Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

This avocado green goddess dressing is super creamy and packed with flavour. It is also vegan, whole30, low-carb and paleo. And it takes only five minutes to make! Serve it as a plant-based dipping sauce or creamy salad dressing.

This avocado green goddess dressing can be a creamy salad dressing or plant-based dipping sauce. It’s vegan, gluten-free, paleo and whole30. But, most of all, it’s delicious and takes only five minutes to make.

A classic green goddess dressing has sour cream or mayo as the main ingredient with anchovy paste for a flavour boost.

In this healthy vegan version, I use creamy avocado, lemon juice and capers for the perfect balance of tangy, creamy and salty. And let’s not forget all the fresh green herbs!

A small bowl with avocado green goddess dressing viewed from above.

Why you’ll love this creamy salad dressing

This avocado green goddess dressing is a delicious and nutritious way to dress up any salad.

But here are even more reasons to love it:

  • It’s quick and easy: All you need is a food processor, avocado and some fresh herbs and you’ll have a delicious dressing ready in less than 5 minutes.
  • It’s appropriate for a wide variety of diets: This dressing is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free and whole30 compliant.
  • It’s versatile: You can use it as a dressing, dip or sandwich spread.
  • It’s delicious: The combination of creamy avocado, fresh herbs, garlic and zesty lemon creates a flavourful and luscious dressing.

Avo green goddess ingredients & substitutes

This healthy green goddess dressing is a blend of only a few fresh ingredients. So, as always, with such simple recipes, quality is key. You will taste the difference.

Luckily, the recipe is very flexible and there are many easy ways to substitute if you’ve run out:

  • Avocado: Use a medium-sized ripe avocado that yields roughly one cup of avocado flesh. You can also make this dressing from frozen mashed avocado as I do when avo season is over. Learn how to freeze guacamole (or mashed avocados).
  • Fresh herbs: I love fresh basil as the base with whatever other leafy herbs I have in the garden or the fridge. Try fresh parsley, dill fronds, coriander (cilantro) or mint.
  • Green onion: Spring onion, green onion, or shallot will work well in this dressing. Chives are also a great substitute.
  • Olive oil: I love that luscious texture boost and the hint of peppery extra-virgin olive oil in the taste. But you can also go traditional and use mayonnaise, sour cream or greek yoghurt. Or completely omit it for an oil-free vegan avocado green goddess dressing. It will still have a beautiful creamy texture.
  • Lemon: I use a fresh lemon that I squeeze for two to three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and about a teaspoon of zest. Fresh lime juice and zest also work well, especially when you add cilantro to the mix (like saucy guacamole). You can also use apple cider vinegar.
  • Garlic: With raw garlic for salad dressings, fresh garlic cloves are always best. But you can substitute the clove of garlic with half a teaspoon of garlic powder if you find raw garlic too pungent.
  • Capers: Use capers preserved in brine or salt. Classic green goddess sauce has anchovies for that salty umami kick. You can certainly substitute the capers with a few roughly chopped anchovy filets. Or add a quarter cup of grated parmesan cheese.
  • Salt: I used sea salt, but you can also add kosher salt to taste.
  • Black pepper: I love freshly ground black pepper. But you can also try this dressing with a pinch of ground white pepper. Or go all out spicy and add a small jalapeño.
Ingredients for an avocado green goddess dressing on a light concrete surface.

How to make avo green goddess dressing

This homemade avocado sauce could not be simpler to make.

I mostly use my food processor for an ultra-creamy sauce. But I sometimes reach for the stick blender if I want a smaller batch.

You can use a mini food processor or blender too.

Chopped green herbs surrounded by the rest of the ingredients for vegan green goddess dressing, including sliced avocado, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, chopped green onions and capers.

Step 1: Gather your ingredients

Place the roughly chopped leafy herbs, spring onion, and garlic clove in the bowl of a food processor or high-speed blender.

Add the citrus juice and zest, capers, and olive oil.

Ingredients for an avocado green goddess sauce in the bowl of a food processor viewed from above.

Step 2: Prep your ripe avocados

Rinse the avocado to remove any contaminants on the skin.

Then, cut it in half and scoop the avocado flesh into the food processor bowl.

Smooth and creamy vegan green goddess sauce in a food processor bowl.

Step 3: Process

Pulse the food processor until you have a vibrant green sauce with a creamy texture. Scrape down the sides every now and then.

The texture will be luscious and thick, perfect for a party dip. For an avocado salad dressing, add cold water, a little bit at a time, until you reach the desired consistency to drizzle over a salad.

Taste, and add more salt, lemon juice and black pepper if needed.

How to use avocado green goddess sauce

Drizzle it generously over salads:

Use this creamy avocado dressing as you would any homemade salad dressing. Replace a classic Caesar dressing with the avocado goddess for a healthy twist. Or drizzle the vibrant green sauce over a simple chopped salad.

