Pickle ranch is certainly a thing! It’s a creamy, tangy dressing that combines the flavors of pickles and ranch. While it may sound unusual to some, pickle ranch has developed a cult following, especially in certain regions of the United States.
What is pickle ranch?
As the name suggests, pickle ranch dressing brings together the taste of pickles and ranch dressing. It’s made by mixing ranch dressing with chopped pickle chips or pickle juice. This gives the ranch a fun new tangy, sour flavor that pairs well with classic ranch herbs like dill. The chunks of pickle also provide a fun crunch.
Pickle ranch is similar to other creamy and tangy salad dressings like green goddess or ranch with bacon. However, the briny pickle flavor makes it unique. The ideal pickle ranch has a cool, creamy base punctuated by zesty hits of acidity and garlic. It’s thick and spoonable, allowing it to cling to vegetables, chips, and other finger foods.
Where did pickle ranch originate?
There are a few theories about where pickle ranch was first created. However, many people trace it back to the Midwestern United States. Specifically, the dressing seems to have originated sometime in the 1990s to early 2000s in the Midwest. During this time, Hidden Valley was experimenting with different ranch flavors and started offering pickle ranch seasoning packets.
However, homemade pickle ranch dressing was likely created even earlier, with people mixing leftover pickle juice and dressing together. The tangy zip of pickle juice pairs perfectly with the cool, creamy base of ranch. It’s no surprise Midwest ranch lovers started deliberately combining the two for a new twist.
Popularity in the Midwest
These days, pickle ranch has reached cult status in certain pockets of the Midwest. It’s especially popular in places like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. Midwesterners drizzle it on everything from salads to pizza and claim it’s far superior to regular ranch.
Hidden Valley and other brands havecapitalize don the Midwestern obsession with pickle ranch. It’s easy to find pickle ranch packets, jarred dressing, and even snacks like pickle ranch sunflower seeds in the Midwest. The dressing is also a staple at restaurants and potlucks in the region.
Southern California fame
Outside of the Midwest, pickle ranch seems to have developed another hot spot in Southern California. The dressing has caught on around Los Angeles, where some restaurants offer it as a signature dipping sauce. Pickle ranch has a reputation in SoCal as a fresh, gourmet alternative to regular ranch.
Food bloggers have helped drive this popularity, touting pickle ranch as a cool new flavor. Some theorize that Southern Californians got turned on to the tangy dressing from Midwestern transplants bringing their favorite flavor out West.
How is pickle ranch dressing made?
Making your own pickle ranch dressing at home is easy. There are a few basic methods:
With a ranch packet
Buy a packet of ranch seasoning, like Hidden Valley. Mix the seasoning with mayonnaise, sour cream, or buttermilk to create a basic ranch dressing. Then stir in chopped pickle chips, pickle relish, pickle juice, or a combination to taste.
With bottled ranch
For shortcut pickle ranch, you can just mix bottled ranch dressing with chopped pickles or pickle juice. About 1/4 to 1/2 cup of pickle juice per cup of ranch creates a nice flavor. Stir to combine.
Homemade dressing
To make homemade pickle ranch dressing from scratch, whisk together mayo, sour cream, milk, lemon juice, garlic, dried dill, salt, and pepper. Then fold in chopped pickles or pickle juice. Let chill for 30 minutes so flavors meld before serving.
What does pickle ranch taste like?
The taste of pickle ranch dressing can vary based on specific ingredients and ratios, but in general it boasts these flavors:
- Creamy and rich from ingredients like mayonnaise, sour cream, or buttermilk
- Cool and tangy from added pickle juice
- Savory and herbaceous from seasonings like dill, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper
- Crunchy from chopped pickle chips
Overall, pickle ranch has a thick, spoonable texture and a tangy zip. The pickle flavor gives it a touch of acidity to balance the creaminess. It also adds plenty of sodium, providing a bold, crave-able flavor.
How is pickle ranch dressing used?
