are there any good salad dressings

jhfusmc
jhfusmc Posts: 3
in Food and Nutrition
Just started this MFP about 2 weeks ago, and having hard time finding real low calorie products. Does low calorie always mean it cost more?:noway:
Tried Hidden Valley fat free, I guess the calorie count is good, but boy did it taste awful.
Anybody know of some good salad dressings and possibly a way to spent less on this new diet?
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Replies

  • BoubouChan
    BoubouChan Posts: 163 Member
    Bolthouse Farms' yogurt dressings are quite good. I've tried Ranch (25 cals per tbs) and Cilantro Avocado (20 cals per tbs) and found them much better than other reduced fat dressings I've tried in the past. They are in the refrigerated aisle and price is comparable to other brands.
  • MysteriousMerlin
    MysteriousMerlin Posts: 2,270 Member
    I like Kraft Light Balsamic Vinegrette, it's tasty and just 25 cals per serving.
  • s_pekz
    s_pekz Posts: 340 Member
    I really like Renees Yogurt dill and cucumber. Its 40cal /tbsp. seems high but goes a long way since its creamy
  • tawnywest
    tawnywest Posts: 45 Member
    I buy a pouch of ranch dressing mix (Club House or other brand) and instead of 1 cup milk and 1 cup mayonnaise I just add 2 cups of milk and 1 spoonful of mayonnaise. It's kind of runny but delicious on a chicken, avocado, lettuce salad and negligible calories. The original recipe I saw on Pinterest called for 1 cup 0% fat Greek yoghurt and 1/2 cup skim milk but I ran out of the yoghurt and found the skim milk by itself was fine.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Newman's Light Sesame Ginger is good. 36 calories for 2 TBL.

    Tawny has a good suggestion: dry seasoning packets added to Greek yogurt (with a little milk). It won't taste quite the same......but you don't have the added fake fat garbage. Besides Greek has great protein numbers.
  • marissanik
    marissanik Posts: 344 Member
    Also buy Renee's. I get the creamy poppyseed 1/2 the fat dressing to fit my macros better. I think it's 45 cals/tbsp. Worth the calories. I have bought fat free kraft dressings and none have ever done it for me taste-wise. If I'm eating salad, dressing needs to be on point!
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    Honestly we eat salad a lot in my house and only own 1 bottle of dressing (Hidden Valley chipotle southwest ranch, not low calorie) which mostly gets used on my eggs and occasionally on fish tacos or something. My husband prefers oil & vinegar as dressing, and I usually use one of the following in lieu of prepared salad dressing.

    salsa or picante
    mashed avocado
    1 TBSP light olive oil mayo mixed with 1 tsp Sriracha
    1 TBSP light olive oil mayo mixed with 1/3 TBSP Thai chili sauce and 1 tsp Sriracha
    1 TBSP light olive oil mayo mixed with 1 tsp ketchup & 1/4 tsp Cavender's Greek seasoning - great on veggie burgers/hamburgers too
    small quantity of Thai chili sauce - less than a TBSP - delicious on a salad of mixed greens and fresh basil with crab...so good
    Also weird but good...chopped grapes and a tiny drizzle of honey. Good on salads with chicken or tuna and a few nuts.
  • Snail_Whale
    Snail_Whale Posts: 21 Member
    I prefer to just skip dressing and use cider or rice vinegar. Tastes pretty good.
  • Momjogger
    Momjogger Posts: 750 Member
    Kens Greek dressing is really good. I think the fat in a basic dressing is needed.
  • OccamsDisposableRazor
    OccamsDisposableRazor Posts: 49 Member
    *bump* :-)
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    You need some dietary fat in your diet. I eat of lot of salad because I like salad, and I often use the dressing as a source of dietary fat.

