Who invented ranch dressing?

In 1949, Steve Henson, a plumber from Nebraska, was doing contract work in Alaska when he created his own version of a buttermilk dressing that everyone loved. Five years later, he purchased a dude ranch called Hidden Valley Ranch, branded his recipe named after that ranch, and the dressing became highly sought after and widely copied. We even have our version of Homemade Ranch Dressing that lasts for about 5 days in the fridge. It's perfect as is or to use as a base.

How long does an unopened bottle of ranch last?

An unopened bottle of store-bought ranch dressing is typically shelf-stable at room temperature and can last about a year due to the preservatives it contains. Once opened, however, it should be stored in the refrigerator and will remain good for about 3 months. You can easily tell if it has gone bad by smelling it; a rancid ranch dressing will have an unpleasant odor. If you decide to taste it, you may notice a very sour flavor. A tiny taste might not harm you, but using dressing that has spoiled could lead to digestive issues or food poisoning.

How long can you leave an opened bottle of ranch at room temperature?

Ranch dressing can be left out at room temperature for about 2 hours. However, if it's a particularly hot day (around 90°F), it should only be left out for about an hour. Since ranch dressing contains buttermilk, it's considered a perishable product. To ensure its safety and freshness, make sure to return any leftover dressing to the refrigerator once everyone is finished using it.

Can you freeze ranch dressing?

You can, but do you really want to? Once it's thawed, the texture and consistency will change. Fresh is best, especially if you are serving it to guests.

The 5 Healthiest Ranch Dressings You Should Be Buying

We tried more than 30 kinds of ranch dressing. Here are the healthiest ones that stood out.

By

Joyce Hendley, M.S.

Updated on February 7, 2025

Reviewed by Dietitian

Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD

vegetables on a plate with a bowl of ranch — Credit: Charlotte & Johnny Autry

A please-everyone salad topper, a dip for your pizza crust or a gateway to getting your kids to eat their veggies—however you ranch, you're not alone. It's the nation's most popular salad dressing and condiment, according to Statistica, which calculated figures based on the U.S. Census data and Simmons National Consumer Survey. Ranch outsells every dressing out there, including Caesar, Thousand Island, Creamy Italian and more. We tried more than 30 kinds to find the best store-bought ranch dressings; here are our favorite bottles to buy. Plus, learn what to look for on the label.

Love any of these recipes? Tap "Save" to add them to MyRecipes, your new, free recipe box for EatingWell.

5 Best Ranch Dressings

01 of 05

Follow Your Heart Ranch Dressing

Follow your heart yogurt — Charlotte & Johnny Autry

130 cal, 125mg sodium

This plant-based pick starts with the brand's Vegenaise to achieve that signature ranch creaminess without any eggs or dairy. Cider vinegar provides a slightly sweet tang.

02 of 05

Marzetti Simply 60 Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Marzetti Buttermilk Ranch — Charlotte & Johnny Autry

60 cal, 220mg sodium

Marzetti's light version is our favorite in the low-cal category. Unlike others in its class, it isn't overly sweet, salty or gloppy. It's nicely balanced with less than half the calories of the original.

03 of 05

Marzetti Classic Ranch Dressing

140 cal, 200mg sodium

The thickest on the list, we love that this ranch is great for dipping while still being drizzleable enough for salad. The prominent garlic flavor also makes it a standout.

04 of 05

Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing & Dip

120 cal, 230mg sodium

Bits of garlic and onion sprinkled throughout this dressing add nice pops of flavor while sour cream and buttermilk team up as a pleasantly tart base.

05 of 05

Hidden Valley Original Ranch Topping & Dressing

Hidden Valley Ranch — Charlotte & Johnny Autry

130 cal, 260mg sodium

Of all the shelf-stable bottles we tried (and believe us, there were a lot), this has the freshest taste. Plus, you just can't beat the nostalgic taste of the buttermilk and herb combo.

What to Look for on the Label

Note the Sodium Content

Like all processed foods, these dressings can be fairly high in sodium. Luckily, there are many herbs and spices in ranch recipes that create excitement, so there's no need to sacrifice flavor. We found plenty of options that keep sodium to 260 milligrams or less per 2-tablespoon serving.

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. We recommend skipping the "fat-free" kind since a little fat helps your body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins in your vegetables.

Keep It Simple and Chill

Some brands (especially shelf-stable ones) contain north of 20 ingredients, including stabilizers and preservatives—something to keep in mind if you are trying to avoid additives. While we didn't find any red-flag chemicals across the category, we did prefer the fresher flavor of refrigerated ranches.

Our Favorite Ways to Enjoy Ranch Dressing

As anyone who loves ranch dressing can attest, it's not just for salads. We love it as a cooling companion to a plate of hot-sauced Buffalo chicken wings, Baked Chicken Tenders or Ranch Roasted Chicken Bites, and it adds another level of flavor when drizzled over pizza, baked potato skins, Ranch Potatoes and french fries. Of course, it's a crowd-pleaser set out with crudités or even a bowl of baby carrots. If you are a super fan of ranch, you can get creative and add a little to your scrambled eggs or mac and cheese. Or try a couple of our favorite recipes that call for store-bought ranch: Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad and Chipotle Ranch and Egg Salad Wraps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented ranch dressing?

In 1949, Steve Henson, a plumber from Nebraska, was doing contract work in Alaska when he created his own version of a buttermilk dressing that everyone loved. Five years later, he purchased a dude ranch called Hidden Valley Ranch, branded his recipe named after that ranch, and the dressing became highly sought after and widely copied. We even have our version of Homemade Ranch Dressing that lasts for about 5 days in the fridge. It's perfect as is or to use as a base.
How long does an unopened bottle of ranch last?

An unopened bottle of store-bought ranch dressing is typically shelf-stable at room temperature and can last about a year due to the preservatives it contains. Once opened, however, it should be stored in the refrigerator and will remain good for about 3 months. You can easily tell if it has gone bad by smelling it; a rancid ranch dressing will have an unpleasant odor. If you decide to taste it, you may notice a very sour flavor. A tiny taste might not harm you, but using dressing that has spoiled could lead to digestive issues or food poisoning.
How long can you leave an opened bottle of ranch at room temperature?

Ranch dressing can be left out at room temperature for about 2 hours. However, if it's a particularly hot day (around 90°F), it should only be left out for about an hour. Since ranch dressing contains buttermilk, it's considered a perishable product. To ensure its safety and freshness, make sure to return any leftover dressing to the refrigerator once everyone is finished using it.
Can you freeze ranch dressing?

You can, but do you really want to? Once it's thawed, the texture and consistency will change. Fresh is best, especially if you are serving it to guests.