Green Goddess Salad

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This Green Goddess Salad recipe is simple to make in 15 minutes and perfect for busy weeks when you need to meal prep in advance. We use green veggies as well as beans to bulk up the texture as well as flavor plus add a creamy yogurt dress for a bite that’s full of green goddess flavors.

We created this salad when we were looking for something healthy, fresh and full of good protein after a long weekend of eating take out. This Green Goddess Salad is the exact answer to that, with tons of flavor, ready in 15 minutes, and a great salad to make in advance since it holds so well in the fridge.

The term “Green Goddess” dates back to 1923, honoring a play called “The Green Goddess”. Since then, it has taken on several definitions, but essentially means a green, veggie forward dressing with a creamy base and an acid, like lemon juice. What makes a Green Goddess Salad so great, is that its easily customizable and a great option for meal prepping.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

It’s THE meal prep salad. This Green Goddess Salad is perfect for prepping at the beginning of the week, and storing in the fridge all week. Plus, it’s prepped in 15 minutes.
Full of vibrant flavors. Between all the herbs, the crunchy lettuce and creamy, tangy dressing, there is so much going on in this salad.
Nourishing, meatless salad. Between the beans, olives, avocado, cucumber and parmesan, this salad is not only vegetarian, but high in protien and packed with nutrients.
It’s a meal all on its own. You don’t need to add a meat to this, because it’s already packed with protein and is guaranteed to keep you full all day.
All in one bowl. The dressing and the salad can all be built in one bowl. Simply make the dressing in the bottom of the bowl and add your ingredients overtop. Mix to combine.

Another great salad we’ve been making recently is this Hearty Bean Salad, amongst a bunch of other delicious salads as well.

Ab’s Tip: We love the use of herbs in this one – the more the better. It adds to the richness of flavor and the freshness in every bite. Lean into what’s in season! A few of our favorites: parsley, cilantro, tarragon, scallions and dill.

Ingredients:

Spinach: A hearty green like spinach is full of nutrients and stays fresh in the fridge all week long.
Spring Peas: These give an incredible pop of flavor and seasonal color in the salad.
White beans: A great source of added protein and flavor.
Green olives: A delightful flavor boost that takes this salad up a notch.
Herbs: Picking your herbs allows this salad to be customizable. Use what’s in season!
Walnuts: Not only does this add flavor and protein, but it adds a nice crunch.
Cucumbers: Adds a refreshing and delicious crunch.
Avocado: Another way to add in extra protein, color and flavor.
Parmesan: More protein, and adds a nice nutty flavor.
Greek yogurt: A great low calorie add to salad dressings to make them even creamier and rich.
Other ingredients needed: lemon, flaky sea salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, olive oil, and breadcrumbs

How to Make Green Goddess Salad

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Add walnuts to a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Cook for about 7 min (checking every few min to ensure they don’t burn). Remove and roughly chop.

walnuts on sheetpan for green goddess salad

2. Prepare the dressing: Add greek yogurt, lemon juice, dill (or other herbs), olive oil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to the bottom of a large bowl.

3. Once added, stir to combine and season to taste. Smooth out along the bottom of the bowl.

4. Add the spring peas to a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until they are bright green. This just removes a bit of their bitterness.

5. Add all greens, parmesan and beans overtop the creamy dressing in the large bowl.

green goddess salad ingredients in large bowl

6. Mix everything to combine and top with the toasted walnuts and breadcrumbs for some added crunch.

Expert Tips

Layering the ingredients for the perfect bite. We like to make the dressing in the bottom of a large bowl and then add scoops of white beans, olives, spinach, scallions, parmesan and avocado over top. Give it a good mix, then top with crunchy walnuts and breadcrumbs.
Making the dressing ahead of time. If you are meal prepping this or want to get ahead of prep before hosting, this dressing is even better the longer the flavors are melding together. So feel free to make the day before.
Make sure you load up on textures. This salad has crunch, creaminess, zest, you name it, it has it. Make sure to add in all the fixings that give it that texture to ensure the perfect bite every time.
Have fun with in-season herbs: Feel free to add other herbs like mint, tarragon or parsley. That’s what a green goddess salad needs!
Pair with a protein. While this is packed with protein all on its own, it also pairs great with a burger, other BBQ staples or your favorite chicken dish.

Storage and Meal Prep

We meal prep this salad all the time, it’s great for a workday lunch or an easy dinner. The dressing, walnuts and spring peas can all be prepped at the beginning of the week. Then whenever you are ready to eat, all you need to do is mix it together in a bowl and enjoy!

If you have leftovers, we recommend storing the ingredients in separate containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Assemble the salad right before you are ready eat.

Substitutions & Variations

Use green cabbage instead of spinach. You can absolutely make this salad like the viral TikTok green goddess salad “dip” by using green cabbage instead of spinach. If you opt for this route, make sure to finely chop all of your ingredients and serve with pita or another bread of choice.
Swap out the cheese. Instead of parmesan, you could make with feta, or goat cheese for a punch of flavor.
Skip the spring peas: The peas add a wonderful burst of flavor, but if you are in a time crunch, skip the peas and load up on more herbs instead.

FAQs

What is the green goddess made of?

Green goddess is typically a salad dressing containing a creamy base, herbs, lemon juice, salt and pepper. This version is by far my favorite.

What is in the green goddess salad mix?

This version has white beans, green olives, parmesan, cucumbers, spring peas, spinach and avocado.

What cabbage to use for green goddess salad?

To make this salad like the viral Tiktok green goddess dip you can use green cabbage instead of spinach.

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