How did TikTok's 'Green Goddess Salad' go viral on social media?

'Green Goddess Salad' by Baked by Melissa is viral on social media (Image via bakedbymelissa/Instagram)

TikTok's famous Green Goddess Salad became a trending recipe late last year. The salad recipe was posted in September 2021, by Melissa Ben-Ishay, famously known as Baked by Melissa.

Her original video from September has received over 20 million views and 1.7 million likes on TikTok, but unlike many other recipes on the platform, Melissa's salad has sustained its popularity.

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Melissa's Green Goddess Salad became a hit due to its health factor and good taste

The salad is a healthier version of a very-well-known dressing called Green Goddess Dressing, which uses some high-calorie ingredients like heavy cream and sour cream. Melissa recreated a healthier and vegan version, exchanging the cream with blended walnuts and cashew nuts. The nuts provide the recipe with creaminess.

Simply put, the salad is famous because of how simple, yet good it is. The Green Goddess Salad is high in essential nutrients, while it cuts down on ingredients that fitness enthusiasts avoid. Additionally, it's also loved because it caters well to the taste buds, unlike many other salads.

Her recipe included finely chopped cabbage, cucumbers, green onions, and chives, dressed in a paste of garlic, shallots, nutritional yeast, herbs, nuts, and olive oil.

The reason for the popularity of the Green Goddess Salad is its rich taste.

The recipe for the salad requires:

1. 2 cups green cabbage
2. 1/2 cup diced cucumber
3. 1/4 cup scallions
4. 1 cup basil leaves
5. 1 cup spinach leaves
6. 2 cloves garlic
7. 1/4 cup cashews and walnuts
8. salt to taste
9. 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
10. 1 small shallot
11. 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
12. 1/4 cup of olive oil

The recipe is fairly simple: Wash and clean the raw produce. Then finely chop cabbage, cucumber and the scallions, and set them aside. Now blend the spinach, basil, garlic, shallot, cashews, walnuts, olive oil, and salt together, to make a smooth paste. Add a dash of lemon juice and rice vinegar, and keep adding until a foamy texture is achieved. Add the dressing to the chopped greens, mix well and serve with a side of chips or bread.

Nutritionists and dieticians have also approved the salad. Amy Gorin, a registered dietitian nutritionist, shared her opinion on the TikTok recipe and said:

"I love that it's loaded with fibre-rich veggies and that the dressing contains olive oil and nuts — both of which boast heart-healthy fats. Also, the addition of nutritional yeast is a bonus because it provides protein, as well as B vitamins."

According to the video, the Green Goddess Salad can last up to a week when refrigerated.

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Internet users can't stop talking about the Green Goddess salad

The salad has gained immense popularity among internet users, who can't wait to try the recipe. Many have even tweaked the salad by adding ingredients like avocados and chicken. It has mostly received positive reviews from those who have tried it out.

Food videos make up a major part of TikTok's content. The platform even recognized that, and has decided to open its very own delivery-only restaurant called TikTok Kitchen. The announcement was made in December 2021, but no further statements about the venture have been released so far.