Homemade Ranch Dressing - Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

What is the ranch dressing that restaurants use? ›

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.

How Long Does Homemade Ranch Last? Stored in a well-sealed container in the fridge (assuming you began with fresh sour cream and buttermilk) your buttermilk ranch dressing should keep for up to two weeks.

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.

“But the particular flavor of traditional ranch can only be achieved with the dry versions of all those aromatics: garlic and onion powder, dried herbs, powdered pepper and buttermilk.” That's because fresh ingredients were rare in Alaska at the time.

Well having worked there for over 3 years, they use a gallon of Mayo, a half a gallon of 3% buttermilk and 3 packets (large 3.2 ounce packets) of hidden valley ranch mix. You mix the Mayo and a quart of buttermilk then the ranch packets then the last buttermilk. We would let it sit for a few hours to blend together.

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.

But even if your ranch appears bright and mold-free at first glance, take a sniff — just like with spoiled milk, you'll easily be able to tell if it smells a little rancid. If you're willing to brave a tiny taste, a sour flavor is another surefire indicator that it's best not to consume your leftover dressing.

No, you don't want to freeze homemade ranch. Freezing it affects the texture and taste. It won't be nearly as creamy and delicious once it's thawed. I, for one, have never had trouble using up ranch dressing.

Ranch should be refrigerated after opening because it contains perishable ingredients like buttermilk, which has a high moisture content and is prone to spoilage. Since perishable ingredients can become unsafe to eat after two hours at room temperature, refrigerating this dressing is essential to keep it fresh.

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 Jet's ranch so good? ›

The flavor is obviously incredible, and what makes it superior to other ranch dressings is that it tastes fresh. So many of these chains have pre-packaged ranch that is lame and uninspiring, but Jet's tastes like they make it at their store, even if its not.

What Makes Wingstop Ranch Stand Out? Wingstop's Ranch is distinguished by its harmonious blend of buttermilk, mayonnaise, dill, and a medley of spices. The resultant concoction is a velvety, flavorful sauce that pairs exquisitely with a variety of dishes, transcending beyond just wings.

Traditional ranch is made from sour cream, mayonnaise, dried herbs (usually dill, parsley, and chives), garlic powder, and onion powder. Buttermilk versions have, as you guessed, the addition of buttermilk and tend to be a bit thinner.

One serving of ranch dressing provides a considerable amount of vitamin K. Canola oil is the primary ingredient in bottled ranch dressings which is a good source of vitamin K. Vitamin K is stored in the body's fat tissues because it is a fat-soluble vitamin.

The difference is dairy

The key difference between bottled ranch and ranch that's been mixed from a packet — which is what's usually served in restaurants — is that ranch made from a mix usually contains real dairy ingredients. The store-bought varieties don't.

WingStop makes its own special blend of ranch dressing using mayonnaise, buttermilk, and ranch seasoning.

Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Water, Cultured Low Fat Buttermilk, Distilled Vinegar, Sugar, Contains 2% Or Less: Sea Salt, Garlic Puree, Whey Protein Concentrate, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Modified Guar Gum, Black Pepper, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Onion Powder, Natural Flavor, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Salt, Parsley ...