CAVA Dressings Menu: Flavors, Calories, Pairings and Best Picks
A good dressing can turn a simple bowl into a meal you want to order again. At CAVA, the
Dressing adds the final layer of flavor. It can make a bowl cool, spicy, creamy, bright, sweet or
rich.
The latest official CAVA nutrition guide we found lists eight restaurant dressings:
Balsamic Date Vinaigrette, Yogurt Dill, Lemon Herb Tahini, Strawberry Sesame, Greek
Vinaigrette, skhug, hot harissa vinaigrette and garlic dressing.
Menu choices can change by season and location. Check the CAVA app or your local restaurant
before ordering.
For most people, lemon-herb tahini is the best all-around choice. Garlic Dressing is a good
Pick when you want a rich and bold taste. Yogurt with dill is the lightest option in calories. Hot
Harissa vinaigrette and skhug are better for people who enjoy heat.
This CAVA dressing guide explains CAVA dressing flavors, calories, allergens, and the best foods.
pairings for every option. It also covers grocery bottles, common ordering mistakes and simple
copycat-style recipes you can make at home.
Independent menu guide: This website is not connected with or approved by
CAVA: Menu items, ingredients, serving sizes and availability may change.
Why CAVA Dressings Matter More Than Most People Realize
A CAVA bowl has many parts. You may choose rice, greens, meat, falafel, hummus, feta,
pickles and vegetables. Each part has its own taste. The dressing brings those tastes together.
A creamy tahini dressing can soften spicy chicken. A sharp Greek dressing can cut through richness.
steak or feta. Lentils and roasted vegetables can be brightened by a fresh herb dressing.
The right choice creates balance. The wrong choice may make the bowl too salty, too heavy or
too spicy.
The dressing also changes the nutrition of your meal. In the official guide, one restaurant
Serving ranges from 30 calories for yogurt dill to 180 calories for garlic dressing. That is a
150-calorie difference from one choice. Sodium, fat, dairy and sesame also vary.
All 8 CAVA Dressings
The calories, sodium, dietary labels and allergen details below come from CAVA’s official
nutrition and allergen guide unless another source is named.
Lemon Herb Tahini: The Best All-Around Dressing
Lemon herb tahini has a smooth, nutty taste from tahini and a bright finish from lemon and herbs.
This is a safe first choice when you do not know which CAVA dressing is best. It works with
grilled chicken, spicy lamb meatballs, falafel, roasted vegetables, lentils, cucumber and feta.
It also tastes delicious in a pita. It adds moisture without feeling too oily.
The official serving has the following:
● 70 calories
● 6 grams of fat
● 140 milligrams of sodium
● 4 grams of carbohydrates
● 2 grams of protein
CAVA marks it as vegan and vegetarian. It contains sesame.
Best with: falafel, lamb, grilled chicken, lentils, roasted vegetables and grain bowls.
Skip it when you have a sesame allergy or already added several tahini-based dips.
Copycat-Style Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing Recipe
This is an original home recipe inspired by the same flavor style. It is not CAVA’s official recipe.
Mix these ingredients in a bowl:
● 1/2 cup tahini
● 1/3 cup cold water
● 3 tablespoons lemon juice
● 1 tablespoon olive oil
● 1 small grated garlic clove
● 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
● 1 tablespoon chopped dill
● 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add more water, one spoon at a time, until the dressing pours easily.
Use less garlic for a softer taste. Add a little lemon zest for more citrus flavor. Keep the dressing
in a covered jar in the refrigerator and use it within four days.
Garlic Dressing: The Rich and Bold Choice
Garlic dressing is smooth, rich and very garlicky. It is the strongest creamy option on the CAVA
dressing menu.
A small amount can add plenty of flavor. It works especially well in a pita.
Pair it with grilled steak, grilled chicken, pickles, onions, romaine and feta. It can also help rice
or a packed pita feel less dry.
The official serving has 180 calories and 20 grams of fat. That makes it the highest-calorie
dressing in the current guide.
However, it has only 90 milligrams of sodium. This is lower than every other dressing listed in
the same guide.
CAVA marks Garlic Dressing as vegan and vegetarian. The official chart does not mark it for
wheat, milk, soy, eggs, tree nuts, sesame, peanuts, fish or shellfish.
