What is in the Marketside Caesar salad?

January 2, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the official Marketside brand website, the company is a private label of fresh prepared foods for Walmart, with a mission to make mealtimes happier. The Marketside Caesar salad, a popular and convenient salad kit, contains the essential components of a classic Caesar: romaine lettuce, croutons, and parmesan cheese, along with the distinctive creamy Caesar dressing.

Quick Summary

The Marketside Caesar salad kit includes a mix of romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and garlic croutons, complemented by a creamy Caesar dressing featuring soybean oil, egg yolks, and anchovies. It contains several potential allergens, including milk, eggs, wheat, and fish, and may contain genetically engineered ingredients.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: The kit includes romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, garlic croutons, and a creamy Caesar dressing.
Dressing Composition: The Caesar dressing is an emulsion based on soybean oil and egg yolks, with flavor derived from parmesan cheese, anchovies, and garlic.
Common Allergens: The salad contains milk, eggs, wheat, and fish (from anchovies), which are clearly listed for consumer awareness.
Ingredient Variations: Some Marketside versions, like the Chicken Caesar, include additional protein, and specific ingredients can differ between kits.
Processing and Additives: The product contains preservatives and stabilizers like xanthan gum, powdered cellulose, and may include genetically engineered ingredients.
Convenience vs. Customization: The Marketside kit provides high convenience, while homemade versions offer greater control over ingredients, customization, and freshness.
Nutritional Context: Due to processing and added ingredients, the Marketside salad tends to be higher in sodium, fat, and calories compared to a freshly prepared salad.

Core Components of Marketside Caesar Salad

The Marketside Caesar salad kit is a convenience food designed for a quick and simple meal. The base is built on four key components: the greens, the croutons, the cheese, and the dressing. Understanding what goes into each component can help consumers make informed dietary decisions.

The Greens

At the heart of any Caesar salad is the crisp, fresh lettuce. For the Marketside version, the green of choice is romaine lettuce. The lettuce comes pre-washed and ready to use, which is a major convenience factor. Romaine is a sturdy, crunchy lettuce that holds up well against creamy dressings and toppings, making it an ideal choice for this type of salad.

The Croutons

The Marketside Caesar salad includes savory crumbled garlic croutons. The croutons are made from enriched wheat flour and are flavored with garlic powder and parsley for a classic, robust flavor. These croutons also contain sunflower oil and sugar, which contribute to their crispy texture and taste profile. Some variants may also contain whey.

The Cheese

One of the signature flavors of a Caesar salad is the parmesan cheese. The Marketside kit provides shredded parmesan cheese. To prevent clumping, the shredded cheese is mixed with powdered cellulose. Some product versions also note the inclusion of a natural mold inhibitor like natamycin.

The Dressing

The Marketside creamy Caesar dressing is a complex mixture of ingredients that delivers the signature flavor. A detailed look at the dressing ingredients reveals several key components:

Soybean oil and water: Form the base of the creamy emulsion.
Egg yolks: Act as a thickener and emulsifier.
Cheese: A blend of parmesan and romano cheese is used for a rich, savory flavor.
Anchovies: Provide the characteristic salty, umami depth crucial to traditional Caesar dressing.
Spices and seasonings: Including dried garlic, dijon mustard, black pepper, and other natural flavors.
Additives: Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer, and citric acid acts as a preservative and flavor enhancer.

Variations and Additional Ingredients

Marketside offers several versions of the Caesar salad, and some include additional protein or toppings. For example, the Marketside Chicken Caesar Salad includes strips of grilled chicken breast with rib meat. It is important to check the specific product's packaging, as ingredients can differ. The chicken is seasoned and prepared with natural flavorings, cultured sugar, and vinegar.

Potential Allergen and GMO Information

The ingredients list for the Marketside Caesar salad reveals several potential allergens. The most significant allergens present are milk, eggs, wheat, and fish, with anchovies being the source of the fish allergen. The packaging typically carries a clear "contains" statement regarding these major food allergens. Additionally, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and other sources note that Marketside products may contain ingredients that are genetically engineered or derived from genetically engineered crops, such as canola oil and cornstarch.

Marketside Caesar vs. Classic Homemade Caesar


Feature	Marketside Caesar Salad	Classic Homemade Caesar Salad
Convenience	Pre-packaged, ready to mix. High convenience.	Requires purchasing, washing, and preparing individual ingredients. Lower convenience.
Ingredients	Pre-portioned; contains preservatives and additives for shelf life.	Fresh, whole ingredients. No additives or preservatives.
Dressing	Contains soybean oil, emulsifiers, and stabilizers. Consistent flavor.	Typically made with olive oil, fresh egg yolks, garlic, and anchovies. Flavor can vary.
Health Profile	Higher sodium, fat, and calories per serving due to processing.	Generally fresher and lower in sodium and processed fats.
Allergens	Clearly marked on the package; includes milk, egg, wheat, fish.	Dependent on the recipe; can be customized to avoid specific allergens.
Customization	Limited; can add your own protein or vegetables.	Highly customizable, allowing for ingredient swaps and portion control.

Conclusion

The Marketside Caesar salad is a popular, convenient product that offers a quick solution for a Caesar salad craving. It consists of romaine lettuce, garlic croutons, shredded parmesan cheese, and a creamy dressing featuring soybean oil, egg yolks, and anchovies. While a convenient and accessible option, it is important for consumers, especially those with food sensitivities, to be aware of the presence of major allergens, including milk, egg, wheat, and fish. The inclusion of additives for preservation and flavor, along with the potential for genetically engineered ingredients, differentiates it from a fresh, homemade version. For those prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods or specific dietary needs, a homemade Caesar might be a better choice. For a quick, classic salad experience, the Marketside kit delivers exactly what it promises.

To learn more about food labels and ingredients, visit the FDA's official website on food labeling and nutrition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Marketside Caesar salad dressing contains anchovy extract, which is derived from fish, to give it the distinctive savory, salty flavor of a classic Caesar dressing.

No, Marketside Caesar salad is not vegetarian due to the anchovy extract found in the Caesar dressing. For a vegetarian option, Marketside may offer other salad varieties that do not contain fish or meat products.

The Marketside Caesar salad contains shredded parmesan cheese. The cheese is often mixed with an anti-caking agent, like powdered cellulose, to prevent it from clumping together in the package.

Based on listed ingredients, the Marketside Caesar dressing contains natural flavorings, which may or may not include MSG. For those sensitive to MSG, checking for a specific 'no MSG added' label is the safest approach, although Marketside products are moving away from certain additives.

The key allergens in Marketside Caesar salad are milk (from cheese), eggs (from the dressing), wheat (from croutons), and fish (from anchovies).

While it can be part of a balanced diet, the Marketside Caesar salad is generally higher in sodium and fat compared to a homemade salad due to its processed components. Nutritional information, which includes details on calories, fat, and sodium, can be found on the product's packaging.

Marketside is an exclusive brand for Walmart, so the Marketside Caesar salad is sold in Walmart stores and online through their platforms.