I Tried the Most Popular Ranch Dressings, and This One Is By Far the Best

1 / 8

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8. Trader Joe’s Organic Ranch Dressing

Honestly, I was quite shocked that the bottle of organic ranch dressing from Trader Joe’s came in at the bottom of my ranked list. I’m a huge fan of TJ’s and am usually very pleased with its products. Unfortunately, this ranch dressing wasn’t up to the brand’s usual standards.

It came out of the bottle with a thin and watery texture. That’s why it wasn’t a big surprise when I turned the bottle around to read the ingredient list and saw that the first one listed was, in fact, water. For comparison, every other ranch dressing on this list uses some sort of oil as the first ingredient. Taking a bite didn’t change my mind. The flavors were muted and uninspired.

Bottom Line: Though the $2.99 price point is nice, the Trader Joe’s ranch is too watered down for me to purchase again.

2 / 8

7. Litehouse Ranch

I was also surprised to rank Litehouse Ranch lower on this list. I tend to prefer refrigerated salad dressings sold in the produce section rather than shelf-stable options in the grocery store aisles. I have purchased other varieties of Litehouse products in the past and liked the taste, but this ranch dressing didn’t have the flavor punch I was hoping for.

Selling for $3.99 per 13-ounce jar, this ranch comes out to about 30 cents per ounce, which is on the higher end compared to other options on the market. I did like that this was the only product sold in a glass jar with a screw top, rather than in a plastic container or a squeeze bottle.

Bottom Line: Litehouse Ranch needs more herbs and seasonings to really be considered a contender in the jam-packed ranch dressing space.

3 / 8

6. Ken’s Steak House Ranch Dressing

I’ve always had good luck with Ken’s products. The dressings are typically sold in large, 16-ounce bottles with a respectable price point. This ranch retails at my local store for $3.29, which comes out to about 21 cents an ounce. Ultimately, both the price and flavor of this dressing were middle-of-the-road. I did like the velvety texture of the dressing, so I might keep it on hand when making recipes that call for ranch, rather than just using it on a basic salad or as a dip.

Bottom Line: Ken’s Steak House offers a diverse line of salad dressings, but its ranch wasn’t a standout in this ranking.

4 / 8

5. Aldi Tuscan Garden Ranch

Tuscan Garden is a product line from Aldi, and a 16-ounce bottle of its ranch dressing sells for a bargain at $1.99. That comes out to about 12 cents an ounce and is one of the most budget-friendly options in this ranked list. This ranch skews a little sweeter than others I tasted and has a muted vinegar tang. Depending on your palate, this could be right up your alley or not your thing.

Bottom Line: While this might not become my go-to ranch dressing, it will certainly be on my radar whenever I’m entertaining a crowd and need to save on groceries.

5 / 8

4. Marie’s Creamy Ranch Dressing

Marie’s is another refrigerated ranch dressing option. The Creamy Ranch comes in a 12-ounce screw-top plastic jar for $3.99, or about 33 cents per ounce. Refrigerated dressings tend to cost more than shelf-stable dressings.

Sour cream is listed in the ingredients, which sets this ranch apart from others I tested. It resulted in more of a dip consistency rather than an easy-to-drizzle dressing for a salad. I did enjoy the rich, thick texture of this dressing, but I also felt the sour cream slightly muted the vinegar’s tang.

Bottom Line: This would be my choice for a ranch to serve as a dip or a spread rather than drizzled on a salad.

6 / 8

3. Kraft Classic Ranch Dressing

The tiny but mighty bottle of Classic Ranch Dressing from Kraft was the biggest surprise of this taste test. At only $1.00 for an 8-ounce container, this ranch was the least expensive of the bunch. I presumed that the big brand name and the low price point might mean a lower-quality product, and I was proven wrong. Just looking at this dressing, you can see more specks of herbs and spices than in other brands. It also has a delightful tang that I have mentioned missing in other products. Given the fact that it is also such a deal, I was blown away.

Bottom Line: If you want the best-tasting ranch dressing on a budget, look no further than Kraft.

7 / 8

2. Marzetti Classic Ranch

I wasn’t surprised when the Marzetti Classic Ranch ranked quite high on this list. The Marzetti brand is one I reach for over and over again with consistently delicious results. This 13-ounce refrigerated jar retails for $3.99.

The flavor profile was the perfect balance of herbaceous and zesty, all while having the ideal texture and thickness for a dressing. It perfectly hovers that line between feeling substantial enough for a veggie tray and still having the ability to drizzle over a salad. This brand uses real buttermilk in its recipe, and it is the second ingredient after oil. I think that leads to the tartness and richness I have come to love in a great ranch dressing.

Bottom Line: Marzetti makes the best of the refrigerated ranch dressing options.

8 / 8

1. Hidden Valley Ranch

It’s no surprise that the best ranch on this list was awarded to the brand that started it all, Hidden Valley Ranch. What began as one cowboy’s signature recipe in the 1950’s has transformed into an iconic American staple. I purchased an 8-ounce bottle for $2.49, or about 31 cents an ounce, which is an average price for a bottle of ranch.

The classic flavor settled right into the perfect ranch balance of creamy, tangy and savory, with an ideal drizzling consistency. I also like how Hidden Valley Ranch offers a variety of products so you can make ranch for different needs. If you want to make a more homemade version of this legendary dressing, you can purchase a spice blend packet and mix it with mayonnaise and buttermilk or grab some sour cream and cream cheese and whip up a Loaded Hidden Valley Ranch Dip.

Bottom Line: I’d say go straight to the source! Hidden Valley Ranch created the legendary ranch flavor, and it continues to be the best today.

Which is your favorite brand? Let us know in the comments below!