This brings us to the flavor of Trader Joe’s Caesar Style salad kit. A true Caesar salad relies on Parmesan and anchovies for potent flavors, so at least Trader Joe’s considered this aspect and included Parmesan cheese. However, the lack of savory support from other elements like the croutons and dressing will draw your senses to the missing anchovies, or an equally dynamic element. No amount of Parm can rescue this tired salad, and it’s far from the “complete salad kit” that Trader Joe’s touts it to be. If anything, this kit can add volume to a complete salad that, when tossed together, hides the atrocity (which is that this kit ever attempted to stand alone).
If you want a Caesar-style salad that doesn’t taste second-rate, go for this new classic Caesar salad. Although the anchovies are optional, the salad has lots more to offer even apart from the dressing. Otherwise, you can opt for Trader Joe’s BBQ & Black Pepper Toscano Chopped Salad Kit, which we ranked number one for its crunchy cabbage base and pleasantly gritty-tasting corn. That said, Trader Joe’s Caesar Style salad kit has a plus point. It offers liberal servings of croutons so you can get a good fill. If this is a winning point for you, it may help to add in some shredded carrots and tomatoes if you’re grabbing this salad — maybe even some anchovies for a much-needed punch.