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  4. 10 Best Salad Dressings UK 2024 | Heinz, Newman's Own and More
  • 10 Best Salad Dressings UK 2024 | Heinz, Newman's Own and More 1
  • 10 Best Salad Dressings UK 2024 | Heinz, Newman's Own and More 2
  • 10 Best Salad Dressings UK 2024 | Heinz, Newman's Own and More 3
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10 Best Salad Dressings UK 2024 | Heinz, Newman's Own and More

As a nation of food lovers in the UK, a good salad no doubt features on many a household's meal rotations. Whether as a side dish or the main event, it's the perfect quick, healthy and versatile lunch or dinner, especially if you're looking to get more greens into your diet or trying to lose a bit of weight. But what's a great salad without an equally fantastic salad dressing.


The best recipes will enhance the flavours of your salad whilst still keeping them crisp, fresh and nutritious, but with hundreds of varieties, knowing which to choose can be a tricky task. Our guide is here to save you time and money by teaching you how to pick a bottle that will complement everything type of salad. Read until the end to discover our top 10 salad dressings from Amazon, Tesco and Asda. 

Last updated 28/03/2024
Emily Hyland
Expert
Nutritionist
Emily Hyland

Emily is a registered integrative, naturopathic nutritionist trained in the principles of functional medicine, biomedicine and human sciences, and she has a Master’s Degree in nutrition. She has extensive clinical experience in both private practice and the public health and wellbeing sector. Her work embraces the interplay between nutrition, bio-individuality and mindset, educating and empowering clients to make lasting changes wherever they are on their health journey.

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Table of Contents

With Specialist Consultation From Nutritionist Emily Hyland

With Specialist Consultation From Nutritionist Emily Hyland

Emily is a registered integrative, naturopathic nutritionist and has a Master’s Degree in nutrition. Her work embraces the interplay between nutrition, bio-individuality and mindset, educating and empowering clients to make lasting changes wherever they are on their health journey. You can check out her work from her Instagram account and website.

How to Choose a Salad Dressing in the UK

Key Points to Consider

  1. Choose a Style of Dressing to Compliment Your Salad 
  2. A Low-Calorie Dressing Is 50 Calories or Less per Serving
  3. A Salad Dressing With Healthy Fats, Helps You Stay Fuller for Longer
  4. Healthier Dressings Have No More Than 5g of Salt and 10g of Sugar per 100ml
1

Choose a Style of Dressing to Compliment Your Salad : A Simple Vinaigrette Is Ideal for Green Salad, While Balsamic Dressing Suits Mediterranean Cuisine

Choose a Style of Dressing to Compliment Your Salad : A Simple Vinaigrette Is Ideal for Green Salad, While Balsamic Dressing Suits Mediterranean Cuisine

A salad dressing by nature consists of an oil and vinegar base, usually with a combination of various other seasonings, herbs and flavourings. Different styles of salad dressing will compliment different ingredients and cuisines, so make sure to pick the right one to bring out the best in your salad.

Add a Light and Tangy Vinaigrette if You Like Green Salad With With Olives, Tomatoes and Avocado

A great go-to salad dressing for everyday use, vinaigrettes have a light, tart flavour that will perfectly complement a simple green salad, as well as those with olives, tomatoes and avocado. 


The base of a good vinaigrette typically consists of three parts oil to one part vinegar, with popular vinaigrettes such as French or Italian dressing combining other ingredients such as mustard, finely chopped herbs, garlic and black pepper. Depending on the flavours featured, each can be matched to your salad's style or cuisine accordingly. 

Emily Hyland
Nutritionist
Emily Hyland

Generally speaking, a simple vinaigrette will often be one of the healthiest choices available at the supermarket as it’s usually made with olive oil, which is extremely beneficial for overall health and heart health. Look out for other good-for-you ingredients such as mustard, garlic, and herbs, all packed with antioxidants to give an extra nutritional boost!

