Viral Green Goddess Salad Recipe (2024)

Get ready to dive into the world of the viral TikTok salad with our super easy Green Goddess Salad recipe! It’s like a burst of freshness on your plate, packed with crisp lettuce, zesty scallions, crunchy cucumbers, and whatever other veggies you love. Then, all you have to do is just toss everything together in a tangy, herb-infused dressing that’s pure magic.

Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a side dish to accompany your favorite main courses, or just craving something green and delicious, this Green Goddess Salad has got you covered. It’s quick to prepare, vibrant, refreshing, and oh-so-healthy—what more could you ask for in a salad?

What Is Green Goddess Salad?

A green goddess salad is a salad that features a blend of fresh greens, green vegetables, and herbs tossed with a creamy, flavorful dressing widely known as Green Goddess dressing.

The exact ingredients in a green goddess salad recipe can vary, but it almost always contains a variety of greens like lettuce, spinach, and watercress with extra green ingredients such as fresh herbs, cucumber, avocado, green onions, and peas. Then, everything is smothered and tossed with the dressing so you get creamy bites of refreshing goodness in each forkful!

Why Is It Called Green Goddess Salad?

Contrary to popular opinion, neither the green goddess salad nor its corresponding green goddess dressing is named for its green hue. Instead, green goddess dressing is named after a 1920s play called The Green Goddess.

It is said that the star of the play, George Arliss, was staying in The Palace Hotel while performing in San Francisco, and the chef created and named the infamous dressing for Arliss. There are some differing opinions as to exactly how the dressing was created, but it is widely agreed that it was for Arliss by the Palace Hotel’s chef.

And the rest is history!

The Greatest Green Goddess Salad Recipe You’ll Ever Taste

As mentioned, there are endless versions of the classic green goddess salad recipe. For our version, we drew inspiration from the viral green goddess salad, and made it super easy!

As a result, this salad is:

• Made with simple, fresh ingredients.
• Ready in minutes.
• Full of crisp textures and refreshing, savory flavor.
• Great to whip up for a crowd.

The Components of This Viral Green Goddess Salad

One of the most common questions we get is, “What’s in green goddess dressing?” We’ll show you everything you need to make the infamous flavor of everyone’s favorite dressing and what to pair it with for the perfect green goddess salad!

For the Green Goddess Dressing

• Pine Nuts – This superfood is a great way to incorporate key vitamins and minerals into this recipe. They have a mild nutty flavor, and the oil content helps create the creamy texture of this salad dressing.
• Fresh Basil – We love to use fresh basil in this green goddess dressing, not only for the color but for the refreshing flavor it adds as well.
• Aromatics – Shallots, green onions, and garlic cloves combine to create a savory, tangy, sweet taste with a hint of tang along with a satisfying crunch for a bold, refreshing salad you’ll love! For even more flavor, try roasting the garlic for extra depth.
• Jalapeño – If you’re a fan of spice, you are going to love the jalapeño in this dressing. It gives a slight warmth without overpowering the rest of the flavors. You can always remove the jalapeño if you are sensitive to spice.
• Seasoned Rice Wine Vinegar – This adds a touch of sweetness that pairs well with the fresh ingredients and the heaviness of the fats. Regular white wine vinegar can also be used, your dressing just won’t be as sweet.
• Lime Juice – To make this dressing bright and refreshing, we find that lime juice adds the perfect amount of acidity! Freshly squeezed lime juice is best, but bottled varieties work, too.
• Oil – We use plain olive oil to create a robust taste and combine the ingredients, but feel free to use any kind of olive oil or avocado oil if preferred!
• Salt – Adjust the amount included to suit your tastes.
• Parmesan Cheese – Shredded parm is a great addition to the salad dressing. Its sharp and cheesy flavor helps to balance out the natural acidity. For the best taste and texture, use a block of Parmesan cheese, and grate it yourself. Feta would also taste great!

For the salad

• Leafy Lettuce – We use Romaine lettuce, but any greens like butter lettuce or spinach would taste great.
• Cucumbers – Use Persian cucumbers or English cucumbers for a sweeter flavor and a crisp texture with skin that is easy to chew.
• Green Onions (Scallions) – Use both the white and green parts.

Flavor Variations

Get ready to unleash your inner salad artist because when it comes to Green Goddess Salad, the possibilities are endless! Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with your own unique twists and flavors.

Here are some of our favorite ways to switch things up:

• Adding Nutritional Yeast. Include nutritional yeast in the dressing for a boost of nutrients and a touch of extra nutty, cheesy flavor.
• Including Protein. Transform this side dish into a complete meal with chicken, shrimp, or beef.
• Adding Extra Crunch. Sprinkle nuts and seeds like walnuts, pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds over the salad for a boost of healthy fats and a satisfying crunch.

Blend, Assemble, Eat! How to Make the Best Green Goddess Salad Recipe

Get ready for salad simplicity at its finest! This Green Goddess Salad comes together in just a couple of steps and a few short minutes. It’s the perfect recipe for when you’re short on time but still craving something fresh and delicious.

1. Make the Dressing. To begin, add all the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor, and pulse until smooth, scraping down the edges as needed.
2. Prepare the Salad. Next, use a sharp knife or a vegetable chopper to cube the cucumbers. Slice the scallions into thin cylinders. Add the chopped lettuce to a bowl along with the cucumbers and scallions.
3. Toss. Pour the dressing over the greens, toss to combine and coat all of the veggies, and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

As mentioned, you can easily beef up this recipe by adding your favorite protein, turning it into a satisfying meal all on its own. But if you prefer to keep it light and fresh, it also makes a fantastic appetizer or side dish to accompany a variety of main courses. Here are some delicious options:

• Spicy Cilantro Lime Chicken
• Middle Eastern Crock Pot Beef Stew
• Easy Beef Kofta
• Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies

And don’t forget to add a side of garlic caprese bread or homemade garlic bread with spinach and artichokes!

Common Questions About This Viral Green Goddess Salad Recipe

More Crowd-Pleasing Salad Recipes

If you’re loving this easy spin on the viral Green Goddess Salad recipe, then you’re in for a treat with more of our favorite salads below! We’ve got a whole lineup of fresh, flavorful creations — check them out!

• Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Recipe (Greek Cowboy Caviar)
• Cucumber Thai Salad
• Southwest Salad with Creamy Chipotle Dressing
• The Best Greek Salad