We Tried and Ranked Every Single Trader Joes Salad

Disclaimer: Salads are not the main focus of Trader Joe. I usually follow fresh flowers, budget-friendly bananas and seasonal treats. But if I’m in a pinch for lunch and looking for something, then only the best Trader Joe salad would do if 1) the vegetables were full 2) satisfied and 3) even better than the classic combo of ingredients.

I am a living creature of dietary habits. I enjoy food trends and creative recipes, but my weekday routine is consistent: breakfast smoothies, lunch salads, seasonal bowls for dinner. (Recently I switched things up with Kamille’s stunning roast chicken. For this reason I decided to put these nine salads in my test to see what Trader Joe’s salad takes the cake.

Special images by Michelle Nash.

Ranked our favorite trader Joe salad

Obviously, my routine can use some shaking and what is the better time than on a trip? As a self-proclaimed (but adit) digital nomad, I went my recent two-week trip to DC to test Trader Joe’s salad as the perfect excuse to see if they live up to millennial hype.

To stay consistent and fully embrace fresh greenery, I grabbed another salad for lunch almost every day for two weeks. I was hoping for boredom and sugar cravings, but spoiler: I got hooked. I will never be forever with ready-made salad followers, but these picks have inspired me to recreate my favorites at home. Now, let’s jump into the rankings. It starts with my favorites and fewest, and ends with something completely different to my view of eating vegans (better!). And if there are any stores or products you would like to review next, let us know in the comments!

#8: Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is always a hit or miss. I have yet to find the boundary line between the star and the sad desk that is right for lunch. Unfortunately, Trader Joe’s offerings fell into the latter category. However, I could have had some preconceived notions, as I couldn’t bring great hope for this. Many packaged salads can surprise me with unexpected goodness, but Caesar salads are rare.

You’ll need a newly made heavy anchovies dressing that perfectly covers the crispy romaine. The croutons have to give them a crunch that they can hear, and if there is no severe serving of shaved Parmesan, I will throw it away immediately. All the components were there, but this was a theoretical option. I have permission to skip.

#7: Mexican salad

My eyes fell down with excitement as I read the ingredients for this salad. Crispy cabbage, nutty pumpkin seeds and a viral summer favorite corn! – There were obviously a variety of textures and flavors in the play with a creamy jalapeño spike dressing. But this sadly flattened with delivery while the hype was there.

The chicken simply tasted like chicken, so I couldn’t detect the promised spicy and chili bite. And while the various colors of the ingredients provided a visual delight, the flavors are not suitable for it. If you seasoned your own protein and used Caesar dressing as an inspiration for your own creation, the other components might have been wonderfully mixed together. But if you go that route, wouldn’t this count as a pre-made salad?

#6: Classic Greek Salad

It soon becomes one of my favourite dishes as the strong Greek conditions of my family are incredibly salty and serves many of our reunions with fresh dishes. Certainly, I know that not all Greek salads are made the same way, but that’s the composition of the salad that has my heart. That’s what this trader Joe took Very close To make it perfect. I loved the olive briny bite (karamata is a must), the cucumbers were crisp and crisp, and the red onions just brought the right amount of heat.

So, what should I probably complain about? You might write me down because it’s too special, but when it comes to Greek salads, you’ll prefer my feta with big blocks rather than crumbling. When they take the latter form, they are distributed evenly throughout the salad. But you won’t jump into a forkful feta set against juicy tomatoes. Feta cubes become a more important part of the salad. If you’re a fan like me, that’s important.

#5: Chop the white chicken salad

Israeli couscous is one of my favorite grains, handdown. Don’t confuse it with rice! Israeli couscous is not actually Couscous (the confusion I know). It’s actually pasta toasted in a small bowl. The flavor is nutty and the texture is a bit chewy. This heartfelt mix-in is perfect for cooking that is perfect for vegetables. And it shines in this salad. Often it is used as an afterthought and is intended to bulk up everything added. However, I felt that this salad was based on a tender and delicious bite.

The only downside of this salad was the sweet basil dressing. I was hoping for something a little more basil forward when the pepper anise-like flavour came. I didn’t get it but this salad was still a solid lunch pick and felt happy with the afternoon task.

#4: Slow & Kale Salad with White Chicken and Broccoli

This was the most heartfelt and most satisfying trader Joe salad salad. And that fact didn’t beat it to the top spot, but it really helped put it in the top three. And with textured trifecta of kale, sunflower seeds and dried cranberry, I was sold easily.

Unfortunately, the chicken prevented this salad from winning the best overall victory. Perhaps this is annoying consistency, but the fact that the chicken was not seasonal (and certainly a bit dry) made this salad back. Even the sweet and spicy dressing, despite the name, I didn’t think (thank you) was full of heat. Alas, I’ll incorporate this combo into my future culinary forays and add my own strips of roasted chicken.

#3: Avocado Lunch Salad

Packed with a variety of cabbage, green onions and carrots, this mix offers a satisfying crunch in a bag twice the size remaining of the salad that you made the cut. But the real highlight is the creamy avocado lunch dressing. This gives you a rich, tangy flavor that won’t beat. The kit also includes crunchy corn chips to add texture boost, each bite bringing a delicious mix of crispness and creaminess.

Beyond its fantastic taste, this salad kit is the ideal option for anyone looking for a quick, nutritious meal or easy side dishes while still maintaining its meatlessness. The combination of fresh vegetables and protein-filled cheese makes it both filling and flavor without overly heavy. It is also very versatile and can be thrown with grilled chicken, crispy chickpeas, or as a throw in tacos or burrito bowls.

#2: Southwest Salad

As a principal, I usually doubt anything that is labeled “Southwest.” Shade cannot be thrown in that part of the country! I am always in awe of that open, saturated sky and Georgia O’Keefe capturing the humble glow of the landscape. However, it is often used as a comprehensive appellation for all washing the individual flavors inside. Last year, after trying To-Go Southwest Salad, I decided it was worth trying out the new chopped salad version. The flavor of Kojita cheese was less masked on the bold Chipotle ranch, as the vegetable-to-sauce ratio has improved.

I loved the crisp, creamy interaction of black beans, red onions and cabbage. And, after all, the enthusiastic flavor makes a great match. At the end of the day, this salad made me smile. (How many salads can you say about it?) But where I really wanted it to shine, it was what I wanted more.

#1: Vegan Super Spinach Salad

And now about what I consider to be the best trader Joe salad. It may not look like a salad that will stop the most interesting show, but what this pick lacks in the first pizza definitely makes up for the first bite. Quinoa, carrots, cranberries, chickpeas, edamame, pumpkin seeds (and of course, spinach) make amazing amalgams of healthy but absolutely deserving ingredients. I’m always a fan when nutritious foods cross with incredible flavours. This salad did the righteousness of pairing.

This note concludes: Dressing. The carrots bring color, the taste o brings salty, horse-depth, and the feed of the inger supplies a warm hit of spices standing behind a bite. This salad redefines spinach for me. Don’t pass!

This post was last updated on March 25th, 2025 to include new insights.