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

    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!

    What is ranch dressing best on? ›

    Baby carrots and bowls of lettuce aren't the only foods that receive delicious taste-bud makeovers after a quick dunk in the ranch dressing pool. America's favorite salad dressing also gives a flavor boost to favorites like fries, chips, pizzas, wraps, and sandwiches.

    How do you make ranch dressing taste better? ›

    I use a mix of mayonnaise, sour cream, and a bit of buttermilk for some tang, plus garlic, and plenty of fresh herbs. I also like to add a dash of cayenne pepper for a kick, but you can add Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, or whatever you want. Ranch dressing is fun to customize!

    What is healthy about ranch dressing? ›

    Vitamins And Minerals

    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.

    Why is ranch so addicting? ›

    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 there a difference between ranch and ranch dressing? ›

    While they both have the delicious ranch flavor the dip is much thicker than the dressing. The use of something thick and creamy like sour cream is used to make the dip. While on the other hand buttermilk s used to make the dressing.

    How do you explain ranch dressing? ›

    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.

    Is ranch more popular than ketchup? ›

    But is ranch actually the most popular condiment in all the land? Earlier this year, Influenster shared an unofficial survey of the most popular condiments in all 50 states. They found that ranch reigned supreme in six of them. Ketchup outranked all other condiments in just one state, Pennsylvania.

    How do restaurants make their ranch so good? ›

    Even when a restaurant does start with premade ranch, they will often fold in extra fresh herbs, and maybe even more buttermilk, to lighten and bring in some brighter flavors that can be lost in shelf-stable bottling.

    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.

    Is mayo or ranch healthier? ›

    Ranch dressing is popular in the US, where it is frequently served with fried foods and in creamy salads, so it may come as a surprise to hear that the mix of mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice and a range of herbs and spices is lower in fat than mayonnaise, which makes ranch a lighter, creamy salad dressing option.

    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.

    What is the most unhealthy salad dressing? ›

    Caesar dressing. Made up of mayonnaise, cheese, salt and oil (and all too often, anchovies), Caesar tends to be one of the least healthy options out there. Those ingredients cause it to be high in both saturated fats and sodium.

    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.

    Which is healthier ranch or French dressing? ›

    Ranch and French dressing were ranked the unhealthiest options of the bunch because of their high sodium (260 milligrams and 240 milligrams, respectively) and fat content (14 grams in ranch including 2.5 grams saturated fat, and 15 grams in French with 1 gram saturated fat).

    How did ranch get so popular? ›

    They started adding buttermilk flavoring to the dry mix so that customers could use regular milk to make their ranch dressing instead of buttermilk. 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.

    Why does some ranch taste better? ›

    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.

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