Green Goddess Ranch Dressing (High Protein)
An easy, creamy green goddess ranch made lighter with a Greek yogurt base. Blend it in minutes for a fresh, herby dressing or dip you’ll use all week.
If you’re looking for a flavorful, creamy dressing that comes together in minutes, this copycat sweetgreen green goddess ranch dressing is your new go-to. It’s bright, herby, and smooth enough to drizzle but thick enough to use as a dip — basically, the best of both worlds.
As a dietitian, I gave this version a lighter, protein-packed spin by using a Greek yogurt base. You’ll make it in a blender with just a handful of fresh ingredients, and it works just as well on salads and grain bowls as it does with veggies or chips. Whether you’re meal prepping or just trying to add more flavor to your meals, this homemade dressing is worth making on repeat.
Want more tasty dips and dressings? You’ll love my healthy salsa ranch, lightened-up big mac sauce, and high protein buffalo dip.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Made in a blender. This dressing comes together in minutes with just a blender, making prep quick and clean-up minimal.
- Protein-packed and creamy. Greek yogurt adds a boost of protein and creates a thick, creamy texture without loads of mayo or sour cream.
- Fresh and flavorful. Bright herbs and a hint of tang make this a lighter ranch that still adds plenty of flavor to veggies, salads, or grain bowls. Inspired by sweetgreen’s green goddess ranch, this dressing is the perfect addition to nutritious and delicious meals.
Ingredients in green goddess ranch dressing
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and detailed recipe.
- Plain greek yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt makes for a protein-packed base in this delicious green goddess ranch. I use non-fat since we add a little bit of mayonnaise, but you can use any fat percentage you like.
- Milk: A splash of milk helps thin your green goddess dressing so it be easily drizzled over salads and bowls. If you’d prefer to use this green goddess ranch as a dip, you can skip the milk or use less.
- Mayonnaise: Just a few tablespoons of mayonnaise adds an amazing richness to the dressing without too many extra calories. Skip this and use all yogurt for a lower fat option.
- Garlic: Use fresh for the best flavor, or pre-minced garlic to make things easier.
- Herbs: You can use any blend of tender stem herbs you enjoy, including dill, basil, cilantro, mint, and/or parsley. My favorite combo is an equal blend of dill and parsley, but use what you love.
- Chives: Chives give the most delicious, savory flavor. Don’t skip them!
- Red onion: sweetgreen’s green goddess ranch uses red onion, so I use red onion. We only use a little bit, so things don’t taste overly onion-y. This makes the dressing so savory and delicious.
- Lemon juice: Lemon juice adds brightness and tang to this balanced dressing, and it also helps thin it out. Use freshly squeezed for the best flavor, although bottled lemon juice works well too.
- Salt and pepper: This helps season your dressing. Adjust to taste:
- Hot sauce: This optional addition adds a tiny bit of heat, without making the dressing taste spicy. Skip it if you’d prefer. You can use any hot sauce you enjoy.
Swaps and variations
- Cottage cheese — swap Greek yogurt with cottage cheese for a a less tangy dressing that still packs lots of protein
- Lactose-free — if you’re lactose intolerant, use lactose-free yogurt and milk
- Low fat — for less fat and fewer calories, use light mayonnaise or skip it all together
How to make green goddess ranch dressing
Step 1: Add everything to your blender.
Step 2: Blend until completely smooth and enjoy!
Don’t have a blender?
No problem! If you don’t have a blender cup, you can use an immersion blender instead. Simply add all your ingredients to a container with high sides (these deli containers work great), and blend until smooth.
If you don’t have an immersion blender either, you don’t need one. Just mince all your ingredients by hand and whisk together in a large bowl. It won’t be quite as smooth (or green!), but it will be just as delicious.
How to store
- Store in the fridge for up to one week.
- You cannot freeze green goddess ranch dressing.
- Stir before serving.
- Make sure your yogurt and milk don’t expire sooner!
Dip or dressing: how to serve green goddess ranch
You can use this sweetgreen dupe as a dressing, drizzle, or dip. Here are some ideas:
- Make your own super green goddess bowl at home
- Use as a light but creamy salad dressing with your favorite mix of greens, vegetables, and protein
- Drizzle over grain bowls for extra flavor and a boost of protein
- Serve as a dip with chopped vegetables like cucumber, carrots, celery, or cherry tomatoes
- Enjoy as a spread or dip with pita, pita chips, potato chips, or crackers
- Serve with homemade potato wedges, sweet potato fries, or roasted veggies
Adjust the texture
Adjust the milk in this green goddess ranch to change it from a dressing to a dip.
It’s written as a dressing — smooth and creamy, but thin enough to drizzle or mix with greens. If you want a thicker dip, omit the milk or use a little less. It’s super easy to adjust.
Top tips
- Skip the chopping. If chopping herbs and onions feels like too much effort, throw them in your blender whole! Use a whole garlic clove, a small handful of herbs and chives, and about 1/8 of a red onion. When it’s thoroughly blended, taste it, and add more herbs as desired.
- Double-check that it’s blended. Make sure everything is blended and smooth before serving, especially if you’re adding garlic and onion to the blender whole.
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Green Goddess Ranch Dressing (High Protein)
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1-2 Tbsp milk
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise, use light if desired
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ cup chopped tender stem herbs (dill, basil, cilantro, mint, and/or parsley), lightly packed
- 2 Tbsp thinly sliced chives
- 1 Tbsp small diced red onion
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- ¾ tsp salt
- black pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp hot sauce
Equipment
- small blender with blender cup or immersion blender
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to your blender cup.
- Blend until completely smooth, pulsing your blender as needed.
- Taste, and add more herbs or milk as desired. Enjoy as a dressing or dip with salads, grain bowls, chopped veggies, or pita chips.
Notes
- I like to use equal parts parsley and dill.
- Use a blender cup with a minimum 24 oz capacity.
- For a thinner dressing, use more milk. For a thicker dip, omit the milk or use less.
- To use an immersion blender, place all ingredients in a tall container with a flat bottom. Use your immersion blender to blend until smooth.
- For a no-chop option, add the garlic, herbs, and onion whole. You’ll need one garlic clove, a small handful of both herbs and chives, and about 1/8 of your red onion. Adjust to taste.
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This is one of the most flavorful dressings I’ve tried in a while — AND, it’s high protein since it’s mostly Greek yogurt. So delicious!!