15 Of The Best Shop-Bought Salad Dressings To Try

15 Of The Best Shop-Bought Salad Dressings To Try

When time is of the essence, or you’re just cooking for one, it’s handy to have some pre-made salad dressings in the cupboard. From classic vinaigrettes to herbal infusions, here we’ve picked some of the best supermarket dressings to buy – along with a few serving suggestions from Lucy Mackenzie of SL-favourite Lucy’s Dressings…

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Asian Dressings

“Asian dressings are one of my absolute favourites. For me it’s the combination of lots of citrus, with rice wine vinegar and the sesame flavourings, which make them so delicious. I love to pair them with rice noodle salads, and lots of crunchy fresh vegetables, like cucumber, peppers and red cabbage. Adding extra crunchy ingredients such as salted peanuts or sesame seeds is also a great way to add texture, and enhance such salads. Lots of Asian dressings, ours included, can also be used as marinades, so splash some on salmon or tofu for easy delicious flavour.” – Lucy Mackenzie, Lucy’s Dressings

Briannas Ginger Mandarin Dressing, £3.49

Texan brand Briannas is now available to buy in the UK. Of its 22 dressings – which range from blush wine vinaigrette to poppy seed dressing – we really rate this Asian-inspired version. Offering just the right balance of ginger, soy sauce and mandarin, this blend works really well in salads and as a dipping sauce, as well as a marinade for meat, vegetables and seafood.

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Dr Will's Miso Tahini Dressing, £2.30

Far East meets Middle East with Dr Will’s new fusion dressing. Featuring tahini and naturally sweet, fermented miso, this dressing is gluten free and vegan friendly. It works particularly well as a salad dressing, drizzled over Asian greens and as a dip for Middle Eastern snacks such as falafel and sesame crackers.

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Lucy's Lime & Chilli Asian Dressing, £4.50

This Great Taste award-winning dressing is ideal for those wanting to add extra flavour to Asian dishes. Use a couple of spoonfuls to marinate meat or tofu before cooking, or simply add straight into a stir-fry, curry or rice salad for an extra kick.

Visit LucysDressings.co.uk

Potts’ Orange, Miso and Ginger Oriental Dressing, £2.75

Potts’ dressing combines a splash of orange juice blended with umami-laden miso paste and ginger for an extra kick. Try it accompanied by a simple salad, such as grated carrot, thinly sliced peppers and spinach, finished with a drizzle of dressing and a sprinkling of sesame seeds.

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Classic Vinaigrettes

“Again, it’s the hit of citrus in the classic vinaigrettes which makes them feel so fresh, light and clean. I like vinaigrette dressings to be really quite tangy, with a real hit of mustard and citrus – we’ve just redeveloped our classic vinaigrette recipe and have created one that is vegan and sugar-free – it offers the perfect balance I’m looking for in a vinaigrette. I love classic vinaigrettes on simple classic green salads – always add herbs to your green salads as well to add some extra flavour.” – Lucy

Raw Vibrant Living Organic Pomegranate Vinegar, £3.49

Raw’s pomegranate vinegar is unpasteurised, unfiltered and contains the mother – the cloudy substance that sits at the bottom of the bottle, that’s full of good bacteria. This striking bottle is made from the juice of naturally fermented pomegranates. Sweet and zingy, it’s ideal for summery salad dressings, as an ingredient in sauces and marinades. 

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Lucy’s Lemon & Caper Zesty Dressing, £4.50

Whether you’re cooking salad, veg or fish, this versatile dressing will add a hit of Mediterranean flavour. A Great Taste award winner, Lucy’s Dressing’s Lemon & Caper Zesty blend is packed with citrussy flavours, mustard and capers, and works especially well when served with grilled fish or asparagus.

