There’s no doubt about it, ranch dressing is the most cherished salad dressing in the country. In fact, Americans purchased an astonishing $102 MILLION dollars of the stuff in 2021!
It’s most certainly not just for dressing lettuces and dipping vegetables though. A good ranch dressing serves as an incredibly versatile condiment--proving itself useful as a sandwich topping, a sauce for French fries, a cooling condiment for those hot n' spicy chicken wings, or even a marinade for grilled meats and veggies!
However, since its humble beginnings in the mid 1950’s, ranch dressing options have exploded, rendering salad dressing selection a next to impossible task when food shopping.
Fear not, fellow ranch lovers, we have your backs! To relieve you of your analysis paralysis, we’ve gathered as many store bought ranch dressings as we could find and are putting each of them to the test. From the old classics to new flavor combos, we’re tasting and reviewing each of them in a quest to determine once and for all: what’s the best store bought ranch dressing!
What is Ranch Dressing?
Ranch dressing originated way back in 1949 when a plumbing contractor named Steve Henson whipped up a batch of the milky, savory dressing in order to provide his crew of workers with a tasty meal.
Unlike the Italian dressing that was most popular at the time, ranch dressing was something completely new. The unique combination of funky buttermilk, thick egg yolks, fresh herbs, and savory garlic offered an unexpected experience to folks--causing the creation to gain some serious popularity in the years since!
Types of Ranch Dressing
These days, most ranch dressings still follow the same base recipe, making use of buttermilk (or other dairy ingredients like sour cream), plenty of garlic, tangy acidity, and fresh herbs like dill, parsley, and oregano.
Some ranch dressing brands opt to season their salad dressings with added spice while others may be dairy free, replacing the typical buttermilk with starches and/or plant based dairy items like coconut cream.
Despite the dairy content, many store bought ranch dressings are bottled in shelf stable packaging but a few brands are not heat treated. These can usually be found in the produce area of the grocery store.
Ranking the Best Store Bought Ranch Dressings
The Test Subjects
Our ranch search yielded amazing results--leaving us with 20 unique brands and varieties of the stuff! Our taste testing and evaluations featured in this review take the following ranch dressings into account:
- 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Classic Ranch Dressing & Dip
- Bolthouse Farms Classic Ranch Yogurt Dressing & Dip
- Brianna's Home Style Classic Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
- California Pizza Kitchen Ranch Dressing
- Chick-Fil-A Garden Herb Ranch Dressing
- Chosen Foods Ranch Dressing & Marinade
- Daiya Homestyle Ranch Dressing
- Follow Your Heart 'High Omega' Ranch Dressing
- Good & Gather Organic Ranch Dressing
- Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing ‘The Original'
- Ken's Steak House Ranch Dressing
- Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing & Dip
- Marie's Creamy Dill Ranch Dressing
- Marzetti Classic Ranch
- Newman's Own Ranch
- Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing & Marinade
- Skinnygirl Chipotle Ranch
- Trader Joe's Organic Ranch Dressing
- Tuscan Garden Ranch Dressing
- Wish Bone Ranch Dressing
The Methodology
We organized our ranch haul according to common characteristics, thereby setting forth the goal of establishing our favorite ranch dressing in each of these 8 categories:
- Best Homestyle Ranch Dressing
- Best Organic Ranch Dressing
- Best Low Sodium Ranch Dressing
- Best Plant Based Ranch Dressing
- Best Low-Cal Ranch Dressing
- Best Budget Ranch Dressing
- Best Premium Ranch Dressing
- Best Classic Ranch Dressing
The Taste Test
Our panel put their taste buds to the test, working their way through our impressive collection of ranch dressings. First, we sampled each ranch dressing plain, followed by a round of taste testing involving commonly paired vegetables like celery and carrot sticks.
Due to the almost unavoidable familiarity with certain brands of ranch dressing (you know who you are!) we kept the brands concealed from our tasters until their objective evaluations were established.
The Criteria
As we taste tested, reviewed, and researched each ranch dressing, we gave each option a grade in the following 5 areas of review:
- Taste & Texture: looking for an overall balanced flavor, uniform consistency, and a taste that aligns with most folks’ general expectations of what makes for a good ranch dressing.
- Nutrition Content: considering calorie, fat, and sodium content as well as the overall quality of ingredients used.