Pick a Creamy Dressing to Compliment Meat, Cheese and Iceberg Lettuce

Creamy dressings are a delicious option if you are looking for something a bit more indulgent. These often have a milder, less acidic taste than other types of dressing and go well with meat, blue cheese and crisp lettuce.


Some popular examples of creamy dressings that you've probably come across are Caesar, mayo-based dressings and honey mustard. These dressings have a thicker consistency and are also higher in fat, so we recommend adding them in moderation or as a treat. 


If you'd like to use a little yogurt in your creamy dressing, check out our list of Healthy Yogurts here. 

Emily Hyland
Nutritionist
Emily Hyland

Creamier dressings do tend to have more calories and can end up turning a healthy salad into a high-calorie meal, so be mindful of these types of dressings. When looking at the fat content, you want to make sure they contain mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats instead of trans and saturated fats.

Try a Dressing With Fruit Extracts for a Sweet Addition to Your Salad

Fruity dressings commonly combine fruit extracts with a vinaigrette, creamy or balsamic vinegar base. These dressings have the most variation, so consider their flavour combinations when adding them to your salad ingredients of choice.


For example, a sweet, creamy dressing containing coconut could be balanced out by by acidic, spicy ingredients, whereas one containing orange will be more tart so cuts nicely through smoky foods. Generally, fruit dressings are sweeter than other types and have a higher sugar content.

Dressings Made With Balsamic Vinegar Are Great for Drizzling Over Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil

Balsamic dressings are a type of vinaigrette that use balsamic vinegar as their base. Balsamic vinegar is dark in colour and highly concentrated, made using grape must. Grape must is produced by crushing the whole grape, including the skin, seeds and stem, and is what gives this vinegar its unique flavour.


Balsamic dressings will enhance rather than smother the flavours of your salad, especially Mediterranean ingredients such as tomato, mozzarella and basil. It is also generally a lower-calorie option than creamy or sweet dressings. 

Asian-Inspired Dressings With Soy Sauce and Sesame Oil Are Delicious on Both Hot and Cold Salads

Asian-inspired dressings contain ingredients typically found in East Asian cuisines such as soy sauce, sesame oil or seeds, ginger and miso. They're a fantastic choice for those looking for different flavours than those found in a typical vinaigrette or cream dressing.


Delicious on both hot and cold salads, try these dressings as a marinade for tofu, chicken or fish. Take note that Asian-inspired dressings that contain soy sauce will often be a bit higher in salt content.


If you're entertaining, why not check out our list of Healthy Snacks here, to kick off the evening with friends and family.  

2

If You’re After a Low-Calorie Dressing, Opt For One That’s 50 Calories or Less per Serving

If You’re After a Low-Calorie Dressing, Opt For One That’s 50 Calories or Less per Serving

Whether or not you are watching your weight or are following a calorie controlled diet, it’s always good to keep an eye on the nutritional values of the food we consume. We often opt for salad as a light meal option, and if you aren’t careful, going overboard with dressing can more than double the calorie content!


If you do like to keep an eye on your intake, make sure to check the calories per serving when choosing a salad dressing, with a content of around 50 calories per serving being considered low. A standard serving size will usually be around 15ml (1 tbsp) or 30ml (2 tbsp).

Emily Hyland
Nutritionist
Emily Hyland

Keeping a check on your calorie intake can be helpful, and very often it is the salad dressings that can be the downfall of a well-intentioned salad. However, it’s also essential to make sure you’re also mindful of added preservatives and flavourings, which can often be overlooked.

3

Look For a Salad Dressing With Healthy Fats and Less Than 8 g of Saturated Fat per 100 ml, to Stay Fuller for Longer

Look For a Salad Dressing With Healthy Fats and Less Than 8 g of Saturated Fat per 100 ml, to Stay Fuller for Longer

These days, there are various fat-free and ‘light’ salad dressings on the market. However, having some fats in your diet is beneficial for good health. Not only do they help you absorb certain fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients, but they take longer to digest, helping you stay fuller for longer.


The healthy fats you are most likely to find in the lighter salad dressings usually come from plant oils. These can include canola, rapeseed, soybean, olive and sesame seed oil. The can be high in calories but that doesn't necessarily make them unhealthy. You just have to be aware to have them in moderation.


Be aware that too much fat in your diet, especially saturated fat, can raise cholesterol levels. Fat is also more energy-dense than proteins or carbohydrates, so try to stick to dressings with 8g or less of saturated fat per 100ml and use high-fat dressings sparingly. 

Emily Hyland
Nutritionist
Emily Hyland

The oil in salad dressings can put people off, and although fats are more calorie-dense with 9 calories per gram, don’t shy away from healthy fats. They are really important as they help the body absorb vitamins A, D, E and K, found in many go-to salad ingredients such as spinach and tomatoes.

4

For a Healthier Salad, Stick To Dressings With No More Than 5 g of Salt and 10 g of Sugar per 100 ml

For a Healthier Salad, Stick To Dressings With No More Than 5 g of Salt and 10 g of Sugar per 100 ml

A pinch of salt and a dash of sugar helps enhance the flavour of the food we eat, but when it comes to these ingredients it's far too easy to have too much of a good thing! Too much salt in the diet can contribute to high blood pressure and too much sugar plays havoc on our energy levels. 


When it comes to salt, the lower the better, so try to stick to dressings with less than 5g per 100ml. As for sugar, most dressings contain around 10-20g per 100ml, with anything above 20g being deemed high sugar. If you are looking for low sugar dressings, seek ones that contain less than 10g per 100ml.

Emily Hyland
Nutritionist
Emily Hyland

It's all about becoming a label detective and keeping your eyes peeled for sneaky added sugar, which is a common ingredient in many shop-bought salad dressings. Don't be caught out by fat-free and low-fat dressing as these will often contain higher amounts of added sugar than ordinary dressings. 


Also, remember that sugar might not always be labelled as sugar and instead might be listed as maltodextrin, dextrose, molasses, syrup the list goes on! Salad dressings can also be laden with salt, and excess sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, so aim to keep it low with less than 250mg of sodium.

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10 Best Salad Dressings in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Newman's Own

Italian Dressing

Newman's Own Italian Dressing 1

£1.60

Low Mid

A Delicious Italian Vinaigrette Dressing for Daily Use

2

Brianna's

Dijon Honey Mustard Dressing

Brianna's  Dijon Honey Mustard Dressing  1

£3.75

Mid

Spicy Mustard and Sweet Honey Dressing to Eat With Avocado

3

Lucy's Dressings

Lime & Chilli Asian Dressing2 x pack

Lucy's Dressings Lime & Chilli Asian Dressing 1

£4.50

High Mid

Asian-Inspired Lime and Chilli Dressing for Stir-Fries and Salads

4

Farrington's

Mellow Yellow Classic Vinaigrette

Farrington's  Mellow Yellow Classic Vinaigrette  1

£3.15

Mid

Rapeseed Oil Based Vinaigrette With Vitamin E and Omega 3s

5

Dr. Will's

Vegan Caesar Dressing

Dr. Will's Vegan Caesar Dressing 1

£2.30

Low Mid

A Plant-Based Alternative to a Classic Caesar Dressing

6

Hellmann's

Honey and Mustard Salad Dressing

Hellmann's Honey and Mustard Salad Dressing 1

£1.65

Low Mid

Combination of Honey and Mustard That’s Ideal for BBQ

7

Olive Branch

Orange Balsamic Dressing

Olive Branch Orange Balsamic Dressing 1

£4.00

High Mid

Add Zest to Hot and Cold Salads With This Spiced Orange Dressing

8

Kewpie

Deep Roasted Sesame Dressing

Kewpie Deep Roasted Sesame Dressing 1

£5.25

High Mid

A Mild Creamy Dressing Packed With Hearty, Nutty Flavours

9

The Bay Tree

Pomegranate Dressing

The Bay Tree Pomegranate Dressing 1

£5.75

High Mid

A Fruity Pomegranate Dressing for Savoury and Sweet Dishes

10

Heinz

Salad Dressing Spray Balsamic Garlic

Heinz Salad Dressing Spray Balsamic Garlic 1

£2.15

Low Mid

Salad Dressing Spray That’s Only 12 Calories per Serving

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Newman's OwnItalian Dressing

