Ranch dressing is a popular salad dressing and dip that has been a staple in many American households, restaurants, and gatherings for decades. Buttermilk ranch dressing is a specific and commonly known type of ranch dressing. With the prominence of both ranch dressing and buttermilk ranch, some confusion can arise around whether regular ranch and buttermilk ranch are the same thing. While they share similarities and are under the ranch dressing umbrella, there are differences between traditional ranch and buttermilk ranch worth noting.
The Origins of Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing was born in the 1950s in Santa Barbara, California. A plumber named Steve Henson developed the dressing while working as a contractor at a dude ranch. He packaged up the seasoning blend he created for the dressing and sold it to guests at the ranch. It became popular not only at the ranch he worked at but also among other nearby dude ranches. This original “ranch” dressing was made from basic pantry ingredients like garlic, onion, herbs, and spices mixed into mayonnaise and buttermilk. It delivered the cooling quality of buttermilk along with zippy seasoning.
As Henson’s ranch dressing recipe spread beyond California, it was adapted in various ways. Food manufacturers nationwide developed their own versions of ranch dressing, often mass producing and bottling it for retail sale. The recipes branched out from the original seasoning mix combined with mayonnaise and buttermilk. Bottled, shelf-stable ranch dressings diverged into more varieties, not all of which use buttermilk as a main ingredient.
Ingredients in Traditional Ranch vs. Buttermilk Ranch
Given the origins of ranch dressing, traditional ranch dressing made from scratch is primarily mayonnaise and buttermilk. However, mass produced ranch dressings saw ingredients like buttermilk minimized or removed to cut costs and extend shelf life. Some differences between traditional homemade ranch vs. buttermilk ranch include:
- Mayonnaise – Both use mayonnaise as a base, but traditional ranch relies more heavily on real mayonnaise for creaminess and texture versus bottled dressings that may use cheaper substitutions.
- Buttermilk – Buttermilk ranch contains buttermilk for its signature tang. Traditional ranch may have little to no buttermilk in commercially produced varieties.
- Dairy – Traditional ranch gets creamy texture from mayo and buttermilk. Commercial ranch dressings can use milk or yogurt instead.
- Herbs – Both traditional and buttermilk ranch are seasoned with herbs like parsley, dill, chives. Buttermilk ranch often has added garlic.
- Spices – Traditional and buttermilk ranch dressings are both spiced with things like onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Buttermilk ranch kicks it up with more black pepper in many recipes.
- Acid – Buttermilk ranch uses the acidic tang of buttermilk. Other ranch dressings get acidity from ingredients like vinegar or lemon juice.
- Thickeners – Traditional ranch uses egg yolks for thickness. Commercial dressings use thickeners like xanthan gum, guar gum, or cellulose.
- Preservatives – Traditional ranch made fresh at home has no need for preservatives. Shelf-stable varieties contain preservatives like sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate.
As you can see, while all ranch dressings contain a similar herb and spice blend for flavor, the ingredients providing creaminess, tang, and thickness can vary widely between traditional homemade ranch dressings and mass-produced commercial varieties. Buttermilk ranch dressings are most aligned with original homemade ranch in their ingredien
Flavor Profile Differences
The ingredient distinctions between traditional and buttermilk ranch dressings directly impact the flavor experience of each. Key flavor differences include:
- Creaminess – Traditional thick, creamy ranch gets its luscious texture from egg yolks and real mayonnaise. Buttermilk ranch also provides creaminess from mayo and buttermilk. Bottled ranch dressings tend to be thinner and less creamy.
- Tanginess – Buttermilk ranch has a distinct zesty, tangy taste from buttermilk that traditional ranch dressings lack without that ingredient. Vinegar, lemon juice or other acids try to mimic it in other ranch recipes.
- Garlic flavor – Buttermilk ranch dressings emphasize garlic for extra punch. Traditional ranch dressings have mellower garlic notes.
- Herb freshness – Homemade ranch dressings taste fresher and greener from fresh herbs. Commercially bottled ranch can taste flat and stale without fresh herbs.
- Spice intensity – Buttermilk ranch packs more black pepper spice. Traditional ranch has milder spicing accented by more onion.
Buttermilk ranch embraces more bold, intense flavors from tangy buttermilk, garlic, and black pepper. Traditional ranch delivers a milder, more subtle flavor experience. Think of traditional ranch as the standard and buttermilk ranch as kicking things up a notch when it comes to flavor.
Uses for Traditional vs. Buttermilk Ranch
Both traditional ranch dressing and buttermilk ranch dressing are versatile condiments and ingredients. Their uses include:
- Salad dressing – Traditional ranch and buttermilk ranch are ideal dressings for fresh salads.
- Dip – Both can be used as dips for veggies, chips, chicken tenders, and other finger foods.
- Sandwich spread – Ranch and buttermilk ranch work great as a condiment on sandwiches.
- Marinade – Traditional ranch and buttermilk ranch add flavor as a meat or veggie marinade.
