Barefoot Contessa’s Fresh Green Goddess Dressing Recipe

Creamy green goddess dressing represents a vibrant culinary marvel that transforms ordinary meals into spectacular dining experiences.

Fresh herbs dance within its luxurious texture, creating an unexpectedly harmonious flavor profile.

Mediterranean influences shine through this verdant condiment’s smooth consistency and aromatic ingredients.

Light yet intensely flavorful, the dressing captures sophisticated kitchen magic in mere moments.

Complex herb combinations ensure each spoonful delivers remarkable depth and sensational taste.

Home cooks adore its versatility, effortlessly elevating salads, vegetables, and protein dishes with incredible panache.

Its emerald-green hue promises a refreshing and indulgent culinary adventure that speaks directly to passionate food lovers: prepare to be amazed.

Why Barefoot Contessa Green Goddess Dressing Stands Out

• Whip Up a Creamy Flavor Explosion: This Green Goddess dressing delivers an incredible burst of herbal and tangy flavors that dance together in perfect harmony, creating a truly memorable taste experience.
• Craft a Restaurant-Quality Salad in Minutes: With just a few simple ingredients and a quick blender method, you can transform ordinary lettuce into a gourmet dish that looks and tastes like something from a high-end restaurant.
• Elevate Everyday Greens with Luxurious Texture: The smooth, velvety dressing coats each lettuce leaf and tomato wedge, turning a basic salad into a rich and indulgent meal that feels surprisingly sophisticated yet incredibly easy to prepare.
• Customize Your Culinary Canvas: This versatile dressing works magic not just on salads, but can be used as a dip, spread, or sauce for countless other dishes, making it a smart, creative addition to your recipe collection.

What You Need to Make Green Goddess Like Ina

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that provides rich, smooth texture and tangy flavor.
• Sour Cream: Adds extra creaminess and subtle tang to balance the dressing.

• Scallions, Basil: Bright, fresh herbs that deliver vibrant green color and sharp, herbaceous notes.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that adds depth and aromatic complexity to the dressing.

• Lemon Juice: Acidic component that brightens flavors and adds zesty freshness.
• Anchovy Paste: Provides umami depth and subtle saltiness to the dressing.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance overall flavor profile.

• Bibb Lettuce: Delicate, tender lettuce with soft leaves perfect for elegant plating.
• Tomato Wedges: Fresh, juicy addition that complements the creamy dressing.

Blend the Perfect Barefoot Contessa Green Goddess Dressing

Step 1: Gather Vibrant Ingredients

• Mayonnaise
• Scallions
• Fresh basil leaves
• Lemon
• Garlic cloves
• Anchovy paste
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Sour cream

Step 2: Blend Flavor Explosion

Toss all ingredients except sour cream into a blender or food processor. Pulse until the mixture transforms into a smooth, creamy green blend. The herbs will create a beautiful emerald color that screams freshness.

Step 3: Whisk In Creamy Goodness

Gently fold in sour cream, giving a quick pulse to incorporate without over-mixing. This adds a luxurious, silky texture to the dressing.

Step 4: Chill and Prepare

Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors mingle and develop a deeper, more complex taste. If preparing ahead, store in an airtight container.

Step 5: Prepare Crisp Salad Base

Carefully wash and trim Bibb lettuce, cutting each head into elegant quarters. Remove some of the tough core to create a delicate presentation.

Step 6: Arrange and Drizzle

Place lettuce quarters on serving plates, creating a beautiful green canvas. Slice ripe tomatoes into wedges and artfully scatter them around the lettuce. Generously drizzle the vibrant Green Goddess dressing over the salad, ensuring each bite is packed with incredible flavor.

Step 7: Serve Immediately

Present the salad right away to capture the freshest taste and most appealing appearance. Watch as your guests dive into this restaurant-quality dish that bursts with herbal, tangy goodness.