Italian Dressing 1
Source:tesco.com
Reference price
£1.60
Low Mid
Reference price
£1.60
Low Mid

A Delicious Italian Vinaigrette Dressing for Daily Use

You may be surprised to learn that Italian dressing actually originated in the United States. While it may be a little less Venetian cuisine and a little more Venice Beach, it’s certainly one you’ll want to try for your salad here in the UK!


A light, tangy dressing with garlic, cracked black pepper and onion, Newman's Own Italian Dressing goes with pretty much anything, making it a great option for daily use no matter what you're whipping up. Blending together both healthy rapeseed and olive oils, this dressing is also low in sugar, salt and saturated fat. 

Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

Brianna's Dijon Honey Mustard Dressing

Dijon Honey Mustard Dressing  1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£3.75
Mid
Reference price
£3.75
Mid

Spicy Mustard and Sweet Honey Dressing to Eat With Avocado

Honey mustard is a dressing staple beloved by many – although simple, there's just something about it that makes it incredibly addictive! Brianna's Dijon Honey Mustard Dressing is one of the best honey mustard varieties you'll taste, trust us. 


The delicious recipe pairs best with avocado, chicken, asparagus and potato, or try it as a glaze for smoked fish such as mackerel or herring. And to top it off, this dressing uses canola oil which contains both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, so it's actually good for you! 

No.3

Lucy's DressingsLime & Chilli Asian Dressing2 x pack

Lime & Chilli Asian Dressing 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£4.50
High Mid
Reference price
£4.50
High Mid

Asian-Inspired Lime and Chilli Dressing for Stir-Fries and Salads

This Great Taste award winning dressing will add a hint of deliciousness to almost any dish. It is light, versatile and bursting with fresh Asian flavours, making it ideal for marinating, adding to stir-fries and drizzling on rice salads. 


Lucy's Dressings is a British brand, known for transforming simple and fresh ingredients into something much more exciting. For this reason, you can trust that this dressing is made from all natural ingredients and in addition, it is dairy free. 

No.4

Farrington's Mellow Yellow Classic Vinaigrette

Mellow Yellow Classic Vinaigrette  1
Source:waitrose.com
Reference price
£3.15
Mid
Reference price
£3.15
Mid

Rapeseed Oil Based Vinaigrette With Vitamin E and Omega 3s

Mellow Yellow shows off their signature rapeseed oil to its full potential in this mouth-wateringly tart vinaigrette dressing. A British take on the popular French dressing, we recommend this one for topping a Salad Niçoise, or for adding an extra dimension to salads containing beans and grains.


The high percentage of oil does make it a little high in fat, however, the use of rapeseed oil keeps it low in saturated fat, the kind we don't want too much of. Better yet, Mellow Yellow rapeseed oil is rich in vitamin E and Omega 3s that aid in maintaining a healthy immune system.

No.5

Dr. Will'sVegan Caesar Dressing

Vegan Caesar Dressing 1
Source:tesco.com
Reference price
£2.30
Low Mid
Reference price
£2.30
Low Mid

A Plant-Based Alternative to a Classic Caesar Dressing

The classic dressing, but totally vegan. All hail Caesar! With more people than ever these days following a vegan diet and lifestyle, there is now a wide range of fantastic plant-based dressings available to buy. 


This versatile dressing can be used not only as a salad dressing but on chips, as a pizza base, a marinade and more! At only 29 calories per serving and incredibly low in salt, sugar and saturated fat, this one’s a great choice if you’re looking for a healthier dressing for your Caesar salad.

No.6

Hellmann'sHoney and Mustard Salad Dressing

Reference price
£1.65
Low Mid
Reference price
£1.65
Low Mid

Combination of Honey and Mustard That’s Ideal for BBQ

This creamy dressing from Hellmann’s is bursting with delicious flavours. Combining honesy and mustard and a hint of black pepper, it's especially delicious when paired with a seafood salad.


If you're already thinking ahead to next summer’s barbecue, you’ll want to keep this one in mind! A fresh leaf salad topped with this citrusy-sweet sauce will make a wonderful accompaniment to the charcoal smoked taste of food fresh from the grill. We would recommend getting it in early as it isn't as available as some of our other dressings. 

No.7

Olive BranchOrange Balsamic Dressing

Orange Balsamic Dressing 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£4.00
High Mid
Reference price
£4.00
High Mid

Add Zest to Hot and Cold Salads With This Spiced Orange Dressing

Simply enjoy drizzled over hot or cold salads, roasted vegetables or even use it as a dip. We recommend this delicious dressing poured over a spinach salad topped with goat's cheese and fresh mango or papaya. 


We love that Inspired Dining is a British brand which is suitable for vegetarians, vegans, coeliacs and those who are lactose intolerant. It is also free from preservatives, additives and colourings. Keep in mind that the flavouring of this dressing is quite unique so it may not be to everyone's taste. 

No.8

KewpieDeep Roasted Sesame Dressing

Deep Roasted Sesame Dressing 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£5.25
High Mid
Reference price
£5.25
High Mid

A Mild Creamy Dressing Packed With Hearty, Nutty Flavours

If you’re after something a little less acidic than your standard vinaigrette, we suggest Kewpie’s Deep Roasted Sesame Dressing. Give this one a go if you like the sound of a mild creamy dressing that's packed with hearty, nutty flavours!


Sesame seeds are oil- and vitamin-rich, high in fibre and are even believed to help lower cholesterol levels. Try adding this one to salads containing cabbage, carrot and sweetcorn or as a light flavouring for pasta or noodles. Bear in mind how much you use though, as it has 140 calories per serving, which is one of the highest on our list. 

No.9

The Bay TreePomegranate Dressing

Pomegranate Dressing 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£5.75
High Mid
Reference price
£5.75
High Mid

A Fruity Pomegranate Dressing for Savoury and Sweet Dishes

This Pomegranate Dressing is ideal for both savoury and sweet recipes. The dressing consists of a blend of rapeseed oil and red wine vinegar, with fruity notes drawn from pomegranate juice and raspberry vinegar.


Try this one drizzled over a Greek-inspired salad of fresh leaves, cucumber, mint, parsley and feta cheese. Or, if you are feeling adventurous, pour a dash over your favourite desserts such as vanilla ice cream or cheesecake. However, it is one of the more expensive dressings on the list so you may want to use it sparingly. 

No.10

HeinzSalad Dressing Spray Balsamic Garlic

Reference price
£2.15
Low Mid

Salad Dressing Spray That’s Only 12 Calories per Serving

Heinz salad dressing spray gives you better control, allowing you to spritz as much or as little as you want. Great for people who tend to pour a little too much dressing by accident! This dressing has the lowest calories on our list, at only 12kcal per serving.


Made with quality ingredients and absolutely no added artificial colours or flavours. This dressing makes the perfect accompaniment to pasta or grain salads with spinach. However, it does contain sweeteners and some customers have complained about it lacking in taste. 

Top 10 Best Salad Dressings in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

Why Not Try This Delicious Greek Salad?

Why Not Try This Delicious Greek Salad?

Written and researched by Wren Mann

Top 5 Salad Dressings

No. 1: Newman's OwnItalian Dressing

No. 2: Brianna's Dijon Honey Mustard Dressing

No. 3: Lucy's DressingsLime & Chilli Asian Dressing2 x pack

No. 4: Farrington's Mellow Yellow Classic Vinaigrette

No. 5: Dr. Will'sVegan Caesar Dressing

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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