Least Processed Salad Dressing Brands
Traditional vinaigrette is oil, vinegar, and seasoning — three ingredients, Level 1. Commercial salad dressings add sugar, modified food starch, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate, calcium disodium EDTA, and artificial flavors. Creamy dressings like ranch are particularly additive-heavy to achieve shelf-stable emulsion.
Salad Dressing at a Glance
15 Least Processed Salad Dressing Brands
Brands ranked by lowest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mighty sesame co. | 11 | 1.0 5.8 | 0 | 11 |
| 2 | Kevala | 7 | 1.0 7.9 | 0 | 7 |
| 3 | Ziyad | 8 | 1.0 8.0 | 0 | 8 |
| 4 | Peloponnese | 8 | 1.0 6.1 | 0 | 8 |
| 5 | Shahia | 6 | 1.0 6.0 | 0 | 6 |
| 6 | Al kanater | 6 | 1.0 6.3 | 0 | 6 |
| 7 | Roland | 17 | 1.8 6.4 | 0 | 13 |
| 8 | Karams | 5 | 1.8 4.3 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | Think better foods | 6 | 2.0 9.0 | 0 | 6 |
| 10 | Ritrovo selections | 5 | 2.0 5.0 | 0 | 5 |
| 11 | Asmars | 6 | 2.0 5.2 | 0 | 3 |
| 12 | Acetaia malpighi | 6 | 2.0 5.0 | 0 | 6 |
| 13 | Napa valley naturals | 8 | 2.0 5.0 | 0 | 8 |
| 14 | Once again | 6 | 2.0 5.3 | 0 | 6 |
| 15 | Olivelle | 14 | 2.3 5.0 | 0 | 10 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Least Processed
Least Processed Salad Dressing Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Salad Dressing Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Oil and vinegar should be the first ingredients in vinaigrettes
- 2Avoid EDTA (calcium disodium EDTA) — a chelating agent used as a preservative
- 3"Light" dressings replace oil with water and add more thickeners and sweeteners
- 4Xanthan gum and modified food starch are emulsifier red flags
Most Processed Salad Dressing Brands
For comparison — brands with the highest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pampa | 5 | 15.0 2.6 | 5 | 0 |
| 2 | La nova | 6 | 13.7 2.3 | 6 | 0 |
| 3 | Savory collection | 13 | 13.6 2.6 | 13 | 0 |
| 4 | Riverton valley | 22 | 13.6 2.7 | 22 | 0 |
| 5 | Cucina | 18 | 12.9 3.0 | 18 | 0 |
| 6 | Brite harbor | 6 | 12.3 1.8 | 6 | 0 |
| 7 | Twisted ranch | 9 | 11.7 1.4 | 9 | 0 |
| 8 | Henris | 9 | 11.6 2.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 9 | Gabriela | 6 | 11.2 0.9 | 6 | 0 |
| 10 | Grocers garden | 12 | 11.0 1.4 | 9 | 0 |
| 11 | Marie callenders | 20 | 10.9 1.5 | 15 | 0 |
| 12 | Banquet | 5 | 10.6 3.0 | 5 | 0 |
| 13 | Hidden valley | 365 | 10.4 2.3 | 283 | 0 |
| 14 | Fred meyer | 15 | 10.4 1.7 | 12 | 0 |
| 15 | Market basket | 5 | 10.4 1.7 | 3 | 0 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is salad dressing ultra-processed?
Simple oil-and-vinegar dressings are Level 1-2. Commercial creamy dressings with emulsifiers, preservatives, and artificial flavors are Level 3-4. The gap is enormous within this category.
Is ranch dressing ultra-processed?
Commercial ranch dressing is typically Level 4 with MSG, artificial flavors, modified food starch, preservatives, and multiple emulsifiers needed to keep the cream-based emulsion stable on shelves.
Is making dressing at home worth it?
Yes. A basic vinaigrette (olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt) takes 30 seconds and scores Level 1 vs Level 3-4 for the bottled equivalent.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.