Visit LucysDressings.co.uk

Creamy Dressings

“Creamy dressings need to be balanced out with tarter ingredients in the salad to provide that delicious contrast. I like using them on crunchy and fresh salads, such as ones with shaved fennel or radicchio, before adding extras such as pomegranate seeds or a sprinkling of seed mix.” – Lucy

Briannas Ranch Dressing, £3.69

Briannas’ classic buttermilk ranch dressing is just what you’d expect from a US brand. Using mayo, sour cream, dill, onion, garlic and lemon, this authentic bottle offers a pleasantly sour tang to everything from salads and raw veggies to dips and marinades for BBQ dishes.

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Potts’ Feta Cheese, Olive & Mint Greek Dressing, £2.75

This Greek-inspired dressing combines feta cheese with olives and mint to summon up the flavours of summer. Looking to take your Greek salads up a notch? Mix a few tablespoons of this into a bowl of wedges of ripe tomatoes, sliced cucumber, thinly sliced red onions and Greek olives.

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Dr Will’s Vegan Caesar Dressing, £2.30

Often given a bad rap due to its classically calorie-dense dressing, caesar salads don’t have to be heavy. Dr Will’s take on the dressing is vegan, gluten free and contains apple cider vinegar, giving it a nice acidy. Combine with cos lettuce and croutons for a take on the classic salad or use as a coleslaw dressing or in place of mayonnaise to add a hit of flavour to chips, burgers or sandwiches.

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REBECCA SEARLE

REBECCA SEARLE

REBECCA SEARLE

Herb-Based Dressings

“With herby dressings, a little often goes a long way. I love to use them on things such as a warm potato salad in early summer, or to finish off a fish dish with a drizzle.” – Lucy

The Garlic Farm Pesto Dressing, £8.50

The Garlic Farm on the Isle of Wight has been growing its eponymous allium for over 50 years. These days, it isn’t just about the bulb: it produces a range of chutneys, relishes and condiments. This particular dressing combines the best of Italian flavours. Drizzle over salads or try as a marinade for Mediterranean vegetables. 

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Tracklements Italian Herb Dressing, £3.29

Another preserve specialist, Tracklements’ simple dressing is made with fragrant tarragon, chopped parsley and the brand’s popular wholegrain and dijon mustards, offering a delicate yet vibrant sauce. Tastes great with gently baked fish, couscous or quinoa salads.

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Lucy’s Green Pesto Dressing, £4.50

Lucy’s tasty green pesto dressing is nut free, vegetarian and extremely more-ish. As well as making the ideal accompaniment to chicken salads and roasted vegetables, it also works extremely well when served with pasta – as you would a traditional pesto – and tastes delicious in sandwiches and alongside most Italian dishes.

Visit LucysDressings.co.uk

Fruity Dressings

“These are ideal for fish dishes, classic salads and with duck. I always love to have a citrussy dressing on hand at a BBQ – I can’t wait until the weather is a bit better.” – Lucy

Mary Berry's Mango, Lime & Chilli Dressing, £3.50

Sweet mango is fused with lime and a hint of chilli to create this subtly spiced dressing. Try it drizzled over chicken salads, as a marinade on fish, as a glaze or even in desserts. Mary herself recommends marinating cubes of halloumi in the dressing, before threading them onto kebab skewers – along with peppers and tomatoes – and grilling them for a dinner in minutes. 

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Olive Branch Orange Balsamic Dressing, £3.99

Made with fresh orange, white balsamic and extra virgin olive oil, this salad dressing has a great balance of fruitiness and acidity. Made with 100% natural ingredients, it’s produced on the island of Crete, which is renowned for its oranges. This dressing elevates a simple mixed leaf salad, but you should also try tossing it with blue cheese and walnuts for a satisfying starter.

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Lucy’s Fresh & Tangy Raspberry Dressing, £4.50

If you love salty cheeses like feta, you should definitely give this fresh, fruity dressing a try. Great over salads – especially ones topped with avocado – Lucy recommends serving this perfectly pink mix with watermelon, feta, pumpkin seeds and mint; or grains, pomegranate, feta and parsley.

Visit LucysDressings.co.uk

INSPIRATION CREDITS: Rebecca Searle
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