Not Hidden Valley: Consumer Reports' Highest-Rated Ranch Dressing Might Surprise You

For many people, the word "ranch" is synonymous with Hidden Valley. It's the go-to brand that never lets you down when a tasty dipping sauce is needed for a quality frozen pizza. But what kind of world would it be without some folks harboring different opinions about which brand is best? For example, when Consumer Reports ranked ranch dressings, Hidden Valley didn't even make the top five. Any ranch-curious people out there looking to switch things up a bit might be interested to know that CR declared Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing & Marinade made with avocado oil the best that money can buy.

The highest-rated ranch, according to CR's expert taste testers, is a dairy-free concoction that will surprise some folks with how different it is in terms of flavor and texture. It exhibits a thinner composition than people often associate with the classic dressing — more akin to a vinaigrette. The almost heavy creaminess Hidden Valley flaunts didn't impress CR's testers, who ranked it seventh overall.

Nutritionally, the two are fairly similar, although Primal Kitchen Ranch has slightly less sodium. Yet the primary appeal of it for Consumer Reports was the distinct profile that highlights an acidic tang, with dill and black pepper taking a backseat to lemon and onion flavors. That earned the condiment a four-out-of-five sensory score from Consumer Reports — enough to edge out Hidden Valley, which only scored three points in that category. Of course, CR's opinion is just one of many, and not everyone is on the same page as the consumer advocacy organization.

If you're that person who puts ranch on all salads, and even pasta, Primal Kitchen's rendition might be worth giving a shot. Some say it is especially complementary for hearty foods like pizza and chicken tenders, lifting them with the lighter, herbaceous-forward notes. Of course, not everyone feels that way. Consumer Reports is a terrific way to gain some insight into a product you haven't tried, but taking the word of its testers as an infallible testament to what constitutes the best ranch dressing would be misguided.

Some folks aren't as high on Primal Kitchen. Not long ago, a tester for Allrecipes dubbed Hidden Valley the ultimate ranch dressing. They thought Primal Kitchen's product tasted like whisky, oddly enough, and not in that carefree sipping spirits on a sunny afternoon kind of way. The acidic nature of the dressing was completely off-putting to that tester, who ranked Primal Kitchen dead last out of 16 ranch brands.

So, mixed reaction on flavor, but what about the price? If you're on a budget, Hidden Valley will get you more ranch-bang for your buck. Primal Kitchen's dressing is three times more expensive per serving. That could be due to higher-quality ingredients being used in the recipe. Unlike Hidden Valley, it doesn't contain sugar or seed oils (though the jury is still out on whether people should avoid seed oils), favoring cage-free egg yolks and healthy avocado fat to create a keto-friendly product. If you're flush with cash and want to try something new, Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing may be worth the splurge — just know it won't taste anything like your staple Hidden Valley.