The New $3.69 Trader Joe’s I’d Purchase Again

I have a confession to make, friends—I’m not a fan of Caesar dressing. Hold your gasps and screams of terror; I’ve got my reasons. It’s not that Caesar dressing tastes bad per se. I’m just not all that into creamy sauces made of mayo or sour cream.

On the one hand, I blame my dad for tricking me into thinking the blue cheese dressing he dipped a french fry into when I was seven was marshmallow fluff—and on the other, I realize it’s a bit silly as a foodie to be so averse to something as innocuous as mayo. In all honesty, I question whether I can consider myself a fully formed adult with a sophisticated palate, but I’d like to think I’ve made some strides forward in my journey to conquer my apprehensions of Caesar dressing once and for all.

For starters, I’ll at least taste creamy dips before defaulting to my usual favorite hot sauce, and I understand the rich and tangy profile ranch and Caesar dressing can bring to a salad. I’ve even forgiven my Dad for traumatizing me with blue cheese dressing.

Of course, the real test of my new and improved grown-up foodie taste buds met its match this past weekend on a trip to Trader Joe’s when I was intrigued by its new Caesar Salad Dip. It took a bit of back and forth with myself to toss it into the cart, but after a bit of mental pacing, I grabbed it and didn’t look back. Look at that growth.

Why You Should Try Trader Joe’s Caesar Salad Dip

To get the full experience, I tried it with nothing more than a sleeve of red chili crackers from Trader Joe’s Scalloped Cracker Trio to see if I had overcome my fears of Caesar dressing for good. Suffice it to say, I’m still working on it, but I enjoyed the dip more than I thought, and honestly, I’d probably purchase it again.

The dip tastes like a classic Caesar dressing with a garlicky, anchovy-forward flavor. It’s herbaceous and slightly tangy due to the addition of sour cream, and the romaine lettuce adds a freshness that cuts through the other bold and savory flavors. Despite the romaine being an expected addition, it takes a little getting used to at first, but after a while, it tastes like a fancy spinach dip.

Beyond using it as a dip, I could see myself slathering a healthy dollop onto a sandwich or wrap or even as a flavorful crust for a perfectly seared steak. Maybe I’ve gotten over my Caesar dressing fear after all. Look, Dad, I’m all grown up!

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