Store-bought dressing is mostly a convenience, and the job it saves you is small: oil, something sharp, salt and a shake. A bottle made for that job takes the mess out of it. You measure in the bottle, shake it, pour from it and put it in the fridge, and there is one thing to wash instead of a bowl, a whisk and a jar.
This guide covers seven shakers in plastic and glass, from one-cup lever bottles to printed-recipe bottles and a drip-free Danish table piece. Every one of them is mixed by shaking. We say what each listing states, where a reviewer has weighed in and when to skip it.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a working kitchen looks for, makers’ specifications and published reviews, which we name. We have not used these products ourselves.
Quick verdict: which dressing shaker to buy
For most kitchens, the best salad dressing shaker is the OXO Good Grips Salad Dressing Shaker, 2-Pack: it pours with one hand, holds 1.5 cups and is the top pick in BestReviews’ guide. Want glass for the table? Choose the Eva Solo Dressing Shaker. New to homemade dressing? Choose the Norpro Salad Dressing Maker, and mind its cap.
All seven shakers are reviewed below, each with one honest reason to skip it.
Five dressing shakers at a glance
One pick for each kind of cook, with capacities as the makers give them. All seven shakers are covered below.
| Shaker | Best for | Capacity | Closure | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
OXO Good Grips Salad Dressing Shaker, 2-PackBest overall
|
Everyday homemade vinaigrette | 1.5 cups | One-handed lever | View on Amazon |
Eva Solo Dressing ShakerBest for the table
|
Serving at the table | 0.25 L (about 8.5 oz) | Drip-free lip and stopper | View on Amazon |
Norpro Salad Dressing MakerBest for beginners
|
Learning to make dressing | 11 oz (330 ml) | Locking pour cap | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips Little Salad Dressing ShakerBest small batch
|
One or two people | 1 cup | One-handed lever | View on Amazon |
Hario Dressing Bottle Slim, 150 mlBest for one salad
|
Single servings and tight fridges | 150 ml (about 5 oz) | Sealed lid with spout | View on Amazon |
We list no prices because they change. Check each listing for the current one.
Our picks for the best salad dressing shaker
Every pick below is a shaker from an identifiable maker, in stock with a new lead offer when we checked. They are in order of how well we think they suit most kitchens.
1. OXO Good Grips Salad Dressing Shaker, 2-Pack – One-Handed Pour, No Spills
This is the plainest answer to the question, and that is why it leads. You pour oil, acid and seasoning through a wide opening, close the lid and shake. A lever on the lid flips back to pour and forward to close, so one hand holds the bottle and works the spout while the other holds the salad tongs.
This listing is a set of two bottles. Each holds 1.5 cups, or 355 milliliters, and it carries markings in cups, ounces and milliliters. That is enough for a family’s dressing across several dinners. OXO’s listing calls the seal airtight, watertight and leakproof, and describes the body as BPA free, break-resistant and dishwasher safe.
BestReviews names it the top pick in its shaker guide, calling it sturdy and reporting no leaks when shaken. The same guide says it suits homemade vinaigrettes better than thick, creamy dressings, so a lime and oil dressing is a better match than a heavy crema ranch.
Why we like it
- The listing gives a one-handed lever that opens to pour and closes again
- A wide opening takes chopped herbs and garlic more easily than a narrow bottle
- Markings in cups, ounces and milliliters sit on the body
- BestReviews reports no leaks when shaken
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated; set of 2 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.5 cups (355 ml) |
| Body | Tritan, BPA free, per the listing |
| Closure | One-handed lever lid |
| Dimensions | Not stated |
| Markings | Cups, ounces, milliliters |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who makes dressing every week and wants one bottle to mix, serve and store it. A break-resistant body also makes it an easier choice than glass for a busy sink.
Skip it if you mostly make thick, creamy dressings, which BestReviews says this shaker handles less well.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Pours with one hand
- Airtight, watertight, leakproof seal per the listing
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Weaker with thick, creamy dressings, per BestReviews
- No dimensions in the listing, so check your fridge door before buying
- No glass option for those who prefer it
2. Eva Solo Dressing Shaker – Glass With a Drip-Free Lip
Most shakers look like kitchen tools. This Danish one is meant to stay on the table. Eva Solo builds the body from borosilicate glass and fits a pouring lip of stainless steel and silicone, which the maker says directs dressing onto the salad rather than onto the tablecloth.