Best with: Steak, chicken, pickles, romaine, pita and feta.
Skip it when: You want a lighter meal or you already chose rich dips such as Crazy Feta and
hummus.
Greek Vinaigrette: The Classic Mediterranean Pick
Greek vinaigrette is sharp, herby and tangy. It gives salads and bowls a clean finish instead of
a creamy one.
It is a strong match for cucumber, tomato, olives, feta, romaine, arugula, chicken and steak.
The restaurant serving has:
● 130 calories
● 14 grams of fat
● 230 milligrams of sodium
CAVA marks it as vegan and vegetarian. The official allergen guide does not mark it with any of
the listed major allergens.
The serving values of a grocery bottle may differ from those of the restaurant version. For example,
the CAVA Greek Vinaigrette bottle listed by Whole Foods has 150 calories and 300 milligrams of
sodium per two tablespoons. Always read the bottle label instead of using restaurant numbers
for a grocery product.
Hot Harissa Vinaigrette: The Spicy Finisher
Hot Harissa Vinaigrette gives a bowl both heat and tang. It is thinner than a creamy dressing, so
It spreads easily through rice, greens and toppings.
This is one of the best CAVA vinaigrettes for steak, harissa honey chicken, roasted vegetables,
corn, avocado and feta. It can also lift a grain bowl that tastes too mild.
The official serving has the following:
● 70 calories
● 7 grams of fat
● 270 milligrams of sodium
It has the most sodium of the eight choices in the current official guide.
CAVA marks it as vegan and vegetarian. No major allergen is marked for it in the guide.
Best with: Steak, harissa chicken, avocado, corn, rice and roasted vegetables.
Skip it when you are sensitive to spicy food or trying to keep sodium lower.
Skhug: The Fresh, Spicy Herb Sauce
Skhug is a green herb sauce with a sharp, fresh heat. It tastes brighter than hot harissa.
Vinaigrette is less creamy than tahini or garlic dressing.
It is a smart choice for falafel, lentils, roasted vegetables, cucumber, tomato and hummus.
Skhug can also work as a small second sauce when your main dressing is mild. For example,
Lemon herb tahini with a light touch of skhug gives you both creaminess and heat.
The official serving has the following:
● 80 calories
● 9 grams of fat
● 150 milligrams of sodium
Best with: falafel, lentils, hummus, roasted vegetables and plant-based bowls.
Skip it when you dislike green herbs or a sharp chili taste.
Yogurt Dill: The Lightest Dressing
Yogurt dill is cool, creamy and fresh. Its dill flavor makes it a good match for warm or spicy
food.
It can calm harissa chicken and balance salty feta or pickles. It also works well with chicken,
cucumber, tomato, salmon, rice and arugula.
At 30 calories per official serving, it is the lowest-calorie choice in the current lineup.
It has:
● 2 grams of fat
● 190 milligrams of sodium
● 1 gram of carbohydrates
● 2 grams of protein
CAVA marks it as vegetarian, not vegan. It contains milk.
The vinaigrette is one of the better healthy CAVA dressings for a person whose main goal is fewer calories.
Still, “healthy” depends on your needs. Someone avoiding dairy will need a different option.
Best with: Salmon, chicken, cucumber, tomato, rice, arugula and spicy toppings.
Skip it when you avoid dairy or want a vegan meal.
Balsamic Date Vinaigrette: Sweet and Tangy
Balsamic Date Vinaigrette brings gentle sweetness with a dark, tangy finish.
It is useful when a bowl has earthy ingredients such as lentils, roasted eggplant, spinach, or
roasted vegetables. It can also work with grilled chicken, steak, feta and corn.
This condiment is a better choice than a hot sauce when you want contrast without spice.
The official serving has the following:
● 60 calories
● 4 grams of fat
● 250 milligrams of sodium
● 7 grams of carbohydrates
● 5 grams of sugar
CAVA marks it as vegan and vegetarian. No major allergen is marked for it in the guide.
Best with: Chicken, steak, lentils, spinach, roasted eggplant, corn and feta.
Skip it when you do not like sweet notes in savory food.
