Tangy Barefoot Contessa Green Goddess Dressing Recipe

Easy, Tangy Barefoot Contessa Green Goddess Dressing Recipe

Barefoot Contessa’s green goddess dressing transforms ordinary salads into vibrant culinary experiences with its luxurious blend of fresh herbs and zesty ingredients.

Creamy textures mingle with bright, bold flavors that dance across your palate.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients create a sophisticated and irresistible condiment that elevates simple greens.

Each spoonful promises a harmonious symphony of tangy and rich notes.

Home cooks adore this versatile dressing for its ability to instantly upgrade any leafy ensemble.

The recipe captures the essence of gourmet cooking while remaining incredibly approachable for kitchen enthusiasts.

This remarkable dressing will revolutionize your salad game with its unparalleled depth and complexity: get ready to impress.

Ways to Adjust Contessa Green Goddess Dressing

  • Herbal Haven: Swap basil with fresh dill and parsley for a lighter, more delicate green goddess dressing with enhanced herbal notes.
  • Spicy Kick: Add sriracha or jalapeño for a zesty, bold flavor that transforms the classic recipe into a spicier version with extra heat.
  • Vegan Verde: Replace mayonnaise and sour cream with cashew cream and plant-based yogurt to create a dairy-free, plant-powered green goddess dressing that's creamy and rich.
  • Mediterranean Magic: Incorporate chopped mint, za'atar spice blend, and a splash of olive oil to give the dressing a Middle Eastern-inspired profile with deeper, more complex flavors.

Parting Words on Contessa Green Goddess Dressing

Green Goddess Dressing emerges as Ina Garten’s culinary masterpiece, blending fresh herbs with creamy textures that elevate simple salads into gourmet experiences.

Mediterranean influences shine through each zesty spoonful, connecting home kitchens with sophisticated flavor profiles.

Tangy scallions and fragrant basil create harmonious notes that dance across leafy greens with elegant complexity.

Anchovy paste introduces subtle umami depth, transforming ordinary ingredients into extraordinary culinary moments.

Refrigeration allows flavors to meld and intensify, promising a dressing that becomes more delicious with patient anticipation.

Passionate cooks can savor this recipe’s versatility – drizzle over crisp vegetables, use as a dip, or marinate proteins for maximum flavor impact.

What Makes Contessa’s Green Goddess Dressing So Delicious

What Makes Contessa's Green Goddess Dressing So Delicious
  • Burst with Fresh Herb Explosion: Packed with vibrant basil and scallions, this dressing delivers an incredible punch of garden-fresh flavors that transform ordinary salads into gourmet experiences.
  • Creamy Texture Magic: The perfect blend of mayonnaise and sour cream creates a luxuriously smooth consistency that clings beautifully to greens, ensuring every bite is rich and satisfying.
  • Whip Up in a Flash: With just 35 minutes of preparation time and simple blender technique, even novice cooks can effortlessly create a restaurant-quality dressing that feels like a culinary masterpiece.
  • Versatile Flavor Booster: Beyond salads, this green goddess dressing works wonderfully as a dip, sandwich spread, or drizzle over roasted vegetables, making it a super-flexible kitchen staple that elevates multiple dishes.

Ingredients for Contessa Green Goddess Dressing

Base Ingredients:
  • Mayonnaise: Creamy base that provides rich and smooth texture for the dressing.
  • Sour Cream: Adds tangy flavor and helps create a light, silky consistency.
Herb and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Scallions, Basil: Fresh herbs that bring bright, green, and aromatic notes to the dressing.
  • Garlic: Provides a sharp, pungent flavor that complements the herbs.
Seasoning and Acidic Components:
  • Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps balance the rich ingredients.
  • Anchovy Paste: Introduces a deep, umami flavor with subtle saltiness.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and round out the overall taste profile.

