The History of Ranch Dressing started in 1949 from a hidden valley. (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing? ›

In 1954 ranch dressing was invented at Hidden Valley Ranch, a dude ranch near Santa Barbara, California. Ranch dressing has been the best-selling salad dressing in the United States since 1992, overtaking Italian dressing. Since 1972 Hidden Valley Ranch has been owned by Clorox.

Who Invented Ranch? Around 1950, Steve Henson unknowingly made history when he whipped up a unique mixture of dry herbs and buttermilk. Originally a plumber, Steve came up with the concoction while working briefly in Anchorage as a construction worker and part-time cook for his crew.

History tells us ranch dressing was created in 1949 by a plumber-turned-cowboy in Alaska. Steve Henson is the man behind this dressing perfection. In fact, Henson moved to California and purchased a ranch he called Hidden Valley Ranch, which made the now famous dressing a staple.

Clorox, Hidden Valley's parent company, is dealing with a cyberattack that has affected the dressing's production. So stores for months have had trouble stocking what some people call America's favorite dressing. Other mayonnaise-based dressing brands are available, including at fast food restaurants.

Until it outgrew its homebase and moved to Colorado, where this gate is pictured, Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing was headquartered in Santa Barbara. The South Coast over the years has been the cradle of a number of inventions and products.

The makers of Hidden Valley dressing created the Original Ranch recipe; a unique blend of herbs, spices and buttermilk, made in a real place by real people. The balance of flavors makes it a favorite dressing.

Commercialization. Manufacturing of the mix was later moved to San Jose, then to Colorado, and then to Sparks, Nevada, in 1972. In October 1972, the Hidden Valley Ranch brand was bought by Clorox for $8 million, and Henson retired.

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.

As dipping sauces go, ranch dressing might be the most versatile condiment the world over. It balances the tang of buttermilk with the tongue-coating heft of mayo, a few aromatic herbs, and a generous balance of salt, and it's uniquely American.

Cover and refrigerate. Chill 30 minutes to thicken. Stir before serving. Stays fresh 3 to 4 weeks.

Is ranch good for you? ›

Be Wary of 'Light' Some ranches can have upward of 180 calories per serving. Our picks capped calories at 150 for a healthy balance of nutrients and calories. Going with a light version can cut calories by as much as half, but they tend to have more sodium and sugar.

Does Ranch Dressing Have Mayo? Yes. Mayonnaise plays a significant part in creating that distinctive ranch flavor, and it also lends body to the dressing. Lighter options like yogurt are delicious, but yogurt won't give the same smooth texture and full body.

The ingredients in the seasoning packet have changed a bit since Henson first wrote the recipe and in particular, monosodium glutamate (MSG) is now one of the ingredients.

These twists on the original are all from Hidden Valley Ranch, the nation's biggest brand of ranch dressing. And they are part of a strategy by the brand's parent company, Clorox, to dominate the condiments aisle.

OU Kosher Alert Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing and Dipping Sauce. Issue: Missing D - Dairy Designation The Orthodox Union certifies Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing and Dipping Sauce as an OU D - Dairy product. Some labels were printed with an OU mark without the D - Dairy designation.

American Food & Grocery Brands - Hidden Valley Ranch - American Food Store.

Vegetable oil (soybean and/or canola), water, buttermilk, sugar, less than 2% of: egg yolk, salt, lactic acid, vinegar, modified corn starch, disodium inosinate & guanylate, garlic (dried), onion (dried), phosphoric acid, monosodium glutamate, xanthan gum, natural and artificial flavors, spices, disodium phosphate, ...