This Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing Recipe is a creamy and vibrant dressing, which is made with fresh avocado and basil. It’s a healthy twist on the classic, ready in about 15 minutes, plus chilling time.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water, plus more to thin if needed
- 1 large ripe avocado, peeled, no brown spots
- 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup (3-4 stalks) green onion
- 2 tablespoons white onion
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped chives
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 clove garlic or 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- sea salt to taste (I use about 1/2 teaspoon)
- pepper to taste
How To Make Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing
- Combine the base ingredients: Place the water, avocado, cider vinegar, green and white onions, lemon juice, chives, parsley, basil, and garlic into a blender or a wide-mouth jar if using an immersion blender.
- Blend until smooth: Blend the mixture on high speed just until it is completely smooth and creamy.
- Emulsify the oil: With the blender on low, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until it is just incorporated.
- Season and chill: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the dressing to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before using to allow the flavors to meld.
Recipe Tips
- How do I keep the dressing bright green? The combination of lemon juice and cider vinegar is key, as the acid helps prevent the avocado from oxidizing and turning brown. Storing it in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface of the dressing also helps.
- Why is my dressing too thick? This dressing will thicken as it chills. If it’s thicker than you’d like, simply whisk in a little cold water, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Can I use different herbs? Absolutely. Green goddess dressing is very flexible. You could swap the basil for tarragon for a more classic flavor, or add a handful of fresh spinach for an extra nutrient boost without changing the taste much.
- How do I prevent the dressing from getting “airy”? As the recipe notes, don’t over-blend the dressing, especially after adding the oil. Over-blending whips air into it, which can thicken the texture and speed up oxidation.
What To Serve With Green Goddess Dressing
This versatile dressing is delicious on almost anything:
- As a dressing for a simple butter lettuce or romaine salad
- Drizzled over roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or fish
- As a creamy dip for a platter of fresh crudités (carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers)
- As a spread for sandwiches and wraps
- Tossed with a grain bowl or a pasta salad
How To Store Green Goddess Dressing
- Refrigerate: Due to the fresh avocado, this dressing is best enjoyed within 3 days. Store it in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator. Pressing a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the dressing before sealing the lid can help minimize browning.
Green Goddess Dressing Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 2 Tablespoons
- Calories: 60 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, this particular recipe is naturally vegan and dairy-free, using avocado and olive oil for its creaminess instead of traditional yogurt or mayonnaise.
While the avocado is key to this copycat recipe’s texture, you could make a different style of green goddess dressing by substituting 1/2 cup of full-fat Greek yogurt or silken tofu for a creamy, high-protein alternative.
A bitter taste can sometimes come from over-blending the olive oil, which can break down its polyphenols. It can also happen if your parsley has particularly thick, bitter stems. Be sure to use mostly parsley leaves and blend the oil in at the very end, just until combined.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Curry Salad Recipe
Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing Recipe
Course: SauceCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy1
servings10
minutes60
kcalA vibrant and creamy copycat of the famous Trader Joe’s dressing, packed with fresh herbs, avocado, and a tangy lemon kick.
Ingredients
1/2 cup water
1 large ripe avocado
3 tbsp cider vinegar
1/2 cup green onion
2 tbsp white onion
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup chives
1/2 cup fresh parsley
1/3 cup fresh basil
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Place all ingredients EXCEPT olive oil, salt, and pepper into a blender.
- Blend on high just until the mixture is completely smooth.
- With the blender on low, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until just incorporated.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Transfer to a jar.
- Refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Stir and thin with a little water if needed before serving.
Notes
- Use a perfectly ripe avocado with no brown spots for the best flavor and color.
- Do not over-blend the dressing after adding the oil, as this can make it too thick and potentially
