We Ranked 15 Top Ranch Dressing Brands, Including a Supersized Bottle You Can Pick Up at Aldi for Less than $4

Ranch dressings ranked

Back in my waitressing days, I asked "What dressing would you like with your salad" too many times to count. Can you guess what the top choice was? If you immediately thought "It had to be ranch" you're correct!

While there are many popular salad dressing choices, I don't think any is more beloved than ranch. I know my seven-year-old can't get enough, and many adults haven't grown out of the infatuation either.

From dipping veggies, chicken tenders and even pizza crust to drizzling on a big tossed salad, Americans love their ranch. According to AdAge, ranch dressing is a $1 billion industry, and that data is from a few years ago.

When you head to the grocery store, do you have a favorite brand you're loyal to or are you looking to try something new? To help you out, I went through the brands that I've tried over the years as a busy mom of two and a recipe developer and food blogger and also combed through online reviews to see if others felt the same as me. That info led to this list of the top 15 store-bought ranch dressings—ranked for your drizzling and dipping pleasure!

Related: Hidden Valley Has 7 New Ranch Dressings—Including a Cheez-It Collab

What is ranch dressing?

Maybe you've been enjoying ranch for years without knowing exactly what it is. Let's talk! Ranch dressing is a creamy, savory American creation usually made from buttermilk, mayonnaise, salt, garlic, onion, herbs (chives, parsley and dill) and spices. According to Slate.com, it has been the best-selling salad dressing in the United States since 1992, when it claimed the top spot from Italian dressing.

Related: 14 Best Recipes For The Ranch-Obsessed

What does ranch dressing taste like?

Most Americans probably take the flavor of ranch for granted, but if someone asked what ranch tastes like would you be able to describe it?

I think the best way to describe it is a fresh, tangy and herby flavor, with definite garlic notes. The tanginess comes from the mayonnaise and buttermilk, although sometimes the mayo is swapped out for sour cream or yogurt. The mixture of herbs used in the recipe can alter the flavor a little, but to me, if there's no dill, it isn't ranch!

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15 Store-Bought Ranch Dressings, Ranked Worst to Best

Now that we've done a ranch deep dive, it's time to get to the rankings. Here are the top 15 brands, ranked worst to best.

15. Marzetti Classic Ranch

Yes, I know many who will disagree with this refrigerated dressing being at the bottom of the list, but the flavor seemed "off" to me. Having no artificial colors or flavors and no preservatives is great, but there are many online discussing how the new recipe doesn't taste as good as the original, so I'm not the only one who isn't a fan. "The changed recipe is terrible!" said one disappointed Target shopper. "I am so sad my favorite store-bought ranch is gone!"

Related: 38 Best Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes

14. Kraft Classic Ranch

Made with real buttermilk and no high fructose corn syrup, this is the go-to brand for many people. They love that it's thick enough for a dip straight from the bottle, but to me, there is just a little too much tangy flavor and not enough herbaceous notes.

13. Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing and Marinade

Looking for a ranch dressing you can feel a little better about? This thick and creamy dressing and marinade is made with avocado oil, cage-free egg yolks and no dairy. It is keto-friendly, Whole30 and gluten-free. One review on the Primal Kitchen site says "My family really enjoys having a healthier version of ranch, with clean ingredients." The only downside? The seven to eight-dollar price tag!

12. California Pizza Kitchen Ranch Dressing

It's such a treat when we can enjoy a restaurant favorite at home. While many customers are thrilled to have this famous dressing all to themselves, the Walmart rating is 3.8 stars out of 5 and the consensus of comments focuses on how it seems runny, thin and sour. Something to think about—the first item on the ingredient list is water.

11. Litehouse Jalape?o Ranch Dressing

This one's for the ranch fans who enjoy a little extra kick. A tasty combination of cool and spicy flavors adds a subtle heat to their traditional recipe. This one is great for dipping, but it also makes a great topping for burrito bowls and tacos. I love it when a condiment can do double duty! One reviewer on Amazon mentioned that they "use a bottle every 2 weeks." That's some ranch love right there!

10. Ken's Steak House Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Normally I prefer bottles of ranch labeled "classic" over "buttermilk" but Ken's recipe has always been a winner in our house. This family-owned company makes restaurant-quality dressing (in more than 60 flavors) for the at-home crowd. It's great on salads, but I also suggest trying it on burgers and wraps. Fun fact: Did you know that Ken's Steak House—the one and only location—is still going strong in Framingham, Massachusetts?

