Ranch Is Better Than Ketchup—Here’s Why
Updated: Sep. 11, 2019
The data says that ranch is officially the nation's favorite condiment. Let's take a dip into why this flavorful all-American sauce is having its breakout moment.
Has ketchup been dethroned as Ruler of the Condiments?
Plenty of signs point to YES.
We did some investigating to find out why so many people are so obsessed with the flavor-boosting frontrunner: ranch dressing.
This Is Why Ranch Has Surpassed Ketchup
Due to its skyrocketing popularity, primarily among millennials and Gen Zers, ranch dressing has climbed its way to the top of the condiment/dip chain.
What’s causing the spike? Well, ranch is now being marketed as more than just a salad dressing. The buttermilk-based beauty is loved because it pairs perfectly with just about anything.
Jacquie Klein, who leads the brand marketing team at Hidden Valley, says, “Ranch is a rising iconic flavor in food and culture today. It’s found on more than half of restaurant menus and in 75% of homes in the U.S.” According to Clorox Co., the parent company of the Hidden Valley brand, 70% of ranch is eaten with non-salad fare—including pizza, fries, burgers and more.
Some people are so enamored with this creamy, zesty condiment, they have ranch fountains at weddings. There’s even a whole cookbook dedicated to ranch enthusiasts.
The History of Ranch Dressing
In the early 1950s, plumber Steve Henson created the first batch of ranch dressing while working as a contractor in Alaska. In 1954, he and his wife Gayle opened Hidden Valley Ranch, a dude ranch in California, where they served it to customers. The buttermilk-based sauce was an instant hit, so they began selling it in packages for customers to take home. So many people wanted “ranch” that Steve and Gayle incorporated Hidden Valley Ranch Food Products, Inc., and opened a factory to manufacture it. The rest is delicious history!
How to Enjoy Ranch
Ranch dressing makes, of course, a tasty salad dressing and vegetable dip. However, ranch lovers have found more ways to consume the iconic sauce…like dipping, dunking and coating. It’s a must for eating fried pickles and french fries, sprinkling on popcorn and dunking slices of pizza. It’s also the preferred dip for chicken wings and chicken strips.
Though we’re huge fans of Hidden Valley and other well-known ranch makers, there’s nothing like making your own ranch at home. Here’s the perfect recipe.
Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese
Prep once and feed the family twice when you double this chicken mac and cheese and freeze half of it. I created it for the people I love most, using ingredients they love most. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
Chicken Tostada Salad
If I don't have any tostada shells on hand for this speedy salad, I just heat taco shells, break them in half and lay them flat on the plates. It works just as well. Great Southwest flavor! —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Cashew-Chicken Rotini Salad
I’ve tried many chicken salad recipes over the years, but this is my very favorite. It’s fresh, fruity and refreshing, and the cashews add wonderful crunch. Every time I serve it at a potluck or picnic, I get rave reviews—and ( always come home with an empty bowl! —Kara Cook, Elk Ridge, Utah
Creamy Herb Grilled Salmon
I have a huge herb garden and love using herbs in almost everything I cook. Living in the Pacific Northwest, we eat a lot of wild-caught salmon, so I use fresh herbs in this moist and delicious grilled recipe. On cooler days, bake it instead. —Michelle Glassmeyer Wunsch, Bothell, Washington
Bacon Pea Salad
My husband absolutely loves peas. My middle son isn't the biggest fan, but he loves bacon. So, I combined the two, and it was perfect! This pea salad is an awesome side dish, especially for barbecue. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Avocado-Ranch Chicken Wraps
My grandchildren love these wraps. My daughter gave me the recipe years ago, and now I make them as an afternoon snack or a light meal. I make the dressing from a simple ranch dressing mix. —Janice Stoltenow, Lebanon, Missouri
Chicken Chili Wonton Bites
Everyone needs a surefire grab-and-go tailgate or picnic recipe. Wonton wrappers filled with chicken and spices make these bites fun on the run. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia
Cucumber Shell Salad
Ranch dressing is the mild coating for this pleasant pasta salad alive with the fresh flavors of crunchy cucumber, onion and green peas. Someone always seems to want the recipe! —Paula Ishii, Ralston, Nebraska
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Delicious, and even better—quick! This buffalo chicken salad is a summer staple at our house. Sometimes we cook the chicken on the grill, then sprinkle the hot sauce over it with the dressing, because you've gotta have that kick! —Cori Cooper, Flagstaff, Arizona