Replace the mayo in cold salads:

The creamy dressing makes an excellent substitute for mayonnaise in classic cold salads, like slaw, egg salad, tuna salad, or potato salad.

Or drizzle it over a no-mayo potato salad.

Spoon it over grain bowls:

Top your favourite cooked grain with veggies, like dark leafy greens, roasted sweet potato, butternut squash or aubergine wedges, and slices of heirloom tomatoes or cucumber. Generously spoon dollops of avocado green goddess sauce over the composed grain bowl. And finish off with toasted nuts or seeds.

I love a barley salad (see how to cook barley in an instant pot or stovetop). But you can also try the avocado salad with quinoa kale chickpea salad or bulgur wheat salad.

Serve it as a dipping sauce:

You can’t often serve your paleo, whole30 and vegan friends the same party dip. But, this is one of those rare occasions.

Serve the avocado green goddess dip with raw veggies or crunchy tortilla chips, or as part of a falafel platter.

Spread on sandwiches: This homemade dressing is thick and creamy. It makes the perfect sandwich spread. Slather it on a slice of toasted sourdough. Top it with tomato slices or fresh, chunky salsa, an extra drizzle of olive oil and some Maldon salt flakes.

Or scoop it into a falafel pita sandwich.

A close-up of a simple salad will avocado green goddess salad dressing.

How to store avocado dressings

Avocados turn brown due to oxygen exposure. Luckily citrus fruit contains ascorbic acid that combats the enzyme responsible for this process.

Read more on avocado oxidation and how to store guacamole or any form of mashed avocado.

Keep browning at bay: Place leftover dressing in a freezer bag or airtight container, tap on the counter to get rid of air bubbles and drizzle with an extra squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Seal and refrigerate the dressing for up to three days or freeze for up to three months.

If frozen, leave the avocado dressing in the fridge for a few hours to defrost, and it’s ready to use again.

A top down view of salad bowls with an avocado green goddess salad dressing.

Frequently asked questions

What is avocado green goddess dressing?

Avocado green goddess dressing is a creamy, delicious dressing that combines the flavours of creamy avocado and fresh herbs with a hint of lemon and garlic. It’s perfect for salads, sandwiches, and as a dip for veggie platters.

What ingredients are used in avocado green goddess dressing?

Avocado green goddess dressing is typically made with avocado as the main ingredient with lots of fresh herbs, lemon juice, garlic and salt. This creates a deliciously creamy plant-based dressing. But you can also add mayonnaise, Greek yoghurt or sour cream.

Can you substitute the mayonnaise in avocado green goddess dressing?

Yes, you can substitute the mayonnaise in avocado green goddess dressing with more avocado and fresh lime juice for a tart and creamy vegan dressing, as I’ve done with this recipe. Or, if you don’t need a plant-based sauce, add Greek yoghurt or sour cream.

Salad recipes to serve with avocado green goddess dressing

Vegan avocado green goddess dressing drizzled over a tomato and herb salad.

Avocado Green Goddess Dressing Recipe

(click stars to rate)

5 from 7 votes
Print Pin
This avocado green goddess dressing is super creamy and packed with flavour. It is also vegan, whole30, low-carb and paleo. And it takes only five minutes to make! Serve it as a plant-based dipping sauce or creamy salad dressing.
Recipe byAdri
Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup packed fresh chopped herbs, see notes
  • 2 green onions, roughly chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
  • 2 teaspoons capers
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lemon, squeezed for 2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus 1 teaspoon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
  • 1 medium-sized avocado, about 1 cup of avocado flesh
  • black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place the mixed herbs, green onion, garlic, capers, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, and salt in the bowl of a food processor or blender.
  • Cut the avocados in half and scoop the flesh into the food processor bowl. Process until smooth and green.
  • The texture will be thick and creamy, perfect for a dip or mayo substitute. Add water or more olive oil if you want thinner dressing.
  • Adjust salt and black pepper to taste.
  • Store the dressing in the fridge for three days or freeze it for up to three months.

Notes

  • You can use any combination of soft herbs like basil, parsley, dill, mint, tarragon, or cilantro. I like to use half a cup of basil, a few mint leaves, a few dill fronds and flat-leaf parsley for the rest. Or whatever herbs I have in my fridge.
  • See ingredients and substitutes if you need alternatives.
 
Yield: 1 cup

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2 tablespoons Calories: 77 kcal Carbohydrates: 3 g Protein: 1 g Fat: 7 g Saturated Fat: 1 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g Sodium: 93 mg Potassium: 179 mg Fiber: 2 g Sugar: 0.4 g Vitamin A: 699 IU Vitamin C: 15 mg Calcium: 17 mg Iron: 1 mg

More plant-based dips, spreads, and salad dressing recipes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Add a recipe rating: