What Does Ranch Taste Like? Here’s the Real Deal! 

Fact: Ranch is the best-tasting and most popular dressing out there. 

Want some proof? Well, it’s the most consumed salad in the US, with an average American consuming it up to 38 times yearly. (*)

But wait, there’s more. Celebs like Courteney Cox and Melissa McCarthy love its taste so much that they can slurp down a big bowl of ranch dressing in one sitting. (*)

If you haven’t tried ranch, this will make you wonder—what does ranch taste like?

Intriguing, isn’t it? But if you want to take your usual dishes to a whole new level, ranch dressing is the key. You can learn more about this condiment in this article, so keep reading!

What Does Ranch Taste Like?

Ranch dressing has a unique taste; we can’t compare it with other condiments. The best description for Ranch dressing’s flavor is herby, tangy, aromatic, and slightly sweet. Additionally, its texture showcases richness from the eggs in mayonnaise and creaminess from the buttermilk content. Finally, its thickness adds a nice contrast to the solid fresh and earthy flavor of the herbs. 

Fun Fact: The flavor of ranch dressing may vary depending on the kind of herbs, spices, and other ingredients you add to it. 

For example, some add bacon bits to their ranch dressing, giving it a meaty and savory twist. 

What’s in a Ranch?

The ultimate American dressing is made up of a lot of ingredients. Here are some of them: 

• Buttermilk,
• Garlic,
• Onion, 
• Salt, 
• mustard,
• spices (pepper, ground mustard seed, and paprika) 
• and different types of herbs (parsley, dill, or chives).

All of these are mixed or incorporated into mayonnaise or another type of oil emulsion. 

If you don’t have the complete set of ingredients or you want to tweak the taste of ranch dressing a little bit, here are some common substitutions and alterations: 

• We are using sour cream and yogurt in place of buttermilk and mayonnaise. 
• We add hot sauce, Sriracha, harissa paste, dried chipotle peppers, or cayenne pepper to give the dressing a spicier twist. 
• We are adding cheese for a strong splash of cheesiness. Our favorites include Parmesan, Mexican cotija cheese, Bleu cheese, and feta. 

Is Ranch Healthy?

Ranch dressing is healthy when consumed in moderation and if it’s made using healthy ingredients. 

Since it’s mainly composed of buttermilk, natural spices, mayonnaise, and herbs, the original ranch recipe is considered healthy.

However, we can’t say the same, for commercially available dressings aren’t as healthy. This is because the manufacturers have tweaked the recipe to make it more shelf-stable. 

To do this, they used canola oil or soybean as their base ingredients. They also added other artificial ingredients like MSG, calcium EDTA, disodium guanylate, and many more.

While these ingredients can give the ranch a better texture, more delicious taste, and longer shelf life, they also increase the dressing’s saturated fat, sugar, and sodium content. This may lead to the following:

• Higher cholesterol levels
• Increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (*)
• High-calorie content, which may lead to weight gain
• Increased risk of obesity, obesity-related cancers, and high blood pressure

But of course, you don’t need to eliminate ranch dressing from your diet. 

All you need to do is to discern the ingredients label carefully. Then, go for the products that don’t contain added sugar and are labeled as low in saturated fats and sodium.

Pro Tip: Or better yet, you can make your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make ranch dressing at home?

All you need to do is mix buttermilk and mayonnaise and whisk in your choice of herbs. We recommend chives, parsley, and dill. 

Don’t forget to add spices like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Then, whisk everything until all the spices and herbs are fully incorporated into the dressing.

Transfer into a tightly sealed jar and refrigerate until serving.  

What does ranch taste like when it goes bad?

Like most food items, ranch dressing will taste sour once it goes bad. Since the sauce has a tangy taste, you can expect a bit of sourness from it. 

However, spoiled ranch dressing tastes highly sour. Not only that, but it also smells foul and may already show mold growth or a change in texture. 

Learn more: Can Ranch Go Bad or Expire? How Long Does This Dressing Last?

Is sour cream and ranch dressing the same?

Sour cream and ranch dressing are different types of condiments. However, many confuse one with the other because some people prefer sour cream over buttermilk because they prefer its thick consistency and tangy kick. 

What dishes would go well with ranch?

Ranch dressing is one of the most versatile sauces out there because it can be used as a marinade, dip, dressing, and sauce. 

That’s not all. It’s America’s most used condiment because it goes well with almost all dishes. Here are some of the best dishes to serve ranch dressing with:

• Pizzas,
• Salads,
• Wraps, 
• Salmon,
• Croquettes,
• Pastas,
• Quesadillas, 
• Deviled eggs,
• Salsas, 
• Casseroles, 
• And many more.

The Bottom Line 

What does ranch taste like? Ranch dressing is a unique-tasting condiment that gives off a wide range of flavors—earthy, fresh, aromatic, tangy, and slightly sweet. These intense flavors are enveloped in a creamy, rich, thick texture that balances them off. 

Because of the play in flavors and textures, ranch dressing can undoubtedly tickle your taste buds. Moreover, it can add an exciting touch to many dishes. 

That’s why it’s about time that you give this infamous dressing a chance. If you decide to, make sure you shy away from the unhealthy versions by:

• Checking the ingredients label.  
• Going for a no-added-sugar, low saturated fat, and low sodium version. 
• Or make your own using traditional recipes.