    Olive oil and white wine vinegar with a dash of honey
    Olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a dash of honey
    Thai peanut dressing (2T peanut butter, 3 T soy, garlic, honey, sriracha, ginger, 1/4 cup water, lime juice) - makes 5 servings
  • scrittrice
    scrittrice Posts: 345 Member
    I find bottled salad dressing such a waste of money. Nothing tastes better than (good high-quality) olive oil mixed with (good high-quality) vinegar and a pinch of (good high-quality sea) salt. Don't try to add them to your salad separately and toss--they won't be properly amalgamated, Whisk them together in a small bowl, drizzle the mixture over your rinsed and dried greens immediately, and toss (use utensils or your hands). Cheaper, better tasting, better for you. The traditional ratio is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar, but I go closer to 50/50. I like either balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
  • gschnitzler
    gschnitzler Posts: 18 Member
    I have always liked ranch dressing, but found that most of the light or fat free versions had an awful taste. I even tried mixing the Hidden Valley dry packet with plain Greek yogurt, but I still didn't care for it. I've found that the Hidden Valley Light Ranch (not fat free) isn't bad, but my favorite is Marzetti's Light Ranch (comes in a jar, usually found in the refrigerated section in the produce department). It's a bit more expensive, but it tastes really good.
  • mygnsac
    mygnsac Posts: 13,413 Member
    I do the same as seltzermint (but no spicy things for me). Just mash up an avocado, salsa (or mix a little salsa into the mashed up avocado). Sometimes I use a little tzatziki (greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, cucumber). Sometimes I use the full fat Ranch dressing, but I don't pour it on the salad. Just dip your fork in it. Once in a while I will use lemon juice mixed with a tsp of olive oil and some pepper. I'm not fond of the vinegar based dressings, but if you like the taste, just drizzle a little balsamic on the salad.
  • CindyMarcuzAdams
    CindyMarcuzAdams Posts: 4,007 Member
    Renees half fat caesar. Its the best. It doesnt taste low fat. 45 calories per tbsp.
  • JonnyQwest
    JonnyQwest Posts: 174 Member
    Bolthouse Farms' yogurt dressings are quite good. I've tried Ranch (25 cals per tbs) and Cilantro Avocado (20 cals per tbs) and found them much better than other reduced fat dressings I've tried in the past. They are in the refrigerated aisle and price is comparable to other brands.

    This is what I was going to suggest, they actually taste better than the real thing to me.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member

    Thai peanut dressing (2T peanut butter, 3 T soy, garlic, honey, sriracha, ginger, 1/4 cup water, lime juice) - makes 5 servings

    yum! We do something similar for stir fry veggies and/or noodles but I never considered putting it on salad. Gonna do that right away -- thanks!!
  • TheRealNoodlette
    TheRealNoodlette Posts: 132 Member
    I don't really like packaged salad dressings anymore, they are too sweet for me... I usually just end up doing salt and pepper, and lemon juice. Maybe also some chili flakes.
  • SrMaggalicious
    SrMaggalicious Posts: 495 Member
    Just found a carrot and ginger low sodium one from Whole foods...2 TBSP are only 40 cals..NO fat...made in Cindi's Kitchen, Brockton, MA...it's delish...was sick of the balsamic flavor all the time...LOVEEE this!
  • summer92008
    summer92008 Posts: 202
    Try Italian dressings in the "Lite" version. I have wishbone lite italian dressing and it is only 35 calories for a tablespoon (or something like that).
  • Cranquistador
    Cranquistador Posts: 39,744 Member
    Experiment.
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    I buy flavored balsamics from the farmer's market. They're pretty sweet but a little goes a loooong way and you don't need to slather it to get the flavor.
  • Frenchy5483
    Frenchy5483 Posts: 2 Member
    Marie's Yogurt Dressing found in the refrigerated section of the produce aisle (usually) is my favorite dressing, low cal or not. It's pricey but it's delicious.
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    no. there are none. Why would you eat salad voluntarily?
  • Madelinec117
    Madelinec117 Posts: 210 Member
    I make my own dressings due to food allergies. For some I make a sour cream based dressing by adding balsamic vinegar, pepper and a little sweetener. For some I make a vinaigrette by mixing unsweetened fruit jam, apple cider vinegar, pepper and olive oil.
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member

    Thai peanut dressing (2T peanut butter, 3 T soy, garlic, honey, sriracha, ginger, 1/4 cup water, lime juice) - makes 5 servings

    yum! We do something similar for stir fry veggies and/or noodles but I never considered putting it on salad. Gonna do that right away -- thanks!!

    Ohh that's a good idea for stir fry! I especially like this one because the PB gives it a bit of protein. I use natural, so if you use sweetened, you may want to cut the honey down.
  • willrun4bagels
    willrun4bagels Posts: 838 Member
    I'm very picky with salad dressings.

    The only two I will use:

    Trader Joe's Balsamic Vinaigrette, 80cals for 2 tablespoons. They make a fat free version for only 25 cals/2 tablespoons, but it tastes like satan's *kitten*. Trust me.

    Stonewall Kitchen Maine Blueberry Dressing. Nice on a salad with berries, almonds, and goat cheese. Not sure of the macros on it but it's not very high in calories and tastes great.


    When I actually put my chef hat on and decide to cook stuff, I make my own dressing with balsamic vinegar, good EVOO, a little sugar, and some really spicy amazing German mustard. Whisk together. Devour.

    Now I want salad.
  • Mrsfreedom41
    Mrsfreedom41 Posts: 330 Member
    I like Great Value lite Raspberry Vinegarette Dressing. Get it at Wal-Mart. Can't remember the calorie count but it is low enough for me.
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    Stop drowning your salad in ranch dressing and the problem disappears.

    It is salad. Not ranch style lettuce soup.
  • Hoopmom9420
    Hoopmom9420 Posts: 2
    Kraft Roasted Red Pepper Italian with Parmesan
    40 Cals per 2 TBSP.

    Love this dressing!

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