Loaded Potato Salad
Get a load of this: sour cream, bacon, shredded cheddar, green onions and more come together to give you all the richness of restaurant potato skins at your next picnic. —Monique Boulanger, Greenwood, Nova Scotia
Tuna-Filled Shells
Hot tuna's a hit when you mix it with sizable pasta shells and a cheesy sauce. Dill also complements the fish nicely in this cream comfort food. It's a great change of pace from the traditional tuna casserole. —Connie Staal, Greenbrier, Arkansas
Bacon-Cheddar Potato Croquettes
Instead of throwing out leftover mashed potatoes, use them to make this potato croquette recipe. The little baked balls are yummy with ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or Dijon mayonnaise for dipping. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
If you like spice, you'll love this slow-cooker Buffalo chicken dip. It's super cheesy, full of rich flavor and really has that Buffalo wing taste! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Buffalo chicken is a favorite in our household. Combine it with pasta and you have the ultimate comfort food. If you prefer less spicy food, the addition of sour cream, ranch dressing and mozzarella provides a creamy texture and cooler flavor that nicely balances the spice in this buffalo chicken pasta dish. —Kathy White, Henderson, Nevada
Turkey Ranch Wraps
Here's a cool idea that's ready to gobble up in no time. It's a terrific use for deli turkey. Just add lettuce, tomato, green pepper, shredded cheese and ranch dressing for a flavorful blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Quick Bacon Potato Salad
My family was tired of the same old potato salad at family functions, so I created this with the ingredients I had on hand. Now I'm always asked to bring it to potluck gatherings. —Tami Gallagher, Eagan, Minnesota
Creamy Herb Deviled Eggs
This variation of deviled eggs incorporates ranch dressing and Greek-style yogurt. The eggs fly from the serving dish at work. —Jenni Dise, Lakeside, Arizona
Turkey & Swiss Quesadillas
My favorite sandwich is turkey with avocado, so I created this healthy quesadilla with ingredients I often have in the fridge and pantry. —Karen O'Shea, Sparks, Nevada
Sausage Wonton Stars
These fancy-looking appetizers are ideal when entertaining large groups. The cute crunchy cups are stuffed with a cheesy pork sausage filling that kids of all ages enjoy. We keep a few in the freezer so we can easily reheat them for late-night snacking. —Mary Thomas North Lewisburg, Ohio
Ranch Potato Casserole
We operate a busy fruit farm. I cook every day for my family, so I appreciate this dish for another reason—I can put it together a day ahead and bake it just before we're ready to eat. —Lydia Schnitzler, Kingsburg, California
Provolone Chicken Pizza
Just pick up a ready-made pizza crust and rotisserie chicken on the way home, and enjoy a fresh, cheesy pizza in less time than it takes to order one not even half as good! —Shelly Fisher, Hermiston, Oregon
Nacho Cheese Beef Bake
My daughter came up with this recipe when she was visiting her fiancé's family. Her future father-in-law thought she was a pretty good cook after sampling it! —Kendra McIntyre, Webster, South Dakota
Zippy Breaded Pork Chops
Need a perky update for baked breaded pork chops? These chops with ranch dressing and a light breading will bring a delightful zing to your dinner table. —Ann Ingalls, Gladstone, Missouri
Grilled Potatoes with Bacon-Ranch Sauce
These potatoes are tender and good all by themselves, but pairing them with the sauce creates a perfect combination—a side dish compatible with any entree cooked on the grill. —Craig Carpenter, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
Crumb-Coated Ranch Chicken
How do you get so much flavor out of a five-ingredient-or-fewer recipe? Ranch dressing is the key! Enjoy this simple dish on busy weeknights or with company for special occasions. —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma
Chicken Ranch Flatbreads
To get my son to try new things, I revamped this mini pizza. Mr. Picky ate it, so it’s definitely family-friendly, even for those with fussy tastes. —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia
Chili-Rubbed Steak & Bread Salad
We love skirt steak in our house. To make it a meal, I created a ranch-inspired bread salad with the best flavor combinations - creamy, tangy, sweet and fresh. — Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
California Shrimp Tacos with Corn Salsa
After trying fish tacos, I fell in love. I wanted to recreate them at home and though Why not use shrimp? It's an affordable healthy way to feed my seafood-loving family. —Kayla Peters, Cecilia, Kentucky
Cheese Tomato Egg Bake
While making eggs, I wanted something different, so I created this egg bake. We loved it! I hope you will, too. —Jonathan Miller, Naugatuck, Connecticut
