Uncle Dan’s creamy ranch dressing is a popular salad dressing made by Uncle Dan’s company. It has a creamy, tangy flavor that goes well with salads, chicken, and more. But what exactly is in this creamy ranch dressing? Let’s take a look at the ingredients.
The Main Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients found in Uncle Dan’s creamy ranch dressing:
- Soybean oil – This is the main oil used in the dressing. Soybean oil is neutral in flavor and commonly used in commercial dressings.
- Water – Water helps thin out the texture and make it pourable.
- Distilled vinegar – This adds tanginess and acidity to balance out the richness.
- Sugar – A bit of sugar is added to balance flavors. Sugar compliments the sourness of the vinegar.
- Salt – Salt is added for flavor. It brings out the other tastes and seasonings.
- Garlic powder – Garlic powder provides a subtle background garlicky note.
- Onion powder – Like garlic powder, onion powder adds flavor without the texture and bite of fresh onions.
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – MSG enhances the savory umami taste. It improves the overall flavor.
- Xanthan gum – This ingredient thickens and stabilizes the emulsion. It prevents separation.
These core ingredients form the backbone of the creamy ranch flavor. The oil, vinegar, seasonings, and thickeners come together to make the characteristic ranch taste.
Additional Minor Ingredients
In addition to the main ingredients listed above, Uncle Dan’s creamy ranch contains:
- Cultured nonfat milk – Gives a tangy, dairy flavor
- Lactic acid – Adds tartness
- Spice – Small amounts of other spices like black pepper, paprika, dried parsley
- Calcium disodium EDTA – Preservative
- Natural flavor – Proprietary flavors to enhance the ranch taste
- Disodium phosphate – For color stability
- Sucralose – Zero-calorie artificial sweetener
These extras enhance the main ingredients. The natural flavors, cultured milk, and lactic acid in particular provide a signature ranch tang. The preservatives and artificial sweetener enable longer shelf life. While minor, these supporting actors complement the main cast and produce optimal ranchiness!
Nutrition Information
Now that we know what’s in Uncle Dan’s creamy ranch, let’s look at its nutritional profile.
Serving Size
The standard serving size for Uncle Dan’s creamy ranch dressing is 2 Tablespoons (30 mL). This is a typical amount to dress a side salad. All the nutritional information is based on a single serving or 2 Tablespoons.
| Amount Per Serving |
|---|
| Calories 110 |
| Total Fat 11g |
| Saturated Fat 1.5g |
| Cholesterol 5mg |
| Sodium 390mg |
| Total Carbohydrate 2g |
| Protein 0g |
As you can see, a serving of Uncle Dan’s creamy ranch is high in fat, sodium, and cholesterol compared to other salad dressing options. The 11g of fat makes up 17% of the daily value, with very minimal protein or fiber.
Let’s examine the key nutrition stats:
Fat
The 11g of fat per serving mainly comes from the soybean oil. Oil-based dressings lead to high fat contents. The saturated fat is low at just 1.5g, but the overall fat is quite high for a salad dressing. Those looking to lower fat intake should use Uncle Dan’s ranch sparingly.
Sodium
At 390mg or 17% DV per serving, the sodium is also elevated in Uncle Dan’s creamy ranch. Table salt is added during processing to boost the salty flavor. The high sodium can be concerning for those limiting salt in their diets.
Carbohydrates and Protein
Uncle Dan’s Creamy ranch contains minimal amounts of carbohydrates and protein. With just 2g carbs and 0g protein, it does not provide much nutritional value beyond fat, sodium, and flavor. Dressings aren’t a significant source of carbs or protein.
Vitamins and Minerals
Salad dressings like Uncle Dan’s ranch contain almost no vitamins or minerals. There are trace amounts of calcium and iron, but not enough to provide a meaningful level of these nutrients. Dressings mainly add flavor, not vitamins and minerals.
Dietary Considerations
Here are some key dietary considerations when consuming Uncle Dan’s creamy ranch dressing:
Vegetarian
Uncle Dan’s ranch is vegetarian but NOT vegan. It contains milk and cheese-based ingredients like cultured nonfat milk. These dairy components make the dressing unsuitable for vegans. Lacto-ovo vegetarians who consume dairy can eat Uncle Dan’s ranch.
Gluten-Free
Uncle Dan’s Creamy ranch dressing is gluten-free. It does not contain wheat, barley, rye or other gluten sources. The creamy ranch can be enjoyed by those following a gluten-free diet.
Kosher
Some varieties of Uncle Dan’s ranch are certified Kosher dairy. Kosher consumers should look for the OU kosher symbol to verify kosher status. Not all flavors may be kosher certified.
Low Sodium
With 390mg of sodium per serving, Uncle Dan’s ranch is not a good choice for low sodium diets. There are many lower sodium salad dressing options on the market. Or make your own low sodium ranch at home.
Low Carb and Keto
The 2g of carbs per serving fits into low carb, keto and other low sugar eating plans. Uncle Dan’s Ranch can be used in moderation to add flavor without excess carbs.
Common Uses
Uncle Dan’s Creamy ranch is a versatile dressing used in many ways:
- Salads – Drizzle over lettuce salads, chicken salads, potato salad, etc.
- Vegetables – Use as a dip for raw broccoli, carrots, celery sticks and other veggies.
- Pizza crust and sandwiches – In place of pizza sauce or condiment on sandwiches.
- Chicken – Toss with breaded chicken tenders, nuggets or wings.
- Burgers and fries – Top beef patties and dip French fries.
- Wraps – Add flavor and moisture to chicken or veggie wraps.
- Potatoes – Dollop on top of baked potatoes.
- Snacking – Scoop or dip with crackers, pretzels, tortilla chips.
Uncle Dan’s creamy ranch is endlessly versatile, making it a fridge staple for many households. The creamy, tangy flavor profile enhances a wide variety of recipes.
Storage
Like any salad dressing, Uncle Dan’s creamy ranch requires proper storage for safety and maximum shelf life:
- Refrigerate after opening – Keep bottled ranch refrigerated at all times.
- Use within 2 months – For best quality and taste, use within 2 months of opening.
- Store upside down – This keeps the lid submerged to avoid air exposure and separation.
- No refreezing – Do not freeze dressing after it has been thawed.
- Recap tightly – Seal the bottle tightly after each use.
- Check for spoilage – Discard if mold develops, has off odors or changed consistency.
Following these tips prevents premature spoilage and food safety issues. Ranch dressing can harbor microbes so refrigeration is a must. With proper storage, you can keep Uncle Dan’s creamy ranch fresh for months.
How to Make Homemade
While convenient, store-bought ranch costs more and may have preservatives and thickeners like xanthan gum. Consider making homemade ranch dressing for a healthier, fresher option.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp dill
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Combine mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice in a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.
- Add remaining herbs, spices, and seasoning. Mix well until fully incorporated.
- Taste and adjust herbs, salt and pepper as desired for flavor.
- Place in sealed container and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Store homemade ranch in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Making your own allows control over ingredients for a fresher, preservative-free ranch. Experiment with Greek yogurt or different fresh herbs to customize the flavor.
Conclusion
Uncle Dan’s creamy ranch dressing contains a mix of oils, dairy products, vinegar, spices and thickeners that come together to create its signature zesty flavor. It’s high in fat and sodium but can complement many recipes in moderation. Follow proper storage methods after opening, and consider making a homemade version to avoid preservatives. Whip up a batch for a classic creamy ranch without the additives.