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

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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

    Taste of Home

    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    Originally Published: February 28, 2018

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

    FAQs

    Why is ranch the best dressing? ›

    Anyone who's ever tasted ranch dressing can recognize its unique flavor profile anywhere. This creamy condiment's delicious mix of herbs and buttermilk gives it a distinctly tangy but fresh taste that brings life to salad, french fries, pizza, chicken wings, and anything else you can think of to dunk in it!

    How good is ranch dressing for you? ›

    Ranch is undoubtedly a very famous salad dressing. The tangy taste of buttermilk with onions and garlic is adored by so many. However, the ranch dressing you love so much is loaded with saturated fats and sodium. Saturated fats are difficult for your body to metabolize, which leads to weight gain.

    How to make ranch better? ›

    And of course, you can always make a flavored ranch by adding in mashed roasted garlic, sriracha (or your favorite hot pepper sauce), barbecue spices, cilantro and lime, and more. And it goes without saying, that while the ranch experience at restaurants can be superior, even a mediocre ranch is still pretty fantastic.

    What is ranch dressing made of? ›

    Ranch dressing is a savory, creamy American salad dressing 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.

    What dressing is healthier than ranch? ›

    Generally speaking, the healthiest salad dressing will be a vinaigrette like balsamic or oil and vinegar, while Caesar, ranch or anything with the word “creamy” will be the unhealthiest. The exception? We like products made with healthy swaps—think Greek yogurt in place of mayo or heavy cream.

    Which dressing is the healthiest? ›

    Oil and vinegar.

    “This is a great option, because it won't have any added sugar or salt,” says Allers. “But the type of oil is important. Opt for olive or avocado oil over an alternative like canola or soybean oil.” These healthy oils are packed with antioxidants, and can even help lower cholesterol.

    Is a salad with ranch still healthy? ›

    Worst: Salad With Creamy Dressing

    Dressings like ranch, blue cheese, and Thousand Island are often high in calories, unhealthy saturated fat, and sodium. A 2-tablespoon serving of a typical blue cheese dressing tacks on nearly 150 calories and more than 15 grams of fat.

    Is it OK to eat ranch everyday? ›

    You'll be putting your cardiovascular health at risk.

    Ranch dressing contains 320 milligrams of sodium in a two-tablespoon serving. Eating this much sodium on a regular basis could lead to heart health issues like high blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease.

    How do restaurants make ranch so good? ›

    My favorite restaurant ranch dressing could be completely different from your favorite restaurant ranch dressing. To be honest, a lot of restaurants just mix a TON of mayonnaise with some buttermilk and the Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix and call it a day.

    Why is restaurant ranch so creamy? ›

    While many restaurants use mass produced ranch mix, they often add it to a higher-quality base. This might include milk, buttermilk, sour cream, or mayonnaise. So when you notice that the ranch in a restaurant tastes better than the bottled dressing from the store, what you're really tasting is delicious, creamy fat.

    What if my ranch is too sour? ›

    If you find you've made it too tangy (maybe too much butter milk or sour cream) then add more sweetness with the Worcestershire sauce.

    Why is ranch called ranch? ›

    Ranch was created by a plumber, Steve Henson and his wife, Gayle. In 1954, they purchased a ranch right above Santa Barbara, California and named it Hidden Valley Ranch. They opened a steakhouse there that became popular for its salad dressing.

    Is ranch just mayonnaise? ›

    Does Ranch Dressing Have Mayo? Yes. Mayonnaise plays a significant part in creating that distinctive ranch flavor, and it also lends body to the dressing. Lighter options like yogurt are delicious, but yogurt won't give the same smooth texture and full body.

    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 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.

    Is ranch healthier than Italian? ›

    Lower-Calorie Alternative to Creamy Dressings

    Italian dressing makes a better alternative than many other higher-calorie options. It adds taste to salad and offers good fat. Though many calories come from fats, it is better than primarily cream-based dressings like ranch, a thousand island, or blue cheese.

    How did ranch get so popular? ›

    The story goes that while working in Alaska, Steve Henson came up with the dressing. In 1954 he later relocated to California and bought the Hidden Valley Ranch, he started serving the dressing to the guests. They loved it so much that many asked to be able to bring the dressing home with them after leaving the ranch.

    When did ranch dressing become so popular? ›

    It wasn't until 1983 that people could buy a premixed bottle of ranch at the grocery store. In 1992, it became the most popular dressing in America.

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