This Copycat Costco Poppy Seed Dressing Turned Me into a Salad Person

My family members have never been big salad people. This is by design — we grew up eating mostly Korean food at home, where vegetables were served individually as banchan rather than tossed all together in a dressing. But, ever since my dad got a membership back in the ‘90s, we’ve been big Costco people. 

I loved going to our local Costco — helping my mom push the oversized cart, scouting out all the samples, and marveling at the baker’s dozens of giant muffins. It’s also where we discovered salad kits, ones that were legitimately delicious and hearty.

I’d always felt like most of your run-of-the-mill supermarket salad kits consist of a weak handful of bruised greens or vegetables like some sad spinach, wilted carrot sticks, and maybe a sprinkle of arugula if you’re lucky. 

But, the Costco Eat Smart Sweet Kale Salad Kit is big and nutritious: a slaw packed full of broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, and chicory with a separate package of chewy, dried cranberries, and crunchy, roasted pumpkin seeds for topping. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors, from the sweet and bitter hints of the vegetables to the tart and savory bites of the add-ins.

After many rounds of the Sweet Kale Salad and its accompanying poppy seed dressing, my family was officially converted into salad people. 

The poppy seed dressing that comes with the kit is the true star though. This creamy dressing is delicious paired with the broccoli and kale slaw, and does exactly what a dressing should do — make the salad even tastier! It’s tangy and sweet without being cloying, but still coats the salad veggies with just the right amount of flavor and seasoning, with little pops from the poppy seeds. 

I live in Brooklyn, where there is no Costco, so I set out to recreate the salad dressing at home. This one’s made with pantry and fridge staples that I always have on hand: apple cider vinegar, the juice from a fresh orange, poppy seeds, and onion powder. 

I’ve found that the poppy seed dressing pairs well with chicken, citrus, and nuts, so it has been my go-to when making any kind of salad. And, since it only takes five minutes to whip up, it’s sure to make you a salad person too.