It holds 0.25 liters, which is about 8.5 ounces and a sensible size for one or two meals. A silicone stopper closes the top, so leftovers can go in the fridge. Eva Solo says all parts are dishwasher safe, and that the glass can go in the microwave once the spout comes off, which could help loosen an olive oil dressing that has firmed up in the cold.
We searched for an independent review of this shaker and found none from a publication we would cite. The details here come from Eva Solo and the Amazon listing.
Why we like it
- Eva Solo gives borosilicate glass for the body
- The pouring lip is built to stop drips, per the maker
- A silicone stopper seals leftovers for the fridge
- All parts are dishwasher safe, per the maker
Key specifications
| Model | 567680 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 0.25 L (about 8.5 oz) |
| Body | Borosilicate glass |
| Closure | Stainless steel and silicone lip, silicone stopper |
| Dimensions | 16 cm high, 9 cm wide |
| Markings | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per the maker |
Why we recommend it
It suits people who want the mixing bottle and the serving bottle to be the same good-looking piece, and who dress a salad or two at a time.
Skip it if you make dressing for a crowd, since a quarter liter runs out fast.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Glass resists stains and odors, per BestReviews on glass shakers
- Spout comes off for the microwave
- Looks at home on the table
Cons
- Small capacity
- Glass needs careful handling
- No independent review we could cite
3. Norpro Salad Dressing Maker – Recipes Printed on the Glass
If you have never made dressing without a recipe, this bottle removes the guesswork. Norpro prints measuring guides and instructions on the glass, so you fill to one line, then the next, and shake. The listing names six recipes: French vinaigrette, Italian herb, creamy Caesar, sesame scallion, honey mustard and creamy citrus ginger.
It holds 11 ounces, or 330 milliliters, and measures about 8.25 by 2.75 by 2.75 inches, slim enough for most fridge doors. The lid is airtight per the listing, with an easy-pour locking cap.
BestReviews gives it the beginner slot in its guide for the same reason. It also warns that the flip cap does not seal well and that the lid has no gasket, so hold a finger over the cap while you shake until you know how your bottle behaves. The printed recipes are a starting point, and swapping lemon for lime or adding a little chile is easy once you know the ratio.
Why we like it
- Printed lines take measuring cups out of the job
- Six recipes come on the bottle, per the listing
- Glass resists stains and odors, per BestReviews on glass shakers
- BestReviews picks it for beginners
Key specifications
| Model | 809A |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 11 oz (330 ml) |
| Body | Glass |
| Closure | Locking pour cap on an airtight lid, per the listing |
| Dimensions | 8.25 x 2.75 x 2.75 in |
| Markings | Printed measures and six recipes |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits new cooks and anyone who wants a dressing ratio to follow without opening a book or a phone at the counter.
Skip it if you need a truly leakproof bottle for carrying, because BestReviews reports the flip cap does not seal well.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Recipes and lines are right on the bottle
- Slim enough for a door shelf
- Glass body
Cons
- Flip cap may not seal well, per BestReviews
- No gasket in the lid, per BestReviews
- Glass can break if dropped
4. OXO Good Grips Little Salad Dressing Shaker – One Cup for Small Batches
This is our top pick cut down to one cup. This Amazon listing calls it a container, but it has the same lever lid, and the listing for another color calls it the Little Salad Dressing Shaker. You still get the wide opening, the markings in cups, ounces and milliliters and the leakproof seal.
We include a second OXO because size changes how a shaker gets used. A household of one or two may not finish a large bottle quickly, and a smaller one gets filled more often with something fresh. It also takes less room in a lunch bag, and the listing pitches it for meal prep.
The care is the same as the larger bottle: BPA free, break-resistant and dishwasher safe. BestReviews’ praise covers the larger model, not this one, so read its verdict on leaks as a guide to the design only.
Why we like it
- One-cup capacity suits fresh small batches
- The lever lid works with one hand
- The seal is airtight, watertight and leakproof, per the listing
- It takes less room in a lunch bag than the larger bottle
Key specifications
| Model | 1268980 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1 cup |
| Body | Tritan, BPA free, per the listing |
| Closure | One-handed lever lid |
| Dimensions | Not stated |
| Markings | Cups, ounces, milliliters |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits small households and packed lunches, where a full bottle of dressing would sit around too long.
Skip it if you already own the 1.5-cup model, since this is the same idea in a smaller size.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Small and easy to carry
- Pours with one hand
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Too small for a big salad bowl
- Listing is titled as a container, which can confuse a search
- No review of this size that we could cite
5. Fox Run Glass Salad Dressing Shaker – Screw-On Lid, Eight Recipes
Fox Run takes the printed-recipe idea and closes it with a screw-on plastic lid, which the listing says prevents leaks while you shake. Eight recipes run around the glass: vinaigrette, balsamic vinaigrette, honey mustard, Asian, Caesar, French, Greek and Italian.