- Batter and breading – Buttermilk ranch can be used in batter and breading for extra flavor.
- Baking ingredient – Either dressing adds tasty flavor when added to recipes for baked goods like breads or muffins.
The tangy zip of buttermilk ranch makes it especially useful for dipping. Its bold flavor stands up well to strongly flavored foods like buffalo wings or zesty potato chips. Traditional ranch has a more subtle flavor that pairs well with lighter foods like green salads or turkey sandwiches.
Nutrition Comparison
Nutritionally speaking, most ranch dressings are fairly similar since they contain a lot of fat from mayonnaise or other dairy ingredients and sodium from seasoning. However, some differences emerge when comparing traditional homemade ranch, commercial bottled ranch, and buttermilk ranch:
| Nutrition Facts | Homemade Traditional Ranch | Commercial Ranch Dressing | Buttermilk Ranch Dressing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 134 per 2 Tbsp | 90 per 2 Tbsp | 140 per 2 Tbsp |
| Total Fat | 14g | 9g | 14g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg | 5mg | 10mg |
| Sodium | 233mg | 250mg | 290mg |
| Total Carbs | 2g | 1g | 3g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g | 0g | 0g |
| Sugar | 1g | 1g | 2g |
| Protein | 0g | 0g | 1g |
As you can see from the nutritional comparison, the homeade and buttermilk ranch dressings are nutritionally similar since they both contain real mayonnaise and dairy products. Commercial ranch dressing has slightly less calories and fat due to using cheaper, lower fat dairy substitutes. Buttermilk ranch provides a bit more protein. Overall, all ranch dressings pack a lot of flavor for around 100-140 calories and 9-14g of fat per average 2 tablespoon serving.
Cost Differences
Traditional homemade ranch dressing has a very low cost since it is made with common pantry staples like mayonnaise, milk, herbs and seasonings. Commercial ranch dressing costs a bit more when purchased bottled from the grocery store. A 16oz bottle averages around $3-4. Buttermilk ranch dressing also costs a bit more than traditional ranch since it uses buttermilk, which costs more than regular milk. Expect to pay around $1-2 more for a bottle of refrigerated buttermilk ranch dressing compared to standard ranch dressing.
Making Homemade Traditional Ranch vs. Buttermilk Ranch
One of the best ways to appreciate the flavor differences between traditional and buttermilk ranch dressing is to make them yourself from scratch. Here is a side by side comparison of recipe ingredients and instructions:
Traditional Homemade Ranch
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, milk, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, dill, onion powder, salt and pepper until smooth.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour for flavors to blend.
- Store leftover dressing in the fridge for up to a week.
Homemade Buttermilk Ranch
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, parsley, dill, garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes-1 hour before serving.
- Store leftover dressing in a sealed container for 5-7 days.
Making the recipes yourself allows you to truly taste the peppery tang of the buttermilk ranch versus the more mellow traditional ranch. Adjust herb and seasoning amounts to suit your tastes.
Should You Choose Traditional or Buttermilk Ranch?
When it comes to deciding between traditional versus buttermilk ranch dressing, it really comes down to personal preference. Keep the following factors in mind when deciding between the two ranch styles:
- Flavor – Do you prefer the mild onion and herb flavor of traditional ranch or the zesty, garlic-forward tang of buttermilk ranch?
- Use – Will you use the ranch for lighter foods where traditional ranch’s subtle flavor shines, or hearty foods that can stand up to buttermilk ranch’s boldness?
- Cost – Traditional ranch costs less than the buttermilk variety.
- Convenience – Bottled traditional ranch dressing can often be easier to find and store longer than refrigerated buttermilk ranch.
- Nutrition – Buttermilk ranch has slightly higher amounts of protein, carbs, cholesterol and sodium compared to regular ranch.
For those who grew up loving the nostalgic, mild onion and herb flavor of traditional bottled ranch dressing, that may still be the best choice. Ranch purists who want the creamiest, freshest flavor will prefer making their own homemade traditional or buttermilk ranch dressings.
For bold flavor to stand up to heartier foods, the tangy zip of buttermilk ranch can’t be beat. Its also easy to control ingredients and customize flavors when making it fresh at home. Overall, you can’t go wrong with either traditional or buttermilk ranch dressings!
Conclusion
While traditional ranch and buttermilk ranch dressings share the same general flavor profile of herbs, spices, and creaminess, they differ based on ingredients. Buttermilk ranch contains the tangy kick of buttermilk while traditional ranch dressings often use milk or yogurt instead. Homemade versions of both styles rely on real mayonnaise and dairy for maximum creaminess and taste. Commercially bottled ranch dressings may skimp on pricier ingredients like buttermilk.
When choosing between the two ranch varieties, consider your flavor preferences, intended use, cost, and nutritional needs. Buttermilk ranch makes an ideal dipping sauce for bold foods like buffalo wings due to its zestier flavor. Traditional ranch dresses lighter salads and sandwiches nicely with its more subtle taste. Whichever style you choose, ranch dressing remains a beloved American classic!