All 8 CAVA Dressings: Quick Reference Table
| Dressing | Flavor | Calories | Sodium | Vegan | Main Allergen / Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yogurt Dill | Cool, creamy, herby | 30 | 190 mg | No | Milk — Light bowls, chicken, salmon |
| Balsamic Date Vinaigrette | Sweet, dark, tangy | 60 | 250 mg | Yes | None marked — Lentils, chicken, roasted vegetables |
| Strawberry Sesame | Tart, fruity, nutty | 60 | 130 mg | No | Sesame — Salmon, spinach, slaw |
| Lemon Herb Tahini | Creamy, citrusy, nutty | 70 | 140 mg | Yes | Sesame — Falafel, lamb, grain bowls |
| Hot Harissa Vinaigrette | Spicy, tangy | 80 | 270 mg | Yes | None marked — Steak, harissa chicken, avocado |
| Skhug | Fresh, herbal, spicy | 130 | 150 mg | Yes | None marked — Falafel, lentils, plant-based bowls |
| Greek Vinaigrette | Sharp, herby, tangy | 180 | 230 mg | Yes | None marked — Greek salad, chicken, feta |
| Garlic Dressing | Rich, creamy, garlicky | 140 | 90 mg | Yes | None marked — Steak, chicken, pita |
These CAVA dressing options and values are for the restaurant servings shown in CAVA’s
official nutrition guide. Grocery bottles can use different serving sizes or recipes.
“None marked” means no major allergen is marked in the official chart. It does not mean the
food is guaranteed to be allergen-free.
CAVA Dressings Pairing: The Complete Guide
The best pairing adds something your bowl is missing.
Use a creamy dressing when the bowl feels dry or very spicy. Use a vinaigrette when the bowl
feels heavy. Use an herb sauce when the bowl needs freshness.
CAVA Dressings Paired by Protein
| Protein | Best First Choice | Good Second Choice | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grilled Chicken | Yogurt Dill Vinaigrette | Greek Vinaigrette | Tangy herbs brighten mild chicken. |
| Harissa Honey Chicken | Yogurt Dill | Greek Vinaigrette | A cool dressing balances sweet heat. |
| Steak | Garlic Dressing | Hot Harissa Vinaigrette | Garlic adds richness; harissa adds heat. |
| Spicy Lamb Meatballs | Lemon Herb Tahini | Skhug | Tahini softens spice; Skhug adds fresh heat. |
| Falafel | Lemon Herb Tahini | Skhug | Herbs and tahini suit the earthy flavor. |
| Glazed Salmon | Yogurt Dill | Strawberry Sesame | Dill feels fresh and fruit adds contrast. |
| Roasted Vegetables | Balsamic Date | Strawberry Sesame | Sweet tang or creamy citrus adds depth. |
CAVA Dressings Paired by Meal Type or Dietary Goal
| Goal | Best Choice | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest Calories | Yogurt Dill | 30 calories, but it contains milk. |
| Lower Sodium | Garlic Dressing | Garlic is lowest in sodium but highest in calories. |
| Vegan & Creamy | Lemon Herb Tahini or Garlic Dressing | Lemon Herb Tahini contains sesame. |
| Vegan & Spicy | Skhug or Hot Harissa Vinaigrette | Hot Harissa has more sodium. |
| Sweet & Tangy | Balsamic Date Vinaigrette | Works well with lentils and roasted vegetables. |
| Classic Salad Taste | Greek Vinaigrette | Strong match for feta, olives, and cucumber. |
| Best Grain Bowl Dressing | Lemon Herb Tahini | Creamy enough for rice and lentils. |
| Best Pita Dressing | Garlic Dressing | Rich flavor; a little goes a long way. |
| Best Salad Dressing | Greek Vinaigrette or Yogurt Dill | Choose tangy or creamy. |
| Best All-Around Option | Greek Vinaigrette or Yogurt Dill | Works with most proteins and vegetables. |
Which CAVA Dressing Is Best?
Lemon Herb Tahini is the best CAVA dressing for many first-time orders. It works with meat.
falafel, grains, greens, and vegetables.
It gives a bowl a creamy texture and a fresh lemon taste without dairy.
