- All three chefs agree that Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette is the best store-bought dressing.
- It’s flavorful, versatile, affordable and made with wholesome ingredients, making it a standout choice.
- Choose salad dressings made with simple ingredients and avoid unnecessary additives, like added sugars.
A hearty salad is a great way to pack plenty of vegetables, fiber and protein into your diet. Salads are incredibly versatile: start with vitamin-packed leafy greens, then let your creativity shine with colorful vegetables and fruit, lean proteins and nuts for a flavorful meal.
But the real make-or-break ingredient is the salad dressing. A poorly dressed salad can turn even the most devoted salad lover off for a while.
Sure, you can whip up a vinaigrette at home or drizzle some high-quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar over your greens, but sometimes you need a more convenient option—like a premade dressing. But is it possible to find a healthy store-bought dressing that tastes almost as good as homemade? Celebrity Food Network chef Robert Irvine, known for Worst Cooks in America and Chopped: Impossible, says there are “absolutely some good options on store shelves” when you need one in a pinch.
We spoke with three professional chefs, and they all agreed on the same store-bought salad dressing as the best one out there: Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette. Keep reading to discover why chefs recommend it as a healthy, high-quality option for your salads.
Why Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette Is the Best Store-Bought Salad Dressing
Courtesy of Brand
Nutritional information for Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette, per 2 Tbsp. (30 g):
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Total Sugars: 0 g
- Added Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 270 mg
It’s a Classic That Tastes Great
With Neman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette, Irvine says it tastes great and “[you] always know that you’re getting the same exact thing every time.”
“There are so many variables when it comes to cooking,” Irvine explains. “No two steaks have the same exact marbling, no two zucchinis are going to be the exact same shape and size, and the examples could go on and on. To know exactly what you’re going to get when you reach for an ingredient—and not have to worry about it—is always nice.”
“I don’t have any special insight into how they make it, but I can only guess that they’re starting with a high-quality balsamic vinegar,” he adds. “The flavor is robust and intense but nicely balanced.”
It’s Versatile
James Callery, head chef at Sanford Springs Hotel and Golf Club in the United Kingdom, describes Newman’s Own dressings as “consistently outstanding, easy-to-use and flexible.” With more than 20 varieties—ranging from Parmesan and roasted garlic to sesame ginger—there’s a bottle to suit virtually any flavor profile.
“I love that Newman’s Own is so versatile,” says Toni Elkhouri, chef and co-owner of Cedar’s Cafe in Melbourne, Florida. “The balsamic and lime vinaigrettes, for example, are not just for salad dressings, but for quick marinades and for grilling vegetables or chickpeas. As a chef, I love making dressings from scratch, but I think it’s absolutely possible to grab a bottle that tastes great and feels wholesome.”
It Uses Whole Ingredients
Newman’s Own uses simple, straightforward ingredients that enhance the flavor of food, says Callery. He appreciates the brand’s transparency, noting that the ingredients aren’t buried in the fine print, like multiple added sugars or unnecessary additives.
Elkhouri agrees, adding “Because the ingredients are real things like olive oil, vinegar and herbs you can actually see, the flavors taste clean.”
In fact, Newman’s Own prides itself in producing products that are free of trans fats and made with no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors. This means you can feel confident knowing the dressing is made with the same wholesome ingredients you’d use at home.
It Tastes Pretty Close to Homemade
Newman’s Own dressings are perfect for at-home use because, as Callery explains, “the flavors are balanced, the ingredients are recognizable and it doesn’t rely on an industrial amount of sugar to make salad taste exciting.”
Irvine says that his wife, Gail, is the resident dressing-maker in their home, but he considers Newman’s Own dressings a close second to her homemade versions. “She’s amazing at it to the point where I don’t bother anymore,” he shares. “That’s her domain. I personally like a dressing that is minimally processed and contains few or no preservatives.” Since he can’t buy Gail’s dressings in stores, Irvine adds, he looks for options that are as close to homemade as possible—like Newman’s Own.
It’s Affordable and Accessible
Elkhouri highlights another perk of Newman’s Own: the price. These dressings are affordable and accessible, she says, noting that options like this are needed even more in the current economy.
You can find Newman’s Own at your local grocery store or get delivered to your door with Amazon Fresh.
100% of Proceeds Go to Charity
While not a direct benefit of using their salad dressing, an added bonus is that 100% of their proceeds go to charity.
“[It’s] a brand with a conscience,” says Callery. “Every bottle supports a good cause, so you can feel just a little bit smug while drizzling it on your greens.”
What to Look For in a Store-Bought Salad Dressing
When shopping for store-bought salad dressings, Elkhouri advises focusing on brands that use clean ingredients and are transparent about what goes into their products. She also recommends choosing dressings made with nutritious oils, such as olive oil or canola.
She adds that it’s important to look for recognizable acids—like vinegar and citrus—and to avoid dressings with added sugars, including corn syrup or its many variations.
Irvine says it’s not worth focusing on “low fat” dressings, as they usually contain too much sugar or salt to make up for the lack of fat. “Any oil-based dressing is going to have a lot of fat,” he explained, “If you’re on a diet, just use the good stuff sparingly.”
Our Expert Take
All of our chefs agree: Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette is an excellent store-bought salad dressing option. It features whole, recognizable ingredients, tastes delicious, is affordable and supports charitable causes. Whether you choose the Balsamic Vinaigrette or one of their many other flavorful varieties, you’ll be taking your salads to the next level.
