The American Heart Association recommends that most adults consume a maximum of 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day with an ideal of 1,500 mg. Of course, a doctor may advise even less sodium per day based on the individual.
The above being said, salad dressing can often contain high sodium content. For example, Girard’s Olde Venice Italian Dressing contains an eye-opening 420 mg of sodium per two-tablespoon serving size. A serving of this dressing will certainly get you much closer to your recommended daily sodium amount.
If you are keeping your sodium in check, you may want to consider these lower sodium salad dressing options. All dressings featured below have 150 mg or fewer milligrams of sodium per serving.
Low Sodium Salad Dressing
Annie’s Organic Lite Raspberry Vinaigrette
Annie’s Lote Raspberry Vinaigrette contains no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors. It has only 55 milligrams of sodium and 45 calories per 2 tablespoons (31g).
Its ingredients are: Water, Apple Cider Vinegar, Expeller-pressed Canola Oil, Honey, Cane Sugar, Raspberry Juice Concentrate, Stone Ground Mustard (Apple Cider Vinegar, Water, Mustard Seed, Sea Salt, Clove), Xanthan Gum, Sea Salt, Color (Black Carrot, Apple And Black Currant Juice Concentrates*), Natural Flavor, Citric Acid. *organic
Other salad dressings made by Annie’s with 150 or fewer sodium milligrams per two tablespoons are:
- Balsamic Vinaigrette: 100 calories, 60mg sodium
- Organic Balsamic Vinaigrette: 100 calories, 60mg sodium
- Caesar: 100 calories, 150mg sodium
- Organic Chili Lime Vinaigrette: 80 calories, 150mg sodium
Ken’s Lite Sweet Vidalia Onion Dressing
Ken’s is a popular salad dressing brand that originated from a restaurant called Ken’s Steak House in Framingham, Massachusetts. It was started by Ken and Florence Hanna in 1941 who offered first-rate food at prices that wouldn’t empty the wallet. Of course, its salads were extremely popular with guests and remain so today.
Try Ken’s Lite Sweet Vidalia Onion Dressing for a lower sodium dressing. It has 90 calories and 80 milligrams of sodium per 2 tablespoons (34g).
Its ingredients are as follows: Sugar, Water, Apple Cider Vinegar, Vegetable Oil (Soybean and/or Canola), Distilled Vinegar, Vidalia(R) Onion (7.4%), Contains Less Than 2% Of Onion,* Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Xanthan Gum, Mustard Flour, Natural Flavor, Celery Seed, Calcium Disodium EDTA (To Protect Flavor). *Dried.
Other Ken’s dressings that have sodium lower than 150 milligrams per two tablespoons are:
- Honey Mustard: 130 calories, 140mg sodium
- Sweet Vidalia Onion: 130 calories, 80mg sodium
- Apple Cider Vinaigrette: 110 calories, 135mg sodium
- Lite Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette: 80 calories, 130mg sodium
Bolthouse Farms Italian Vinaigrette
Bolthouse Farm began as a small vegetable farm in Grant, Michigan. One of its first products was carrots which continue to help drive revenue. Today, the company is based out of California where the year-round weather is more favorable for growing crops. In addition to carrots, Bolthouse also makes beverages and dressings.
One of its lower sodium dressings is its Italian Vinaigrette. It has 25 calories and 135 milligrams of sodium in a 2-tablespoon (30g) serving size.
The dressing is made with the following ingredients: Filtered Water, Reduced Acid Pineapple Juice Concentrate, White Distilled Vinegar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Canola Oil, Contains 2% Or Less: Tomatoes, Salt, Onions, Red Peppers, Xanthan Gum, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Garlic, Black Pepper, Oregano, Marjoram, Basil, Thyme, Sage, Natural Flavors, Yeast Extract, Mushroom Powder, Caramel Color.
Bolthouse makes several other dressings with 150 or fewer milligrams of sodium per two tablespoons (30g). These dressings are:
- Classic Balsamic: 30 calories, 150mg sodium
- Honey Barbeque Ranch: 45 calories, 130mg sodium
- Avocado Green Goddess: 35 calories, 120mg sodium
- Cilantro Avocado Dressing: 40 calories, 150mg sodium
- Pomegranate Poppy Seed: 50 calories, 135mg sodium
- Honey Mustard: 45 calories, 115mg sodium
Tessemae’s Organic Classic Greek
Tessemae’s is a solid brand to consider if you want a clean label and organic ingredients. In other words, real ingredients that you won’t feel terrible about putting in your body. In addition to dressing, look for Tessemae’s condiments, marinades, and dips.
One of the lowest sodium Tessemae’s dressings is its Organic Classic Greek. Two tablespoons (28g) have 160 calories but only 100 milligrams of sodium. The dressing is USDA Organic, Non-GMO, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
Its ingredients are *high Oleic Sunflower Oil, *honey, white Balsamic Vinegar (wine Vinegar, *concentrated Grape Must), *white Wine Vinegar, mustard (vinegar, Water, *mustard Seeds, Salt, * Spices), *poppy Seeds, Sea Salt, *onion Powder, *black Pepper *Organic Ingredients
Other options for Tessemae’s dressings with less than 150 milligrams of sodium per two tablespoons are:
- Classic Italian: 140 calories, 100mg sodium
- Organic Lemon Garlic: 160 calories, 130mg sodium
- Organic Pantry Lemon Pepper: 200 calories, 130mg sodium
- Organic Classic Balsamic: 160 calories, 110 sodium
- Organic Pantry Classic Ranch: 170 calories, 135mg sodium
- Organic Honey Poppyseed: 140 calories, 130 sodium
Skinnygirl Balsamic Vinaigrette
Bethenny Frankel launched the Skinnygirl brand in 2009 as a cocktail line. Previously, Frankel made a name for herself appearing on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart edition and The Real Housewives of New York City. Skinnygirl had rapid success which allowed it to expand into other areas like lunch meats, healthy snacks, and dressings.
The best low sodium salad dressing made by Skinnygirl is its Balsamic Vinaigrette. Two tablespoons (30mL) have only 10 calories and 90 milligrams of sodium.
Ingredients: Water, Cider Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar (Wine Vinegar, Concentrated Grape Must, Sodium Metabisulfite, Caramel Color), Dried Onion, Salt, Dried Bell Peppers, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Dried Garlic, Sucralose, Natural Flavor, Potassium Sorbate and Calcium Disodium EDTA (To Preserve Freshness).
Bragg
Bragg was started in the early 1900s by Paul Bragg as a healthy food store. At his store, he sold his apple cider vinegar whose sales were certainly helped by Braggs popular book at the time called “Apple Cider Vinegar – Miracle Health System”.
While apple cider vinegar is still a pivotal component of the business, Bragg now makes numerous other products that help people live healthier lifestyles. These products include apple cider vinegar shots, liquid aminos, nutritional yeast, olive oil, dressings, and more.
All three of these dressings made by Bragg have low sodium for their two tablespoon serving sizes:
- Vinaigrette: 70 calories, 20mg sodium
- Oil-Free Vinaigrette: 70 calories, 20mg sodium
- Ginger & Sesame Dressing: 130 calories, 60mg sodium
Primal Kitchen Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette
While Primal Kitchen is now owned by Kraft Heinz, it was started by Mark Sisson of the website Mark’s Daily Apple. Sisson is a well-known triathlete, author, and food blogger with a focus on Keto/clean eating. He wrote the classic book titled The Primal Blueprint which has helped many people live healthier lifestyles through diet and exercise.
Primal Kitchen makes about a dozen dressings including classics like ranch and Italian dressings. However, only two have sodium with fewer than 150 milligrams per two tablespoons.
The best option for the lowest sodium is Seasame Ginger Vinaigrette. It has has 90 calories and only 95 milligrams of sodium per two tablespoons.
Its ingredients are Water, Avocado Oil, Organic Sesame Oil, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Distilled Vinegar, Organic Coconut Aminos (Organic Coconut Sap, Sea Salt), Organic Honey, Organic Ginger, Organic Ginger Powder, Organic Sesame Seeds, Sea Salt, Organic Guar Gum, Organic Coriander, Organic Garlic, Organic Black Pepper.
The second best choice for a lower sodium dressing is Primal Kitchen’s Balsamic Vinaigrette. A serving of two tablespoons has 100 calories and 125 milligrams of sodium.
The ingredients for Primal Kitchen’s Balsamic Vinaigrette are Organic Balsamic Vinegar (Organic Wine Vinegar, Organic Concentrated Grape Must), Avocado Oil, Water, Sea Salt, Organic Lemon Juice Concentrate, Organic Garlic Powder, Organic Onion Powder, Konjac Root, Organic Black Pepper, Organic Basil, Organic Oregano
Panera Balsamic Vinaigrette
Most people recognize Panera for its quick-service restaurants that serve a variety of fresh salads, soups, sandwiches, and much more. In addition to its restaurants, Panera now offers “cafe-inspired products” that can be found packaged at grocery stores. These products include refrigerated soups, mac & cheese, breads, dressings, and other tasty foods.
In regard to low sodium dressing, your best option is its Balsamic Vinaigrette found at grocery stores. A two-tablespoon serving has 90 calories and only 50 milligrams of sodium.
It has the following ingredients: Water, Soybean Oil, Sugar, Balsamic Vinegar, Distilled Vinegar, Contains Less Than 2% Of Dried Basil, Dried Garlic, Dried Oregano, Xanthan Gum, Salt, Black Pepper, Rosemary Extract.
Other Panera At Home dressings with under 150 milligrams of sodium per two tablespoons are:
- Champagne Shallot Vinaigrette: 140 calories, 130mg sodium
- Classic Italian Vinaigrette: 140 calories, 115mg sodium
- Poppyseed Dressing: 25 calories, 95mg sodium
- Chipotle Ranch: 120 calories, 120mg sodium
- Fuji Apple Vinaigrette: 110 calories, 115mg sodium