The best choice changes with your meal:
For a Greek salad, choose Greek vinaigrette. For a pita, choose garlic dressing. For salmon,
Choose yogurt dill or strawberry sesame. For falafel, Skhug or Lemon Herb Tahini are the best choices. For
stronger heat, choose hot harissa vinaigrette.
There is no single healthiest option for every person.
Yogurt with dill has the fewest calories. Garlic Dressing has the least sodium in the official restaurant
guide, but it also has the most calories and fat.
Lemon herb tahini gives you a creamy vegan option. Skhug adds heat without dairy or sesame.
The Dressing Mistake Most People Make at CAVA
The most common mistake is adding too many strong flavors at once.
A bowl may already include hummus, Crazy Feta, harissa, pickles, olives, feta, and spicy
chicken. Adding Garlic Dressing, Hot Harissa Vinaigrette, and Skhug can make every bite taste
crowded.
It may also add more calories, fat, and sodium than expected.
A better method is to choose one main dressing and, at most, one small accent sauce.
Try Lemon Herb Tahini as the main choice with a little Skhug for heat. Use Yogurt Dill with a
small amount of Hot Harissa Vinaigrette. Pair Garlic Dressing with Greek Vinaigrette when a
steak pita needs both richness and tang.
When your ordering method allows it, get the dressing on the side. Start with a little, mix the
bowl, and add more only when needed.
This keeps the greens crisp and gives you more control over the final taste.
CAVA Dressings Allergen Guide
CAVA’s official chart lists milk in Yogurt Dill. It lists sesame in Lemon Herb Tahini and Strawberry
Sesame.
The chart does not mark wheat, soy, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, fish or shellfish for any of the
eight options.
CAVA says its kitchens use shared preparation areas and cannot guarantee that any item is
completely free from allergens or animal products. CAVA dressing ingredients and suppliers
may also change.
CAVA Dressing Calories and Nutrition: What the Numbers Mean
CAVA dressing nutrition is more than calories, but calories can help you compare CAVA
dressing choices.
Yogurt Dill is the lowest at 30 calories. Balsamic Date Vinaigrette and Strawberry Sesame are
next at 60.
Lemon Herb Tahini and Hot Harissa Vinaigrette each have 70 calories. Skhug has 80, Greek
Vinaigrette has 130, and Garlic Dressing has 180.
Sodium tells a different story.
Garlic Dressing is the lowest at 90 milligrams. Hot Harissa Vinaigrette is the highest at 270
milligrams.
A lower-calorie dressing is not always lower in sodium. A higher-calorie option is not always
higher in sodium.
Your whole order matters more than one topping.
Rice, meat, dips, cheese, pickles, chips, and dressing all add to the final meal. Use CAVA’s
current nutrition guide or ordering tool when you need totals for a custom bowl.
How to Build a Better-Tasting CAVA Bowl
Start with the main flavor you want. Then choose toppings and a dressing that support it.
For a fresh bowl, use greens, grilled chicken, cucumber, tomato, feta, and Greek Vinaigrette.
For a warm and rich bowl, use rice, steak, roasted vegetables, hummus, and Garlic Dressing.
For a plant-based bowl, try lentils, falafel, cucumber, tomato, pickled onion, and Lemon Herb
Tahini or Skhug.
Try to include contrast.
A rich dip needs a bright topping. A spicy protein needs a cool or creamy dressing. A sweet
dressing needs salty or earthy ingredients.
This simple rule makes a bowl taste more complete.
Frequently Asked Questions About CAVA Dressings
CAVA’s March 2026 official nutrition guide lists eight restaurant choices. Local and seasonal choices may change, so check the app before ordering.
The official sources reviewed for this guide do not provide a dressing-by-dressing sales ranking. Lemon Herb Tahini is a strong all-around recommendation because it pairs well with many bowls, proteins, and pitas.
Yogurt Dill is the lowest-calorie option in the official guide at 30 calories per restaurant serving.
Garlic Dressing has the most at 180 calories per official restaurant serving.
The official allergen chart does not mark wheat for any of the eight options. However, CAVA warns that shared kitchens can cause allergen cross-contact. People with allergies should confirm the latest details with restaurant staff.