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This 10-minute avocado green goddess dressing is loaded with fresh herbs for a herbaceous, creamy, vibrant, fresh spread, dip, or drizzle that will upgrade any dish! Plus, it’s oil-free, dairy-free, paleo, and vegan!

completed Avocado Green Goddess Dressing in a bowl against a light surface

The right sauce or dressing will transform even the simplest dishes into something utterly addictive. Between Japanese carrot-ginger, garlic lemon, and basil salad dressing, there’s certainly no shortage of options – but have you tried avocado green goddess dressing?

If you’re looking for something creamy, silky, super herby (perfect for anyone with their own herb garden), and just a little sweet and tangy, this vegan green goddess dressing is the spread, dip, or drizzle for the job.

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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.

ingredients for Avocado Green Goddess Dressing measured out against a white surface
  • 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.

Recipe Notes

  • Frugal tip: Growing a small herb garden is a great way to save money and always have herbs to hand. Pick off the leaves you need and allow them to replenish. Freeze any excess in a little water or oil.
  • Adjust the consistency: Add water depending on your desired consistency. I.e., thick to spread or dip, thinner to drizzle and for dressings, etc.
  • Experiment with herbs: You can use whatever herbs you have to hand and play around with the ratios to find your preferred flavor profile.
  • Without a food processor: While it’s possible, you’ll need to manually mince the garlic and finely chop the herbs. The dip won’t be as smooth or vibrant, but it will work.
completed Avocado Green Goddess Dressing in a bowl against a light surface

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.

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

More Dressing & Sauce Recipes

Photos by Alfonso Revilla

Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

4.99 from 76 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 to 3 servings
This 10-minute avocado green goddess dressing is loaded with fresh herbs for a herbaceous, creamy, vibrant, fresh spread, dip, or drizzle that will upgrade any dish! Plus, it’s oil-free, dairy-free, paleo, and vegan!

Ingredients 

  • 1 large ripe avocado peeled and pitted
  • 2 to 3 medium garlic cloves
  • ½ cup of Italian parsley
  • 3 chives
  • 2 tablespoons of mint
  • 2 tablespoons of basil
  • ½ cup of water
  • 1 ½ tablespoon of agave or maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • Pinch of salt
  • Crushed red pepper flakes for garnish (optional)

Instructions 

  • Place all the ingredients into a food processor or high-speed blender, and blend on high until completely creamy.

Video

Notes

  • Frugal tip: Growing a small herb garden is a great way to save money and always have herbs to hand. Pick off the leaves you need and allow them to replenish. Freeze any excess in a little water or oil.
  • Adjust the consistency: Add water depending on your desired consistency. I.e., thick to spread or dip, thinner to drizzle and for dressings, etc.
  • Experiment with herbs: You can use whatever herbs you have to hand and play around with the ratios to find your preferred flavor profile.

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 3gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 42mgPotassium: 647mgFiber: 8gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1814IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 2mg

Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Additional Info

Author: Toni Okamoto
Course: Dressing
Cuisine: American
Method: Food Processor
Diet: Vegan
Tried this recipe?Please tag us at @PlantBasedOnABudget! 🙂
About

Toni Okamoto

“They say you are what you eat, so I strive to be healthy.
My goal in life is not to be rich or wealthy,
‘Cause true wealth comes from good health and wise ways…
we got to start taking better care of ourselves ” – Dead Prez

More about Toni Okamoto

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Comments

  1. Hi there this sounds like a yummy dressing, looking forward to trying it.
    Since I’m really not a fan of agave or maple syrup, can I replace that with Manuka honey?

    1. Hi! We haven’t tried that sub yet so can’t guarantee the results. Date syrup might be a good sub to try too!

  2. 5 stars
    The vibrant color is beautiful, but the taste is even better. My salad is 10x better after adding this dressing. Delish 😀

  3. 5 stars
    I’m a fan of green goddess dressing, and this one is a must-try! So creamy, so delicious, and I just can’t get enough of it

  4. 5 stars
    Slightly addicted to this goddess dressing. I love how easy it is to make and versatile. Thanks for another great recipe.

  5. 5 stars
    This dressing was perfect for our salad. We added it to our roasted veggies as well and wow! So fresh and delicious. Next time I will make double the amount 🙂