- Unique Characteristics: perhaps a special flavor, noteworthy certification, or any other factor which makes one ranch dressing stand above the others.
- Value: standardized to the price per ounce.
- Production & Packaging: where each ranch dressing is made, how widely available it is, and how it is produced and packaged--especially in terms of sustainability and convenience.
From the 5 criterial scores we were able to calculate an overall average score for each product, which we then used to nail down the best ranch dressings in each of our 8 key categories!
Best Homestyle Ranch Dressing: Brianna's Home Style Classic Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Size: 12-ounce bottle
Type: Shelf-stable
Here is how Brianna's Home Style Classic Buttermilk Ranch Dressing scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.6 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.2 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.8 / 5.0
- Value: 4.6 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.7 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.6 / 5.0
When it comes to salad dressings, Brianna’s has been doing things their own way for the past 40 years. In an effort to get some better tasting, higher quality salad dressings out there on the market, this company went the route of exclusivity, blending their dressings in small batches and never looking back!
Their Home Style Classic Buttermilk Ranch Dressing is made with real buttermilk powder and is punchily flavored by three types of acidity: white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice! You’ll also find garlic puree, onion powder, real green onions, and fresh dill in the mix for plenty of interest and balance.
With all of these ingredients going on, this dressing strikes the palate with a mix of characteristics from both classic ranch and Caesar dressings, however we love how the combination and intensity of flavor speak to its rustic, homestyle, handcrafted vibe. What it doesn’t contain, however, is any MSG or high fructose corn syrup--two unhealthy ingredients which are unfortunately all too common in the bottle dressing aisle.
We think the hearty texture of this ranch and bold flavor is far too exciting to simply sit in the center of a crudité platter. Try a smear of it on your Best Frozen Burgers for a Ranch-Burger, or as a dipping sauce for our Grilled Chicken Skewers Recipe!
Purists take note, however, the flavor of this one is definitely a bit of a diversion from classic ranch dressing. If you’re looking for the classic experience, this one is probably not going to please! Our tasters also found it to be a bit sharp in terms of tang, and no wonder, with all of those different acidifiers in the mix.
Unfortunately, this dressing is not exactly a star in the nutrition department either. It is higher in calories, fats, and sodium as compared to other ranch dressings--with 170 calories, 17 grams of fat, and 320 milligrams of sodium per serving.
Pros:
- Brianna's dressings are exclusively made in small batches.
- Comes across like a homemade ranch dressing, with plenty of flavor and a rustic texture!
- Made with real buttermilk powder, onions, garlic, and herbs.
- No MSG or high fructose corn syrup.
- Bold flavor can stand up as a sauce for meats and poultry too.
Cons:
- Ranch flavor is more unique as opposed to classic.
- A bit overly tangy, with too many different types of acid in the mix.
- Has the highest calorie, fat, and sodium contents of all the dressings.
Best Organic Ranch Dressing: 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Classic Ranch Dressing & Dip
Size: 12-ounce bottle
Type: Refrigerated
Here is how 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Classic Ranch Dressing & Dip scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 5.0 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.6 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.7 / 5.0
- Value: 4.4 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 5.0 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.7 / 5.0
Where some store brands of ranch dressing read as generic and unmemorable, 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Classic Ranch Dressing & Dip offers an amazingly premier experience--resulting in it being our top choice among the organic options!
The flavor is milky and rich thanks to the inclusion of real organic cultured buttermilk. We love the generous variety of herbs here, seamlessly blending the complex notes of chives, dill, parsley, and oregano all together. We also love that in place of refined sugar, this dressing is sweetened with a more natural combination of organic brown rice syrup and agave nectar!
The texture of this 365 Whole Foods Organics Ranch Organic Dressing was a favorite among our tasting panel, as it perfectly strikes the balance between velvety rich but thin enough to pour and toss even lightweight lettuces in. This dressing is USDA certified organic, NSF certified gluten free, and non-GMO project verified. The ingredients list features only whole foods (as the name suggests!)--nothing weird or hard to pronounce here.
And on a packaging note, how cool is the chunky square bottle this dressing is bottled in! It harkens back to another time, making you feel almost as if you have a bottle of farm fresh buttermilk in hand while the wide mouth opening makes for easy pouring. It’s fully recyclable of course but we can certainly see ourselves reusing the bottle for other purposes after the dressing is gone as it’s the perfect size for small flower bouquets, smoothie storage, or for mixing up your own homemade dressing!