It holds 300 milliliters, or about 10 ounces, and measures roughly 2.38 by 2.38 by 7.75 inches, so it is a touch smaller than the Norpro. A screw lid takes two hands to open, but it also means no flip cap to come loose.
Care is the catch. Fox Run asks for hand washing to preserve the printed measurements and recipes, a fair trade for having them on the bottle at all. We searched for an independent review of this bottle and found none we would cite, so the details here rest on the listing.
Why we like it
- The listing says the screw-on lid prevents leaks while you shake
- Eight printed recipes, with lines to fill to
- Glass body in a compact size
- It holds enough for several small salads
Key specifications
| Model | 4840 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 10.15 oz (300 ml) |
| Body | Glass |
| Closure | Screw-on plastic lid |
| Dimensions | 2.38 x 2.38 x 7.75 in |
| Markings | Printed measures and eight recipes |
| Dishwasher safe | No, hand wash only |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who like printed recipes but would rather trust a threaded lid than a flip cap when they shake.
Skip it if everything in your kitchen must go in the dishwasher, because the listing says hand wash only.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Threaded lid
- Eight recipes on the bottle
- Fits a door shelf
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Two hands to open
- No independent review we could cite
6. Lekue Salad Dressing Shaker – Two Mouths, One Bottle
Lékué solves the filling problem with two openings. The listing describes a large mouth for adding ingredients and a small mouth for dispensing the dressing, so chopped cilantro goes in the wide end and the finished dressing comes out through the narrow one.
The Amazon listing for the gray version gives a 6 ounce capacity, and this red one measures 7.5 by 2.8 by 2.8 inches. It has a non-slip base and mouth, comes with recipes, is BPA free and is dishwasher safe. The listing says to shake it like a maraca, which is about as clear as instructions get.
The listing does not name the body material and retailers disagree, so we list it as not stated. We searched for an independent review and found none, so this pick rests on the maker and the listing.
Why we like it
- A large mouth fills easily and a small mouth pours
- The non-slip base should steady it on a wet counter
- The listing says it is dishwasher safe and BPA free
- It comes with recipes
Key specifications
| Model | 0205700R14U150 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 oz, per the gray listing |
| Body | Not stated; BPA free |
| Closure | Secure top with separate fill and pour mouths |
| Dimensions | 7.5 x 2.8 x 2.8 in |
| Markings | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits people who get tired of scraping herbs off the rim of a narrow bottle and who dress small salads.
Skip it if you want to know exactly what the bottle is made of before you buy, since the listing does not say.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Separate fill and pour mouths
- Non-slip base
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Body material not stated
- Small capacity
- No independent review found
7. Hario Dressing Bottle Slim, 150 ml – Small Glass Shaker
Hario works in heat-resistant glass, and this slim bottle is made from it. A Japanese retailer’s listing for this model, the DBSN-150-B, describes it as a bottle to shake, mix, pour and store dressing. The Amazon listing adds clearly marked measurement lines and says it keeps out odor and leaks.
At 150 milliliters, or about 5 ounces, it is the smallest shaker here, and that is the point. It holds a single salad’s worth of dressing or a little lime and oil for grilled vegetables, and it can slip between tall bottles in the fridge door.
The Japanese site Roomie reviewed the 250 milliliter version of this bottle and reported that nothing spilled when it was shaken hard and that the spout cut off cleanly. That review covers a larger size, so treat it as a guide to the design. Its author also found the slender body a little hard to wash by hand. The retailer lists this size as dishwasher safe.
Why we like it
- Heat-resistant glass, per the listing
- Measurement lines on the bottle
- Roomie reports clean pouring on the larger size
- Slim enough to fit between tall bottles
Key specifications
| Model | DBSN-150-B |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 150 ml (about 5 oz) |
| Body | Heat-resistant glass |
| Closure | Sealed lid and pour spout |
| Dimensions | Not stated |
| Markings | Measurement lines |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per a Japanese retailer listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits one person who wants fresh dressing each time, or a cook who keeps a small bottle of sharp vinaigrette ready in the door.
Skip it if you need more than a salad or two at a time, because it is the smallest bottle on this list.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Takes almost no fridge space
- Glass body
- Marked lines
Cons
- Very small capacity
- Narrow body is harder to hand wash, per Roomie on the larger size
- The only review we found covers a different size
How to choose a dressing shaker for your kitchen
A shaker has very few parts, so small differences matter. These are the ones to look at.
