For a period in my life, I ate a salad every single day for lunch. So when it comes to salad dressings, I know them all very well. It might feel hyperbolic to say that salad dressing is joy in a bottle, but it certainly can be a great pick-me-up for leafy greens, or as a marinade or dipping sauce.
Many of us have strong flavor preferences and brand loyalties when it comes to salad dressing. I wanted to know which bottled dressing is always on shoppers’ lists, so I visited two grocery stores — one in Asheville, North Carolina, the other in New York City — to find out. These are the three that came up the most — they’re sure to bring a pop of flavor to your next salad.
Chick-fil-A Avocado Lime Ranch
Products from restaurants can be hit or miss, but this dressing delivers. Better yet, it’s versatile. A shopper in Ingles (an Asheville grocery chain) named Ruthie told me that Chick-fil-A Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing was her favorite, and that it is “great on salads (of course), sandwiches, and wraps, too.”
I don’t eat at Chick-Fil-A much, but I did try the lime ranch on a wrap and was delighted with the result. It has a light taste, and just the right amount of creamy texture and lime flavor so as to not overpower the entirety of the dressing.
You’ve probably already had it — and, judging by the grocery stores I visited, just about everyone else has, too (including chefs!). While shopping in Food Bazaar, Tyler told me “if I had to live the rest of my life with one salad dressing I would be just fine with Hidden Valley.” I get it — I can taste this ranch right now. (Fun fact: I begged my mom to visit the “Hidden Valley” where they supposedly crafted this mystical dressing when I was kid.)
Out of every ranch on the market, this is the one that I associate most with the avid “ranch on pizza” eaters. This thick, creamy dressing coats the palate (and often the plate) in excess.
Buy: Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing, $2.58 for 8 ounces at Amazon
3. Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette
If the sweet elderly woman I met in the aisle is to be believed, this dressing is perfect on a mixed greens salad with walnuts and dried cranberries. That woman was my grandmother — and she’s right. The salad is delicious. (Love you, Grandma.)
She calls it “light,” “the best balsamic on the shelves,” and “my go-to for green things.” Oh, and in case you needed any more reason to shop Newman’s Own, 100% of the profits go to charity work — the brand has given away an impressive $600 million (and counting) so far.
Buy: Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette, $5.29 for 16 ounces at Amazon
What’s your favorite bottle of salad dressing? Tell us about it in the comments below.
