When I was a kid, it seemed like all ranch tasted approximately the same, and tasted good. Nowadays, it seems like unless I go to a restaurant to get it, all the store-bought ranch tastes artificial. So, what kind of Ranch do you like?

Just the regular stuff.
Couldn't have it for years because my wife hated it and I would get chastised for mentioning it.
Blue cheese was her choice.
Since seeing this thread i decided to get a big bottle of the HEB store brand to see how it was.
I'm positive I can find a way to use it.

worth1 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 05, 2022 7:40 am Just the regular stuff.
Couldn't have it for years because my wife hated it and I would get chastised for mentioning it.
Blue cheese was her choice.
Since seeing this thread i decided to get a big bottle of the HEB store brand to see how it was.
I'm positive I can find a way to use it.

I'm positive, too.

If it doesn't taste good, it could be used as a paper weight, door stop, ...

@worth1
What is your basic ranch recipe? Do you have to use buttermilk? I don't tend to have buttermilk; so, I'm on the lookout for a ranch recipe without it.

Shule wrote: ↑Sat Nov 05, 2022 8:01 am @worth1
What you're basic ranch recipe? Do you have to use buttermilk? I don't tend to have buttermilk; so, I'm on the lookout for a ranch recipe without it.

I've never made ranch dressing in my life.

@worth1
Me either. I've made similar dressings, though, but most of them at least partially resembled tartar sauce.

@worth1
Oh, that reminds me! The powdered ranch mixes. I'm guessing those will more often taste like the ranch I grew up with.

And, you could possibly make your own buttermilk ranch dressing using powdered buttermilk. The Saco Pantry is the only brand that I see. I always have a container of it in the fridge.

I've read yogurt is another way.
I tried the store brand ranch dressing.
It needs blue cheese.

We just are lazy I guess and buy the larger canisters of fanch mix by Hidden Valley, and we use buttermilk in it even though you don't have to. Most restaurants around here do that as well. Sometimes we will also use some homemade creme fraiche in it.

I like Buttermilk Ranch better than plain Ranch, it seems to have more depth of flavor. My mom used to make a great salad dressing with buttermilk, a little sour cream and fresh dill and some other ingredients. Wish I knew what else she had in it, I can't seem to replicate it exactly.

I mixed ranch dressing with mayonnaise and actually liked it very well.
I tried it yesterday with French fries and fried fish.

If Ken's Steakhouse in Framingham MA still sells their ranch dressing fresh in to go bottles it might be worth a road trip! You need to shake it every time before pouring !!

I buy this from Sam's Club, and a smaller size may be available at Walmart. Basically any salad dressing sold refrigerated by the salad in your grocery store will beat the goo sold in the dressing aisle.

Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing and Dip (32 oz.)
By Litehouse|Item # 980117511
4.8 out of 5 stars. Read reviews for average rating value is 4.8 of 5. Read 839 Reviews Same page link.
4.8

(839)
CURRENT PRICE: $4.98$4.98$0.16/oz

- Lisa

Found another use for the powdered Ranch mix besides the dressing we whip up by the quart. Put some of the mix dry into the flour for biscuits, pretty good. Made 6 with just the mix added and six with some Cabots seriously sharp cheese grated in them as well. Both tasty.

Tormato wrote: ↑Sat Nov 05, 2022 8:32 pm And, you could possibly make your own buttermilk ranch dressing using powdered buttermilk. The Saco Pantry is the only brand that I see. I always have a container of it in the fridge.

Me too. And you need to keep it in the fridge or it will potentially go bad but definitely setup like concrete.

Lemonboy wrote: ↑Tue Apr 04, 2023 5:15 pm

Tormato wrote: ↑Sat Nov 05, 2022 8:32 pm And, you could possibly make your own buttermilk ranch dressing using powdered buttermilk. The Saco Pantry is the only brand that I see. I always have a container of it in the fridge.

Me too. And you need to keep it in the fridge or it will potentially go bad but definitely setup like concrete.

My last container of powdered buttermilk set up like concrete.

I make homemade ranch with buttermilk powder. I use the vitamix to obliterate the dry herbs I use and I like it. Hubby doesn't care so much for it because he is still stuck on the junk grocery store stuff, lol. It all tastes bad to me unless I make it homemade. There are many recipes online to make it homemade, I tried a few until I fell onto one I liked.

I make Hidden Valley from the large jar of mix I get at Sam's. Never made it with buttermilk as I never have any here unless I have a recipe that calls for it. Even then, in a pinch I'll make by own by souring the milk with vinegar. Works well in most recipes.

You can use Hidden Valley mix in a coating for baked chicken and that's pretty tasty.

I can't imagine buying actual salad dressing, the ingrediants are not healthy particularly the seed oils and if it does use healthy oil its very expensive.

I mean ranch is just mayo and sour cream, anything additional is up to your preference.

My dressing I just throw together, it's a mix between italian and ranch I guess: EVOO, red or white wine vinegar, mayo, sour cream, small amount of lemon juice, italian seasoning or fresh herbs from the garden, salt, optional hot sauce.

maxjohnson wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2023 10:43 pm I can't imagine buying actual salad dressing, the ingrediants are not healthy particularly the seed oils and if it does use healthy oil its very expensive.

I mean ranch is just mayo and sour cream, anything additional is up to your preference.

My dressing I just throw together, it's a mix between italian and ranch I guess: EVOO, red or white wine vinegar, mayo, sour cream, small amount of lemon juice, italian seasoning or fresh herbs from the garden, salt, optional hot sauce.

You are right. We long ago got away from ever buying bottled salad dressing, but for whatever reason still buy the powder packs of Hidden Valley Ranch. Homemade salad dressings with quality oils (not the hateful 8 seed oils), vinegars, herbs and such are so much better tasting and better for you. I’m going to make a point to make our own ranch dressing next time instead of the powdered mix.