Best Store-Bought Low Carb Salad Dressings for Keto Diets

Finding the Best Low Carb Salad Dressings at the Store

Salad can be a healthy low carb meal option, but the dressing you choose can add extra carbs and calories. Many store-bought salad dressings are made with sugar, starch thickeners and processed oils. However, there are some better low carb choices you can buy off the shelf. Look for brands without added sugars that use healthy fats like olive oil or avocado oil. Watch out for thickeners like flour or corn starch that can spike blood sugar. With some label reading, you can find keto-friendly, low carb salad dressings at any grocery store.

What to Look for in Low Carb Salad Dressings

When shopping for prepared salad dressings, read the nutrition labels carefully. Ideal low carb dressings should have:

• Less than 5g net carbs per serving
• No added sugars
• Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado oil or flaxseed oil
• Minimal thickeners and stabilizers
• No high fructose corn syrup
• Low to moderate sodium content

Avoid dressings with added starch thickeners like cornstarch, flour, tapioca starch or potato starch. Also beware of deceptive labeling - phrases like "no sugar added" don't mean it's sugar-free. Focus on total carb and sugar content on the label.

Keto-Friendly Store-Bought Dressing Brands

Somestore-bought brands that offer decent low carb dressings include:

• Brianna's - Their creamy dressings have 1-3g net carbs. Sweetened with stevia.
• G Hughes - All their dressings are under 4g net carbs. Sweetener-free.
• Marzetti Simply Dressed - Several varieties have 0-2g net carbs. No added sugars.
• Primal Kitchen - Avocado oil-based dressings with 2-5g net carbs.
• Chosen Foods - Their avocado oil dressings range from 1-4g net carbs.

Best Store-Bought Salad Dressing Flavors

Some of the most keto-friendly and lowest carb flavor options to look for include:

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Aged balsamic is richly flavored but lower in sugar than other types. Look for less than 5g carbs per 2 tbsp serving.

Red Wine Vinaigrette

This oil and vinegar dressing gets nice flavor from red wine. Keep portions small due to the carbs in wine.

Caesar Dressing

Traditional caesar is anchored with savory parmesan cheese and minimal sweeteners.

Ranch Dressing

Creamy, herbaceous ranch works well on keto with careful label reading to avoid added starch and sugar.

Blue Cheese Dressing

The bold flavor of blue cheese means less sweeteners are needed. Just watch sodium content.

Italian Dressing

With ingredients like vinegar and spices, Italian dressing can be very low carb if sugar isn't added.

Thousand Island

Some brands make this with reasonable carb counts and no added sugar.

Dressing Ingredients to Avoid

When shopping for keto salad dressings, steer clear of the following higher carb ingredients:

• Sugar
• HFCS (high fructose corn syrup)
• Honey
• Fruit juice concentrates
• Starch thickeners like flour or cornstarch
• Soybean, canola or vegetable oil
• Artificial sweeteners like sucralose

Making Your Own Low Carb Salad Dressings

For complete control over ingredients, you can't beat homemade dressings. Making your own allows you to avoid added sugars, thickeners and vegetable oils. Here are some easy recipes to try:

Keto Balsamic Vinaigrette

Whisk together 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/2 cup avocado oil or olive oil, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, salt and pepper to taste.

Red Wine Vinaigrette

Mix 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp red wine, 1 minced shallot, 1 tsp Dijon, and herbs.

Low Carb Ranch

Blend 1 cup mayo, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup parsley, 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, salt and pepper.

Easy Blue Cheese

Whisk 3/4 cup mayo, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 crumbled blue cheese, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, salt and pepper.

Sugar-Free Italian

Mix 3/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, 1 minced garlic clove, salt and pepper.

Thousand Island Dressing

Blend 1/2 cup mayo, 2 tbsp each tomato sauce and vinegar, 1 tbsp relish, 1 tsp lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce.

Tips for Using Store-Bought Dressings on Keto

When incorporating pre-made low carb salad dressings into your keto diet, keep these tips in mind:

Read Nutrition Facts

Scan labels for total and net carb counts, sugar content, and ingredients lists.

Stick to 2 Tbsp Portions

Measure dressing carefully to control carbs. Don't pour directly on salad.

Avoid Sweet Varieties

Skip dressings labeled honey, orange, raspberry, etc. as they have more added sugar.

Use as a Dip or Marinade

Thin with olive oil and vinegar for a veggie dip or meat marinade.

Spice It Up

Add your own herbs, spices, mustard or hot sauce to liven up flavor.

Mix with Greek Yogurt

For creamy texture, blend dressing into plain Greek yogurt.

Pair Stronger Tastes

Match pungent dressings like Caesar or blue cheese with bold greens and veggies.

A Final Note on Salad Dressings

With some label reading and good choices, it's possible to find keto-friendly prepared salad dressings with very low net carb and sugar counts. Opt for healthy oils, minimal additives, and skip the sweetened varieties. Or better yet - whip up your own quick homemade dressings so you know exactly what's in them! A low carb salad dressing lets you enjoy greens and veggies without kicking you out of ketosis.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.