Green Goddess Salad

I made this viral Green Goddess Salad for Self-Care Retreat Day that I hosted at my yoga studio. I recently hosted at The Inspired Studio, my yoga studio. This vibrant salad is a burst of colour, flavour, + vitality—perfect for a day dedicated to mindfulness, movement, + nourishment.

You might have caught a glimpse of me preparing this salad in my Get Ready With Me vlog for the Retreat Day. It was such a joy to share the process of creating this vibrant dish, + I loved how it tied into the theme of the day: simplicity, health, + inspiration. If you haven’t seen the vlog yet, you can watch it here—it’s a little peek behind the scenes of how I prepared for the retreat!

While this recipe isn’t my own (it’s by Emily English, who I’m absolutely loving at the moment!), it’s one that I knew I had to share. Although this particular recipe isn’t in her book So Good, I highly recommend picking up a copy—it’s filled with delicious, feel-good recipes that are as nourishing as they are satisfying.

The Recipe: Green Goddess Salad

This salad is a celebration of crisp, fresh vegetables + a creamy, herb-packed dressing that’s bursting with flavour. It’s light yet satisfying, + it pairs beautifully with grains like giant couscous, quinoa, or rice. It also makes a fantastic side dish for grilled proteins or roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

For the salad:

• 1 small head green cabbage, finely shredded

• 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced

• 20g bunch of chives, finely chopped

• 4-5 spring onions, thinly sliced

• 1 apple, grated (optional, but adds a lovely sweetness)

For the dressing:

• 30g basil leaves

• 30g fresh spinach

• 1 clove garlic

• 1 banana shallot

• Juice of 2 lemons

• 60ml olive oil

• 30g nuts (cashews + walnuts work beautifully)

• 25g nutritional yeast

• 5g salt

• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar

Method

1. Make the dressing: Add all the dressing ingredients to a blender + blend until smooth + creamy. Let the dressing sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.

2. Prepare the salad: Finely chop the cabbage, cucumber, chives, + spring onions. If using, grate the apple.

3. Combine: Toss the chopped vegetables + grated apple in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad + mix well to ensure everything is evenly coated.

4. Marinate: Let the salad sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavours to develop.

5. Serve: Enjoy as is, or pair it with your favourite grains or as a side dish.

Why I Love This Green Goddess Salad

This Green Goddess Salad is more than just a recipe—it’s a reminder of how food can be both simple + extraordinary. The combination of crunchy vegetables, creamy dressing, + the optional sweetness of the apple creates a harmony of textures + flavours that feels indulgent yet wholesome.

It’s also incredibly versatile. I love serving it with grains like giant couscous or quinoa for a more substantial meal, but it’s equally delicious on its own or as a side dish. It’s the kind of recipe that adapts to your needs, whether you’re hosting a retreat, preparing a quick lunch, or looking for a vibrant addition to your dinner table.

Let me know if you try this recipe! Tag me on Instagram @carolineinspired or leave a comment—I’d love to hear how it turns out for you.

P.S. If you missed the vlog, you can watch it here to see how this salad came together for Retreat Day!