Tips for Creamy, Herby Dressing Every Time

• Boost Fresh Herbs: Snip herbs right before mixing to maximize their vibrant flavors and aromatic oils.
• Blend for Smoothness: Use a food processor or blender to create a silky, well-integrated dressing without lumps.
• Storage Savvy: Keep the dressing in an airtight container for up to 5 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify in the refrigerator.
• Customize Heat: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to give the dressing a zesty kick.
• Texture Trick: For a lighter consistency, whisk in a splash of buttermilk or Greek yogurt to create a creamy, luscious dressing.

Storing Green Goddess Without Losing Its Flavor

• Vacuum Seal Method: Lock in freshness by transferring dressing to a vacuum-sealed bag or container. Remove all air to prevent oxidation and maintain vibrant herb flavors, extending storage life up to 7 days.
• Glass Jar Preservation: Select a clean, wide-mouth glass jar with a tight-sealing lid for optimal storage. Dark glass helps protect delicate herbs from light degradation, preserving color and nutrients while keeping dressing fresh for 4-5 days.
• Temperature Control: Position dressing in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf away from the door. Consistent cool temperatures prevent ingredient separation and maintain the dressing's creamy texture and robust flavor profile.

Mix Up Your Green Goddess with Ina’s Favorite Ideas

• Green Herbs Fusion: Swap basil with fresh dill, parsley, and chives for a more complex herbal profile that brings vibrant garden-fresh flavors to the dressing.
• Mediterranean Splash: Replace anchovy paste with kalamata olive tapenade and add a dash of dried oregano to create a Greek-inspired green goddess variation with deeper umami notes.
• Spicy Cilantro Kick: Incorporate fresh cilantro, jalapeño, and a splash of lime juice for a zesty Mexican-style green goddess dressing that adds heat and brightness to salads.
• Vegan Green Goddess: Use vegan mayonnaise, cashew cream instead of sour cream, and nutritional yeast to craft a plant-based version that maintains the creamy texture and rich herb essence.

A Fresh Finish to a Classic Dressing

Green Goddess dressing emerges as culinary magic from Ina Garten’s legendary kitchen, transforming simple salads into extraordinary experiences.

California cuisine’s iconic dish blends fresh herbs, creamy textures, and zesty notes into one phenomenal condiment.

Herb-packed brilliance connects home cooks with restaurant-quality flavors through easy preparation.

Complex yet approachable, this dressing elevates ordinary greens into memorable meals with remarkable depth.

Sophisticated palates will appreciate its harmonious balance of tangy, herbaceous elements.

Chance awaits: blend, drizzle, savor – then snap a pic, share this sensational recipe across social channels, spark conversation among fellow culinary enthusiasts, and inspire delicious connections!

Barefoot Contessa Green Goddess Dressing Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s green goddess dressing brings California coastal charm to salads with fresh herbs and zesty flavor. Creamy yet light, this classic recipe combines parsley, basil, and chives for a delicious blend you’ll want to drizzle on everything from greens to grilled vegetables.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk Greek yogurt
• 1 cup (240 ml) parsley
• 1 cup (240 ml) mixed soft leafy herbs (dill, mint, tarragon and/or cilantro)

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) chopped chives
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) capers
• 1 garlic clove
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

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Instructions

1. Combine yogurt, freshly chopped parsley, mixed dried herbs, finely minced chives, freshly squeezed lemon juice, grated lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, briny capers, minced garlic, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper inside a robust food processor.
2. Pulse the ingredients until achieving a silky, uniform consistency, ensuring all components are thoroughly integrated. Carefully taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as desired, introducing additional salt, pepper, or herbs to enhance the flavor profile. Transfer the prepared sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate, where it will maintain optimal freshness for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Whisk with Care: Gentle mixing prevents ingredient separation, ensuring a smooth, well-blended dressing that coats salads perfectly.
• Temperature Matters: Let yogurt and other cold ingredients sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before mixing to create a more uniform texture.
• Flavor Boosters: Experiment with additional herbs like dill or chives to elevate the basic recipe and surprise your taste buds.
• Storage Savvy: Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days, giving the flavors time to meld and intensify.
• Customize Your Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for an unexpected warming heat that transforms the entire dressing.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 75 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3.5 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg