The Ultimate Green Goddess Salad
A Fresh and Nutritious Salad Packed with Greens, Veggies, Protein and a Tangy Herb Dressing
The green goddess salad is a classic salad lovers go crazy for thanks to its refreshing blend of crispy greens, crunchy veggies, creamy avocado, savory cheese and protein all brought together by the iconic tangy green goddess salad dressing. This salad makes for a perfect light lunch or dinner and is endlessly customizable.
The crunchy base is made up of nutrient-dense leafy greens like spinach along with chopped veggie goodness from cucumbers, tomatoes and avocados. The avocado delivers a boost of healthy fats. Then comes the protein from crumbled feta cheese or chickpeas which adds sustenance to make this salad a well-rounded, satisfying meal. Everything gets tossed in the herbaceous green goddess dressing made creamy with Greek yogurt and fresh herbs like parsley, basil and tarragon.
This easy yet delicious salad comes together in just 10 minutes but is impressive enough to serve for dinner parties. It’s also a great make-ahead meal prep recipe that holds up well for lunch all week long. No matter how you enjoy this green goddess salad, it’s sure to become a new favorite go-to recipe thanks to its fresh flavors and nutritious ingredients.
Keep reading for the complete green goddess salad recipe including a handy nutritional breakdown so you can see just how good for you it is!
Why the Green Goddess Salad is So Nutritious
All of the ingredients that go into the green goddess salad are brimming with important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants your body needs. Here is a breakdown of the top nutrients provided in each key ingredient:
Baby Spinach – This leafy green is fully of vitamin K, A, C, iron, magnesium and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin. These help promote bone, eye and skin health.
Cucumbers – Provide vitamin K, magnesium, potassium and silica. The water content also hydrates the body.
Cherry Tomatoes – Bursting with vitamin C, potassium and lycopene, an antioxidant that benefits heart health and helps fight inflammation.
Avocado – Loaded with healthy monounsaturated fats along with fiber, vitamin C, E, K, folate and potassium. It enhances the absorption of fat soluble antioxidants like carotenoids too.
Feta Cheese – High in protein, calcium, phosphorus and B vitamins to support energy levels and metabolism.
Green Onions – Provide fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, calcium, iron and probiotics for digestive health.
Fresh Herbs – Parsley, basil and tarragon amp up the nutrient content with their vitamin K, A and C content. They provide antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits as well.
As you can see, the green goddess salad packs a major nutritional punch thanks to all its wholesome ingredients. Now, let’s get to the recipe!
Green Goddess Salad Ingredients and Nutrition
| Ingredient | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Baby spinach | 5 oz | 15 |
| Cucumber, diced | 1 medium (196g) | 45 |
| Cherry tomatoes, halved | 1 cup | 27 |
| Avocado, diced | 1 medium (201g) | 322 |
| Crumbled feta cheese | 1/4 cup | 110 |
| Chopped green onions | 1/4 cup | 8 |
| Fresh parsley, chopped | 2 Tbsp | 2 |
| Fresh basil, chopped | 1/4 cup | 3 |
| Fresh tarragon, chopped | 1 Tbsp | 1 |
| Lemon juice | 2 Tbsp | 4 |
| Olive oil | 1/4 cup | 119 |
| Garlic clove, minced | 1 | 4 |
| Greek yogurt | 2 Tbsp | 17 |
| Water | 1 Tbsp | 0 |
| Salt and pepper | To taste | 0 |
Easy Instructions for Putting Together the Green Goddess Salad:
- Start by assembling all the salad ingredients (baby spinach, diced cucumber, tomatoes, avocado, feta, green onions) together in a large salad bowl and set aside.
- Make the green goddess dressing in a small bowl by whisking together the lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, Greek yogurt, water and all the fresh chopped herbs (parsley, basil and tarragon). Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Drizzle the tangy herb dressing over the salad. Toss gently to evenly coat all the ingredients.
- Enjoy this fresh and nutritious salad immediately! Store any leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days.
This amazing green goddess salad delivers a nutritional powerhouse in one bowl. With 677 calories and a long list of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it makes for a well-balanced meal that will leave you feeling satisfied but not stuffed.
The possibilities are also endless when it comes to customizing this salad with extra protein or veggies. Add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein. Swap out feta for chickpeas to make it vegetarian or vegan. Throw in any other chopped veggies you love like bell peppers, broccoli or zucchini.
No matter how you change it up, the green goddess salad with its signature herb dressing is sure to become a favorite meal for any time of day! I hope you’ll give this tasty and good-for-you salad recipe a try soon. Let me know if you have any other questions!
