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Panera Green Goddess Dressing is creamy and loaded with fresh herbs and lots of flavor. It’s perfect in a salad, as a dip, or drizzled over meat and veggies.
This recipe is an insanely delicious copycat of Panera’s Green Goddess Dressing that is served with their incredible Cobb Salad. Be sure to try my Olive Garden Italian Dressing Copycat and Wedge Salad with Thousand Island Dressing, too.
Why We Love This Recipe
I decided to use mostly the same ingredients that Panera uses in their dressing, which isn’t exactly the same as some of the other green goddess dressing recipes you’ll find online.
The classic green goddess dressing uses a variety of herbs, which you can certainly do, but the Panera dressing uses basil and basil pesto. I used basil for the fresh herbs and also in the form of a pesto (which you can easily find already made and jarred) You can add more fresh herbs, like parsley and chives, to make the dressing more “green.”
- Creamy – The dressing is super creamy thanks to both mayo and greek yogurt.
- Make Ahead – Store the dressing for up to a week!
- Flavorful – Packed with flavor from the basil and pesto, plus other enhancing flavors like white wine vinegar and dijon mustard.
Ingredients For Green Goddess Salad Dressing
The ingredients are simple and easy to find! Here’s what you need:
- Mayonnaise and Greek Yogurt – Most recipes don’t call for mayo, but I feel like it gives an extra creamy texture and tastes more like the original. You can easily swap in sour cream or yogurt.
- Fresh Basil – fresh is necessary here so don’t skimp or reach from the dried. For more greens you could add some parsley or chives.
- Yellow Onion – just a little bit for an added bite that’s just a tiny bit spicy.
- Basil Pesto – you can purchase store-bought or make your own from scratch. You could also just use more fresh basil and add a little olive oil instead. Using pesto adds some heft to the dressing, and nuttiness.
- White Wine Vinegar – For a tangy contrast to all the creaminess. Sup lemon juice or champagne vinegar.
- Honey, Dijon Mustard, Salt and Pepper
How To Make Panera Green Goddess Dressing
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
It takes just minutes to make this creamy dressing from scratch.
- Mix Dressing – Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and whisk until well combined. Or you can pulse the ingredients in a food processor. This will give you more of the green color. I like having it just mixed with the finely chopped herbs.
- Store or Serve – If you’re not using the dressing right away, you can store the dressing in the fridge until ready to use.
FAQs
This dressing is super fresh tasting and bright. The basil and pesto give it an herby taste, and the Greek yogurt and vinegar give it a slight tang that pairs perfectly with the sweetness from the honey.
In this recipe, I like to whisk the dressing together in a large bowl to keep things easy. But if you prefer a smoother dressing, or if you really want that bright green color, you can blend it in a food processor or blender to your desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
There are a variety of ways you can use this dressing:
- As a salad dressing: It is especially perfect on my Panera Cobb Salad, but you could dress any salad with it, even potato salad!
- As a dip – Add it to a veggie tray and dip your vegetables, crackers or chips. Or go crazy and try dipping your fries in it!
- As a spread – Spread on sandwiches or wraps.
- As a sauce – Drizzle over grilled steak, chicken, or even fish, spoon over roasted vegetables or potatoes.
Variations
Garlic – Just one small-to-medium garlic clove—no more! In sauces and dressings, garlic often grows in intensity as it rests.
Anchovies – The classic dressing adds anchovy fillets or anchovy paste, which adds saltiness and umami flavor. I opted not to because it’s not something most people have on hand, just like I did with my caesar salad.
Other Fresh Herbs – In addition to basil, you can try adding in other fresh herbs like fresh parsley, cilantro, tarragon, mint or dill.
Storage
Leftover dressing should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Mix Again Before Serving – If you make the dressing in advance, you’ll want to give it another quick stir or whisk before serving.
- Fresh Herbs are Best – This dressing really is best made with fresh basil. Using dried will not give the same fresh and bright flavor.
More Easy Dressing Recipes
- Chopped Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing
- Summer Fruit Salad with Delicious Dressing
- Garden Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Tropical Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
- Chicken Taco Salad with Salsa Ranch Dressing
Green Goddess Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup fresh basil leaves finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons yellow onion minced
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- pinch Kosher salt & coarse black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a mixing bowl until well combined.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
Green Goddess is my favorite dressing in the world and this one looks amazingly delicious!
Cannot wait to make this. Thank you, Kristin.
You are so welcome Deborah! Thanks for stopping by.