The Easiest Barefoot Contessa Green Goddess Dressing Recipe Ever

Green goddess dressing brings a vibrant splash of herbal magic to your culinary creations.

This legendary sauce transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences with its lush, verdant profile.

Creamy and bold, it blends fresh herbs into a silky smooth mixture that dances across your palate.

Chefs adore its versatility, using it as a dressing, dip, or flavor enhancer for countless dishes.

Each spoonful carries intense aromatics that awaken your taste buds and add complexity to simple ingredients.

The recipe balances tang, richness, and brightness in one remarkable condiment that elevates everything it touches.

Key Ingredients for Green Goddess Dressing

Green Goddess Dressing Ingredients:

• Mayonnaise: Creamy foundation that provides rich texture and smooth consistency.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy flavor and helps create a lighter, more balanced dressing.

• Scallions, Basil: Bright green herbs that bring fresh, vibrant flavor and beautiful color to the dressing.
• Garlic: Sharp, aromatic ingredient that adds depth and pungent undertones.

• Lemon Juice: Citrus element that adds brightness and helps balance the rich ingredients.
• Anchovy Paste: Umami-rich ingredient that provides a subtle, complex savory note.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance overall flavor profile.

• Bibb Lettuce: Tender, delicate lettuce variety perfect for showcasing the dressing.
• Tomato Wedges: Fresh, juicy component that complements the creamy green goddess dressing.

Simple Steps for 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

Place mayonnaise, scallions, basil, lemon juice, garlic, anchovy paste, salt, and black pepper into a blender or food processor. Whirl everything together until the mixture transforms into a silky smooth consistency.

Step 3: Swirl In Creamy Goodness

Gently pulse sour cream into the green mixture, blending just enough to incorporate without overworking the sauce.

Step 4: Chill And Prepare

Transfer the dressing to a sealed container and refrigerate until ready to serve. The flavors will continue to mingle and develop while chilling.

Step 5: Create Lettuce Canvas

Carefully trim and quarter Bibb lettuce heads, removing tough core sections. Arrange quartered lettuce on elegant serving plates.

Step 6: Dress And Garnish

Slice ripe tomatoes into wedges and artfully place them around the lettuce. Generously drizzle the vibrant green goddess dressing over the salad, creating a restaurant-worthy presentation.

Step 7: Serve Immediately

Present the salad right away to enjoy the crisp textures and bright, fresh flavors at their peak.

Pro Hints for Green Goddess Dressing

• Boost Herb Freshness: Chop herbs right before mixing to lock in maximum flavor and aroma, releasing their essential oils for a more vibrant dressing.
• Perfect Consistency Trick: Blend ingredients in a food processor or blender for a smooth, creamy texture that coats salads and vegetables evenly.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, giving the flavors time to meld and intensify.
• Customize Your Flavor: Swap out herbs or add extra garlic for a personalized twist that matches your taste preferences and meal style.
• Quick Meal Transformer: Use this dressing as a marinade for chicken, a sauce for fish, or a zesty dip that elevates simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Smart Storage for Green Goddess Dressing

• Vacuum Seal: Lock in freshness by transferring dressing to a vacuum-sealed bag. Remove excess air completely to prevent oxidation and maintain vibrant herb colors. Perfect for preserving delicate flavors and extending storage life beyond traditional methods.
• Glass Mason Jar: Store in a clean, wide-mouth glass mason jar with a tight-sealing lid. Transparent containers allow you to monitor dressing consistency and check for any separation. Shake vigorously before each use to remix ingredients and restore original texture.
• Temperature Control: Keep dressing at consistent refrigerator temperature between 35-40°F. Avoid storing near refrigerator door where temperature fluctuates. Place on interior shelves to maintain optimal preservation and prevent ingredient degradation.

