Zesty Garden Goddess: Barefoot Contessa’s Fresh Dressing Recipe

Green goddess dressing with a vibrant cilantro twist takes salads from mundane to memorable.

Ina Garten’s legendary Barefoot Contessa green goddess dressing recipe delivers bold, fresh flavors that dance across your palate.

Her carefully balanced blend of herbs and creamy ingredients creates a luxurious coating for crisp greens and vegetables.

The dressing whispers summer freshness with each verdant spoonful.

Tangy Greek yogurt meets zesty herbs in this simple yet sophisticated recipe.

Chefs and home cooks alike adore this versatile sauce that instantly upgrades any salad or vegetable platter.

Drizzle this emerald elixir and watch ordinary dishes become extraordinary culinary experiences.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 85 kcal

Servings: 6

Green Goddess Dressing: Ingredient Rundown

• Mayonnaise: Provides rich, smooth foundation for the dressing with silky texture.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and helps balance the intense herb flavors.

• Scallions: Brings sharp, oniony brightness and vibrant green color.
• Basil: Contributes classic herbal sweetness and aromatic depth.
• Garlic: Delivers bold, pungent undertone that elevates the entire dressing.

• Lemon Juice: Introduces zesty acidity that lifts and brightens the entire dressing.
• Anchovy Paste: Offers deep umami undertone and complex savory notes.
• Salt: Helps balance and intensify all the other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle warmth and gentle spiciness.

Gear for Green Goddess Dressing

• Blender or food processor: Essential for creating a smooth, creamy dressing base.
• Knife: Perfect for cutting lettuce heads into quarters and slicing tomatoes.
• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, pepper, and other seasonings.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping down sides of blender and transferring dressing.

How to Blend Green Goddess Dressing

• Flavor Fusion

Gather fresh, vibrant herbs and creamy ingredients for a zesty dressing that transforms ordinary salads into culinary masterpieces. This green goddess creation blends bold flavors and silky textures.

• Blender Magic

Toss all ingredients into a powerful blender. Pulse and blend until the mixture becomes a smooth, emerald-green elixir with hints of herb and garlic. The key is achieving a perfectly balanced consistency.

• Chilled Perfection

Let the dressing rest in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to mingle and intensify. A brief cooling period enhances the depth and richness of the green goddess magic.

• Salad Canvas

Select crisp, tender Bibb lettuce and slice into elegant quarters. Arrange the lettuce on beautiful plates, creating a fresh, inviting foundation for your dressing.

• Final Touch

Scatter ripe tomato wedges across the lettuce landscape. Generously drizzle the vibrant green goddess dressing, transforming a simple salad into a stunning culinary experience that delights both eyes and taste buds.

Green Goddess Variations You’ll Love

• Pro Tips for Perfect Flavor
• Experiment with fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or tarragon to create your unique green goddess dressing profile. Fresh herbs deliver brighter, more vibrant flavors compared to dried alternatives.
• Reduce or omit anchovy paste for a vegetarian version. Replace with capers or miso paste to maintain the umami depth and complexity of the original recipe.
• Strain the dressing through a fine-mesh sieve for an ultra-smooth consistency. Whisk by hand if you prefer a chunkier, more rustic texture with visible herb flecks.
• Prepare the dressing up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container. The flavors will actually intensify and develop more complexity as they sit in the refrigerator.
• Use this dressing as a dip for raw vegetables, a marinade for grilled chicken, or a sauce for roasted fish. It transforms simple ingredients into gourmet experiences with minimal effort.

Serving Green Goddess with Style

• Drizzle Over Fresh Salads: Coat crisp Bibb lettuce quarters with this vibrant green goddess dressing for a burst of herbal flavor.
• Dip Veggie Platter Delight: Use as a creamy, zesty dip for raw vegetables like carrots, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips.
• Sandwich Spread Upgrade: Spread generously on sandwiches or wraps to add a tangy, herbaceous kick to your lunch.
• Marinade Magic: Toss grilled chicken or fish in this dressing as a quick and flavorful marinade before cooking.

Store Your Green Goddess Properly

• Quick Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate the dressing in an airtight container for maximum freshness, keeping it cold and crisp for up to 5 days.
• Store Smart: Transfer the Green Goddess dressing to a sealed glass jar, which prevents flavor absorption and maintains its vibrant herbal notes.
• Prevent Separation: Gently stir the dressing before each use to reincorporate any natural liquid separation that might occur during refrigeration.
• Flavor Boost Tip: Allow the dressing to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to enhance its herbal and garlic aromatics, creating a more dynamic taste experience.

Heavenly Barefoot Contessa Green Goddess Dressing Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Green goddess dressing from Barefoot Contessa combines fresh herbs, creamy base, and zesty seasonings for a versatile condiment. Drizzle over salads, use as a dip, or enhance proteins with this restaurant-quality sauce you’ll want to make repeatedly.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk Greek yogurt
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 oz) parsley
• 1 cup (240 ml / 8 oz) mixed soft leafy herbs (dill, mint, tarragon and/or cilantro)
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) chopped chives
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) lemon zest
• 2 tsps (10 ml) capers
• 1 garlic clove
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Blend Base: Combine yogurt, parsley, dried herbs, chives, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, capers, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor.
2. Emulsify Dressing: Pulse ingredients until smooth and creamy, ensuring a uniform texture without any chunky fragments. Taste and fine-tune seasoning by adding extra herbs, salt, or pepper to elevate the flavor complexity.
3. Storage Protocol: Transfer the vibrant green goddess dressing to a sealed container and refrigerate. The dressing will maintain its robust flavor and silky consistency for approximately 5 days, making it a versatile condiment for various culinary applications.

Notes

• Herb Selection Matters: Choose fresh, high-quality herbs for maximum flavor intensity and vibrant green color.
• Pulse Precisely: Short, controlled pulses prevent over-processing and maintain the dressing’s ideal texture.
• Zest Booster: Freshly grated lemon zest adds bright, citrusy notes that elevate the entire dressing’s complexity.
• Storage Smart: Use an airtight glass container to preserve the dressing’s delicate herbal aromatics and prevent flavor degradation.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 85
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg