Meet your next obsession: the Green Goddess Salad! Overflowing with crisp greens, creamy avocado, and a creamy, herb-packed Green Goddess dressing, this salad is the fresher-than-fresh side dish or light meal you’ll crave all year long. Every forkful is vibrantly flavorful, thanks to a rainbow of veggies, crunchy pine nuts, and a tangy finish from vegan feta.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Vibrant & Fresh: Every bite bursts with bright, herbaceous flavor and luscious texture—that’s a salad worth celebrating!
- Nourishing and Satisfying: With a bounty of greens, healthy fats, and plant-based protein, this bowl keeps you fueled and happy.
- Totally Customizable: Swap in your favorite veggies or toppings for a personalized Green Goddess Salad adventure each time.
- Quick to Make: Ten minutes is all you need for this gorgeous meal—perfect for busy days or spontaneous cravings!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of a perfect Green Goddess Salad comes from the fresh, vibrant mix of simple ingredients. Each one brings its own irresistible flavor and crunch, so don’t skip a single colorful component!
- Green Goddess Dressing: This creamy, herby dressing is the soul of the salad—use homemade or your favorite store-bought version.
- Mixed greens (spinach & arugula): Tender, peppery, and loaded with nutrients, these greens form the lively foundation.
- Microgreens: These teeny greens add punchy flavor and a beautiful pop of color.
- Parsley: A handful of fresh parsley wakes up every bite with subtle, grassy brightness.
- Cucumber: Thinly sliced, it lends juicy crunch and a cooling contrast to the herbs.
- Asparagus: Steamed until just-tender and bright, it’s springtime on your fork.
- Avocado: Creamy cubes offer a buttery finish and lovely richness.
- Toasted pine nuts: Nutty crunch that brings both texture and depth of flavor—don’t skip the toasting!
- Vegan feta: Whether homemade or store-bought, this tangy crumble ties together every vibrant element.
Variations
The Green Goddess Salad is outrageously adaptable, so don’t be afraid to riff on it! Whether you need to work around allergies, use up what’s in the fridge, or simply want to give it a new spin, there’s a variation for everyone.
- Add Protein: Toss in chickpeas, grilled tofu, or baked tempeh to make it a hearty, protein-packed meal.
- Swap the Greens: Try baby kale, shredded romaine, or even massaged kale for a different base.
- Cheese Choices: Not vegan? Crumbled goat cheese or creamy fresh mozzarella both pair beautifully with the bold dressing.
- Crunch Factor: Sunflower seeds, toasted walnuts, or even crispy roasted chickpeas offer new textures and flavors.
How to Make Green Goddess Salad
Step 1: Make the Green Goddess Dressing
This dressing is where all the garden-fresh flavors begin! Blend up your favorite version (if you don’t already have one, try a vegan blend of fresh herbs, lemon, garlic, olive oil, and maybe a little vegan yogurt or mayo). Set it aside for when you’re ready to assemble.
Step 2: Steam the Asparagus
Pour just enough water into a sauté pan to cover the bottom, then bring it up to medium heat. Add the asparagus and let it steam gently for about 5 minutes until it’s vibrant green and just fork-tender. Immediately transfer to an ice bath—the quick chill keeps the asparagus bright and stops any further cooking.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
In your biggest, prettiest salad bowl, pile in the mixed greens, microgreens, parsley, cucumber, and creamy avocado cubes. Drain the cooled asparagus and add that in. Drizzle over the Green Goddess dressing and toss gently to coat everything in glorious flavor.
Step 4: Add Toppings & Serve
Sprinkle the whole beautiful bowl with toasted pine nuts and big crumbles of vegan feta. Serve immediately while everything is crisp, creamy, and utterly irresistible!
Pro Tips for Making Green Goddess Salad
- Ice Bath Secret: Always plunge your just-steamed asparagus in ice water—this simple move locks in vivid color and crisp-tender texture every time.
- Toasting Pine Nuts: A quick toast in a dry skillet over medium heat makes the pine nuts nuttier and extra fragrant—watch closely, they burn fast!
