What Dressings Don't Have Sugar? Your Complete Guide to Healthy Options

January 13, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the American Diabetes Association, many store-bought salad dressings are loaded with added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and unhealthy fats. Knowing what dressings don't have sugar is essential for anyone on a low-sugar diet, for managing diabetes, or simply for a healthier lifestyle.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals several types of salad dressings that are naturally sugar-free or can be made without sugar. It covers homemade recipes, recommended store-bought brands, and essential tips for reading nutrition labels to identify and avoid hidden sweeteners and high-sugar content.

Key Points

Homemade is best: Creating your own dressing provides full control over ingredients, ensuring it's truly sugar-free and free of unwanted additives.
Check 'Added Sugars': On nutrition labels, specifically look at the 'added sugars' line, not just total sugars, to spot sneaky sweeteners.
Look beyond the front label: Be wary of claims like 'low-fat', as some brands compensate for flavor by adding extra sugar.
Know sugar's aliases: Learn to recognize hidden sugars by other names in the ingredients list, such as cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or fruit juice concentrate.
Opt for simple vinaigrettes: A basic mix of high-quality olive oil and vinegar is a naturally sugar-free, healthy choice.
Choose reputable brands: Several brands like Tessemae's and Primal Kitchen offer reliable sugar-free options.

The Case Against Sugary Dressings

Many popular store-bought salad dressings, including French, Catalina, and some vinaigrettes, contain surprisingly high amounts of added sugar. While the total sugar count on a nutrition label combines both natural and added sugars, the 'added sugars' line is what you should focus on to spot sneaky sweeteners. Excess consumption of these sugars contributes to weight gain, inflammation, and can disrupt blood sugar control, especially for individuals with diabetes. Shifting to sugar-free alternatives can significantly improve the health benefits of your salads.

Why Make Your Own Sugar-Free Dressings?

Making your own dressing offers complete control over ingredients and portion sizes, ensuring you avoid unwanted additives and sweeteners. It also often results in fresher, more vibrant flavors.

Classic Vinaigrette: A timeless and versatile option. Combine three parts high-quality olive oil with one part vinegar (red wine, apple cider, or balsamic). For flavor, add Dijon mustard (check for sugar), minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Shake well in a jar to emulsify.
Lemon-Herb Dressing: Perfect for a light, fresh taste. Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and finely chopped herbs like parsley, dill, and chives. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Creamy Avocado Dressing: Blend a ripe avocado with lime juice, a splash of water, a little apple cider vinegar, and cilantro until smooth. This provides a creamy texture without dairy or added sugar.
Keto Blue Cheese Dressing: This creamy, savory dressing uses a base of mayonnaise, sour cream, and heavy cream. Mix in crumbled blue cheese, a splash of white wine vinegar, and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.

Finding Sugar-Free Store-Bought Dressings

Navigating the grocery store can be tricky, as many dressings hide sugar under different names. Look for brands that specialize in healthier, cleaner ingredients. Always check the 'added sugars' line on the nutrition facts label.

Tessemae's Lemon Garlic: This brand offers a genuinely sugar-free, whole-food option with a short ingredient list.
Primal Kitchen: Known for their clean ingredients, they offer a range of keto-friendly, sugar-free dressings made with avocado oil, such as their Italian Vinaigrette.
Noble Made by The New Primal: Another brand offering a variety of dressings with no added sugar, often with ingredients like avocado oil or apple cider vinegar.
Newman's Own Classic Oil & Vinegar: A simple and accessible option available in most supermarkets. Check the label, as formulations can vary, but this one is generally a safe bet for a low-sugar vinaigrette.
Bragg Vinaigrette: Their Apple Cider Vinaigrette can offer sweetness from natural sources like honey, but some varieties keep the carb count low.

A Guide to Reading Nutrition Labels

Understanding food labels is your best defense against hidden sugars. Here’s what to look for:

Serving Size: The amount of sugar is listed per serving. Make sure you know how many servings you are consuming.
Added Sugars: This is the most important line for avoiding sneaky sweeteners. The FDA requires this line to be listed separately from total sugars.
Ingredients List: Ingredients are listed by weight, so if sugar or a sugar alternative appears near the top, it is a key ingredient. Look for alternative names for sugar, such as corn syrup, cane sugar, honey, agave, and fruit juice concentrate.
Claims: Phrases like 'sugar-free' mean less than 0.5 grams per serving, while 'no sugar added' or 'without added sugars' means no sugar or sugar-containing ingredients were added. However, some products can still have naturally occurring sugar (like in balsamic vinegar).

Comparison of Dressings with and without Added Sugar


Dressing Type	Typically Has Added Sugar?	Notes for Sugar-Free Version
Creamy Ranch	Yes	DIY with Greek yogurt or mayo; check store-bought labels carefully.
Balsamic Vinaigrette	Often	Standard balsamic vinegar contains sugar from grapes; use high-quality, aged versions or DIY with a keto-friendly sweetener.
Thousand Island	Yes	DIY recipes use sugar-free ketchup or mayonnaise; most store-bought versions contain high fructose corn syrup.
Italian Vinaigrette	Can	Homemade with olive oil, red wine vinegar, herbs; check store-bought for added sweeteners.
French/Catalina	Yes	These are almost always high in sugar; best to make a sugar-free homemade version or avoid.
Classic Oil & Vinegar	No	The simplest, purest option; ingredients are just oil and vinegar.

Conclusion: Your Path to Sugar-Free Dressings

While the search for a truly sugar-free dressing might seem daunting, it's easier than you think with the right knowledge. The most foolproof method is to make your own at home using healthy oils, vinegars, and fresh herbs. For convenience, several store-bought brands offer excellent, health-conscious options. By learning to scrutinize nutrition labels, particularly the 'added sugars' line and ingredient list, you can enjoy flavorful salads without the unnecessary sugar. Your commitment to avoiding hidden sugars in dressings is a simple but powerful step toward a healthier diet and better blood sugar management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brands like Tessemae's, Primal Kitchen, and Newman's Own Classic Oil & Vinegar offer reliable sugar-free options. It's still important to check the 'added sugars' on the nutrition label, as ingredients can vary.

While balsamic vinegar itself has natural sugars from grapes, many store-bought balsamic vinaigrettes have additional sweeteners added. Opt for a high-quality, aged balsamic vinegar or make a homemade version to control the sweetness.

The simplest option is a classic vinaigrette, which can be made by combining olive oil, vinegar, and seasoning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends this simple pairing.

No, this is a common misconception. Many 'fat-free' or 'light' dressings add significant amounts of sugar to compensate for the loss of flavor and texture from fat. Always check the nutrition facts label.

Avoid dressings with corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, cane sugar, honey, agave, or any fruit juice concentrates listed high in the ingredients list. Also, be mindful of ingredients like sweet pickle relish, which can contain added sugar.

You can use ingredients like Dijon mustard, avocado, or nut butters to thicken a homemade dressing without adding sugar. Emulsifying the dressing by slowly whisking in the oil also helps create a thicker consistency.

Most traditional recipes for these creamy dressings contain added sugar. However, you can make a sugar-free version at home using a base of Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, or sour cream, and sugar-free condiments. There are also specific low-carb or keto-friendly brands that offer sugar-free creamy options.