This delightful dressing captures the essence of fresh greens and zesty flavors. It’s a creamy and luscious blend that will elevate any salad, offering a burst of green goodness in every spoonful. Whether you’re a vegan or simply looking for a healthier option, this recipe with its special twist will surely impress your taste buds. So, let’s dive in and enjoy the Green Goddess Dressing on your favorite salad!
Ingredients & Substitutions
This Green Goddess Dressing requires a handful of simple yet vibrant ingredients. You’ll start with either fresh spinach or arugula, which form the green base of the dressing. To switch it up, you can also consider trying kale, mixed baby greens, or watercress.
To infuse the mixture with a delightful aroma, fresh basil is added, lending its herbal essence. If you don’t have fresh basil, cilantro or parsley can be excellent alternatives.
The dressing gets its zing from the addition of garlic, while the tangy and refreshing flavor comes from the juice of a lemon. A subtle touch of shallot complements the other flavors, creating a harmonious blend. However, red onion or scallions can replace shallots if desired.
Finally, to achieve a creamy texture, extra virgin olive oil and cashews work their magic. For a delectable cheesy taste, you can choose between nutritional yeast or vegan parm. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste.
As a delightful optional addition, you can include a dollop of vegan mayo or tahini for an extra level of creaminess.
Helpful Tools
- High-Powered Blender or Food Processor: This recipe calls for blending the ingredients until smooth and creamy. A high-powered blender or food processor ensures a quick and efficient process, resulting in a perfectly blended dressing.
- Measuring Tools: While the recipe omits specific quantities, having measuring cups and spoons handy will still aid in portioning the ingredients accurately to achieve the desired taste.
- Citrus Juicer: To extract the most juice from the lemon, a citrus juicer is incredibly useful. It saves time and effort, ensuring you get every last drop of that tangy goodness.
- Garlic Press: Simplify the process of mincing garlic by using a garlic press. It allows you to extract the garlic’s flavor without the need for finely chopping it by hand.
- Vegetable Peeler: If you’re using shallots or other vegetables that require peeling, a good vegetable peeler can be a time-saving tool.
- Salt and Pepper Grinder: Freshly ground salt and pepper add a wonderful depth of flavor. Consider using a salt and pepper grinder to season the dressing to perfection.
How to Make this Green Goddess Dressing Recipe
Begin by choosing either fresh spinach or arugula as the green base of the dressing. Rinse them thoroughly and pat them dry.
In a high-powered blender or food processor, add the greens along with fresh basil, garlic, and the juice of a lemon. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Include shallots for a subtle touch of flavor. If you prefer a stronger onion taste, red onion or scallions can be used as a substitute.
Next, to achieve a rich and creamy texture, add extra virgin olive oil and cashews to the blended mixture. Blend again until everything is well combined.
For a delectable cheesy taste, you can choose between nutritional yeast or vegan parm. Add your preferred option and blend once more.
Season the dressing with salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste. Adjust the seasoning to suit your preferences. Toss with your favorite salad, and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- Customize the Greens: While spinach and arugula are the primary choices, feel free to experiment with other leafy greens like kale, mixed baby greens, or watercress. Each option brings its unique flavor profile to the dressing.
- Herb Variations: Don’t limit yourself to just basil; explore different herbs to find your perfect blend. Cilantro, parsley, or even a combination of fresh herbs can add exciting twists to the dressing.
- Adjusting Garlic Intensity: For a milder garlic flavor, roast the garlic cloves before blending them. Alternatively, you can use garlic powder for a gentler taste.
- Citrus Choices: While the recipe calls for lemon juice, you can swap it with lime juice or apple cider vinegar for a change of acidity.
- Onion Alternatives: If you don’t have shallots on hand, try using red onion or scallions to add a different dimension of flavor.
- Smooth Texture: For an extra smooth and creamy texture, ensure that you blend the ingredients thoroughly in a high-powered blender or food processor.
- Soak Cashews: If you want an even creamier consistency, soak the cashews in water for a few hours or overnight before blending.
FAQ: Green Goddess Dressing
Absolutely! The Green Goddess Dressing can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, some separation may occur, so make sure to give it a good shake or stir before using.
While fresh greens are recommended for the best flavor, you can use pre-packaged spinach or arugula. Just ensure they are still fresh and not past their expiration date.
Definitely! If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add a little water or more lemon juice. For a thicker texture, increase the amount of cashews or use a bit more olive oil.
No worries! If you have a nut allergy or prefer to avoid cashews, you can try using sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or tahini as a nut-free alternative for a creamy texture.
Absolutely! This Green Goddess Dressing can double as a flavorful marinade for chicken, tofu, or vegetables. Marinate your desired protein or veggies for a few hours before cooking for a burst of flavor.
Easy Green Goddess Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1-2 cups spinach or arugula
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon, juiced (3 tbsp)
- 1 shallot
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup cashews
- ¼ cup nurtitional yeast (or vegan parm)
- salt & pepper
- 1 tbsp vegan mayo or tahini (optional, makes it extra creamy)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a high powered blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Serve right away on your favourite salad, enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Conclusion
This Easy Green Goddess Dressing Recipe offers a delightful harmony of fresh greens, zesty flavors, and creamy textures. With its versatile nature, you can customize it to suit your taste preferences. Elevate your salads and dishes with this vibrant and vegan-friendly dressing. Embrace the joy of experimenting and savor every delectable spoonful of this Green Goddess creation! Happy cooking!
Yum this was a very nice dressing I actually even dipped some chips in it. Delicious!
Thanks Cathy! I do the same I love this dressing on a variety of dishes.
This green goddess dressing was better than expected what a delicious blend of flavor.
I’m delighted you enjoyed the green goddess dressing! Thank you for the positive feedback
Delicious dressing I actually used this to dip some chips and veggies in. So flavourful.
Thank you so much! That sounds soooo good on chips and veggies what a great idea!