The best caesar dressing is tangy, salty, and bright. It can be creamy or more similar to a vinaigrette. Both are great (when they’re done well, that is). And, for our purposes, the best caesar salad dressing is also the best store bought caesar dressing. Because not all of us have the time or desire to pound anchovies by hand.
Caesar dressing is the most important part of the caesar salad, in our opinion. Without it, it could be any salad! All you’d have is some dry romaine and croutons. And when it comes to the best bottled caesar dressing, we’re looking for a dressing that is lemon forward with a mild anchovy umami and a dreamy, creamy texture.
For our initial best caesar dressing taste test we bought romaine to sample the caesars, but we ended up just eating them straight off a spoon to get the most pure, unadulterated caesar flavor. So, we didn’t even bother with produce when it came to any further caesar salad dressing taste tests. The dressings are still as good as ever, straight off a spoon.
Our most recent taste test yielded the addition of a delicious light caesar dressing, as well as a new number one that was so good, it knocked the original caesar salad dressing down to the number two spot. Here are the eight best store bought caesar salad dressing brands—including the best vegan caesar dressing!
- Caesar Cardini’s Light Caesar
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At 80 calories per serving, this light caesar dressing isn’t a calorie-free miracle dressing. But the original Cardini’s caesar dressing comes in at 140 calories per serving. And that’s quite a difference. This lighter version of the classic dressing has a pronounced anchovy flavor, zippy tang, and great chunks of black pepper. It also manages to still be thick and creamy. It tastes a lot like Cardini’s flagship caesar dressing (which you’ll see in the number two spot) but a little bit more acidic—as if someone spilled a splash of apple cider vinegar into the mix. If you’re looking for low-cal caesar dressing that is still satisfyingly creamy, this is the best light caesar dressing to buy. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Ken’s Steak House Creamy Caesar Salad Dressing
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If you want a cheese-focused caesar dressing, Ken’s Steak House Creamy Caesar Dressing is the best store bought caesar dressing for you. It has the creamy, parmesan-forward quality you want in the best bottled caesar dressing while bringing a surprising level of tanginess to the table. This is one of the few dressings we tried that had almost no noticeable anchovy flavor. Because of that, I think this is the best caesar dressing if you’re in charge of bringing a salad to the work potluck or family reunion. It would appeal to most people—even the anchovy skeptics. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Olive Garden Classic Caesar Dressing
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If you don’t just want the best bottled caesar dressing, but the tangiest, most acidic, zippiest caesar dressing, this is the best caesar salad dressing for you. Olive Garden’s Classic Caesar Dressing tastes like they mixed creamy, lemony caesar dressing with their iconic Italian dressing. What’s not to love? This is certainly the best caesar dressing brand if you want to enjoy Olive Garden without leaving the comfort of your home. All you need is a family member or roommate who’s willing to bring you breadsticks…forever. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- California Pizza Kitchen Caesar Dressing
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California Pizza Kitchen’s collection of products now includes a line of salad dressings made in partnership with iconic salad dressing brand Litehouse. Some were very bad, but this caesar dressing happens to be very good. In fact, it’s one of the best caesar dressing brands we tried! It’s thick, creamy, and cheesy. It has a nice peppery kick and good level of acidity. The thickness of this dressing makes it perfect for a chicken caesar wrap (try making it with some of the best frozen chicken tenders). It’ll hold everything inside your tortilla together for minimal spillage and maximum flavor. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Girard’s Caesar Dressing
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Girard’s Caesar Dressing packaging is luxurious. It’s almost like a bottle of expensive perfume. Much to my fiance’s frustration, I refuse to throw away the triangular bottle when it is finished because I am convinced I will use it as a vase or for an art project or something else dumb (I won’t). When it comes to the flavor, it’s tangy, bright, and zippy. As soon as it hits your tongue, you start salivating. The beauty of the dressing definitely matches the beauty of the vessel, making it one of the best bottled caesar dressing brands out there. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Gotham Greens Vegan Caesar Dressing & Dip
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This vegan caesar dressing ranks above lots of non-vegan caesar dressings because it’s just that good. It tastes like it’s filled with parmesan cheese when there is none. It’s so rich and salty and peppery. It’s unbelievably creamy. A mix of miso and Dijon mustard make it wonderfully complex and savory. I brought this home after our vegan caesar dressing taste test and I have continued to make vegan caesar salads ever since. It’s not only the best vegan caesar dressing, it’s also one of the best store bought caesar dressing options out there. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine
- Cardini’s Original Caesar Dressing
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“Where the Salad Got Its Name” is Cardini’s slogan, which they proudly display on their bottles of caesar dressing. After a quick Google search, I found out that this claim is true! Caesar Cardini is credited with originating the caesar salad at his Tijuana restaurant, Caesar’s, in 1924. If you can believe it, the company that created the caesar salad makes some of the best caesar salad dressing. This dressing is acidic, garlicky, and perfectly creamy. It truly is the best store bought caesar dressing, especially if you like your caesar dressing slightly heavier on the garlic. And it’s also the top pick if you don’t immediately have room in your fridge and want to stock up on some bottles for the pantry. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Marzetti Supreme Caesar
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Cardini’s held the title of best caesar dressing for a while. But then we tried Marzetti, per some commenters’ suggestions (thanks, commenters!). And holy moly, it’s just so good. Sold in the refrigerated section, this bottled caesar dressing made with real cheese, real egg yolk, and real anchovies, is pure umami perfection in a bottle. And it’s so incredibly creamy. It’s the perfect dip. It’s the perfect spread. It’s the perfect dressing. It’s bright and peppery and cheesy and packed with lots of anchovy flavor that lights up your taste buds. It’s the best store bought caesar, you gotta believe us. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
Best Light Caesar Dressing
Best for Cheese Lovers
Best Zesty
Best Creamy
Best Restaurant Style
Best Vegan Caesar
Best Shelf Stable
Best of the Best
Other caesar salad dressing brands we tried: Bolthouse, Brianna’s, Litehouse, Panera, Newman’s Own, Kraft, Primal Kitchen, Ken’s, Mother Raw, Follow Your Heart, Sprouts Plant-Based, Organicville Non-Dairy, Plant Perfect, Fody, Simple Truth, Daiya, Ken’s Steak House Lite Creamy Caesar Dressing, Skinnygirl Caesar, California Ranch Caesar Vinaigrette, Neman’s Own Light Caesar, Girard’s 80 Calorie Caesar Dressing, Walden Farms Caesar Dressing
