What are the Ingredients in Chick-fil-A Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing?

January 7, 2026 •

2 min read

Chick-fil-A's Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette is a popular menu item known for its perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. This distinctive profile is achieved through a specific blend of ingredients, leading many to ask exactly what are the ingredients in Chick-fil-A apple cider vinegar dressing.

Quick Summary

The Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette from Chick-fil-A is made with soybean oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, honey, and various fruit juice concentrates. Additional components include spices, natural flavors, and preservatives to ensure a consistent, zesty taste and texture.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: The dressing is primarily made from soybean oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, water, and honey, providing its base flavor and consistency.
Zesty Flavor Profile: A blend of fruit juice concentrates, including pineapple, lemon, and lime, is responsible for the vinaigrette's signature zesty, fruity tang.
Texture and Stability: Emulsifiers like xanthan gum and propylene glycol alginate are used to ensure the oil and vinegar stay consistently mixed and smooth.
Preservatives for Shelf Life: Ingredients such as potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and calcium disodium EDTA are added to extend the product's shelf life and protect its flavor.
Allergen Information: The dressing contains soybean oil and therefore includes soy as a key allergen.
Dehydrated Aromatics: Dehydrated garlic and onion are used to provide aromatic depth without altering the dressing's moisture content.

The Complete Ingredient Breakdown for Chick-fil-A's Vinaigrette

Chick-fil-A's Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette is a staple for many salad lovers, offering a vibrant burst of flavor that complements their market salads. The dressing's unique sweet and tangy profile comes from a combination of carefully selected ingredients.

Primary Base Ingredients

The foundation includes soybean oil, apple cider vinegar, water, and distilled vinegar. Soybean oil serves as the main oil, while the vinegars provide the characteristic tang.

Flavor Enhancers and Sweeteners

Sweetness comes from sugar and honey, balanced by the tartness of pineapple, lemon, and lime juice concentrates. Spices and natural flavors further enhance the taste profile.

Emulsifiers, Stabilizers, and Preservatives

To maintain a consistent texture and ensure shelf life, the dressing contains ingredients like xanthan gum, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, propylene glycol alginate, and calcium disodium EDTA. Dehydrated garlic and onion add aromatic depth.

Comparison: Chick-fil-A Vinaigrette vs. Simple Homemade Version


Feature	Chick-fil-A Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette	Simple Homemade Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Oil	Soybean Oil	Olive Oil or Neutral Oil
Vinegar	Apple Cider Vinegar, Distilled Vinegar	Apple Cider Vinegar
Sweeteners	Sugar, Honey, Pineapple Juice Conc.	Maple Syrup or Honey
Emulsifier	Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol Alginate	Dijon Mustard (natural emulsifier)
Flavor Enhancers	Lemon/Lime Juice Conc., Spices, Natural Flavors	Lemon Juice, Herbs, Salt, Pepper
Texture	Smooth, uniform, and emulsified	Can separate over time; needs shaking
Preservatives	Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, EDTA	None
Shelf Life	Extended shelf life, keeps refrigerated	Shorter shelf life, best fresh

A Note on Allergen Information

The Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette contains soybean oil and therefore includes soy as an allergen. Always check the packaging for current allergen information. Find more details on allergens and other product information on the official Chick-fil-A website.

Conclusion: More Than Just Oil and Vinegar

The ingredient list for Chick-fil-A's apple cider vinegar dressing reveals a complex blend of oils, vinegars, sweeteners, and stabilizers designed to create its signature flavor and texture. This intricate formulation sets it apart from simpler homemade versions, making it difficult to replicate exactly. The balance of sweetness from sugar, honey, and fruit concentrates against the acidity of multiple vinegars defines its taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main ingredients are soybean oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, water, honey, distilled vinegar, and a blend of fruit juice concentrates.

No, the Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette is not vegan because it contains honey, which is an animal product.

No, based on the publicly available ingredient list, the Chick-fil-A Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette does not contain any dairy products.

Yes, the dressing contains several preservatives, including potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and Calcium Disodium EDTA, which help maintain freshness and protect flavor.

You can find the Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette bottled at various grocery stores and retailers, such as Kroger and H-E-B.

The zesty flavor comes from the blend of multiple vinegars and the concentrated juices of pineapple, lemon, and lime.

While the ingredients list doesn't show explicit gluten sources, Chick-fil-A does not officially certify products as gluten-free due to the potential for cross-contamination in their kitchens. For store-bought bottles, refer to the packaging's allergen information.