This Is the Best Caesar Dressing Money Can Buy, According to Experts

I am a lover of all salads—from Greek to simply dressed greens, I actually tend to orient the rest of my meal around the salad (and not the other way around). And while I really love experimenting with new flavor combinations in my salads, sometimes tried and true is best. Take Caesar, for example: There’s really nothing better than crunchy romaine and buttery croutons tossed in a sharp, creamy dressing. 

The only thing about Caesar salad I don’t like is making the dressing. Traditionally, you need to do a lot of whisking and smashing of anchovies and garlic to get it silky smooth. Which means that when I’m short on time (and I usually am), I’ve got to rely on the bottled version.

However, not all packaged Caesar dressings are created equal—some can be watery, or worse, gelatinous or taste slightly plasticky. So, when I asked three experts their favorite salad dressing brand, I was delighted that all three recommended the same one.

The Dressing Experts

The Best Store-Bought Caesar Dressing

“My go-to is Primal Kitchen Caesar Dressing,” says Clark, noting that it’s also easy to find at major grocery stores and online. Goodson agrees: “Their Caesar dressing rises above other store-bought options thanks to its clean ingredient list and balanced flavor profile.”

Clark also gave a nod to the ingredient list, saying there’s “no weird fillers or artificial stuff.” Primal Kitchen includes all the classic Caesar ingredients like egg yolks, lemon juice, and garlic, but it also has some unexpected add-ins that really boost the deep, umami flavor, including coconut aminos and nutritional yeast.

Cameron prefers making her own Caesar dressing, but when she reaches for a bottle, it’s also Primal Kitchen because “the ingredients are clean and the flavor is good.” While other brands can be loaded with traditional preservatives, Goodson loves that Primal Kitchen is free of artificial preservatives, gluten, and soy. “It caters to a wide range of dietary needs,” she explains. 

Besides the ingredients, Goodson praises Primal Kitchen for its “bold and savory flavor with a noticeable garlic punch and tang,” plus umami flavor from the nutritional yeast. “The texture is smooth and rich yet not overly heavy, making it versatile,” she adds.

While Primal Kitchen’s Caesar dressing is perfect for salads, Clark adds that it’s great beyond greens. “I also love using it as a marinade for grilled chicken, drizzled over roasted veggies, or even as a creamy sandwich spread.” Looks like I’m going to need more than a bottle.