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Valued Contributor
Posts: 548
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

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

Regular Contributor
Posts: 198
Registered: ‎03-17-2010

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

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.

Frequent Contributor
Posts: 147
Registered: ‎03-28-2010

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

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.

Regular Contributor
Posts: 218
Registered: ‎01-12-2012

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,269
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

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

<h2>Directions:</h2>
  1. 1
    In a blender puree crackers to a fine powder.
  2. 2
    Add the parsley, onion and dill.
  3. 3
    Pulse to almost dust.
  4. 4
    Pour into a bowl and add the remaining ingredients.
  5. 5
    Mix well and store for up to 1 year in an airtight container.
  6. 6
    to use~ Add 1 and 1/2 heaping T's to 1 cup mayo and 1 cup buttermilk.
  7. 7
    Mix well and serve.
“sometimes you have to bite your upper lip and put sunglasses on”….Bob Dylan
Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,781
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Ranch Dressing Suggestions

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 Smile

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.