Disclaimer: salads aren’t my principal 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 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 developments and artistic 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 rooster—extremely suggest!). Because of this, 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 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 right 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 totally embrace the contemporary greens, I grabbed a distinct salad for lunch nearly each day over the 2 weeks. I anticipated boredom and sugar cravings, however spoiler: I obtained hooked. Whereas I gained’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 utterly modified my view on consuming vegan (for the higher!). And if there’s a retailer or product you’d like us to overview subsequent, tell us within the feedback!
#8: Caesar Salad
Caesar salads are at all times 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 attainable 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 choice. You’ve 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 rooster merely tasted like rooster, and I couldn’t detect any of the promised spicy, chili chunk. And whereas the elements’ different colours provided a visible delight, I can’t say that the flavour matched it. In case you seasoned your personal protein and used the caesar dressing as inspiration to your personal creation, the opposite elements might need been good combined in. However then once more, if you happen to went that route, this wouldn’t really matter as a pre-made salad, would it not?
#6: Basic Greek Salad
With a powerful Greek contingent in my household supplying a lot of our reunions with unbelievable, salty, and contemporary dishes, it’s rapidly grow to be considered one of my favourite cuisines. And positive, I do know that not all Greek salads are made alike, but it surely’s the composition of the salad that has my coronary heart. This Dealer Joe’s take was so near doing it completely. I liked the olives’ briny chunk (kalamatas are a should), the cucumbers had been snappy and crisp, and the pink 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 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 vital a part of the salad, and if you happen to’re a fan like me, you already know that’s essential.
#5: Chopped Salad With Grilled White Rooster
Israeli couscous is fingers down, considered one of my favourite grains. Don’t get it combined 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 right 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 delicate, scrumptious chunk.
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 choose, and I obtained 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 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 offered.
Sadly, the rooster stored this salad from profitable greatest general. Maybe this can be a irritating consistency, however the truth that the rooster 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 rooster what it wanted. Alas, I’ll be taking this combo into my future cooking forays and including strips of my very own roasted rooster.
#3: Avocado Ranch Salad
Full of varied cabbages, inexperienced onion, and carrots, the combination supplies a satisfying crunch with a bag that’s twice the scale of the remainder of the salads that made the minimize. The actual 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 chunk a scrumptious mixture of crispiness and creaminess.
Past its nice style, this salad equipment is a perfect choice for these in search of a fast, nutritious meal or a straightforward facet dish whereas conserving issues meat-free. The mix 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 rooster, 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. But it surely’s typically used as an all-encompassing appellation that washes over the person flavors discovered inside. After attempting the to-go Southwest Salad final 12 months, I made a decision it was price giving the brand new chopped salad model a strive. 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 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 one of the best Dealer Joe’s salad. Whereas it may not look like essentially the most attention-grabbing and show-stopping salad, what this choose lacks in preliminary pizzazz, it positively makes up for by the primary chunk. 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 unbelievable flavors, and this salad did the pairing justice.
I’ll finish on this observe: 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.
