Disclaimer: salads aren’t my fundamental focus at Dealer Joe’s. I’m normally after contemporary flowers, budget-friendly bananas, and seasonal treats. Nonetheless, if I’m in a pinch for lunch and am on the lookout for one thing 1) veggie-packed 2) satisfying and three) even higher than the basic combo of elements, solely one of the best Dealer Joe’s salad will do.
I’m a creature of behavior with my meals. Whereas I get pleasure from meals developments and inventive 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 gorgeous 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 may 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 take a look at and see in the event that they dwell as much as the millennial hype.
To remain constant and totally embrace the contemporary greens, I grabbed a unique salad for lunch nearly day by day over the 2 weeks. I anticipated boredom and sugar cravings, however spoiler: I received hooked. Whereas I gained’t be a pre-made salad devotee perpetually, these picks have impressed me to recreate my favorites at house. 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 evaluate 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. But it surely’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 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 parts have been there, this was extra of a good-in-theory possibility. You could have my permission to skip.
#7: Mexicali Salad
After I learn by means of this salad’s elements, 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 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 provided a visible delight, I can’t say that the flavour matched it. Should you seasoned your personal protein and used the caesar dressing as inspiration on your personal creation, the opposite parts might need been good blended in. However then once more, in case you went that route, this wouldn’t really matter as a pre-made salad, would it not?
#6: Basic Greek Salad
With a robust Greek contingent in my household supplying a lot of our reunions with unbelievable, salty, and contemporary dishes, it’s rapidly develop into one in every 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 beloved the olives’ briny chew (kalamatas are a should), the cucumbers have been snappy and crisp, and the crimson onion introduced simply the correct amount of warmth.
So what may I presumably should complain about? You would possibly write me off for being too specific, however with regards to Greek salads, I want my feta in large blocks versus crumbled. Once 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 towards a juicy tomato. Cubes of feta make it a extra important a part of the salad, and in case you’re a fan like me, you recognize that’s essential.
#5: Chopped Salad With Grilled White Hen
Israeli couscous is arms down, one in every 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 primarily based round its smooth, scrumptious chew.
The one disadvantage of this salad was the candy basil dressing. I hoped for one thing just a little extra basil-forward, with a peppery, anise-like taste coming by means of. Whereas I didn’t get that, this salad was nonetheless a strong lunch choose, and I received on with my afternoon duties feeling glad.
#4: Broccoli Slaw & Kale Salad With White Hen 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 great 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 bought.
Sadly, the hen stored this salad from profitable greatest total. Maybe it is a irritating consistency, however the truth that the hen was unseasoned (and, admittedly, just a little 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 combination gives a satisfying crunch with a bag that’s twice the dimensions of the remainder of the salads that made the minimize. The true spotlight, nevertheless, is the creamy avocado ranch dressing, which delivers a wealthy, tangy taste that may’t be crushed. The equipment additionally consists of crunchy corn chips for an added texture enhance, making every chew a scrumptious mixture of crispiness and creaminess.
Past its nice style, this salad equipment is a perfect possibility for these in search of a fast, nutritious meal or a straightforward facet dish whereas protecting 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 will 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 common-or-garden brilliance of its panorama. But it surely’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 yr, 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, seemingly attributable to a greater ratio of veggie-to-sauce.
I beloved the crunchy-creamy interaction of the black beans, crimson 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 take into account one of the best Dealer Joe’s salad. Whereas it may not appear to be essentially the most fascinating and show-stopping salad, what this choose 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 all the time a fan when nutrient-dense meals intersect with unimaginable flavors, and this salad did the pairing justice.
I’ll finish on this word: 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 move it by!
This put up was final up to date on March 18, 2025 to incorporate new insights.
