The enduring popularity of the Caesar salad can be attributed to its rich history and flavorful components. Contrary to popular belief linking it to Julius Caesar, this renowned dish and its eponymous dressing were actually crafted by Italian restaurateur Caesar Cardini in the 1920s. Operating several restaurants along the West Coast, Cardini is credited with introducing the Caesar salad at his Tijuana establishment, also named Caesar's, in 1924.
A classic Caesar salad boasts a simple yet satisfying foundation of crisp Romaine lettuce and crunchy croutons. However, it's the distinct Caesar dressing that truly defines this culinary masterpiece. Comprising lime or lemon juice, egg yolks, Dijon mustard, garlic, anchovies, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper, this dressing adds an unforgettable zing to every bite, ensuring the salad's enduring popularity for over a century.
In today's grocery store aisles, you'll encounter a plethora of bottled Caesar dressings, each offering a unique taste and texture. Given the dressing's pivotal role in the salad, selecting the right one is crucial.
While individual preferences may prompt some to tweak their Caesar salad recipe, the consensus remains: a stellar Caesar dressing should boast a creamy tanginess that complements the crisp lettuce and crunchy croutons. Intrigued by the array of options available, I embarked on a mission to sample seven popular store-bought Caesar dressings, aiming to uncover the ultimate flavor champion. Each dressing underwent scrutiny based on both visual appeal and taste. To ensure an unbiased evaluation, I opted to sample the dressings in isolation, devoid of any salad accompaniment.
The journey yielded surprising revelations, with some esteemed brands falling short of expectations, while others exceeded them. A few encounters left a lasting impression I'd rather not revisit! Join me as I recount the tasting odyssey, ranking each brand from the least impressive to the cream of the crop.
7) Primal Kitchen Caesar Dressing & Marinade
NUTRITION: (Per 2 Tbsp Serving):
CALORIES: 110
FAT: 12 g (Saturated Fat: 1.5 g)
SODIUM: 230 mg
CARBS: 2 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
PROTEIN: 0 g
Primal Kitchen's Caesar dressing, crafted with avocado oil instead of olive oil, boasts versatility as both a dressing and a marinade. Free from gluten, dairy, soy, and canola oil, it aligns with health-conscious preferences. Like many counterparts in this taste test, it contains no added sugar. However, at $7.99 per bottle from my local grocery store, it stands as the most expensive option among the contenders. Despite its ranking at the bottom for taste, nutrition experts deem Primal Kitchen a commendable choice for health-conscious consumers seeking Caesar dressings.
Appearance: Upon inspection, the dressing presented as a sizable gelatinous mass, reminiscent more of homemade slime than a culinary condiment. While this visual might have been less off-putting had the dressing been already incorporated into a salad, its current state underscores the purpose of this evaluation.
Flavor: Although exhibiting a hint of tanginess, the predominant sensation was akin to consuming Caesar-infused gelatin, a texture that proved challenging to overlook. While its dual functionality as a marinade garners praise, from a purely gustatory perspective, this offering falls short.
Rating: 1/10
6) Caesar Cardini's Original Caesar
NUTRITION: (Per 2 Tbsp Serving):
CALORIES: 140
FAT: 15 g (Saturated Fat: 2.5 g)
SODIUM: 200 mg
CARBS: 1 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
PROTEIN: 1 g
The Caesar salad owes its creation to Caesar Cardini, a culinary figure from the 1920s. Presently, a bottle bearing his name can be acquired for $4.99, although its flavor may not mirror the original recipe. Interestingly, it seems that the Cardini name has been licensed by the dressing conglomerate Marzetti, marketed as the 'original' Caesar recipe. However, there is scant evidence linking its contents directly to the Cardini family. Additionally, the brand offers various other Cardini Caesar dressings, including garlic lemon and three-cheese Caesar, alongside a range of bagged croutons. Whether authentic or not, it's worth exploring.
Appearance: Upon inspection, the dressing exhibited a thick, blob-like consistency straight from the bottle, lacking the creamy texture characteristic of quality Caesar dressings. Despite the questionable use of the Cardini name for marketing purposes, we'll refrain from attributing this flaw to the original creator. Nevertheless, its initial presentation left much to be desired.
Flavor: While undeniably tangy, the unpalatable consistency disqualified it from contention almost immediately.
Rating: 1.5/10
5) Kraft Classic Caesar
NUTRITION: (Per 2 Tbsp Serving):
CALORIES: 120
FAT: 12 g (Saturated Fat: 2 g)
SODIUM: 300 mg
CARBS: 2 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 1 g)
PROTEIN: 1 g
Kraft Classic Caesar dressing boasts a formula free from artificial flavors or colors, a pleasant surprise. Marketed as a traditional Caesar variant, it features ingredients like lemon juice, Parmesan and Romano cheeses, and incorporates vinegar and dried garlic for added depth. Priced at $3.99, it promises affordability alongside familiarity.