Related: 21 Best Stuffed Burger Recipes

9. Daiya Homestyle Ranch Dressing

This is probably a brand you've never heard of, but it had to make our list because those who are dairy-free might not realize they can still indulge in a tangy ranch dressing. This plant-based version is smooth, creamy, herby and absolutely delicious. It's gluten, soy and egg-free too. Reviews on this one are mixed, from one user stating it is their new favorite to another swearing the chickpeas give it a strange flavor. My guess is those who are dairy-free are just happy to have an option!

8. Newman's Own Ranch

The Newman name has been synonymous with tasty salad dressings for years, and this classic ranch is no exception. Drizzle a green salad or dip some carrots into this fan-favorite dressing. One Walmart reviewer was excited to share their passion for this brand. "No comparison!" they said. "My favorite ranch dressing." Plus, you have to love a company that gives 100% of its profits to worthy causes that help children.

7. Brianna's Classic Buttermilk Ranch

Made in small batches with only premium ingredients, this dressing strives to be extra special. Packaged in a glass bottle, it's kosher-certified, vegetarian and one of the few salad dressing brands that's low-sugar too. The brand has a solid 4.4 star review on Amazon with 79% of the reviews being 5 stars.

"I absolutely love Brianna's buttermilk ranch dressing," says one fan. "I'm on my second order of six bottles and I will be purchasing them for as long as Amazon will offer them."

6. Trader Joe's Buttermilk Ranch

Trader Joe's claims ranch has become the most popular condiment in America, even more than ketchup, so you know they want their in-house brand to taste as good as it can. They start with a classic recipe of cultured buttermilk, sour cream and herbs, but that hint of something you can taste but not pinpoint? Shallots! They give this creamy, flavorful dressing a little extra pop.

For years, TJ's shoppers have complained about Trader Joe's ranch dressing, but this version, which arrived in stores in the middle of 2023, has a devoted fan base. Over on Reddit, shoppers are singing its praises. "I discovered and bought this Thursday," said one commenter. "Today is Sunday and the bottle is half empty! I put it on EVERYTHING - it redefines what I thought of as Ranch."

5. Bolthouse Farms Classic Ranch Yogurt Dressing

Yogurt lightens this option up (only 50 calories per serving) and gives it a little extra creaminess and tang. The folks at Bolthouse also added more buttermilk, garlic and dill, which makes me extra happy.

Related: 30 Best Greek Yogurt Dip Recipes

4. Litehouse Homestyle Ranch Dressing & Dip

The second Litehouse entry in the list is their classic ranch. The delicious dressing is a combination of fresh herb and vegetable flavors with no artificial ingredients or preservatives. Being gluten-free and keto-friendly makes this a great choice if you have dietary restrictions. A Reddit user who loves homemade ranch, but can't stand the #1 later on this list, says this comes closest to tasting like homemade.

3. Tuscan Garden Ranch Dressing

You might be questioning how a store-brand dressing could make it so high on the list, let alone one from Aldi. Like so many of their in-house products, this dressing is a great dupe for a name brand we love, at a much more wallet-friendly price. Plus, if you have a kid who could drink ranch with a straw, this comes in the biggest bottle I have ever seen—36 ounces—for less than four bucks! In an Aldi fan group on Facebook (yes, that's a thing and yes I am a card-carrying member) we all agree it is some of the best-tasting ranch on the market!

2. Ken's Steak House Ranch

Ken's buttermilk ranch is good, but the original ranch is even better, in my opinion. There's a reason this brand is used in so many restaurants, both in the bottle and to-go packs for carryout. It has a homemade flavor, is thick enough to use as a dip (looking at you, chicken wings) and takes an ordinary salad to the next level.

1. Hidden Valley Original Ranch

Think of ranch dressing in your head, and I would bet this bottle with the green lid is the picture that comes to mind. This is the original recipe for ranch dressing that was created in 1954, and it's just as delicious today as it was back then. When you want something that tastes great every single time, go with what you know! To me, Hidden Valley's flavor has always stood above the rest and is what other ranch dressings strive to be. As one online reviewer put it, "It is the gold standard!"

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