Ranch Dressing: The American Staple Born on a California Dude Ranch
Ranch dressing has solidified its status as the best-selling salad dressing in the United States, surpassing Italian dressing by the late 20th century. Originally created by Steve Henson, a plumbing contractor turned ranch owner, the condiment began as a buttermilk and herb mixture served to guests at his Hidden Valley dude ranch in California during the 1950s. Its immense popularity led Henson to sell it as a dry mix before The Clorox Company acquired the brand and introduced a shelf-stable bottled version. Today, ranch is a ubiquitous element of American food culture, used not only on salads but also as a dip for various foods, including pizza and wings. Despite some cultural criticism labeling it as trashy, it remains a beloved staple that evokes nostalgia. Major food corporations like Kraft and Ken’s have since entered the market, yet Hidden Valley remains central to the narrative. This article explores the entrepreneurial history behind ranch dressing, tracing its journey from a small ranch experiment to a multimillion-dollar industry that defines modern American culinary habits.
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Ranch Dressing: The American Staple Born on a California Dude Ranch
Ranch dressing has solidified its status as the best-selling salad dressing in the United States, surpassing Italian dressing by the late 20th century. Originally created by Steve Henson, a plumbing contractor turned ranch owner, the condiment began as a buttermilk and herb mixture served to guests at his Hidden Valley dude ranch in California during the 1950s. Its immense popularity led Henson to sell it as a dry mix before The Clorox Company acquired the brand and introduced a shelf-stable bottled version. Today, ranch is a ubiquitous element of American food culture, used not only on salads but also as a dip for various foods, including pizza and wings. Despite some cultural criticism labeling it as trashy, it remains a beloved staple that evokes nostalgia. Major food corporations like Kraft and Ken’s have since entered the market, yet Hidden Valley remains central to the narrative. This article explores the entrepreneurial history behind ranch dressing, tracing its journey from a small ranch experiment to a multimillion-dollar industry that defines modern American culinary habits.
AP News