Appearance: The dressing presented as thick and white, resembling mayonnaise, speckled with spices.
Flavor: While creamy and tangy, Kraft's interpretation of Caesar dressing leans towards the generic side. While suitable for a Caesar salad, it lacks the distinctiveness that sets superior options apart.
Rating: 4/10
4) Annie's Caesar Dressing
NUTRITION: (Per 2 Tbsp Serving):
CALORIES: 100
FAT: 11 g (Saturated Fat: 1.5 g)
SODIUM: 150 mg
CARBS: 2 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
PROTEIN: 1 g
Annie's dressings hold a significant share of popularity in American households, including mine, so I eagerly anticipated sampling their rendition of Caesar dressing. True to the brand's ethos, Annie's Caesar dressing is organic and features ingredients like Parmesan cheese, anchovy, lemon juice, sea salt, and black pepper. Priced at $6.49, it aligns with Annie's commitment to quality.
Appearance: Notably, the dressing exhibited a surprisingly thin, slightly liquid consistency, a departure from the thicker textures of other contenders. While unconventional, this characteristic wasn't necessarily a drawback. Given my positive experiences with Annie's dressings in the past, I approached this tasting with optimism.
Flavor: Tangy and possessing a granulated texture, likely attributed to the Parmesan cheese, Annie's Caesar dressing delivered a decent flavor profile. However, compared to the overly thick textures of Primal Kitchen and Cardini's, Annie's fell slightly short, lacking the desired viscosity.
Rating: 5/10
3) Newman's Own Creamy Caesar
NUTRITION: (Per 2 Tbsp Serving):
CALORIES: 160
FAT: 18 g (Saturated Fat: 1.5 g)
SODIUM: 340 mg
CARBS: 1 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
PROTEIN: 1 g
Newman's Own, renowned for its philanthropic efforts in donating all profits to children in need, presents its Creamy Caesar dressing as another testament to its commitment to quality. Infused with garlic, lemon juice, and anchovies—a personal favorite—this creamy concoction stands out. Purchased at a discounted price of $4.69, it's important to note its richness, reflected in its higher fat content.
Appearance: Compared to its counterparts, Newman's Own Creamy Caesar exhibits a slightly tanner hue, with minimal visible spices. However, its consistency aligns more closely with the desired texture of a Caesar dressing.
Flavor: This cheesy and tangy dressing packs a flavorful punch, albeit lacking a lingering tangy aftertaste. While enjoyable, it could benefit from a more robust blend of spices.
Rating: 6/10
2) Briannas Asiago Caesar Dressing
NUTRITION: (Per 2 Tbsp Serving):
CALORIES: 150
FAT: 15 g (Saturated Fat: 1.5 g)
SODIUM: 330 mg
CARBS: 2 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 1 g)
PROTEIN: 1 g
Priced at $4.79 in my local grocery store, Brianna's Homestyle Caesar dressing offers a distinctive twist with shredded Asiago cheese, garlic puree, and Worcestershire sauce. Departing from the traditional Parmesan, this rendition also incorporates vinegar. While Brianna's dressings exude a sense of sophistication, it's essential to note that this option veers towards the higher end of the sodium spectrum, with one serving supplying 14% of the daily recommended intake. Despite this, taste remains the primary focus.
Appearance: The dressing presents a slightly darker hue, bordering on light brown—a departure from the typical color associated with Caesar dressing. Nonetheless, my anticipation to sample Brianna's renowned quality remained high.
Flavor: Complex and savory, Brianna's Caesar dressing offers a thick texture that would enhance any salad. Although it falls short of claiming the top spot on this list, its richness and depth of flavor make it a compelling choice.
Rating: 7/10
1) Ken's Creamy Caesar
NUTRITION: (Per 2 Tbsp Serving):
CALORIES: 150
FAT: 17 g (Saturated Fat: 2.5 g)
SODIUM: 260 mg
CARBS: 1 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
PROTEIN: 1 g
Ken's Steak House stands as a prominent figure in the realm of bottled salad dressings, and its creamy Caesar with roasted garlic is a standout from the Chef's Reserve product line. In addition to garlic puree, this offering incorporates a medley of spices and flavor enhancers like peppercorn, mustard flour, celery seed, and onion. Remarkably, it's priced at just $2.49 during sales. While taste takes precedence, it's worth noting that one serving of this dressing accounts for 22% of the daily recommended fat intake.
Appearance: Thick and lustrous, the dressing emerges from the bottle in a pristine white hue—an enticing sight that would complement a bed of crisp romaine lettuce adorned with crunchy croutons.
Flavor: Ken's Caesar dressing clinches the title of champion with its tangy, savory profile and luxurious creaminess. However, it's the inclusion of roasted garlic that truly elevates its taste to unparalleled heights. Among the seven contenders sampled, this one emerges as the undisputed winner in my estimation.
Rating: 8/10