The one ingredient we didn’t like in the mix is “highly refined soybean oil” as these versions of oils are known to be less nutritious as compared to cold pressed or otherwise less processed plant oils. Also, while we enjoy the refreshing nature of this chilled ranch dressing, the fact that it is found in the refrigerated section adds another layer of complication as you need to keep it cold from day 1. No picking up a couple extra bottles to stock your pantry with when it comes to this option!
Pros:
- Made with organic cultured buttermilk.
- Features a lovely and complex herbaceous flavor.
- Texture is perfectly creamy yet pourable--a favorite among our tasting panel.
- Uses natural sweeteners instead of refined sugars.
- USDA organic, certified gluten free, and non-GMO.
- Bottled in a fun, chunky glass bottle which has great reuse potential.
Cons:
- Made with highly refined soybean oil.
- Is not shelf-stable, therefore taking up fridge space even before opening.
Best Low Sodium Ranch Dressing: Follow Your Heart 'High Omega' Ranch Dressing
Size: 12-ounce bottle
Type: Refrigerated
Here is how Follow Your Heart 'High Omega' Ranch Dressing scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.4 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.8 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.8 / 5.0
- Value: 4.3 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.8 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.6 / 5.0
Follow Your Heart established their following back in 1970 when they started crafting “plant based, better for you foods”. Their 'High Omega' Ranch Dressing is one such healthier choice, made with carefully selected, quality ingredients including a base made from the brand's star product: Veganaise!
While we loved many different aspects of this salad dressing, it stood out to us for the fact that as compared to other ranch dressings, this one is nice and low on the sodium scale. With just 125 milligrams per serving, this ranch dressing is a great option for folks on a sodium restricted diet or anyone who’s simply trying to limit their salt intake. Not an easy feat when it comes to enjoying prepared goods like store bought salad dressings and sauces! Each serving also provides a heart healthy 1309 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids from sources like cold pressed hemp and flaxseed oils.
Unlike most ranch dressings which contain dairy and/or egg ingredients, this dressing is certified plant based and completely vegan, as well as is cholesterol, preservative, and GMO free. It is blended and bottled in sunny California with sustainable solar power, and let’s not forget the most important factor: the taste! It doesn’t strike quite as savory as more traditional ranch dressing does, but it’s pleasantly tangy with yogurt-like notes, and has an interesting texture thanks to crunchy bits of garlic and hemp seed in the mixture.
Unfortunately the texture on this one is supremely thick, and we actually found it quite difficult to get the dressing to flow freely from the thin neck of the bottle. Also, we didn’t encounter this specialty brand in most of the grocery stores we shopped at, indicating it is not as readily available as many of the other ranch dressings. Depending on where you live, you might need to visit a health focused grocer or order it from an online retailer.
Pros:
- Has the lowest sodium content of all the ranches we tested.
- Provides a dose of healthy omega-3’s in each serving.
- 100% vegan.
- Free from cholesterol, preservatives, and GMOs.
- Made using solar power!
- Flavor is nicely tangy, with a lot of textural interest thanks to garlic and hemp seeds.
Cons:
- Very thick texture and thin bottleneck makes this one really hard to pour.
- Not as readily available as other, more traditional ranch dressing options.
Best Plant Based Ranch Dressing: Marie's Creamy Dill Ranch Dressing
Size: 11.5-ounce bottle
Type: Refrigerated
Here is how Marie's Creamy Dill Ranch Dressing scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.3 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 5.0 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.6 / 5.0
- Value: 4.7 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 5.0 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.7 / 5.0
As opposed to regular ranch dressings which are often thickened by buttermilk, egg yolk, sour cream, or mayo, vegan ranch options must turn to alternative ingredients in order to achieve a thick and velvety consistency.
In the case of this Creamy Dill Ranch Dressing from Marie's line of dressings, the core ingredients are soy milk and soybean oil, thickened by agents such as magnesium chloride and calcium chloride. Side note: though these ingredients sound quite “chemically”, they are actually just two different types of salts that have a firming effect upon foods they are mixed with. Science rules!
To the base, ingredients such as mustard seed and plenty of onion are added, along with one unique addition: cucumber juice! Not only does this inclusion add a bit of flavorful refreshment to the dressing, but it also helps the dressing to go a bit further while also keeping the calorie and fat contents nice and low. Each 2-Tablespoon serving of this ranch has just 45 calories per serving and 4 grams of fat.
