What is the best store bought salad dressing?
I love salad, but think some store bought dressings can stumble when it comes to flavor. I tend to end up with multiple bottles of dressing that I try once and never use again. What are your favorites?
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35 Comments:
actually, i dont use store bought. i make my own vinaigrette. takes 2 minutes. my husband get ken's steakhouse dressings, says they're good (he is not always in the mood for vinaigrette).
french tart at 11:44AM on 04/25/07
I like Paul Newman's Balsamic Vinaigrette, both light and original.
AuntJone at 12:14PM on 04/25/07
Brianas Real French Vinaigrette (not an orangy French dressing, just a really tasty vinaigrette.) We use it straight all the time, and doctor it up with mustard, blue or feta cheese, citrus, etc. when we need/want something different. I haven't found any other dressings I want to buy more than once, though.
Cary at 12:40PM on 04/25/07
Marie's blue cheese has been a staple since I was a kid. I love good seasons, also since I was a kid. I add my vinegar and my oil and anything else I like such as some dijon mustard. I also make a pasta salad dressing with good seasons, I add mayo and pulse it in my blender, it is thick and good on pasta.
I made a sweet poppy seed dressing for spinach salad. My husband is the from scratch vinaigrette guy.
I tried some of the trader joes dressings and althought they were not bad they were not great either.
I been known to buy Caesar Cardini's caesasr salad dressing. It is good in a pinch. My father used to make Caesar salad eye yolk, anchovies and all tableside when I was a kid.
JerzeeTomato at 12:42PM on 04/25/07
trader joe's ginger sesame soy vinaigrette - it's delicious and fat free.
thefrugalfoodie at 1:12PM on 04/25/07
Marie's Blue Cheese for a creamy dressing and Anne's Naturals Balsamic Vinagrette for an oil-vinegar dressing.
However I usually make my own.
EatWisconsin at 1:13PM on 04/25/07
I actually go the middle ground. I love those Good Seasons packets you mix up yourself. I'm sure they are full of all sorts of things that are bad for you, but I can't help it - it's just so good. It's totally 70's too with the little cruet that comes with it - it reminds me of my youth!
missus_p at 2:21PM on 04/25/07
Marie's Chuncky Blue Cheese and then I add more blue cheese to it.
KItkat at 2:28PM on 04/25/07
Annie's Organic Caesar dressing is my favorite Caesar. Organicville's Miso Ginger is tasty as well as pretty darn healthy. Organicville's whole line is pretty good. The fewest ingredients in dressings I've seen in the store.
hereandthe at 3:23PM on 04/25/07
i second the Newman's Own Balsamic Vinaigrette - i always keep a bottle in the fridge
crafty at 3:59PM on 04/25/07
I make my own using Good Seasons Italian to which I add a healthy clove of crushed garlic, white vinegar and canola oil. Hub loves it!
pageycooks at 4:12PM on 04/25/07
Cardini's Caesar (supposedly the guy who actually invented it), Makoto ginger dressing -- tastes just like Japanese restaurants.
FKC at 4:44PM on 04/25/07
@FKC: Where can I buy Makoto ginger dressing?
Myszka at 6:23PM on 04/25/07
Annie's Shiitake & Sesame vinaigrette is wonderful! I'm almost always in the mood for it because it's so delicious.
jbeach at 7:19PM on 04/25/07
I'm a big fan of Ken's salad dressings.
jonfoxx at 8:07PM on 04/25/07
Annie's is the one brand of bottled dressing I buy regularly.
baboo at 8:33PM on 04/25/07
@Myszka -- If you're in NYC, I get mine at the local D'Ag. It's in the refrigerated section with or near the produce.
FKC at 9:49PM on 04/25/07
Drew's, from Vermont. I particularly like the Thai Sesame Lime. http://www.chefdrew.com
AdamH at 9:50PM on 04/25/07
I am with those who make their own dressing. It is very easy and I love how I can customize vinaigrette by adding honey, mustard, cheese etc.
But I also love TJ's balsamic vinaigrette, Marie's blue cheese and Ken's parmesan peppercorn
spaghetti at 9:59PM on 04/25/07
I'm addicted to Ume Pickled Plum Japanese Salad Dressing
http://www.pietrousa.com/ume.htm
Steamy Kitchen at 10:31PM on 04/25/07
Whole Foods' house brand vinagrette is decent.
The Guilty Carnivore at 11:47AM on 04/26/07
i'm a fan of annie's natruals, widely available at many regular grocery stores and specialty markets. i also like brianna's brand. making your own is a great option and probably the most healthy option, if you have the time and inclination (i don't).
j at 1:00PM on 04/26/07
I always have some Cardini Caesar dressing in the fridge along with some form of Newman's - usually the Family Recipe Italian or the Olive oil and Vinegar...
Stepha at 1:04PM on 04/26/07
Gerard's Champagne Vinagrette - both the regular and the light version. In fact, their light version is the only light salad dressing I'll eat. It tastes like the real thing!
Clare K at 3:50PM on 04/27/07
Kraft Creamy Italian.
smart2surf at 10:49PM on 04/27/07
Garlic Expressions is terrific, and it is also a wonderful marinade.
CharlieB at 12:48PM on 09/21/09
Marzetti's Blue Cheese.
My husband also uses Marzetti's slaw dressing on sandwiches and in tuna salad, potato salad, and pea & peanut salad, in place of mayo.
I also use only Kraft Free Zesty Italian in pasta salad because it doesn't get slimy or soggy. If anything, if I keep the salad more than a couple days I need to add more dressing because it dries out.
akk328 at 1:19PM on 09/21/09
I have always loved Marie's blue cheese, and NOW they came out with Marie's Blue Cheese VINIGRETTE!!! It is simply AWESOME!!!
chilimama at 1:53PM on 09/21/09
Gosh, I am amazed no one cited "Ranch" dressing as a favourite - here in Canada, it is probably the most popular by far. Next time I am in the U.S., I will buy some, "Maries blue cheese" - several people have mentioned it and I love blue cheese dressing, but I make my own (not always convenient) because I can't find a good one. I don't think Maries is sold here.
bareneed at 1:59PM on 09/21/09
Marie's blue cheese is the best and I always have that in the refrig..I have to try Marie's blue cheese vinigrette..While I make my own Italian dressing, I do Good Season's every so often and add my own stuff to it...
Italiancupcake at 2:12PM on 09/21/09
I usually don't use store bought dressing, but when I do it's Newmans Own Light Italian with Lemon. It is very good.
flavacrisp at 3:03PM on 09/21/09
I make my own - saves a lot of money - no waste and I can adjust the type to fit the rest of the meal. Bottled dressings seem to go rancid fast and then they are awful!
I have several kinds of vinegar and can vary my "sauce" when I mix it. Use good oil and "taste".
suegsf at 3:40PM on 09/21/09
It's not exactly "store" bought but I came across Wistoria Garden's Very Nearly Famous House Vinaigrette at the farmer's market that the Eastern Market, in Washington, D.C. quite some time ago. To date I have gone ordered FOUR of their 12-bottle boxes. It's amazing and I love turning people on to it!
BUY IT, YOU'LL LOVE IT
GretchinF at 3:50PM on 09/21/09
Marie's Blue Cheese although we mostly go with oil and vinegar.
bobbob at 4:59PM on 09/21/09
Newman's Own Light Balsamic - you can't go wrong.
football foodie at 10:20PM on 09/21/09