The Hidden Story of Ranch Dressing: From Plumber to Best-Selling Dressing

Was Ranch Dressing created by a plumber and his wife? Yes, it was. In 1954, Steve and Gayle Henson purchased a ranch above Santa Barbara, California. They named the property Hidden Valley Ranch. They soon served the dressing at a local steakhouse. The salad dressing was so popular they started selling it in jars. See several recipes below.

Homemade Ranch dressing.Photo byModern Day Foodie

Ranch has been the best-selling salad dressing in the United States since 1992. Ranch dressing is usually made from buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, mustard, herbs (commonly chives, parsley, and dill), and spices (commonly pepper, paprika, and ground mustard seed) mixed into a sauce based on mayonnaise or another oil emulsion. Sour cream and yogurt are sometimes used in addition to, or as a substitute for, buttermilk and mayonnaise.

See how to make your own copycat Ranch Dressing below.

The Henson’s 120-acre dude ranch was nestled in the mountains outside of Santa Barbara, California. Over the years, they perfected a signature salad dressing. It was a blend of buttermilk, savory herbs, and spices. Soon the guests were asking for jars of this tasty dressing. It became so popular that the Hensons soon packaged the dressing and sold it through a mail-order business. Eventually, the company was bought out and became Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Company. So, when you see “Hidden Valley Ranch, the original” on the bottle, they mean it.

People across the country dip, dunk, and drizzle wings, fries, burgers, potato skins, and pizza in the creamy goodness. But have you ever rubbed the savory ranch seasoning onto roasts, stirred it into stews, baked it into casseroles, or shaken it over popcorn? The powered packages are a very versatile condiment. See the recipes below.

I have been using the packets of powered dressing from Hidden Valley Ranch for as long as I can remember. In my opinion, there is no substitute for using those packets mixed with buttermilk. Even the bottled Hidden Valley Ranch cannot replace the flavor of making the dressing from the packets. If you have never made Ranch from the packets, I suggest you try it.

Do you have a Ranch Dressing recipe to share? Kindly let us know in the comments.

Ranch Dressing Copycat

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup buttermilk or regular milk
• ¾ - 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried chives
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cracked pepper
• 1-3 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (adjust to taste)

1. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, and milk until smooth.
2. Add the spices and whisk until combined.
3. Add the lemon (to taste) and whisk again.
4. Pour into a jar and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Ranch Mashed Potatoes

I recommend using Yukon potatoes for any mashed potato recipe and leaving the skins on. Yukon seems to make the creamiest mashed potatoes. I always leave the skins on for added nutrition and fiber.

• 2 lbs. Yukon yellow potatoes, chopped
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/3 cup Half and Half
• Sea or Kosher salt
• Grounded pepper
• 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning & salad dressing mix

1. Place potatoes in a large pot with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until fork tender. About 15–20 minutes.
2. Heat butter and half and half in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk to combine.
3. When potatoes are fork-tender, drain potatoes and place them in a large bowl. Pour butter sauce over the potatoes. Add dressing mix. Using a mixer or masher mix until smooth and creamy.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Green Goddess Ranch Jumbo Garlic Grilled Shrimp

• 1 lb (15 to18 count) jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, mashed
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons ranch seasoning & salad dressing mix
• ½ cup Hidden Valley® Green Goddess Ranch
• Ground pepper
• Parsley dried or fresh

1. In a bowl or plastic bag, toss shrimp with oil, ranch seasoning mix, garlic, paprika, and black pepper (to taste) until evenly coated. Set aside to marinate.
2. Grill shrimp over medium-high heat. Or you can cook in a pan. Cook until just until pink and opaque, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Turn only once halfway through cooking.
3. Remove from the heat and drizzle with the green goddess dressing and parsley.

Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Tenders

• 2 eggs, Beaten
• 1 - 1½ cups panko crumbs
• 1¼ pounds raw chicken cut into tenders (About10–12)
• Olive Oil Spray
• 2 teaspoons ranch seasoning & salad dressing Mix
• Ranch dressing, for serving
• Kosher salt
• Ground pepper

1. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Set the air fryer to 400°F.
2. In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs with salt and pepper to taste.
3. On a plate, mix the panko crumbs with the ranch seasoning mix.
4. Dip each chicken tender into the eggs, then press into the panko to coat all sides.
5. Spray the tenders with olive oil spray (or other oil spray) on both sides.
6. In batches, cook the chicken tenders for about 6–8 minutes on each side, turning halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through, and the outside is crisp and golden.
7. Serve immediately with ranch dressing for dipping.

Potato Skin Chips with Ranch and Crispy Bacon

• 2 strips Bacon
• 4 Russet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons reserved bacon fat or other fat/oil
• 2 teaspoons ranch seasoning, salad dressing & recipe mix packet

1. Preheat oven to400°F.
2. Place the bacon strips into a cold pan and turn heat to medium. Cook until the fat has rendered into the pan and the bacon is crisp, turning as needed.
3. Remove bacon to paper towels to drain, and reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat if you do not have enough for 2 tablespoons, supplement or substitute entirely with olive oil.
4. Crumble bacon and set aside.
5. Slice potatoes into thin slices. Do not peel.
6. Spray a sheet pan with cooking spray or rub with oil. In a bowl, drizzle the potato skins with the bacon fat or oil and toss with the dressing mix until evenly coated.
7. Spread potatoes out in an even layer on the baking sheet. Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes. Tossing once or twice to prevent sticking. Cook until crisp and browned.
8. Remove potatoes from oven. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and serve hot with ranch dressing for dipping.

Do you have any suggestions for ingredients? How do you make this recipe? Kindly let us know in the comments.

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References

• Hidden Ranch
• Ranch Dressing