This dressing is completely dairy free and vegan, but it is by no means short on flavor! There is plenty of herb presence in the form of savory dillweed and bright parsley. Also, we love the long neck bottle this dressing is packaged in, giving it a delicate appearance as well as making it wonderfully easy to pour from.
The only thing we have a complaint about in regards to this dressing comes down to some taste and textural preferences. It is definitely not as richly milky and creamy as many of the other ranch dressings we tried. It has a texture more like thickened vinaigrette and a flavor that is more sharply acidic as opposed to buttery.
Pros:
- Made from soy milk as opposed to dairy milk and thickened with alternative ingredients.
- Features flavorful additives like mustard seed, dried onion, and cucumber juice.
- Lower in calories and fats than many of the other ranches we tested.
- 100% vegan.
- Has a bright and verdant flavor thanks to plenty of dill and parsley.
- Long neck bottle is easy to handle and pour from.
Cons:
- Has a thinner texture than you’d expect from ranch dressing--more like a vinaigrette.
- Flavor leans more towards acidic than creamy.
Best Low-Cal Ranch Dressing: Skinnygirl Chipotle Ranch
Size: 8-ounce bottle
Type: Shelf-stable
Here is how Skinnygirl Chipotle Ranch scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.1 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.8 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.6 / 5.0
- Value: 4.6 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.5 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.5 / 5.0
Whether you are looking to keep your leafy greens nice and light, or you want a less dense option for dipping your pizza in, this low-cal ranch dressing option from Skinnygirl will do just the trick. While more indulgent ranch dressings offer a completely crave-worthy way to enjoy your vegetables, sometimes you just need a tasty sauce option that doesn’t add another meal’s worth of calories to your plate!
If you’re trying to dress your meal in a more calorie effective way, this will definitely amp up the flavor without amping up the calorie content too. Each 2-Tablespoon serving has just 15 calories per serving and is completely free from fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. In addition, it has zero net carbs per serving--making it just as friendly towards keto diets as it is to calorie restricted ones.
Our tasting panel loved the chipotle flavor as a unique addition to the classic ranch flavor profile, giving the dressing fun overall light pink hue, pleasantly speckled by plenty of hot chile flecks and other spices.
Unfortunately, in order to cut the fats and calories out of this dressing, they had to add a lot of processed ingredients into the mix. Disodium EDTA, propylene glycol alginate, titanium dioxide, and sodium benzoate are just a few of the complicated ingredients on the list.
Our tasting panel also found the dressing to be very sweet as a result of two different sugar alcohols (sorbitol and sucralose) and if you ask us, they could have toned it down a bit on either or both of them. It’s also important to note that the texture of this dressing is by far the most watery of all we tested and while this makes tossing a salad nice and easy, it does take away from some of the satisfaction factor and you might find yourself using more of it as compared to other, thicker dressings.
Pros:
- Super low in calories--just 15 per 2 TB serving!
- Free from fats, saturated fats, and cholesterol.
- Keto friendly, with 0 net carbs per serving.
- Chipotle flavor offers a unique complement to the typical ranch flavor profile.
- Has a nice pink coloring with visible bits of chile and spice.
Cons:
- Contains several highly processed ingredients.
- Runs a little heavy on the alternative sweeteners, giving the dressing an overly saccharine taste.
- Texture is very thin and a bit watery.
Best Budget Ranch Dressing: Trader Joe's Organic Ranch Dressing
Size: 16-ounce bottle
Type: Shelf-stable
Here is how Trader Joe's Organic Ranch Dressing scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.7 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.4 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.2 / 5.0
- Value: 5.0 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.5 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.6 / 5.0
Prepared foods like store bought ranch can really break the bank! We’re always on the lookout for an affordable option that doesn’t make sacrifices in quality or taste, and this Organic Ranch Dressing from Trader Joe himself does just that.
In addition to being the most economical ranch dressing we encountered--with a price tag of just $2.99 for the whole 16-ounce bottle--it also has a perfectly ranch-y flavor and texture. The dressing is nice and thick and while not as herby as many of the other ranch dressings, it hits all of the garlicky, sweet, tangy, and savory flavor notes.
