MyTastr

Best ranch dressing, according to chefs

Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Erin Clarke, Jessie Sheehan, Carly Roegner, Greg Mueller and 7 more. Recommendations come from realsimple.com, thekitchn.com, tasteofhome.com and allrecipes.com and 1 other sources.

Condiments · The ranking

  1. 1
    Top pick

    Hidden Valley Original Ranch (bottle or seasoning packet)

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    The unanimous pick of the chefs both Real Simple and The Kitchn asked. Clarke: “Hidden Valley is my pick when I want classic, nostalgic ranch flavor… It’s consistent, crowd-pleasing, and it hits that familiar savory note.” Roegner mixes the seasoning packet with real mayonnaise and milk or buttermilk to control the richness. Sheehan: “It is creamy, has a little spice from a generous amount of pepper, is herby in all best ways, and is tangy and acidic, to boot.” It also won Taste of Home’s and Allrecipes’ rankings, but placed only sixth in Food & Wine’s masked test.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: realsimple.com ↗
  2. 2

    Marzetti Classic Ranch Dressing & Dip (refrigerated)

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    The highest score of 14 in The Kitchn’s blind tasting, with five tasters ranking it in their top three: “This is the perfect ranch taste.” In Food & Wine’s masked test of 14 it was the best refrigerated ranch and second overall: “really nice and creamy… Very buttermilk-forward” (Rockwell). Taste of Home’s Kristina Vanni: “Marzetti makes the best of the refrigerated ranch dressing options.” Made with fresh buttermilk.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: thekitchn.com ↗
  3. 3

    Ken’s Steak House Ranch

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    Best overall in Food & Wine’s masked test of 14: “If I were to ask AI what ranch dressing tastes like, this would be it.” The editors found it “perfectly creamy and garlicky, with a subtle sweetness and a nice hit of vinegar,” and it was the cheapest bottle they bought. Allrecipes’ Emily Hunt ranked the buttermilk ranch second of 16: it “nearly edged out my tried-and-true favorite.” Taste of Home put it sixth of eight.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: foodandwine.com ↗

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Questions, answered

What is the best ranch dressing, according to chefs?
MyTastr’s top pick is Hidden Valley Original Ranch (bottle or seasoning packet), chosen by Erin Clarke (Well Plated); Greg Mueller (chef, recteq); Carly Roegner (chef, Carly’s Cookbook); Jessie Sheehan (cookbook author); Katsuya Fukushima (Daikaya Group, Washington, DC). The unanimous pick of the chefs both Real Simple and The Kitchn asked. Clarke: “Hidden Valley is my pick when I want classic, nostalgic ranch flavor… It’s consistent, crowd-pleasing, and it hits that familiar savory note.” Roegner mixes the seasoning packet with real mayonnaise and milk or buttermilk to control the richness. Sheehan: “It is creamy, has a little spice from a generous amount of pepper, is herby in all best ways, and is tangy and acidic, to boot.” It also won Taste of Home’s and Allrecipes’ rankings, but placed only sixth in Food & Wine’s masked test. Source: realsimple.com ↗
What are the other top picks for ranch dressing?
No. 2 is Marzetti Classic Ranch Dressing & Dip (refrigerated), chosen by Mara Weinraub (The Kitchn); Alexa Rockwell (Food & Wine). No. 3 is Ken’s Steak House Ranch, chosen by Audrey Morgan (Food & Wine). Each card above links to the original source.
How does MyTastr choose these picks?
Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.

The tasters behind this ranking

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