NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) — Ranch is the best-selling salad dressing in America, claiming its crown from Italian dressing near the end of the 20th century.
Still enhancing iceberg and romaine salads, ranch has expanded its influence to the realm of condiments, competing alongside ketchup and mustard. This creamy dressing has found its way into various dishes, delighting taste buds as a dip for everything from hot wings and fried pickles to, somewhat controversially, pizza.
The dressing serves as a versatile staple in American cuisine, easily found in grocery stores, featured in recipes, and served on various menus across the nation. There are even dedicated cookbooks and restaurants celebrating ranch's rich flavor.
Beloved by many, yet criticized by some, ranch dressing is often referred to as the Great American Condiment. It carries a sense of nostalgia for many, a sentiment echoed by Nick Higgins, an executive at Hidden Valley Ranch's parent company, who emphasizes that ranch's popularity taps into deep-rooted emotions regarding American tastes.
The evolution of ranch dressing into an American household staple is both fascinating and embodies the entrepreneurial spirit intrinsic to the country. What started out almost as a lark became a multimillion-dollar industry, Henson recalled. As a plumbing contractor in Alaska, he first served ranch to workers, and it became a hit among guests at his Hidden Valley dude ranch in California.
Following the ranch's success, it was marketed as a DIY dry mix before being bottled by Clorox, leading to a rapid influx of competitors like Kraft Foods and Ken's entering the market. This dynamic growth exemplifies how ranch has transitioned to a key player in American food culture.
As outlined by food scholar Paul Freedman in his book American Cuisine and How It Got This Way, ranch dressing has earned its rightful place among various food fads from the 1980s, likely remaining a fixture in American cuisine for years to come.