Our tasting panel described this ranch option as “perfectly basic”, whether you’re looking for a ranch to dip your favorite Frozen Chicken Wings in, to toss on any green salad, or as a dressing for other veggie-centric dishes like our Colorful Vegetable Pie!
This dressing is USDA certified organic and features an easy to read ingredients panel with all whole food ingredients. Nothing processed here! With ingredients like egg yolk, buttermilk, garlic puree, onion powder, ground mustard, lemon juice, and oregano, it's as if you could raid your own fridge and pantry to find everything you need to whip up a batch of this dressing yourself!
Also, we thought such doodads were a thing of the past, but this bottle actually has one of those classic salad dressing cap inserts that allows you to squeeze out less product at a time, saving you from ending up with big globs of it on your meal. Love that!
If you’re looking to minimize your sodium intake though, take note. This dressing has almost 300 milligrams per 2 Tablespoons, a quantity on the high end which can quickly add up if you’re not careful. Also, this dressing is one of the least allergen friendly we encountered as it contains milk, egg, and soy ingredients.
Pros:
- The most affordable price point--just $0.19 per ounce.
- Offers a basic yet delicious and versatile ranch experience.
- Certified USDA organic.
- Contains only real, whole food ingredients.
- Lots of bold flavoring components like garlic puree, lemon juice, and oregano.
- Cap has an easy-to-dispense-from cap.
Cons:
- Very high in sodium, with 290 milligrams per serving.
- Contains a range of potential allergens: milk, eggs, and soy.
Best Premium Ranch Dressing: Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing & Marinade
Size: 8-ounce bottle
Type: Shelf-stable
Here is how Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing & Marinade scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 5.0 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.7 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 5.0 / 5.0
- Value: 4.1 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 5.0 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.8 / 5.0
Also making an appearance on our Best Store Bought Teriyaki Sauce countdown, the folks at Primal Kitchen continue to knock it out of the park when it comes to the sauce and condiments game! The flavor of their Ranch Dressing & Marinade was a resounding favorite among our tasting panel, with a super savory, rich flavor.
There is some awesome herb content in this one--not only can you see the flecks of different herbs speckling the creamy dressing but the distinct flavors of chives, parsley, and dill actually come through!
We love the somewhat chunky, hand-crafted vibe this dressing gives off and we think it would be especially amazing as a dip for the fact that it is much more exciting than other more basic ranch dressing options. This unique flavor may be in part due to the fact that the dressing contains nutritional yeast, which in addition to bringing a ton of umami to the table, also provides a bit of vitamin boost as well!
Instead of taste-neutral canola or soybean oils, the Primal Kitchen team opted to make this dressing with avocado oil, which is not only full of heart-healthy oleic acid, but also brings a nice verdant flavor and rich fruitiness to the dressing. And, once you turn that bottle around, you’ll notice that among the impressive health benefits, this dressing is also keto certified, paleo friendly, whole 30 approved, and sugar free!
Vegans take note: though this dressing says “dairy free”, it does contain egg, making it not entirely plant based. Also, while the texture of this dressing is perfect for dipping and topping, we actually had this thin it with a bit of water in order to make it suitable for dressing a salad.
And, along with the “premium” designation, a premium price tag must come. This bottle is only 8-ounces yet it cost us $6.29. Ouch!
Pros:
- Deemed the “best tasting” by our test panel.
- Flavor is umami rich, savory, with distinct notes of various herbs.
- Has a chunky texture and jazzy taste that will bring life to whatever you dip in it.
- Made with healthy (and tasty!) avocado oil.
- Keto certified, paleo friendly, sugar free, and whole 30 approved.
Cons:
- Is dairy free, but not egg free.
- Texture is too thick to easily dress lettuces and leafy greens.
- Very expensive, costing $0.80 per ounce.
Best Classic Ranch Dressing: Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing 'The Original'
Size: 16-ounce bottle
Type: Shelf-stable
Here is how Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing 'The Original' scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 5.0 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.7 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.5 / 5.0
- Value: 4.8 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.5 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.7 / 5.0
Remember that origin story we mentioned earlier? Well, it may not come as much surprise that it actually all started here: with ‘The Original’ Hidden Valley Ranch. The Hidden Valley Ranch was a real place--an actual ranch!--in Santa Barbara, CA. And yes, it was the birthplace of the iconic ranch dressing we all know and love today.
