29 Recipes That Prove Ranch Dressing is the Best Dressing (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food

29 Recipes That Prove Ranch Dressing is the Best Dressing (1)Christina RiveraUpdated: Jan. 05, 2022

    If you're limiting your use of ranch dressing to a mere salad topping, you are seriously missing out. This collection of recipes with ranch dressing will show you what a bottle of ranch can really do!

    1/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    2/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    3/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    4/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    5/29

    Bacon Pea Salad

    My husband absolutely loves peas. My middle son isn't the biggest fan, but he loves bacon. So I decided to combine the two, and it was perfect! This salad is an awesome side dish, especially for barbecues. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas

    Go to Recipe

    6/29

    Taste of Home

    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

    Go to Recipe

    7/29

    Chicken Chili Wonton Bites

    Everyone needs a surefire, grab-and-go tailgate or picnic recipe. Wonton wrappers filled with chicken and spices make flavorful bites for fun on the run. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia

    Go to Recipe

    8/29

    Taste of Home

    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

    Go to Recipe

    9/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    10/29

    Loaded Potato Salad

    Get a load of this loaded potato salad with sour cream, bacon, shredded cheddar, green onions and more. The ingredients come together to give you all the richness of restaurant potato skins at your next picnic. —Monique Boulanger, Greenwood, Nova Scotia

    Go to Recipe

    11/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    12/29

    Taste of Home

    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

    Go to Recipe

    13/29

    Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

    If you like spice, you'll love this slow-cooker Buffalo chicken dip. It's super cheesy and full of rich flavor, and really has that Buffalo wing taste! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Go to Recipe

    14/29

    Taste of Home

    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

    Go to Recipe

    15/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    16/29

    Quick Bacon Potato Salad

    My family was tired of the same old potato salad at family functions, so I created this potato salad with bacon. Now I'm always asked to bring it to potluck gatherings. —Tami Gallagher, Eagan, Minnesota

    Go to Recipe

    17/29

    Taste of Home

    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

    Go to Recipe

    18/29

    Taste of Home

    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

    Go to Recipe

    19/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    20/29

    Taste of Home

    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

    Go to Recipe

    21/29

    Taste of Home

    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

    Go to Recipe

    22/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    23/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    24/29

    Taste of Home

    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

    Go to Recipe

    25/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    26/29

    Taste of Home

    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

    Go to Recipe

    27/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    28/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    29/29

    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

    Go to Recipe

    Originally Published: February 28, 2018

    29 Recipes That Prove Ranch Dressing is the Best Dressing (2024)

    FAQs

    What makes ranch dressing so good? ›

    Scratch ranch relies on fresh herbs and aromatics, which bring bite and those pops of grassy flavor that dried or powdered versions never can, so you get an eating experience that is elevated. Usually, ranch recipes will contain fresh buttermilk, and sometimes sour cream as well, for a tang that is really balanced.

    What percent of Americans say that ranch is their favorite salad dressing? ›

    Ranch. According to a 2017 survey by The Association for Dressings and Sauces, Ranch is the most popular salad dressing in America, with 40% of respondents choosing it as their favorite. Ranch is a versatile dressing that can be used on salads, as a dip, or even as a marinade.

    How to make Hidden Valley Ranch dressing taste better? ›

    Mix 1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup mayo, and 1 Hidden Valley Ranch Packet in a mixing bowl. Serve with anything! Or: Mix 1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup mayo, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp of pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, dried parsley and dried dill in a mixing bowl. Serve with anything!

    What's good with ranch dressing? ›

    Top 10 Things People Love to Slather in Ranch Dressing
    • Baked Chicken Nuggets.
    • Double Ranch Fries.
    • Buffalo Cauliflower.
    • Potato Skins.
    • Vidalia Ranch Pizza.
    • Broccoli Tots.
    • Buffalo Chicken Wings III.
    • Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers.
    Aug 21, 2017

    Why is restaurant ranch so creamy? ›

    Because while some restaurants do use a bottled shelf stable dressing, what you are referring to is a powdered ranch mix (typically the Hidden Valley brand) that the restaurant cooks add milk/ buttermilk and sour cream to make their dressing. I agree it is far better tasting.