Plastic or glass
BestReviews sums it up well: plastic is usually the cheaper choice and will not shatter if dropped, but it may hold on to odors and flavors. Glass resists stains and odors and needs more careful handling. If you make a lot of garlic-heavy dressing, glass is worth a thought. If the bottle will live in a crowded sink or travel in a bag, a break-resistant body makes more sense.
A mouth wide enough for real ingredients
BestReviews also notes that a wide mouth makes a shaker easier to fill. That counts for more than it sounds. A cilantro and lime dressing starts with chopped herbs, and a narrow neck turns them into a job for a chopstick.
A lid you trust upside down
Every shaker needs a lid that holds while you shake, and flip caps vary. Look for a stated seal, a gasket or a threaded lid. Before you shake a new bottle over anything you care about, fill it with water and try it over the sink.
The right size for how you eat
Buy for the amount you will finish, not for the largest bottle. A 1.5-cup shaker makes sense for a family that has salad most nights. For one or two people, a bottle of 150 milliliters to one cup gets remade more often, so the dressing stays fresher.
What goes in it
Thin dressings suit shakers best, and BestReviews says the same of the OXO. For a thick avocado or crema dressing, blend it first and use the bottle for serving and storing. If you shake up lime dressings for grilled corn or a big salad bowl, a good lime squeezer will do as much for the result as the bottle.
Care and what comes apart
Printed recipes can wear, which is why Fox Run asks for hand washing. Check the care note before you buy, and look at whether the spout comes apart, since oil left in a narrow spout is hard to reach.
How we chose these seven shakers
We have not used these bottles ourselves. We started from what a kitchen asks of a shaker: mix well, hold its seal, pour cleanly and wash easily. We looked at bottles sold on Amazon in the United States by identifiable makers, and checked that each was in stock with a new lead offer. We kept to bottles you shake, so twist-handle and pump mixers such as the OXO Twist & Pour and the Chef’n Emulstir are not on this list.
We left out the Whiskware glass dressing shaker on purpose. In March 2017 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of 2.5-cup Whiskware glass shakers because the bottom could break when the metal agitator struck it. The glass version on sale now also holds 2.5 cups, and we could not confirm how it differs from the recalled bottle, so we dropped it. We also skipped bottles from little-known brands with no independent review to lean on, plus Zyliss, Tablecraft and Kilner shakers that showed low stock.
Independent reviews are thin in this category. BestReviews covers the OXO and Norpro, and the Japanese site Roomie covers a larger Hario. The remaining picks rest on their makers and listings, and we say so on each.
Salad dressing shaker questions, answered
What is a dressing mixer bottle, and is it the same as a shaker?
A dressing mixer bottle is a broader term. It takes in shakers and bottles with a built-in blade or pump that you twist or press instead of shaking. A shaker relies on your arm alone, which is enough for most vinaigrettes. We kept this list to shakers.
Why does my vinaigrette separate in the bottle?
Oil and vinegar do not stay mixed for long on their own. America’s Test Kitchen reports that a traditional vinaigrette separated within an hour, while its make-ahead version, with mustard, mayonnaise and molasses, held for a week. Shake it again just before you pour.
Can I just use a jar?
Yes. America’s Test Kitchen shakes its own vinaigrette in a jar. What a dedicated shaker adds is markings and a spout, so you can measure and pour without a spoon or a mess.
Is a glass or plastic shaker better for lime dressing?
Either works for a dressing you will use soon. Glass is the choice if you worry about flavors lingering, since BestReviews says plastic may hold on to odors and flavors. Wash it soon after use either way.
Are salad dressing shakers dishwasher safe?
Many are, but check. The OXO and Lekue listings say yes, Eva Solo says yes, a retailer says yes for the Hario, and Fox Run says hand wash only. The Norpro listing does not state it.
How much dressing does a shaker make?
That depends on the bottle. On this list they run from 150 milliliters, about 5 ounces, to 1.5 cups. Fill only to a little below the top so there is air left for the dressing to move when you shake.
Our first choice for homemade dressing
Buy the OXO if you want the bottle that does the most with one hand, the Eva Solo if it will sit on the table, or the Norpro if you would like the recipe right in front of you. For bottles that hold plain oil and vinegar, see our oil and vinegar cruet guide. To get the greens ready first, see our salad spinner guide and our salad servers.
When you would rather let someone else make dinner, see our menu and call to order.