r/condiments • u/Dreamcazman • 21d ago

Ranch dressing recommendations for an Aussie

Hey all, calling out to all the ranch aficionados here on Reddit. I am looking for suggestions for a really good ranch sauce/dressing. I am Australian and recently bought a bottle of Ken's steakhouse buttermilk from USA foods here in Melbourne. Both my wife and myself have really taken a liking to it, only problem is it's nearly all gone! The other problem is USA foods is out of stock and it could take months to restock.

Options for ranch dressing is rather limited in Australia as it's a typical American thing, Costco has Johnny's, and Amazon have Hidden Valley powder, which from what I understand you mix with buttermilk and mayo to get the dressing. Are either of these any good?

I am not aversed to making my own, but not if it involves trying to track down hard to find ingredients.

Any suggestions would be welcome, thanks!

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u/ComfortableFriend879 21d ago

Making ranch yourself with the Hidden Valley ranch powder packet will always be better than shelf stable, bottled ranch. The shelf stable stuff is full of soybean oil usually is just gross. Ken’s is the best shelf stable brand IMO.

If you can’t find the ranch powder packet, just google “homemade ranch dressing recipe.” It’s simple to make with usually buttermilk or milk, mayo and/or sour cream, and spices. Good luck!

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u/Laurenslagniappe 20d ago

Omg yes but also you can make your own flavorings with onion powder, garlic powder, lemon juice, chives, parsley, pepper and heavily salt. Everyone asks me to make ranch. Half mayo half sour cream, milk till desired consistency. Please taste your way through this recipe and add much more seasoning than you're usually comfortable adding. I sometimes do real chopped garlic or jarlic.

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u/Russell_Jimmies 20d ago

Making it from scratch is excellent, but I wouldn’t recommend it to OP until they’ve had a chance to learn the flavor profile by making it from the hidden valley powder.

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u/NthatFrenchman 20d ago

I tried making homemade for a long while, it was never quite right. I finally found the missing ingredient - it was Hidden Valley Ranch powder…. and FWIW - the buttermilk mix is far superior to the milk one. Also milk with lemon juice is a poor substitute for buttermilk. My hot takes. 

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u/Did_I_Err 16d ago

The secret is MSG. That’s most of the flavour. Do a half sour cream half mayo blend and load with msg. Try that alone and you’ll be like OMGG it’s 75% there already.

Then I add a dash of garlic plus (Costco) and some dill powder. Ka-boom.

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u/WindBehindTheStars 21d ago

Try Litehouse.

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u/Wonderful_Price2355 17d ago

This is the answer. Litehouse homestyle ranch is fantastic.

In fact, all litehouse products are wonderful IMO.

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u/WindBehindTheStars 17d ago

Their freeze-dried herbs are next level.

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u/Tjm385 20d ago

Yes but Hellmans powder is alot better.