    What is a fun fact about ranch dressing? ›

    There's An Interesting Story Behind Its Name

    Back in 1949, Steve Henson invented ranch dressing while working in the Alaska bush. The dressing was an attempt to get grouchy, finicky bush workers to eat their vegetables. Turns out, it worked.

    What is the number 1 salad dressing? ›

    Ranch Dressing

    The ranch is hands down America's most beloved salad dressings. It is made from a number of ingredients such as buttermilk, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, onion, chives, salt, and pepper. A creamier and richer version often features sour cream or yogurt for enhanced taste.

    Which state loves ranch the most? ›

    Ranch dressing is ubiquitous in Iowa. You'll find it on salads, veggies and alongside French fries and cheese curds — and sometimes even on pizza and tacos.

    What is the number one salad dressing in the United States? ›

    Ranch dressing is the most popular salad dressing in the USA due to its creamy texture, tangy buttermilk base, and blend of herbs and spices like garlic, onion, dill, and parsley. Its versatility makes it a staple on dinner tables across America.

    What brand of ranch dressing do most restaurants use? ›

    Most restaurants don't buy pre packaged ranch. They buy hidden valley seasoning and mix it themselves with ingredients they already have.

    What can I add to ranch dressing to make it better? ›

    This might seem obvious, but you can add a lot of flavor to ranch dressing by adding more of what's already in it. I love adding lots of fresh herbs, extra garlic, or even lemon zest.

    Why is ranch so good with pizza? ›

    While pizza gets topped with almost anything these days, it's traditionally covered in cheese and tomatoes. Ranch dressing is full of fat and acidic tang — complementing the cheese and tomato — and works as a palate cleanser, cutting through grease and preparing you for the next bite.

    Is there a difference between ranch and ranch dressing? ›

    Ranch dressing is usually based with mayonnaise, with sufficient water added that it will pour to cover the salad. Ranch dip is usually based with sour cream, or sometimes yogurt, and is not thinned so that it will stick to chips or vegetable slices.

    What meat is good with ranch? ›

    Ribs. Remember what we just said about pairing BBQ sauce and ranch? (It was literally one slide ago.) Well that makes ranch and ribs a match made in some kind of smoky heaven. Just dip and enjoy, or mix the ranch in prior to cooking/grilling.

    Can you eat eggs with ranch? ›

    Only 1/4 cup of Litehouse Homestyle Ranch mixed in with your scrambled eggs adds a delicious flavor. The flavor of the ranch is subtle, but just right. It's one of those secret ingredients that you don't know what it is when you are eating it, but you want to find out the secret because it is so good.

    Why is ranch dressing so addictive? ›

    natural and artificial flavors. this is part of the reason why ranch is so addicting. and you can't stop eating it, because it has all these ingredients in here, like MSG, that excite neurons in your brain, and they're quite literally addictive.

    What gives ranch The ranch flavor? ›

    What makes ranch ranch? It's a combination of creaminess (from buttermilk, sour cream, sometimes mayonnaise) and herbaceousness (often parsley, thyme, dill), plus a long pull of allium (onion and garlic) and a shot of black pepper.

    Is ranch dressing just an American thing? ›

    No other country in the world can guarantee it on shelves (though it's somewhat popular in Germany) like we do in the states. More than being uniquely American, ranch dressing has become the iconic condiment of the Midwest.

    Why does Hidden Valley Ranch taste different? ›

    The ranch packet has a fresher taste, because you add your own mayo and milk. Even though all the herbs and spices in the mix are dried, they rehydrate quickly and leave you with a product that feels homemade. This version of Hidden Valley Ranch is more flavorful than the bottled version and much, much thicker.

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Recommended Articles
    Article information

    Author: Fredrick Kertzmann

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6528

    Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

    Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Fredrick Kertzmann

    Birthday: 2000-04-29

    Address: Apt. 203 613 Huels Gateway, Ralphtown, LA 40204

    Phone: +2135150832870

    Job: Regional Design Producer

    Hobby: Nordic skating, Lacemaking, Mountain biking, Rowing, Gardening, Water sports, role-playing games

    Introduction: My name is Fredrick Kertzmann, I am a gleaming, encouraging, inexpensive, thankful, tender, quaint, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.