How to Whip Up Contessa Green Goddess Dressing

How to Whip Up Contessa Green Goddess Dressing

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

Collect all the components for a zesty green goddess dressing:
  • Mayonnaise
  • 2 scallions, roughly chopped
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • Anchovy paste
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Step 2: Blend The Flavor Base

Toss the mayonnaise, scallions, basil, lemon juice, garlic, anchovy paste, salt, and pepper into a blender. Pulse and blend until the mixture transforms into a smooth, vibrant green sauce.

Step 3: Incorporate Creamy Texture

Gently fold in the sour cream and give the blender a quick pulse to combine. The sour cream adds a luxurious, tangy dimension to the dressing.

Step 4: Store And Serve

Transfer the green goddess dressing to an airtight container. If not using immediately, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Drizzle over salads, use as a dip, or as a zesty sauce for grilled vegetables and proteins.

Tips for a Perfect Green Goddess Dressing by Contessa

  • Preserve Flavor Perfectly: Refrigerate the dressing in an airtight container to maintain its vibrant herb freshness and prevent flavor degradation.
  • Customize Texture Instantly: Adjust the blending time to control the dressing's smoothness, creating either a chunky or ultra-smooth consistency.
  • Enhance Umami Depth: Experiment with alternative umami-rich ingredients like nutritional yeast or roasted garlic to elevate the dressing's complex flavor profile.
  • Transform Leftover Potential: Repurpose extra dressing as a marinade for proteins, a drizzle over roasted vegetables, or a zesty sandwich spread.
  • Balance Herb Proportions: Mix different herb quantities to create a personalized green goddess dressing that reflects your unique taste preferences.

Best Storage for Contessa’s Green Goddess Dressing

Preserve the dressing’s vibrant green goodness with these smart storage secrets. Seal tightly in a glass mason jar to lock in those fresh herb flavors and creamy texture. Transfer immediately after preparation to an airtight container, preventing any unwanted fridge odors from sneaking into your delicious creation.

Rotate the container gently before each use to re-emulsify ingredients that might naturally separate during refrigeration. Consume within 4-5 days for maximum flavor intensity and peak freshness. Glass containers work best, as they prevent flavor absorption and maintain the dressing’s pristine taste profile.

Quick tip: Place a small piece of plastic wrap directly on the dressing’s surface before sealing the lid, creating an extra barrier against potential oxidation and helping preserve the bright green color longer.

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Tangy Barefoot Contessa Green Goddess Dressing Recipe

Barefoot Contessa Green Goddess Dressing Recipe


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4.9 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Green Goddess Dressing brings herbal freshness and creamy zest to salads with Ina Garten’s classic recipe. California cuisine shines through this luscious blend of fresh herbs, tangy mayonnaise, and bright citrus notes that elevate any green plate.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts (6 to 7 scallions)
  • 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Flavoring Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup (60 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
  • 2 teaspoons chopped garlic (2 cloves)
  • 2 teaspoons anchovy paste

Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine mayonnaise, finely chopped scallions, fresh basil leaves, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, anchovy paste, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a blender.
  2. Pulse the ingredients until achieving a completely smooth, vibrant green consistency, approximately 30-45 seconds.
  3. Gently fold in sour cream, carefully blending just until incorporated to maintain a light, creamy texture.
  4. Transfer the green goddess dressing to an airtight glass container or mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.
  5. Refrigerate immediately if not using right away, ensuring the dressing remains chilled and fresh.
  6. The dressing will maintain optimal flavor and consistency for up to 5-7 days when stored properly in the refrigerator.
  7. Before serving, give the dressing a quick whisk or shake to recombine any separated ingredients and restore its creamy homogeneous appearance.

Notes

  • Whip up this vibrant dressing in minutes with simple ingredients from your kitchen.
  • Blend all components until silky smooth for a restaurant-quality condiment.
  • Fresh basil and scallions deliver a bright, herbaceous flavor profile that elevates any salad.
  • Anchovy paste adds a subtle umami depth without overwhelming the other ingredients.
  • Refrigerate for up to five days, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
  • Perfect for drizzling over crisp greens, grilled vegetables, or using as a dipping sauce.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Isabella Rodriguez

Isabella Rodriguez

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning

Education

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
  • Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.

Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.

At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.

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