Pickle ranch can be used as dip, topping, or dressing in many of the same ways regular ranch is used. Here are some popular ways to use pickle ranch:
On salads
Drizzle pickle ranch over leafy greens, chopped veggies, potato salad, pasta salad, and more. The acidic dressing pairs well with rich proteins like eggs, bacon, and cheese.
As a veggie dip
Use pickle ranch as a dip for raw vegetables like carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, and cucumbers. The dressing also pairs well with fried pickles or pickle chips.
On sandwiches
Slather pickle ranch on sandwiches like burgers, pulled pork, turkey, and grilled cheese. The creamy dressing cuts through fat and brings a punch of flavor.
With fried foods
Dunk french fries, chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, and other fried snacks in pickle ranch. The cooling dressing perfectly complements hot, crispy foods.
On pizza
Drizzle or dip pizza slices in pickle ranch instead of regular pizza sauce or garlic butter. It’s an absolute favorite in the Midwest!
Pickle ranch nutrition
The nutrition of pickle ranch dressing depends on the specific recipe, but it typically contains:
| Nutrient | Per 2 Tbsp serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110-150 |
| Fat | 11-14g |
| Carbs | 1-3g |
| Protein | 0-1g |
| Sodium | 400-800mg |
As you can see, pickle ranch is high in fat and sodium compared to vinaigrettes or lighter dressings. The creamy, salty dressing should be enjoyed in moderation.
Does pickle ranch have to be refrigerated?
Yes, you should keep pickle ranch dressing refrigerated to maintain safety and quality. The mayonnaise or dairy base in pickle ranch can go bad at room temperature. Refrigeration keeps the dressing fresh and prevents spoilage.
For best quality, use refrigerated pickle ranch within 3-4 weeks of opening. It will last 2-3 months unopened in the fridge. Homemade dressing may have a shorter shelf life of just 1-2 weeks.
Where can you buy pickle ranch?
Here are some places to buy pickle ranch dressing:
- Grocery stores: Check the salad dressing aisle, especially in the Midwest
- Online: Order from Walmart, Amazon, or specialty food sites
- Restaurants: Request it as a dipping sauce, especially in the Midwest or California
- Specialty shops: Buy locally made pickle ranch from delis and farms shops in the Midwest
Major brands like Hidden Valley also sell pickle ranch seasoning packets near other ranch mixes in the grocery store. This allows you to whip up the tangy dressing at home.
If you can’t find premade pickle ranch, make your own by combining bottled ranch with chopped pickles or juice. Addpickle relish for extra flavor.
Pickled ranch copycat recipes
Want to recreate your favorite restaurant pickle ranch at home? Here are some top copycat recipes to try:
Chick-fil-A pickle ranch
Chick-fil-A’s signature dipping sauce has a mild pickle flavor. Copy it by combining 1 cup ranch dressing with 2 tablespoons each pickle juice and finely minced dill pickles.
McDonald’s tangent ranch
Mickey D’s Tangy Pickle Ranch pairs dill pickle ranch with a hit of buttermilk. Make it with ranch powder, mayo, sour cream, milk, pickle juice, diced pickles, onion powder, garlic powder, dill, and parsley.
Raising Cane’s pickle ranch
For the popular chicken finger chain’s dressing, whisk together mayo, buttermilk, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley, lemon juice, pickle juice, and diced pickles.
Can you make pickle ranch with regular pickles?
Absolutely! While “pickle ranch” implies dill pickles, you can use all kinds of pickled vegetables.
Bread and butter pickles, jalapeño pickle chips, pickled red onions, pickled carrots, giardiniera, and other pickled veggies can all flavor ranch creatively. Use roughly 1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped pickles or juice per 1 cup of ranch dressing as a guide.
Conclusion
Pickle ranch dressing combines the creamy, herby flavor of ranch with the zing of briny pickles. While it may seem unconventional, this tangy dressing has amassed hardcore fans, especially in the Midwest and California. Using store-bought ranch and pickles, it’s easy to whip up this cult favorite at home. Drizzle pickle ranch on salads, dip fried foods in it, or use it creatively as a sandwich spread or pizza sauce.