Ranch Nation (Published 2018) (2024)

FAQs

Where is the real Hidden Valley Ranch? ›

The Hidden Valley^® Guest Ranch is located near Santa Barbara in California and was favored by visitors who wanted to enjoy the natural surroundings. To read more about how this Ranch dressing became so popular, click here. We are always adding fresh and delicious new recipes to our site!

Ranch was created by a plumber, Steve Henson and his wife, Gayle. In 1954, they purchased a ranch right above Santa Barbara, California and named it Hidden Valley Ranch. They opened a steakhouse there that became popular for its salad dressing.

Clorox, Hidden Valley's parent company, is dealing with a cyberattack that has affected the dressing's production. So stores for months have had trouble stocking what some people call America's favorite dressing. Other mayonnaise-based dressing brands are available, including at fast food restaurants.

If you find you've made it too tangy (maybe too much butter milk or sour cream) then add more sweetness with the Worcestershire sauce. If you find you've made it too sweet, add more salt, or spice like the paprika or mustard. You can make your perfect ranch dressing.

Meanwhile, back in Santa Barbara, the Hidden Valley Ranch is no more. Steve Henson sold the brand to the Clorox company in 1972 for $8 million; in 2017, Hidden Valley products (there are more than 50) took in over $450 million, according to industry analysts.

Since 1972 Hidden Valley Ranch has been owned by Clorox. Ranch dressing was created in 1949 by a plumber-turned-cowboy.

Manufacturing of the mix was later moved to San Jose, then Colorado, and then to Sparks, Nevada, in 1972. In October 1972, the Hidden Valley Ranch brand was bought by Clorox for $8 million, and Henson retired. Kraft Foods and General Foods introduced similar dry seasoning packets labeled as "ranch style".

This bottle's no joke. It's covered in 75 carats' worth of jewels, making it valued at $35,000. You could almost buy three brand-new Nissan Versas for that. But Hidden Valley knows you can't put a price tag on love, be it the holy matrimony kind or the condiment-you-drizzle-on-everything variety.

The ranch packet has a fresher taste, because you add your own mayo and milk. Even though all the herbs and spices in the mix are dried, they rehydrate quickly and leave you with a product that feels homemade. This version of Hidden Valley Ranch is more flavorful than the bottled version and much, much thicker.

And of course, you can always make a flavored ranch by adding in mashed roasted garlic, sriracha (or your favorite hot pepper sauce), barbecue spices, cilantro and lime, and more. And it goes without saying, that while the ranch experience at restaurants can be superior, even a mediocre ranch is still pretty fantastic.

How long does homemade ranch dressing last in the fridge? ›

Stored in a well-sealed container in the fridge (assuming you began with fresh sour cream and buttermilk) your buttermilk ranch dressing should keep for up to two weeks. Help it stay fresh by not dipping anything directly into the container that you're storing it in—for example, a half-bitten carrot.

Manufacturing of the mix was later moved to San Jose, then Colorado, and then to Sparks, Nevada, in 1972. In October 1972, the Hidden Valley Ranch brand was bought by Clorox for $8 million, and Henson retired. Kraft Foods and General Foods introduced similar dry seasoning packets labeled as "ranch style".

Originally a plumber, Steve came up with the concoction while working briefly in Anchorage as a construction worker and part-time cook for his crew. After purchasing land in Santa Barbara, CA with his wife in 1954, Steve opened up a guest ranch called Hidden Valley.

There's Cheez-It Cheezy Ranch and so many more. These twists on the original are all from Hidden Valley Ranch, the nation's biggest brand of ranch dressing. And they are part of a strategy by the brand's parent company, Clorox, to dominate the condiments aisle.

Refrigerating Ranch Dressing

Once opened, Hidden Valley Ranch should be stored in the refrigerator.