- Dressing Timing: For peak crispness, add the Green Goddess Dressing just before serving—otherwise the greens can wilt.
- Choose Ripe Avocado: Firm yet yielding avocados will dice up beautifully and add the creamiest contrast—if they’re too soft, they’ll disappear into the salad.
How to Serve Green Goddess Salad
Garnishes
Top your Green Goddess Salad with extra toasted pine nuts, a flurry of fresh herbs (think basil, dill, or even chives), or a final sprinkle of vegan feta for a show-stopping finish. A squeeze of lemon brightens everything in a snap!
Side Dishes
This salad absolutely shines alongside crusty sourdough, vegan quiche, a hearty soup, or any Mediterranean-inspired main. For a luncheon spread, pair with veggie wraps or shareable flatbreads.
Creative Ways to Present
Go bold: arrange your Green Goddess Salad on a large platter for a family-style feast, or serve it in pretty glass jars for picnic lunches and parties. For mini-apps, pile it onto crostini or stuff into lettuce cups—how fun is that?
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Green Goddess Salad tastes best right after tossing with its gorgeous dressing, but if you do have leftovers, store them (undressed if possible) in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay crisp for a few hours—just know the greens can wilt quickly.
Freezing
This isn’t a salad for the freezer—greens, avocado, and the creamy dressing just won’t bounce back after thawing. If you want to prep ahead, just make the dressing and chop veggies in advance, then assemble fresh!
Reheating
No reheating required—Green Goddess Salad is at its best when served cold, right after assembling. If you’ve prepped the asparagus or other toppings ahead, bring them to room temperature before adding to the salad for the best flavor.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought Green Goddess dressing?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, a quality store-bought Green Goddess dressing works beautifully. Just look for options with fresh herbs and minimal additives for the brightest taste.
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What other vegetables work well in this salad?
Just about any fresh, crisp veggie will shine here—try sugar snap peas, thinly sliced radishes, shredded carrots, or even tender broccoli florets for fun twists!
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Is Green Goddess Salad healthy?
Definitely—it’s packed with leafy greens, healthy fats (thanks avocado!), and lots of fiber. Plus, you control what goes in, making it easy to tailor to your nutritional goals.
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How far in advance can I make Green Goddess Salad?
The dressing and individual veggies can be prepped up to a day ahead, but wait to add the dressing and avocado until just before serving to keep everything fresh and vibrant.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something wholesome yet totally crave-worthy, this Green Goddess Salad is pure joy in a bowl. Give it a try—you just might discover it’s your new go-to for fast lunches, showstopping sides, or anytime you need a fresh burst of green goodness. Happy crunching!
Print
Green Goddess Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing, Steaming
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A refreshing and nutritious Green Goddess Salad featuring a vibrant mix of fresh greens, microgreens, asparagus, avocado, and a zesty Green Goddess Dressing. Topped with vegan feta and toasted pine nuts, this salad is a burst of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Green Goddess Dressing:
- 1/4 cup Green Goddess Dressing
Detox Salad:
- 4 cups loosely packed mixed greens, such as spinach and arugula
- 1 cup microgreens
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 3/4 cup thinly sliced cucumber
- 3/4 cup asparagus, cut into 1″ pieces
- 1 small avocado, cubed
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons vegan feta
Instructions
- Prepare Green Goddess Dressing: Make the Green Goddess Dressing according to the recipe instructions and set it aside.
- Steam Asparagus: Steam the asparagus in a sauté pan over medium heat for 5 minutes until tender and vibrant green. Transfer to an ice bath to cool.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, microgreens, parsley, cucumber, avocado, asparagus, and toasted pine nuts. Add the cooled asparagus and Green Goddess Dressing. Toss to coat.
- Serve: Enjoy the Green Goddess Salad immediately.
Notes
- Eat the salad within a few hours of assembly for the best taste and texture.
- This salad serves 2 as a main dish or 4 as a side.
- Best consumed immediately after dressing; it does not store well once assembled.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 340mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
