topic Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions in Kitchen

Ranch Dressing Suggestions

nafecar — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 21:05:29 GMT

Can anyone suggest a bottled ranch dressing that taste similar to the Hidden Valley dry mix? I have tried many and they are terrible.There are only two of us the HV one makes too much for us and I have to toss it too soon.

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

JustJules — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 21:07:16 GMT

Hidden Valley Ranch comes in bottles too, small ones even.

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

nafecar — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 21:17:16 GMT

On 1/11/2014 Jules5280 said:
Hidden Valley Ranch comes in bottles too, small ones even.

Well, we tried that but weren't too impressed thanks anyway.

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

Mistreatedbycs — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 21:21:23 GMT

Why don't you buy the bulk Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix? or..........

make a half of package, I measure out how much is in an entire package and then split it accordingly...even for other packaged noodle/rice mixes I do the same so I don't have any leftovers and everything comes out great

Ken's Ranch Dressing is very good

(I can relate, the Wishbone and Hidden Ranch bottle just isn't the same)

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

ccassaday — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 22:00:44 GMT

On 1/11/2014 nantucket shore said:
Why don't you buy the bulk Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix? or..........

make a half of package, I measure out how much is in an entire package and then split it accordingly...even for other packaged noodle/rice mixes I do the same so I don't have any leftovers and everything comes out great

or

Ken's Ranch Dressing is very good

(I can relate, the Wishbone and Hidden Ranch bottle just isn't the same)

This works for me also with all kinds of things. I even divide in in thirds.

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

denisemb — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 22:07:47 GMT

On 1/11/2014 nantucket shore said:
Why don't you buy the bulk Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix? or..........

make a half of package, I measure out how much is in an entire package and then split it accordingly...even for other packaged noodle/rice mixes I do the same so I don't have any leftovers and everything comes out great

or

Ken's Ranch Dressing is very good

(I can relate, the Wishbone and Hidden Ranch bottle just isn't the same)

This. Sam's Club sells a 1 lb. container of the powder and gives directions on making only one cup, you could even do the math and make a smaller portion.

I know that sounds like a pain, but I haven't found any ranch dressing that compares to HV "home made" ranch, even their bottled versions. And you can always use the powder in different recipes from their site.

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

aubnwa01 — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 23:20:04 GMT

You might try Ken's Steakhouse Buttermilk Ranch.

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

deeva — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 23:31:30 GMT

I'm having the same issue. I just threw out another container of the homemade Hidden Valley Ranch. I'm going to try to cut the recipe in half. I've probably tried every bottled ranch dressing on the market and none compare to HV powdered.

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

AuntG — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 23:34:41 GMT

I agree that the Ken's salad dressing is good.

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

LilyBell2 — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 23:48:59 GMT

I've never found a bottled ranch dressing that I've really liked. The Hidden Valley Ranch dry mix is great, but I end up tossing it before I we can use it all up. I've found that Penzeys Buttermilk Ranch mix is perfect for our needs. It's easy to whip up just a cup, and we really like the taste.

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

nafecar — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 23:55:14 GMT

Thank you all for the suggestions . Why I never thought about cutting the envelope packets directions in half I will never know I guess being 80 has it's drawbacks

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

Nickname1 — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 00:22:17 GMT

I remember in the past(long past) that the HV Ranch mix called for using butter milk, now they don't and it isn't the same.

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

stampingpaperdoll — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 01:28:48 GMT

There really is no substitution as far as my family is concerned. They won't even eat the bottled ones. MScotty - my local grocery store still carries the original that you have to use buttermilk for. They also sell the tiny cartons of buttermilk in the dairy section.

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

boby — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 23:26:58 GMT

Try making your own. Here is Todd Wilbur's clone recipe for Original Hidden Valley. It only makes one cup, so you won't have much waste, if any:

1/2 cup mayo

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 tsp dried parsley

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp MSG or other flavor enhancer

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp onion powder

pinch dried thyme

pinch dill weed

Combine everything in a bowl, whisk until smooth, refrigerate several hours until needed.

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

shoekitty — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 05:03:21 GMT

This recipe is too die for! It is identical to HVD, I actually had taste tests at a few parties, and no one could tell which was which. All Hidden Valley has MSG in it. This does not, and I make it with organic spices. My suggestion is this, cut recipe in two. Freeze the powder mix in air tight container. I actually made the whole recipe and gave half of it away, and I used the rest for dressing, to cook with, etc within a year.

When you make it just use about 2.5 teaspoons mix to 1/2 cup buttermilk, and 1/2 cup mayo

15 saltine crackers

2 cupsdried parsley
1/2 cup instant minced onion
2 tablespoonsdry dill weed
1/4 cup onion salt
1/4 cup garlic salt
1/4 cuponion powder
1/4 cupgarlic powder
1 tablespoonground black pepper

<h2>Directions:</h2>

1

In a blender puree crackers to a fine powder.
2

Add the parsley, onion and dill.
3

Pulse to almost dust.
4

Pour into a bowl and add the remaining ingredients.
5

Mix well and store for up to 1 year in an airtight container.
6

to use~ Add 1 and 1/2 heaping T's to 1 cup mayo and 1 cup buttermilk.
7

Mix well and serve.

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

Mistreatedbycs — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 07:33:28 GMT

On 1/11/2014 nafecar said:
Thank you all for the suggestions . Why I never thought about cutting the envelope packets directions in half I will never know I guess being 80 has it's drawbacks

Don't feel back, it took me a lot of years to realize that you should punch the holes out on each end on a roll of tin foil and plastic wrap, that's why they make the markings on each end of the package..go figure, never knew that.