As a Registered Dietitian who is an avid home cook and author of two cookbooks, I am a lover of homemade salad dressings. I keep an assortment of oils, vinegars, mustards, herbs, and spices on hand to whisk together a dressing in minutes. I have exactly one pre-made dressing in my fridge from Bragg (more on that below).
I’m also aware that a lot of folks are looking for a store-bought option that delivers on taste and freshness. From a nutrition perspective, I always look at sodium and added sugars. These are two nutrients that Americans tend to overconsume AND are abundantly available in pre-made dressings and sauces. At Maya Feller Nutrition, we recommend our patients and clients use salad dressings with 5% or less daily value for both sodium and added sugar.
With that in mind, I walked 10 minutes to my local grocery store in search of bottled dressings that would meet my criteria. I chose not to go to a higher-end organic retailer or similar store because I know not everyone has access to grocers that curate offerings based on a strict set of health and environmental criteria.
These are three pre-made salad dressings that delivered on every front. And let me tell you, it was not as easy to find as I expected — especially when I used the nutrition facts label as my guide.
1. Bragg Organic Ginger & Sesame Dressing
Bragg has been a staple in my home since I was a kid. I grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Bragg nutritional yeast on popcorn was a mainstay — so when the company launched a line of dressings, I knew I had to try them. The ginger and sesame dressing is flavorful and nutritious.
The base is the well-loved apple cider vinegar with the mother, plus coconut aminos that add the umami flavor while being lower in salt, and honey, garlic, ginger, and sesame seed to balance it all out. It can be used to marinate animal proteins and tofu, bring life to a grain salad or salad greens.
Buy: Bragg Organic Ginger & Sesame Dressing, $6.99 for 12 ounces at Amazon
2. Marie’s Creamy Ranch
Ranch is a perfect pairing for vegetables. So I had to search for a bottle of this quintessential favorite. This dressing is lower in sodium, with 115 milligrams (5% of the DV) per serving, and has no added sugars. It has a tangy, herbaceous flavor and is creamy without being overpowering. Bonus: The fat from the dressing helps make the fat-soluble vitamins in vegetables more bioavailable, or absorbed, in the body.
Buy: Marie’s Creamy Ranch $6.39 for 12 ounces at Instacart
3. Cindy’s Kitchen Balsamic Vinaigrette
Balsamic vinaigrette is as wonderful for dressing salad greens as it is for marinating vegetables. The caramel flavor of the balsamic vinegar paired with soy sauce, mustard, turmeric, and a touch of honey makes this version special. It’s rich without being overly sweet.
It’s also low in sodium, with 150 milligrams (7% of DV) per serving, and has 1 gram of added sugar coming from the honey and sugar. This dressing has a type of oil, Menhaden oil, that is a high source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Buy: Cindy’s Kitchen Balsamic Vinagrette, $7.99 for 16 ounces at Instacart
What’s your favorite bottle of salad dressing? Tell us about it in the comments below.
The Weekly Checkout
Sign up for The Weekly Checkout to get the most up-to-date grocery news, tips, and highlights.