Unique Twists on Green Goddess Dressing

• Herbal Haven: Swap basil with fresh dill, parsley, and chives for an aromatic green goddess dressing that bursts with garden-fresh flavors.
• Creamy Mediterranean: Replace anchovy paste with kalamata olives and add crumbled feta cheese to create a Greek-inspired green goddess variation with tangy undertones.
• Spicy Wellness Boost: Incorporate jalapeño peppers and cilantro for a zesty kick, blend in Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to enhance protein content and add a light, refreshing texture.
• Vegan Green Goddess: Use silken tofu and cashew cream as base replacements for mayonnaise and sour cream, include nutritional yeast for depth and blend with plant-based herbs for a completely dairy-free version.

Closing Reflections on Green Goddess Dressing

Green Goddess dressing embodies fresh California cuisine with its herbaceous charm and creamy texture.

Ina Garten’s signature recipe transforms simple ingredients into an elegant salad companion.

Scallions, basil, and anchovy paste create complex flavor profiles that dance across palates.

Garden-fresh ingredients merge seamlessly in this classic dressing that elevates any salad experience.

Restaurant-quality results await with minimal kitchen effort and maximum culinary satisfaction.

Delicious possibilities unfold – make this recipe, snap a gorgeous photo, share your masterpiece, spark conversation with fellow flavor enthusiasts, and inspire kitchen creativity among friends and family.

Fall for the Freshness of Green Goddess Dressing

• Whip Up a Creamy Flavor Explosion: This Green Goddess dressing packs an incredible punch of herbal and tangy flavors that dance together in perfect harmony, creating a mouthwatering sauce that transforms ordinary salads into extraordinary culinary experiences.
• Master a Quick Gourmet Technique: With just a simple blender method, home cooks can easily create a restaurant-quality dressing in minutes, turning basic ingredients into a sophisticated and impressive condiment that looks and tastes like a professional chef prepared it.
• Elevate Your Salad Game: The combination of fresh herbs, zesty lemon, and rich mayonnaise creates a luxurious dressing that adds depth and excitement to crisp Bibb lettuce and juicy tomato wedges, making even the simplest salad feel like a gourmet meal.
• Customize with Endless Possibilities: This versatile dressing works beautifully as a dip, sandwich spread, or vegetable topping, giving you multiple ways to enjoy its vibrant, herbaceous flavor profile beyond just a traditional salad dressing.

Barefoot Contessa Green Goddess Dressing Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 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, tangy, and packed with parsley, chives, and tarragon, this classic recipe elevates simple greens into a restaurant-worthy experience you can’t wait to savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 heads Bibb lettuce, quartered
• 2 to 3 ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges

Sauce Ingredients:

• 240 milliliters (8 fluid ounces) good-quality mayonnaise
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 1 cup (about 6–7) chopped scallions (white and green parts)
• 25 grams (0.88 ounces) chopped fresh basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons chopped garlic (about 2 cloves)
• 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the flavor-packed Green Goddess dressing by combining mayonnaise, freshly chopped scallions, fragrant basil leaves, tangy lemon juice, minced garlic, savory anchovy paste, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a blender or food processor.
2. Pulse the mixture until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
3. Gently fold in the sour cream, mixing just enough to incorporate without overworking the dressing, which could compromise its delicate texture.
4. If not serving immediately, transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
5. Carefully trim the core from each Bibb lettuce head, then slice into elegant quarters, creating a delicate base for the salad.
6. Arrange the lettuce quarters artfully on individual serving plates, creating a crisp and inviting foundation.
7. Cut ripe tomatoes into generous wedges, distributing them strategically around the lettuce to add color and fresh flavor.
8. Drizzle the vibrant Green Goddess dressing generously over the salad, ensuring each component is lightly coated with the herb-infused sauce.
9. Serve the salad immediately to preserve the lettuce’s crisp texture and the dressing’s peak flavor profile.

Notes

• Grab high-quality anchovies from specialty stores for maximum flavor intensity.
• Blend ingredients slowly to prevent separation and maintain smooth consistency.
• Store leftover dressing in an airtight container for up to five days in the refrigerator.
• Experiment with different herbs like parsley or dill for unique taste variations.
• Consider using a food processor for ultra-creamy texture and thorough mixing.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 64
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 130mg
• Fat: 6.5g
• Saturated Fat: 0.9g
• Carbohydrates: 1.1g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 0.3g
• Cholesterol: 6mg