Ranch Flavor Innovation: New Trends & Creative Applications

From Classic Condiment into a Canvas for Creativity

What’s more American than baseball and apple pie? There is probably nothing higher on that list than Ranch. Creamy, tangy, and with a touch of garlic and herbs, this condiment has come a long way from the humble steakhouse in California where it was created over half a century ago. Thanks to Ranch flavor innovation, it continues to delight taste buds across the nation. And yes, it did come from an actual ranch.

Since its introduction in the 1950s, its popularity has only continued to grow. By 1992, it had overcome “Italian” as the best-selling salad dressing in America. As of 2017, a study by the Association of Dressings and Sauces found that 40% of Americans considered Ranch their favorite dressing.

“With its mouthwatering combination of buttermilk and mayonnaise, herbs (usually chives, parsley, dill), garlic, onion and black pepper, it’s easy to see why Ranch has become a multigenerational favorite,” says Anne Druschitz, Associate Principal Scientist – NA Applications & Corporate Research Chef at Edlong.

She continues, “Its popularity lies in the fact that it is simple yet so delicious and can be dressed up or kept basic depending on when/where you are using it and, of course, your personal preference.”

Angie Lantman, Manager – NA Applications at Edlong, adds, “One of the main reasons Ranch flavor is so popular is its versatility. While originally created as salad dressing, it’s not just used for adding flavor to vegetables; it pairs so well with many other foods, making it the perfect dip or seasoning for many different foods.”

It’s this versatility that keeps consumers and developers experimenting with new combinations, furthering the ongoing Ranch flavor innovation. It’s also what could lead to the rest of the world learning to love Ranch as much as North Americans do.

Ranch: From Classic Condiment to Canvas for Flavor Creativity

Pizza, chicken wings, and even pickles are elevated by the seemingly simple yet somehow complex taste of Ranch.

This ability to pair so well with and complement other flavors is part of what makes it such a classic condiment, but it’s also what makes it the perfect canvas for culinary creativity.

spicy ranch recipe - flavor innovation — Picture from Chipotle Ranch Dressing Recipe – Whiskaffair

According to Lantman, “Ranch has a distinct yet well-balanced profile. This blend of herbs and spices paired with the tangy and creamy notes of buttermilk easily lends itself to a wide variety of options to “spice” it up.”

Thanks to Ranch flavor innovation, new variations continue to emerge. Adding heat to Ranch by mixing in hot sauces or peppers is one popular way to bring some kick to the smooth creaminess. Another is to simply rebalance the blend of herbs and spices. Adding a touch more garlic, dill, or pepper could make enough of an impact that you could even extend the product line with a “new ranch profile”.

Increase the tanginess with the viral pickle ranch flavor combo, boost the savoriness and umami with Bacon, Cheddar, or Parmesan, or give it some extra flair by adding some smokiness.

As Lantman puts it, “Ultimately, the options are endless.”

These options also extend well beyond the traditional dressing and dip category.

Druschitz stresses, “People who love Ranch often really love Ranch. Which is why it’s rapidly gaining popularity in categories outside of the dressing and dip space.”

“It keeps popping up in areas like snack seasonings, batters and breadings for frozen appetizers, and side dishes like mashed potatoes, mac and cheese or rice. I’ve even seen

Ranch ice cream, though I think that was more for publicity.”

While Ranch ice cream might be more of a “limited-time offer” than a supermarket staple, it seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Ranch flavor innovation continues to drive new product development across multiple categories, creating an excellent opportunity for food manufacturers and developers to expand beyond the borders of North America.

Ranch Flavor: New Opportunities New Markets

Thanks to social media, local trends can go global overnight.

With Ranch flavor innovation being at the center of many of these, curiosity abroad is creating a golden opportunity for the rest of the world to fall in love with Ranch.

There is also the fact that North American food chains continue to spread globally, giving international markets opportunities to experience Ranch for themselves.

As we know, once someone tries it, they’ll probably want to buy it.

Still, the most significant opportunity for Ranch flavor innovation around the world is to continue with the bold and creative experimentation we are seeing domestically.

By combining the smooth creaminess of Ranch with local sauces, seasonings, and spices, you could create something that is simultaneously novel and nostalgic.

Druschitz goes further, adding, “One of the great things about Ranch is that it pairs incredibly well with so many other components. Buffalo Ranch or Chipotle Ranch may have been popular in the past, but now it’s about internationally-inspired flavors like a Gochujang Ranch or Chili Crisp Ranch. Combining ranch with seasoning blends like Japanese furikake, Middle Eastern Za’atar, or Tunisian Harissa can add a global flair.”

Yet the opportunities aren’t only in international markets. The fact is, the potential for Ranch profiles in plant-based foods remains strong.

“Although traditional Ranch uses buttermilk or dairy components, it is a flavor and seasoning profile that lends itself well to the plant-based and vegan space,” says Lantman

She explains how this allows plant-based consumers to feel the nostalgia and comfort wrapped up in the Ranch taste experience while still meeting their dietary requirements.

Edlong has a wide variety of buttermilk, cream, and milk flavors that are dairy-free and can build back the dairy flavor that plant-based dressings often lack. We also offer cutting-edge masking tools to help cover up any of the common off-notes that can hold plant-based products back from achieving the best possible taste experience.

So whether you’re looking to get creative or keep it classic, if your application is plant-based or traditional dairy, Edlong has tailored solutions to help you take the creamy and tangy flavor of Ranch to the next level.