Spread: Over sandwiches, wraps (including in or over lettuce wraps), and burgers.
• Dipping sauce: For crudités, cooked veggies (like broccoli, sprouts, sweet potato, etc.), French fries, wedges, sweet potato fries, etc.
• Mexican food topping: Like vegan tacos and taco bowls, burritos and burrito bowls, quesadillas, fajitas, nachos, etc.
• Drizzle/sauce: Over grain bowls, with falafel, a baked potato/sweet potato, roasted or smashed potatoes, vegan sushi, pizza, bruschetta, and more.