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Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing is that cult favorite creamy, herby dressing, and this copycat tastes just like the original for a fraction of the price. I keep a jar in the fridge all week, and on busy school nights it turns a plain bowl of greens into something Maddie and Lizzie actually ask for seconds of. If you love easy copycat condiments, you will want our honey roasted BBQ sauce on hand too.
Everything goes in the blender for one minute, giving you a fresh, avocado based dressing with basil, parsley, chives, and a bright pop of lemon.
Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 0 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 10 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 8 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 104kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Fresh, herby, creamy, and tangy
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, on par with our strawberry butter
Quick Answer
Add a ripe avocado, water, fresh basil, parsley, chives, green onion, garlic, lemon juice and zest, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, white onion, salt, and pepper to a blender. Blend for about 30 seconds until smooth and fully emulsified. Store the dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 to 10 days.
Jump to:
- Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing Quick Look
- Quick Answer
- Why This Recipe Works
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to Make Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing
- Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Serving Ideas and Suggestions
- Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing FAQs
- Other Recommended Dips and Dressings
- Copycat Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing Recipe
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Avocado makes it creamy. A ripe avocado gives the dressing its signature silky, creamy body without any dairy.
- Fresh herbs do the heavy lifting. Basil, parsley, and chives deliver that bright, garden fresh flavor the original is famous for.
- Lemon and vinegar add brightness. Fresh lemon juice, zest, and apple cider vinegar balance the rich avocado and oil with a tangy lift.
- The blender does everything. One quick blend emulsifies the oil and water into a smooth, pourable dressing in under a minute.
- It is fresher than store bought. No preservatives or gums, just real ingredients, so it tastes vibrant and clean.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It tastes just like the Trader Joe’s original, so you can have it any time without a trip to the store.
- It comes together in one blender in about 10 minutes, no cooking required.
- It is endlessly versatile as a dressing, dip, or sauce, perfect over our chipotle chicken bowls.
Key Ingredients
Fresh, simple ingredients give this dressing its bright flavor. Here is what each one does:
- Avocado: A ripe avocado is the creamy, dairy free base of the dressing. The riper, the smoother.
- Fresh herbs: Basil, parsley, and chives give the dressing its bright green color and garden fresh flavor.
- Lemon: Fresh juice and a little zest add the signature tangy brightness.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps the dressing emulsify into a silky texture.
- Aromatics: Green onion, white onion, and garlic add savory depth, with apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper to round it out.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
This dressing is easy to customize to your taste.
- Make it thinner: Add a splash more water to turn it into a pourable salad dressing.
- Make it a dip: Use less water for a thick, scoopable dip for veggies and chips.
- Add Greek yogurt: A spoonful makes it extra creamy and adds a little tang.
- Swap the herbs: Cilantro, dill, or tarragon work beautifully in place of some basil.
- Boost the savory note: Add a spoonful of nutritional yeast for a cheesy depth while keeping it vegan.
How to Make Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing
- Add the avocado, water, basil, parsley, olive oil, green onion, garlic, lemon juice and zest, chives, white onion, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper to a blender.
- Blend for about 30 seconds, until the dressing is completely smooth and emulsified.
- Scrape the dressing into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 7 to 10 days.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use a ripe avocado. It is the key to a smooth, creamy texture, so make sure it gives slightly when pressed.
- Use a high powered blender. A strong blender or food processor gives the silkiest consistency.
- Adjust the water. Add more for a pourable dressing or less for a thick dip.
- Taste and adjust. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon to dial in the flavor to your liking.
- Chill before serving. An hour in the fridge lets the flavors meld for the best taste.
- Shake before using. Give it a stir if it has been sitting, since fresh dressings can separate.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
This green goddess dressing is incredibly versatile. Drizzle it over a simple green salad, grain bowls, or roasted vegetables, or use it as a creamy dip for crudites, chips, and wings.
It also makes a fantastic sauce. Spoon it over grilled chicken or fish, swirl it into our copycat chipotle bowls, or use it as a spread on sandwiches and wraps in place of mayo.
It is right at home on a party spread too. Set it out as a dip next to our spinach dip and a platter of fresh vegetables, or pair it with a batch of cream cheese wonton cups for an easy appetizer table.
Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing FAQs
The copycat is made with avocado, water, fresh basil, parsley, chives, green onion, white onion, garlic, lemon juice and zest, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, all blended until smooth.
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, this Trader Joe’s green goddess dressing lasts 7 to 10 days. Give it a stir before each use since fresh dressings can separate.
This copycat is made with whole, fresh ingredients like avocado, herbs, and olive oil, with no preservatives. It is naturally vegan, dairy free, and gluten free at about 104 calories per serving.
Use it as a salad dressing, a dip for veggies and chips, a sauce for grilled chicken or fish, or a spread on sandwiches and wraps. Thin it with water for dressing or keep it thick for dipping.
Yes. Swap the avocado for Greek yogurt, sour cream, or mayonnaise for a more traditional green goddess dressing, though avocado is what makes this copycat so creamy and dairy free.
It usually needs a riper avocado, a more powerful blender, or a little more water. Blend longer and scrape down the sides until it is fully emulsified and silky.
Love easy copycat recipes? Try our Texas Roadhouse butter next.
Love copycat sauces? Whip up our Taco Bell nacho cheese in 10 minutes.
Copycat Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 avocado
- ¾ cup water
- ⅓ cup fresh basil chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 green onions chopped
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives chopped
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped white onion
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender.1 avocado, ¾ cup water, ⅓ cup fresh basil, ¼ cup fresh parsley , ¼ cup olive oil, 2 green onions, 1 garlic clove, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon fresh chives, 1 tablespoon finely chopped white onion, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon lemon zest, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Blend for 30 seconds or until fully emulsified.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days.
Notes
- Make sure your avocado is ripe for the perfect creamy texture.
- Use a high-powered blender or food processor for the smoothest consistency.
- Adjust the amount of water to get the right consistency for your dressing.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed – add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if required.
- Chill the dressing for an hour before serving for the best flavor.
- Shake or stir well before each use if it’s been sitting in the fridge.
Nutrition
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