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Green Goddess Dressing

Green Goddess Dressing is a creamy dressing great for salads or as a dip for vegetables. Made with fresh tarragon, parsley and chives. 

I love making homemade salad dressings. It gives you the opportunity to make the dressing taste just how you like and you can avoid anything you don’t want. Whether it’s Homemade Buttermilk Ranch, Homemade Caesar  or Garlic Vinaigrette, making your own dressing is fun and easy to do. 

Most of the time making homemade dressing requires few ingredients and simply whisking them together. For this recipe you’ll need a food processor to chop the ingredients small but other than that, this dressing comes together in a snap! 

Let’s talk about what you’ll need to make it. 

Green Goddess Dressing Ingredients: 

The herbs are the star of the show in this recipe and while sometimes fresh herbs and dried herbs can be interchangeable, that is not the case here. Use the freshest herbs you can find for the tastiest dressing. 

  • MAYONNAISE/SOUR CREAM: What makes the dressing creamy. 
  • CHIVES: Fresh chives will add oniony flavor but they are milder than yellow, white or red onions. 
  • TARRAGON: The taste of tarragon is similar to anise or licorice. The flavor can easily overpower a dish if you use too much so add in increments until the dish tastes good to you.
  • PARSLEY: I use fresh leaf Italian parsley because that is what I usually have on hand, you can use that or curly parsley. Both add a mild fresh flavor. 
  • ANCHOVIES: 1 – 2 minced anchovies will add a salty, umami flavor. Don’t worry about the final dressing tasting fishy. They are minced so small that there are no big bites of anchovy in the dressing, just a subtle background saltiness. 
  • GARLIC: 1 clove should be enough as adding anymore will make the garlic overpowering.
  • LEMON JUICE: To add brightness and acidity. 
  • WHITE WINE VINEGAR: Adds additional acidity and lightens the heaviness of the mayonnaise and sour cream. You can also use red wine vinegar or in a pinch distilled vinegar. Apple cider vinegar would be too strong. 
  • WORCESTERSHIRE: Adds a rich salty flavor. 
  • SALT AND PEPPER

Step by Step Photos and Instructions:

Making your own dressing is often very easy, this Green Goddess Dressing is no different. Using a food processor will make it easy to chop the herbs and blend the dressing. 

STEP #1: Combine all of the herbs together in a food processor. Process until chopped fine. 

STEP #2: Add remaining ingredients, except salt and pepper, to food processor. Process until smooth and creamy. 

STEP #3: Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve. 

Storage Tips: 

Store Green Goddess Dressing in the refrigerator and use within 5 days. 

Looking for more homemade dressing recipes? Try these: 

This classic spinach salad is tossed in a Dijon Vinaigrette and it is superb! 

If you love feta cheese, you’re going to fall head over heels in love with this Creamy Feta Dressing. You’ll be putting it on everything! 

Creamy Pesto Dressing is an Old Spaghetti Factory copycat that you’ll make again and again. 

Note: Originally published in 2010. Updated in 2024 with a slightly modified recipe, new photos, step by step photos and nutrition information. 

Green Goddess Dressing

Green Goddess Dressing is a creamy dressing great for salads or as a dip for vegetables. Made with fresh tarragon, parsley and chives. 
Prep Time 35 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Condiments
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 88 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Italian parsley
  • 1/4 cup fresh chives minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon minced
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 anchovy fillets
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire
  • salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Place parsley, chives and tarragon in a food processor and process until chopped fine.
  • Add in remaining ingreidents, except salt and pepper, and process until creamy. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

Both the anchovies and Worcestershire sauce can be salty so I recommend adding the salt and pepper after you've refrigerated the dressing for at least 3o minutes. 
Nutrition information for estimation purposes only. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 88kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 60mgPotassium: 130mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 855IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: anchovies, Dip, dressing, salad dressing

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Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    payday loan
    October 7, 2011 at 7:21 pm

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  • Reply
    jami
    February 14, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    This was delicious! I used a little more sour cream and a little less mayo – about half and half. Most importantly, I used the immersion blender to really blend it together – plus, it makes it green! Perfect as a dip or salad dressing!

  • Reply
    redkathy
    January 29, 2010 at 2:17 pm

    This was a popular dressing in the 70s at where I’m from. I was really surprised to see it. We eat salad almost every night. I am definitely going to make this. Thanks for sharing it!

  • Reply
    Michelle
    January 27, 2010 at 9:33 am

    Great photo! This sounds lovely.

  • Reply
    Deseree
    January 27, 2010 at 7:37 am

    Jessie- What a great idea to use this as a sandwich spread! I have to try that now.
    Thanks Sook!
    Anne- You could substitute anchovy paste for the fillet. I wasn’t sure at first so I did some research and found that most sources say to substitute 1/2 teaspoon for each fillet. Hope this helps!
    Megan- I haven’t tried Ina Garten’s recipe but I like the sound of lots of basil :)

  • Reply
    Megan
    January 27, 2010 at 6:30 am

    Have you tried Ina Garten’s recipe? I swear by it and find myself craving it on everything. Hers is focused on basil so I’ll have to try chives, tarragon and parsley next time. Great!

  • Reply
    Anne
    January 27, 2010 at 6:09 am

    Can you substitute anchovey paste for the fillet?

  • Reply
    Sook @ My Fabulous Recipes
    January 26, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    I love dressings like this. Chunky and fresh! :)

  • Reply
    Jessie
    January 26, 2010 at 11:33 am

    this sort of reminds me Caesar dressing which is one of my favorites, this dressing sounds so good, I would use it as a sandwich spread too

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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