Ranch dressing is a party starter, a crowd-pleaser, and the MVP of condiments. From its creamy, dreamy texture that elevates every bite to a lasting appeal that spans generations, it’s more than just a dressing—it’s a flavor phenomenon. Look at any salad menu and what’s the first dressing listed? Ranch. What’s the ultimate pizza or chip dip? Ranch.
Here at Primal Kitchen, ranch runs in our veins. To get you more familiar with this fan-favorite dressing, we’ve uncovered the top five reasons why ranch deserves a permanent place in your pantry, your recipes, and your heart. Starting with the most obvious reason to add ranch dressing to your sauce stash:
1. Ranch tastes delicious
Ranch dressing is the result of creamy textures colliding with zesty herbs and spices. Bam, an explosion of flavor! It tickles every taste bud, bringing a symphony of savory, tangy, fresh, and zesty notes together in harmony. Plus, it’s rich and dreamy. The silky texture is part of what makes people come back for a second dip and a third and … you get the picture.
Craving the ultimate ranch dressing upgrade? Our original No-Dairy Ranch Dressing has that signature cool, herby taste and creamy, velvety texture you expect but with ingredients you trust. We’re constantly evolving our dressings to deliver the perfect pouring experience without sacrificing our commitment to quality.
2. It’s made with ingredients you know and love
What is ranch made of? Does ranch contain dairy? Here's the good news: You don’t need a PhD to understand ranch dressing nutrition facts. Though it tastes complex, the basics of a traditional ranch are buttermilk, sour cream, and herbs. While most ranch dressings have dairy ingredients, our original No-Dairy Ranch and Plant-Based Vegan Ranch deliver classic ranch flavor without the dairy (the latter also without eggs).
Our original Ranch Dressing recipe is crafted the right way, without shortcuts or fillers. Say goodbye to xanthan gum or modified food starch, and hello to trusted ingredients. Unlike some other dressings on the shelf, Primal Kitchen No-Dairy Ranch is also free from seed oils, gluten, cane sugar, and artificial sweeteners.
3. Ranch is incredibly versatile
Ranch dressing is like that one guy in high school who was ready for anything! Drizzled, dipped, or mixed right in, it’s the life of any party, bringing a splash of coolness and fun to every gathering. Add it to your game day charcuterie board for a surprising snack, or drip it over a brunch spread with avocado toast, eggs, and smoked salmon for a flavor-packed morning meal.
The quintessential veggie dip, ranch is the perfect sidekick for a platter of crisp carrots, celery, and bell peppers. Pour it over a classic Cobb salad to bring a richness and zesty herb taste that enhances the flavors of chicken, bacon, blue cheese, and avocado. Heading to a picnic or potluck? Bring a bottle of ranch! Mix it into your potato or pasta salad, coat crispy fried chicken, or drizzle it on hot dogs for a tangy twist.
And when it’s grilling time, ranch pairs perfectly with buffalo wings, juicy burgers, and Cali-style tacos with shredded chicken. As the school year kicks off, make lunches exciting by adding ranch to wraps, packing it with carrots in a kid's lunchbox, or using it as an easy dip for chicken nuggets.
4. It's also timeless
The little black dress of the dressing world, ranch never goes out of style. Plumbing contractor and cowboy Steve Henson is widely credited with inventing ranch dressing in 1949, later serving the popular flavor to guests at his Hidden Valley Ranch in California. According to culinary legend, Henson mixed together a few dairy staples, mustard, and herbs he had on hand to create a tasty condiment to feed his work crews.
Since his creation hit the masses, love for ranch has never wavered. It has taken the top spot as the #1 prepared dressing in America for decades, surpassing Italian dressing in the 1990s and beating second-place Caesar nearly 3-to-1 in a Statista dressing survey.
5. Ranch is ready to mingle
When you think of ranch dressing, what comes to mind? For most people, it’s the typical buttermilk plus sour cream plus herbs formula that harkens back to Steve Henson’s original recipe. But today’s ranch is much more than that. You can find ranch as a veggie and chip dip, a tortilla chip flavor, a chicken wing enhancer, a marinade, and so much more.
Ranch is also a great base for exciting combinations and taste experiments. Pair it with other sauces, vegetables, or spices to create an all-new flavor! Try teaming ranch with bold flavor accents like our Original Buffalo Sauce, Sriracha, gochujang, or fresh jalapeños.
The current Primal Kitchen ranch lineup includes our original gluten-free No-Dairy Ranch Dressing that doubles as a marinade, Ranch Dip, and Plant-Based Ranch made without eggs or dairy — plus there may even be an exciting new ranch option on the horizon!
Get Ready for Ranching
What is ranch dressing, really? Pure flavor magic. Since its early use in the 1950s, ranch has become a power player among condiments. Cool and classic, its signature silky texture and tangy taste have made it a favorite for salads, wraps, casseroles, game-day dips, and so much more.
So, the next time you pop open a bottle of dreamy ranch dressing, remember that it’s more than just a salad-drizzler. As versatile as it is tasty, you can use it as a dressing, dip, or marinade.
Whether you choose our original Ranch or one of its creamy cousins, you’ll get a cool and flavor-packed condiment that shines on everything from Cobb and pasta salads to wings, veggies, skillet meals, and charcuterie platters. From parties to everyday meals, ranch dressing adds a delicious touch to every bite.