This Ultimate Green Goddess Salad Recipe brings together crisp, fresh vegetables with a creamy, herb-packed dressing that’s both nutritious and incredibly flavorful. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish, this vibrant salad delivers maximum taste with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Ultimate Green Goddess Salad Recipe stands out for its perfect balance of textures and flavors. The combination of crunchy cabbage, refreshing cucumbers, and aromatic herbs creates a salad that’s both satisfying and light. The homemade Green Goddess dressing is dairy-free, packed with nutrients from fresh herbs and spinach, and brings everything together with its creamy, tangy flavor profile.
The recipe is incredibly versatile and can be customized to your preferences. It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and loaded with vitamins and minerals. Plus, it keeps well in the refrigerator, making it perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights when you want something healthy and delicious ready to go.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Salad:
- 1 small cabbage, finely diced (or iceberg lettuce)
- 3–4 small Persian cucumbers, finely diced
- 1 bunch green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup chives, finely sliced
For the Green Goddess Dressing:
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 small shallot
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1 tsp salt
How to Make Green Goddess Salad
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Dressing:
- Add garlic and shallot to a food processor or high-speed blender and pulse until minced.
- Add the basil, spinach, walnuts, and nutritional yeast. Pulse to combine.
- Pour in the lemon juice, olive oil, rice vinegar, and salt. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down sides as needed.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional lemon juice, salt, or herbs as desired.
Prepare the Salad:
- Wash and thoroughly dry the cabbage. Remove the core and finely dice the leaves.
- Wash and dice the Persian cucumbers into small, uniform pieces.
- Clean and slice the green onions, using both white and green parts.
- Finely slice the fresh chives.
Assemble the Salad:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cabbage, cucumbers, green onions, and chives.
- Pour the Green Goddess dressing over the vegetables.
- Toss everything together until well coated.
- Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Helpful Tips
- Prep ahead: The dressing can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Texture variation: For extra crunch, add toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
- Herb substitutions: If you don’t have fresh basil, try fresh parsley, cilantro, or a combination of herbs.
- Cabbage alternatives: Swap cabbage for romaine lettuce, butter lettuce, or a mix of greens.
- Dressing consistency: If the dressing seems too thick, thin it with a tablespoon of water or additional lemon juice.
Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes (including resting time)
Servings: 6-8 servings
Course: Side dish, salad
Cuisine: American, Plant-based
Diet: Vegan, Gluten-free, Dairy-free
Notes
- The nutritional yeast in the dressing provides a subtle cheesy flavor while keeping the recipe vegan
- Persian cucumbers are preferred for their thin skin and fewer seeds, but regular cucumbers work too
- For a more intense garlic flavor, let the salad sit longer before serving
- This salad actually improves in flavor after sitting for a few hours as the vegetables absorb the dressing
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time? Yes! This Ultimate Green Goddess Salad Recipe actually tastes better after the flavors have had time to meld. You can prepare it up to 4 hours in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator.
What can I substitute for nutritional yeast? If you don’t have nutritional yeast, you can omit it or substitute with a tablespoon of tahini for creaminess, though the flavor will be slightly different.
Is this salad keto-friendly? Yes, this salad is naturally low in carbs and fits well into a ketogenic diet plan.
Can I freeze the Green Goddess dressing? The dressing doesn’t freeze well due to the fresh herbs and oil separation. It’s best stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
What other vegetables can I add? Try adding diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, radishes, or avocado for extra variety and nutrition.
Storage Instructions
Store the assembled salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The vegetables will soften slightly over time but remain delicious. For best results, store the dressing separately and toss with fresh vegetables when ready to serve.
The Green Goddess dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Give it a good stir before using as ingredients may separate naturally.
Related Recipes
Looking for more fresh and healthy salad ideas? Check out these delicious recipes from runoflif.com:
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
- Asian-Inspired Cucumber Salad
- Fresh Herb and Avocado Salad
- Crunchy Rainbow Vegetable Salad
Conclusion
This Ultimate Green Goddess Salad Recipe proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. With its vibrant colors, fresh flavors, and satisfying crunch, it’s a dish that will become a regular in your meal rotation. The homemade Green Goddess dressing elevates simple vegetables into something truly special, while the recipe’s flexibility allows you to customize it to your taste preferences.
Whether you’re serving it as a side dish at your next gathering or enjoying it as a light lunch, this salad delivers both nutrition and flavor in every bite. The combination of fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables, and creamy dressing creates a harmonious balance that’s sure to please everyone at your table.