Disclaimer: salads aren’t my important focus at Dealer Joe’s. I’m often after contemporary flowers, budget-friendly bananas, and seasonal treats. Nonetheless, if I’m in a pinch for lunch and am in search of one thing 1) veggie-packed 2) satisfying and three) even higher than the basic combo of elements, solely the most effective Dealer Joe’s salad will do.
I’m a creature of behavior with my meals. Whereas I take pleasure in meals developments and artistic recipes, my weekday routine stays constant: a smoothie for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and a seasonal bowl for dinner. (Although just lately, I switched issues up with Camille’s beautiful roast hen—extremely advocate!). For that reason, I made a decision to place these 9 salads to the take a look at to see simply what Dealer Joe’s salad takes the cake.
Featured picture by Michelle Nash.
Our Favourite Dealer Joe’s Salads, Ranked
Clearly, my routines might use some shaking up, and what higher time than whereas touring? As a self-proclaimed (however reluctant-to-admit) digital nomad, I took a current two-week journey to D.C. as the proper excuse to place Dealer Joe’s salads to the take a look at and see in the event that they reside as much as the millennial hype.
To remain constant and absolutely embrace the contemporary greens, I grabbed a distinct salad for lunch virtually daily over the 2 weeks. I anticipated boredom and sugar cravings, however spoiler: I received hooked. Whereas I received’t be a pre-made salad devotee ceaselessly, these picks have impressed me to recreate my favorites at residence. Now, let’s dive into the rankings—beginning with my least favourite and ending with the one which fully modified my view on consuming vegan (for the higher!). And if there’s a retailer or product you’d like us to evaluation subsequent, tell us within the feedback!
#8: Caesar Salad
Caesar salads are at all times hit and miss. I’ve but to seek out one which toes the road between stellar and unhappy desk lunch-worthy. Sadly, Dealer Joe’s providing fell into the latter class. Nevertheless it’s potential that I had some preconceptions as a result of I didn’t go into this one with excessive hopes. Whereas many packaged salads can shock me with their surprising goodness, Caesar salad is never one.
I would like a freshly made, heavy-on-the-anchovies dressing that completely coats the crunchy bits of romaine. The croutons have to offer an audible crunch, and if there isn’t a heavy-handed serving of shaved parmesan, then I’m fast to ditch it. Whereas all of the elements had been there, this was extra of a good-in-theory possibility. You have got my permission to skip.
#7: Mexicali Salad
After I learn by this salad’s elements, my eyes had been alight with pleasure. There was clearly a wide range of texture and taste at play, with crunchy cabbage, nutty pumpkin seeds, and the viral summer season favourite—corn!—contrasting the creamy, jalapeño-spiked dressing. However whereas the hype was there, this one sadly fell flat on the supply.
The hen merely tasted like hen, and I couldn’t detect any of the promised spicy, chili chew. And whereas the elements’ diversified colours supplied a visible delight, I can’t say that the flavour matched it. In case you seasoned your individual protein and used the caesar dressing as inspiration to your personal creation, the opposite elements may need been good blended in. However then once more, when you went that route, this wouldn’t actually matter as a pre-made salad, wouldn’t it?
#6: Traditional Greek Salad
With a powerful Greek contingent in my household supplying lots of our reunions with unbelievable, salty, and contemporary dishes, it’s shortly turn into considered one of my favourite cuisines. And positive, I do know that not all Greek salads are made alike, however it’s the composition of the salad that has my coronary heart. This Dealer Joe’s take was so shut to doing it completely. I liked the olives’ briny chew (kalamatas are a should), the cucumbers had been snappy and crisp, and the pink onion introduced simply the correct quantity of warmth.
So what might I probably need to complain about? You may write me off for being too explicit, however in relation to Greek salads, I favor my feta in massive blocks versus crumbled. After they tackle the latter kind, they’re extra evenly distributed all through the salad. However there’s nothing like diving right into a forkful of feta set in opposition to a juicy tomato. Cubes of feta make it a extra important a part of the salad, and when you’re a fan like me, you already know that’s essential.
