In 2024, salad dressing innovation involves bold flavors, clean ingredients, and snackability.

Marie's

At the Southeast Produce Council (SEPC)’s Southern Exposure in Tampa, Fla., on March 9, Chicago-based West Madison Foods’ refrigerated salad dressing brand Marie’s exhibited its latest innovation — Fresh Produce Dips.

Marie’s said the new dips are “thicker and more scoopable” than Marie’s classic salad dressings and are ideal for dipping fresh vegetables, chips and crackers.

The Fresh Produce Dips line features the following four flavors:

Chunky Blue Cheese Dip: The bold and delectable taste of Marie’s iconic Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing, renowned for its sharp and mouthwatering flavor profile, is now perfectly adapted for dipping indulgence.

Creamy Ranch Dip: Setting a new standard, this new premium dip made with fresh carrots and parsley boasts a smooth texture and delivers an irresistibly delicious ranch experience.

Southwest Ranch Dip: Blending the bold flavors of the Southwest — jalapeno, paprika and street corn — with the creamy goodness of ranch, this irresistible combination adds a bold and spicy kick that will leave you craving more.

Everything Bagel Dip: A tribute to the trending everything bagel flavor craze, each creamy bite features a fusion of sesame seeds, garlic, onion and a dash of salt.

Marie’s said the Chunky Blue Cheese flavor is the brand’s “hero flavor” that offers consumers a “comforting familiarity,” and the other flavors in the line were designed to “reach to a wider range of consumers while also catering to more diverse palates and lifestyle needs.”

“At Marie’s, we are passionate about creating high-quality dips that inspire moments of joy and satisfaction,” said Kelly Hansen, vice president of marketing for West Madison Foods, which acquired Marie’s last year. “With our premium line of Fresh Produce Dips, we’re excited to grow Marie’s presence in the refrigerated produce section and offer new and existing fans a diverse range of flavors to enjoy with their favorite snacks, appetizers or meals.”

T. Marzetti

Columbus, Ohio-based T. Marzetti Company also featured its line of Veggie Dips at the Southern Exposure show, highlighting its three most recently added flavors: Garlic, Herb & Cheese; Creamy Stuffed Jalapeno; and Spinach Parmesan.

“T. Marzetti is excited to introduce two new Simply and two new Classics Produce Dressings in 2024,” the company said at the show. “We are also launching a complete refresh of our Veggie Dip line that includes new graphics, improved formulations and the addition of new premium on-trend flavors.”

For National Sauce Month in March, Marzetti also partnered with Subway to launch a line of four new sauces.

The line includes the following flavors:

• Sweet Onion Teriyaki
• Roasted Garlic Aioli
• Baja Chipotle
• Creamy Italian MVP

“Subway’s signature sauces have become industry icons and household names, helping to introduce beloved flavors like teriyaki and chipotle to millions of Americans,” said Carl Stealey, president of T. Marzetti Company’s retail business. “We’re honored that Subway trusted T. Marzetti to help build on that legacy and bring their sauces to kitchens across the country through this exclusive licensing agreement.”

The sauces come in 16-ounce bottles and are now available in US retail stores such as Kroger, Walmart, and Albertson’s. The companies also launched the line in Canada in April, rolling out to retailers including Walmart Canada, Sobey’s Quebec, and Loblaws.

“Subway fans love our signature sauces,” said Paul Fabre, senior vice president, culinary and innovation at Subway. “Three of the new retail sauces — Sweet Onion Teriyaki, Roasted Garlic Aioli and Baja Chipotle — are inspired by guests’ in-restaurant favorites, and we’ve added an exclusive flavor to this collection with a Creamy Italian MVP, a new twist on Subway’s MVP Parmesan Vinaigrette. This partnership takes our sauces to another level and enables our fans to take their culinary creations from ordinary to extraordinary while also contributing to an important cause.”

The cause the new line contributes to is the Fresh Start Scholarship Fund — a program that offers $2,500 in secondary education tuition assistance to Subway restaurant workers. Subway said more than 1,700 scholarships have been awarded since the beginning of the program.

Avocado oil appeal

Taylor Farms

Salinas, Calif.-based Taylor Farms featured its Earthbound Farm Organic Mini Salad Kits at the SEPC Southern Exposure. A unique selling point for the kits are the flavor-packed salad dressings, which are made with organic avocado oil, a safe option for those allergic to seed oils.

“With our new greenhouse-grown greens, Earthbound Farm continues to utilize innovative methods to solve environmental challenges,” Taylor Farms said. “[The] new Earthbound Farm Organic Minis are perfect for lunch and on-the-go enjoyment. These dressings are made with 100% organic avocado oil, clean ingredient statements and nutrient-dense salad greens.”

The new salad kits come in the following two flavors:

• Golden Balsamic: Romaine, Frisee, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Carrots, Citrus Herb Sourdough Crouton Crumbles, Puffed Quinoa, and Golden Balsamic Dressing
• Caesar: Romaine, Garlic Romano Crouton Crumbles, Parmesan Cheese, Caesar Seasoning, and Creamy Caesar Dressing

Primal Kitchen

In April, Oxnard, Calif.-based Primal Kitchen launched a line of dipping sauces made with avocado oil.

"Dipping sauces have quickly become a pantry staple for consumers, with one in four US households now purchasing the subcategory,” said Audrey Burger, head of commercial strategy, insights, and planning for Primal Kitchen. “However, the current options at shelf rely heavily on seed oils, like soybean or canola, refined sugars and artificial ingredients. Our new dipping sauces bring you all the flavor of restaurant favorites, with the high-quality ingredients you've grown to expect from Primal Kitchen. We're excited to see all the new ways our consumers can now level up mealtime and fit their healthy lifestyle."

The 10-ounce bottles are available in the following four flavors:

• Chicken Dippin': With tangy notes from mustard and apple cider vinegar and sweetness from organic pear juice, this sauce will take your nuggets and fried chicken sandwiches to a whole new level.
• Avocado Lime: Featuring real avocado and zesty lime juice, this sauce adds a fresh kick to tacos and burritos.
• Special Sauce: A blend of iconic condiments (mustard, mayonnaise, and pickle relish) comes together with other delicious real ingredients to create the ultimate upgrade for your burgers and fries.
• Yum Yum Sauce: Light, sweet, and tangy, drizzle this sauce on steak, shrimp, chicken and veggies.