Salad dressings and dips have a rather colorful and exciting history, one that Trader Joe’s Green
Goddess is more than likely to make a huge dent in. We can actually trace the origins of dressings,
believe it or not, to the ancient Babylonians more than 4000 years ago. Back then they used a basic oil
and vinegar compound to give a little more bang to their greens. The Egyptians later incorporated
Asian spices. And then those naughty French went and really switched it up by incorporating
mayonnaise. Salads, although you wouldn’t think so, were a favorite of European Monarchs and each
chef was required to actually have a secret dressing recipe for their noble employees. Dressings were
a BIG thing. In the United States, by the early 1920s, thanks to the likes of Richard Hellman – mister
mayonnaise himself – and the Kraft Cheese Company, every major brand had a salad dressing — one
with a secret formula or mix of up to 35 ingredients. It was a competitive market and Americans were
loving every minute of the grudge match. Today, Trader Joe’s salad dressing, including its superb, all
hail under its splendor, Green Goddess is certainly making the Ranch, Blue Cheese, and Ceasars of
this world do a double-take.
What is Trader Joe’s Green Goddess?
Trader Joe’s Green Goddess salad dressing, dip, and, now, seasoning is one of the store’s most iconic
and best items. Don’t take my word for it, there are dozens of blogs online that seem like religious
movements dedicated to that product.
The whole concoction is a careful blend of just about everything that makes life good and pleasurable.
● Avocado.
● Green Onions.
● Cold Pressed Lemon Juice.
● Chives.
● Basil.
● Garlic.
It’s a refrigerated flavor bomb – unlike most of Trader Joe’s other salad dressing and dips, this is not
shelf-bought – full of fresh ingredients.
It’s like skating up to guacamole’s more posh and refined brother. There’s a bit of a wild streak to it,
one that states that on some nights he’s Tequila crazy, but he’s very much restrained on normal days.
The story of Trader Joe’s Green Goddess
This sidekick to pasta, salads, and just about everything you have in the refrigerator – there are actual
recipes for sandwich spreads workaround – has a long rather legendary history at Trader Joe’s. It all
started, like most things in life, at a party — nachos were involved.
Trader Joe’s team of culinary masters wanted to really make a splash with something new in the dip
department. They had the 5 Layer Dip, Buffalo Style Chicken Dip, Tzatziki Creamy Garlic Cucumber
Dip, and a couple of others. Dips in Trader Joe’s are hot stuff and most of them are mouthwatering.
But they were at a plateau, for months they hadn’t come up with anything new.
Anyway, the team got together and decided to research the heck out of the problem. What did they
come up with? What did they uncover?
The writings of chef Philip Roemer of the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. The man, in 1923, was
tasked with honoring one of the hotel’s most famous patrons, actor George Arlis. Philip, knowing that
Arlis was a salad enthusiast, created the dressing while the actor stayed in the hotel. The name? “The
Green Goddess” was a play Arlis was starring in at the time.
The kicker —- the dressing didn’t have any avocados. Instead, it was made with mayonnaise and
anchovy filets. So, the team at Trader Joe’s, loving the name, but not exactly ecstatic with the whole
fishy conundrum, decided to supplant one key ingredient for another folks simply couldn’t get enough
of. And, like that, the modern version of the Green Goddess was born.
It blew the shareholder’s mind and the public seemed to love it.
How to buy Trader Joe’s Green Goddess
Today, the dip has sort of evolved and you can find various products at Trader Joe’s that share most of
its ingredients. All those products are labeled under the Green Goddess brand.
Including, aside from the forefather dip, a less viscous type of mix, Trader Joe’s Green Goddess
Dressing, and even a rather nifty seasoning blend that goes great with chicken.