#5: Chopped Salad With Grilled White Rooster
Israeli couscous is palms down, considered one of my favourite grains. Don’t get it blended up with rice! Israeli couscous isn’t truly couscous (complicated I do know). It’s truly toasted pasta in tiny balls. The flavour is nutty and the feel is barely chewy. It’s the proper hearty mix-in for any veggie-forward dish. And on this salad, it shines. Oftentimes, it’s used as an afterthought, solely meant to bulk up no matter it’s added to. However I felt that this salad was based mostly round its tender, scrumptious chew.
The one downside of this salad was the candy basil dressing. I hoped for one thing a bit extra basil-forward, with a peppery, anise-like taste coming by. Whereas I didn’t get that, this salad was nonetheless a stable lunch decide, and I received on with my afternoon duties feeling glad.
#4: Broccoli Slaw & Kale Salad With White Rooster Meat
This was by far the heartiest, most satisfying Dealer Joe’s salad of the bunch. And whereas that truth didn’t win it the primary spot, it went a good distance in getting it into the highest three. And with the feel trifecta of kale, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries, I used to be simply offered.
Sadly, the hen saved this salad from successful greatest general. Maybe this can be a irritating consistency, however the truth that the hen was unseasoned (and, admittedly, a bit dry), set this salad again. Even the candy and spicy dressing, which, regardless of the identify, I didn’t count on to be so (fortunately) packed full of warmth, couldn’t give the hen what it wanted. Alas, I’ll be taking this combo into my future cooking forays and including strips of my very own roasted hen.
#3: Avocado Ranch Salad
Filled with numerous cabbages, inexperienced onion, and carrots, the combo offers a satisfying crunch with a bag that’s twice the scale of the remainder of the salads that made the lower. The actual spotlight, nonetheless, is the creamy avocado ranch dressing, which delivers a wealthy, tangy taste that may’t be overwhelmed. The package additionally contains crunchy corn chips for an added texture enhance, making every chew a scrumptious mixture of crispiness and creaminess.
Past its nice style, this salad package is a perfect possibility for these looking for a fast, nutritious meal or a simple facet dish whereas maintaining issues meat-free. The mixture of contemporary greens and protein-packed cheese makes it each filling and flavorful with out being overly heavy. It’s additionally extremely versatile and might be tossed with grilled hen, crispy chickpeas, or used as a slaw for tacos or burrito bowls.
#2: Southwest Salad
As a principal, I’m often suspect of something carrying the label “southwest.” No shade thrown to that a part of the nation! I’m at all times in awe at its open, saturated skies and Georgia O’Keeffe’s capturing of the standard brilliance of its panorama. Nevertheless it’s typically used as an all-encompassing appellation that washes over the person flavors discovered inside. After making an attempt the to-go Southwest Salad final 12 months, I made a decision it was price giving the brand new chopped salad model a attempt. The flavour of the cojita cheese was much less masked by the daring chipotle ranch, probably attributable to a greater ratio of veggie-to-sauce.
I liked the crunchy-creamy interaction of the black beans, pink onions, and cabbage. And when it comes right down to it, the zesty flavors do make a superb match. On the finish of the day, this salad made me smile. (What number of salads are you able to say that about?) However the place I actually wished it to shine, it left me wanting extra.
#1: Vegan Tremendous Spinach Salad
And now onto what I contemplate the most effective Dealer Joe’s salad. Whereas it won’t seem to be essentially the most fascinating and show-stopping salad, what this decide lacks in preliminary pizzazz, it undoubtedly makes up for by the primary chew. Quinoa, carrots, cranberries, chickpeas, edamame, pumpkin seeds (and naturally, spinach) make a shocking amalgam of wholesome, however completely crave-worthy elements. I’m at all times a fan when nutrient-dense meals intersect with unimaginable flavors, and this salad did the pairing justice.
I’ll finish on this notice: the dressing. Carrot brings the colour, miso brings the salty, umami depth, and ginger provides a warming hit of spice that stands behind each chew. This salad has redefined spinach for me. Don’t go it by!
This put up was final up to date on March 25, 2025 to incorporate new insights.