During the blind taste test, our panel pinned this one as having traditional ranch dressing flavor right off the bat. It has a velvety smooth, luxuriously creamy texture along with that distinct ranch flavor: milky, garlicky, tangy, with just the right amount of heat from piquant black pepper. For us, and for most folks, the experience of this dressing never fails to conjure memories of summer salads and block party crudité platters. If you’re looking for classic ranch vibes, this is certainly it.
As for the other details, we love the strong history that comes with this brand as well as the convenience of their packaging. The bottle features a flip top, easy-squeeze dispenser for easy pouring and the dressing itself has a nice middle of the road texture that makes it good for topping, dunking, drizzling, and dipping!
The company even offers a “Ranchology Rewards” program for all you serious ranch fans out there, which comes with cool perks like free swag and money saving coupons. And, while we stuck to liquid dressings for our product review, it’s worth noting that they also offer a powdered version of their classic dressing for even more versatility.
Unfortunately, as with many big-name products these days, Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing contains a ton of highly processed ingredients like monosodium glutamate, phosphoric acid, and disodium inosinate. Also, the label on the back informs that it also contains ingredients that are a product of bioengineering.
Pros:
- Hands down, the most classic & traditional ranch experience!
- Texture is creamy, smooth, and utterly unctuous.
- Brand comes with a strong history--credited with the invention of the dressing itself!
- Versatile enough for any application, from dipping to tossing.
- Flip-top bottle cap is extra easy to dispense from.
- Hidden Valley offers additional perks like rewards programs.
- Dressing is also available in powdered form.
Cons:
- Contains several highly processed ingredients.
- Is a product of bioengineering.
Best Store Bought Ranch FAQs
Is Ranch Dressing Gluten Free?’
In most cases, yes, ranch dressing is indeed gluten free. There are some exceptions though, as some specialty ranch dressings are known to be seasoned with soy sauce--a gluten containing ingredient--while others might be thickened with non-descript food starches that could contain wheat derivatives.
Always check the ingredients panel on store-bought prepared foods like dressings, and if there is a lack of clarity, you can always reach out to the company directly.
Should You Refrigerate Ranch Dressing?
It depends! Those ranch dressings you buy in the non-refrigerated condiments aisle have been processed in a way that renders them safe to stay in your pantry until opened. After opening, they must be kept tightly sealed in the refrigerator.
Take note though, certain ranch dressing are not shelf-stable and you’ll typically find these in a refrigerated case in the produce area of the grocery store. As these products have not gone through the same processing, they must be kept constantly refrigerated--whether you’ve opened them yet or not. Sorry, fridge space!
Is Buttermilk Ranch Better Than Regular Ranch?
Though ranch is traditionally made with buttermilk, many of the store bought ranch dressing varieties these days are made with mayonnaise and or/sour cream as opposed to actual buttermilk.
Ranch aficionados swear by the classically tangy flavor that the buttermilk-based stuff brings to the table. However, we found the mayonnaise and/or sour cream based options to be pretty darn delicious as well! It’s all a matter of preference.
Why is Restaurant Ranch Dressing So Good?
If your most life-changing ranch dressing experience has occurred at a restaurant or café table, you’re definitely not alone. So what’s the big secret? In most cases, it’s the fact that restaurant ranch dressings contain more dairy, and as a result, more milk fat.
Some restaurants may make their ranch completely in house--seasoning up a big batch of buttermilk and/or sour cream with garlic onion, lemon, and fresh herbs. Other places might start with a store bought base and then punch it up using some of the aforementioned ingredients.
Either way, the result is a unique, and utterly delicious, preparation that you’re unlikely to find on grocery store shelves.
Ranking the Best Store Bought Ranch Dressings: The Takeaway
Now that we've drizzled and dipped our way through a few swimming pools worth of America's favorite salad dressing, as it turns out, the formula for this popular stuff is not all that elusive after all! All you need is some buttermilk or sour cream plus a bit of garlic, herbs.
Sure, you could make it yourself, but with so many great tasting store bought options, picking up a bottle of your favorite is all that much easier. Sometimes, nothing beats convenience and other times, nothing beats a classic!
Looking to dress a salad but have had your fill of the great white ranch? Check out our countdown of the Best Store Bought Caesar Dressing for a little something different! Whatever side of the salad fence you land on, we hope one of these store bought dressings helps you to enjoy your veggies all that much more.
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