The Best Store-Bought Dressing for Taco Salads
Taco salads are a great way to get your favorite taco ingredients in a salad form.
But there’s one thing that can make or break your taco salad: dressing.
If you’re searching for the best store-bought dressing for your taco salad, look no further!
The following options all have high reviews from satisfied customers, so you can be sure that these dressings will make your taco salad taste amazing.
So, what’s the best store bought dressing for taco salad?
The best store-bought dressing for a taco salad is Ken’s Steak House Fat-Free Ranch Dressing. This dressing has a delicious blend of herbs and spices that complement the rich, savory flavor of tacos. It also contains no saturated fat or cholesterol, making it a great choice for those watching their health and diet.
For more ideas, keep scrolling!
What’s the Best Store-Bought Dressing for Taco Salad?
Taco salads are a favorite of mine. I love being able to customize my taco salad, and I’m always on the hunt for new dressing options.
I think you’re probably looking for the same thing: something that will add flavor and just the right amount of zing to your taco salad, without going overboard.
This article is all about finding the best store-bought dressing for taco salads—the one that’ll make your meal taste fresh and delicious, while also fitting into your budget.
So, let’s cover the best store-bought dressing for your delicious taco salad:
1. Ken’s Steak House Fat-Free Ranch Dressing
This is my favorite store-bought dressing for taco salads.
It’s not overly creamy, but it still has the flavor of ranch, which I love.
It’s just enough to make your taco salad pop.
I like to mix it with a little bit of mayonnaise and whip up some sour cream for a quick homemade version that tastes just as good as the store-bought version (if not better).
2. Ortega Taco Sauce Mixed with Mayonnaise
This is another great option for those who want something sweeter than a traditional salsa verde or pico de gallo.
The Ortega brand makes their own taco sauce, and it’s delicious!
Just mix it with mayo—and you’re good to go!
3. Catalina Dressing
Catalina dressing is a classic! It’s a sweet dressing that goes well with all kinds of salads, including taco salads.
It has a tangy flavor that isn’t too overpowering, so it can really bring out the flavors in your taco salad without being too strong.
4. Regular Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing is another classic that’s perfect for taco salad because it adds a little bit of spice and makes your salad taste fresh and zesty.
You can use this dressing straight from the bottle or add some fresh ingredients like tomatoes or avocado for an extra boost of flavor!
5. Walden Farms Bleu Cheese Dressing
If you’re looking for something a little more decadent, this is my favorite bleu cheese dressing on the shelf right now.
It’s creamy without being too rich or heavy tasting like some other options out there right now—and best of all?
It comes in two different flavors: original and ranch!
6. Salsa Ranch Dressing from Trader Joe’s
Salsa Ranch Dressing from Trader Joe’s is another favorite store-bought dressing of mine for taco salads.
It’s so flavorful, and it tastes great with all the different ingredients in a salad.
I like to add it right before serving, so that the salad doesn’t get soggy.
And it really brings everything together!
7. Greek Vinaigrette from Aldi
Greek Vinaigrette from Aldi (store brand) is also great for taco salads because it has a unique combination of flavors that really complements the spiciness of the taco meat.
I like to serve Greek Vinaigrette with arugula as a bed for my salad and add in some tomatoes, cucumbers, pepperoncinis, and black olives for extra texture and flavor.
8. Chipotle Ranch Dressing from Aldi
Chipotle Ranch Dressing from Aldi (store brand) is a delicious choice for taco salads that have meaty toppings like chicken or steak.
The spicy kick of chipotle peppers goes great with these types of ingredients, and complements them perfectly—and who doesn’t love ranch dressing?
9. Taco Bell Fire Sauce Dressing and Dip
This is a classic. It’s the perfect balance of heat and tanginess, so you can serve it with a simple salad or use it as a dip for your favorite tortilla chips.
You can even add it to your tacos or burritos to give them an extra kick!
10. Kraft Taco Bell Salsa Con Queso Dip
If you like the salsa con queso from Taco Bell, this is the dip for you—and it’s even better in this creamy form!
It goes great with chips, tacos, or as a topping on salads.
11. Trader Joe’s Creamy Avocado Dressing
This creamy avocado dressing tastes amazing on salads or tacos when paired with fresh vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers!
Try it today if you haven’t already—you’ll love it!
12. Wish-Bone Italian Vinaigrette
This vinaigrette has just enough Italian seasoning notes to bring out all of the flavors in your taco salad without being overbearing on its own.
The best part? It’s only 30 calories per serving!
13. Cholula Chipotle
This spicy hot sauce is perfect for giving your taco salad a kick!
It’s great on top of tacos or even in place of salsa if you don’t like tacos all that much (I don’t judge!).
14. Newman’s Own Creamy Caesar
If you’re looking for something that tastes like the real thing but doesn’t have all those preservatives, look no further than this Caesar dressing from Newman’s Own—it’s made with real lemon juice!
And since it comes in a squeeze bottle, it’ll be easy to get every last bit out of that container when you’re done with it.
15. Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili Sesame
This dressing is another one of my favorites! It has a really nice sweet flavor that goes well with any kind of salad.
The sweetness pairs really nicely with the heat from the chili sesame oil, and it’s just so delicious.
I like to use this one when I’m looking for something more filling than just lettuce, but still want something light and fresh.
16. Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing
If you’re looking for a creamy ranch dressing that will really round out your salad, look no further than Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing!
This is a classic restaurant go-to, so if you’re serving up a big bowl of taco salad at home or having friends over for dinner, you’ll want to have this on hand—it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
17. McCormick French Salad Dressing Mix
McCormick French Salad Dressing Mix is a great way to give your taco salad an authentic French flavor.
It has all the ingredients you need to make classic French dressing in just one package, so it’s perfect for busy cooks, or anyone who doesn’t want to spend hours making their own!
To make it, simply add some water and you’re good to go.
You can use milk if you prefer your dressing a little thicker, or add more water for a thinner consistency.
I recommend using 1/4 cup of milk per package of McCormick French Salad Dressing Mix.
If you’re using fresh veggies or fruits in your salad, I recommend adding them after you mix the dressing together but before adding the lettuce.
This way they’ll be nice and crisp when served!
18. Annie’s Naturals Creamy Caesar Dressing
If you’re looking for something that’s vegan and gluten-free, this is the dressing for you!
It comes in a variety of flavors and can be used in many different recipes.
How Do You Make Taco Salad without Catalina Dressing?
You can make taco salad without Catalina dressing by using a substitute, such as ranch.
- Simply mix together a cup of sour cream, 1/2 cup of milk, and 2 teaspoons of minced onion.
- Then add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
18 Best Store-Bought Dressings for Taco Salads
Ingredients
- Ken's Steak House Fat-Free Ranch Dressing
- Ortega Taco Sauce Mixed with Mayonnaise
- Catalina Dressing
- Regular Ranch Dressing
- Walden Farms Bleu Cheese Dressing
- Salsa Ranch Dressing from Trader Joe's
- Greek Vinaigrette from Aldi
- Chipotle Ranch Dressing from Aldi
- Taco Bell Fire Sauce Dressing and Dip
- Kraft Taco Bell Salsa Con Queso Dip
- Trader Joe's Creamy Avocado Dressing
- Wish-Bone Italian Vinaigrette
- Cholula Chipotle
- Newman's Own Creamy Caesar
- Trader Joe's Sweet Chili Sesame
- Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing
- McCormick French Salad Dressing Mix
- Annie's Naturals Creamy Caesar Dressing
Instructions
- Pick your favorite dressing from this list to put on your delicious taco salad recipe.
- Prepare the rest of your meal.
- Be ready to munch in no time!
Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.