Disclaimer: salads aren’t my major focus at Dealer Joe’s. I’m normally after recent flowers, budget-friendly bananas, and seasonal treats. Nevertheless, if I’m in a pinch for lunch and am searching for one thing 1) veggie-packed 2) satisfying and three) even higher than the basic combo of substances, solely one of the best Dealer Joe’s salad will do.
I’m a creature of behavior with my meals. Whereas I take pleasure in meals tendencies and inventive recipes, my weekday routine stays constant: a smoothie for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and a seasonal bowl for dinner. (Although not too long ago, I switched issues up with Camille’s beautiful roast hen—extremely suggest!). For that reason, I made a decision to place these 9 salads to the check 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 latest two-week journey to D.C. as the proper excuse to place Dealer Joe’s salads to the check and see in the event that they stay as much as the millennial hype.
To remain constant and absolutely embrace the recent greens, I grabbed a distinct salad for lunch virtually each day over the 2 weeks. I anticipated boredom and sugar cravings, however spoiler: I obtained hooked. Whereas I received’t be a pre-made salad devotee perpetually, these picks have impressed me to recreate my favorites at dwelling. Now, let’s dive into the rankings—beginning with my least favourite and ending with the one which utterly 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 all the time hit and miss. I’ve but to search out one which toes the road between stellar and unhappy desk lunch-worthy. Sadly, Dealer Joe’s providing fell into the latter class. However it’s doable 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 isn’t one.
I want a freshly made, heavy-on-the-anchovies dressing that completely coats the crunchy bits of romaine. The croutons have to provide 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 have been there, this was extra of a good-in-theory possibility. You may have my permission to skip.
#7: Mexicali Salad
Once I learn by way of this salad’s substances, my eyes have 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 time 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 chunk. And whereas the substances’ assorted colours supplied a visible delight, I can’t say that the flavour matched it. If you happen to seasoned your personal protein and used the caesar dressing as inspiration in your personal creation, the opposite elements might need been good blended in. However then once more, in the event you went that route, this wouldn’t really matter as a pre-made salad, wouldn’t it?
#6: Basic Greek Salad
With a robust Greek contingent in my household supplying lots of our reunions with unbelievable, salty, and recent dishes, it’s shortly turn into one in all my favourite cuisines. And certain, 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 beloved the olives’ briny chunk (kalamatas are a should), the cucumbers have been snappy and crisp, and the purple onion introduced simply the correct amount of warmth.
So what might I probably must complain about? You would possibly write me off for being too explicit, however in terms of Greek salads, I favor my feta in massive blocks versus crumbled. After they tackle the latter type, 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 vital a part of the salad, and in the event you’re a fan like me, you realize that’s essential.
#5: Chopped Salad With Grilled White Rooster
Israeli couscous is fingers down, one in all 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 comfortable, scrumptious chunk.
The one disadvantage of this salad was the candy basil dressing. I hoped for one thing somewhat extra basil-forward, with a peppery, anise-like taste coming by way of. Whereas I didn’t get that, this salad was nonetheless a strong lunch choose, and I obtained on with my afternoon duties feeling happy.
#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 reality 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 stored this salad from successful finest general. Maybe this can be a irritating consistency, however the truth that the hen was unseasoned (and, admittedly, somewhat dry), set this salad again. Even the candy and spicy dressing, which, regardless of the title, 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 varied cabbages, inexperienced onion, and carrots, the combo supplies a satisfying crunch with a bag that’s twice the dimensions of the remainder of the salads that made the minimize. 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 chunk a scrumptious mixture of crispiness and creaminess.
Past its nice style, this salad package is a perfect possibility for these searching for a fast, nutritious meal or a straightforward aspect dish whereas maintaining issues meat-free. The mixture of recent greens and protein-packed cheese makes it each filling and flavorful with out being overly heavy. It’s additionally extremely versatile and may 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 normally suspect of something sporting the label “southwest.” No shade thrown to that a part of the nation! I’m all the time in awe at its open, saturated skies and Georgia O’Keeffe’s capturing of the standard brilliance of its panorama. However it’s usually 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 value 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 on account of a greater ratio of veggie-to-sauce.
I beloved the crunchy-creamy interaction of the black beans, purple onions, and cabbage. And when it comes right down to it, the zesty flavors do make a wonderful 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 needed it to shine, it left me wanting extra.
#1: Vegan Tremendous Spinach Salad
And now onto what I contemplate one of the best Dealer Joe’s salad. Whereas it may not look like essentially the most fascinating and show-stopping salad, what this choose lacks in preliminary pizzazz, it undoubtedly makes up for by the primary chunk. Quinoa, carrots, cranberries, chickpeas, edamame, pumpkin seeds (and naturally, spinach) make a stunning amalgam of wholesome, however completely crave-worthy substances. I’m all the time a fan when nutrient-dense meals intersect with unbelievable flavors, and this salad did the pairing justice.
I’ll finish on this be aware: the dressing. Carrot brings the colour, miso brings the salty, umami depth, and ginger provides a warming hit of spice that stands behind each chunk. This salad has redefined spinach for me. Don’t move it by!
This put up was final up to date on March 25, 2025 to incorporate new insights.
