Ranch dressing

[bcla]

We much prefer the homemade buttermilk ranch as well. But in a pinch, the bottled stuff does the trick! I thought I read somewhere kind of recently that ranch dressing has overtaken ketchup (or catsup to some of you ) as the #1 condiment. I'll try to find where I read that...

aha! http://www.limelife.com/blog-entry/Has-Ranch-Dressing-Replaced-Ketchup-As-1-Condiment/139080.html

Salsa has been #1 for a while. I think part of it would be how much is used compared to ketchup on fries or meatloaf. I think mayo is second.

 

[suzannen]

Unless I make it myself, never eat it since almost all of the packets and bottles contain pretty large amounts of MSG which makes both me and my DD really sick. Why would you want to take healthy vegetables and add so many preservatives and fake chemicals to them? The Pioneer Woman's recipe is very good though, although pretty caloric.

 

[Diznygrl]

Homemade (or powdered packet) is best, but I do get bottled out of convenience and longevity. I only eat Hidden Valley brand of bottled ranch because I find the others too tangy/vinegary.

 

[powellrj]

DD got her first job last year and one of the things she does is make the ranch dressing. They put the wrong person in charge because I sometimes think she is addicted to the stuff!

 

[Imzadi]

Almost all of the bottled creamy dressings have MSG in them. Even the so-called natural companies have MSG in their Ranch dressing. MSG can be naturally occurring as in the making of soy sauce. So manufacturers just need to put in the right combo of ingredients to get MSG in the ranch dressing. They get away with it by listing it on the ingredients as "natural flavoring."

I make my own now. Here is my homemade Ranch dressing recipe, if anyone is interested. It is my tried & true Ranch dressing. I searched for one after I found out that almost ALL bottled Ranch dressings contain MSG.
I found this recipe on allrecipes.com. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/ranch-dressing-ii/detail.aspx It has 889 positive reviews. This recipe below has been adapted with the tweaks & modification of reviewers to make it taste better.

It can also be made with just mayo & sour cream. (But the buttermilk adds such a rich flavor. ) Or just sour cream & buttermilk. Or just sour cream and a bit of lemon juice. It's best to experiment to get the taste you want.

I found powdered buttermilk at the health food store. It's next to the baking mixes. So people can keep it on hand to make up the dressing any time they want.


Ranch Dressing

1/3c mayonnaise
1/3c sour cream
1/3c buttermilk (I use a bit more)
1/2 teaspoon dried chives
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper


In a large bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving. For best results, let marinate overnight.
The flavors to develop over time.


I have the recipe memorized and it is so quick to whip this up. I simply make it right before I want a salad with Ranch dressing. Let sit for 20 minutes. (Overnight is better.) The flavors are more intense that way and have a chance to meld.