How Hidden Valley Ranch Became America's Favorite Condiment

Weird History Food would like to know if you want some Ranch with that. The flavor of ranch seems as though it's been around forever. But, it had to come from somewhere. That somewhere was a self-described cowboy from Nebraska who came west in the hope of making his fortune. Steve Henson invented what is known today as ranch dressing when he was looking for a way to keep a bunch of hungry construction workers happy.
#ranchdressing #hiddenvalleyranch #weirdhistoryfood

[@AnalogWinter]

I don't have much to say about ranch dressing, but I just have to say that this man is in the top 5% of narrators on KZbin. Always keeps me coming back to this channel and Weird History. The editing is also always on point.

[@-Spence]

Agreed!

[@RealBigBadJohn]

As long as he doesn't have to pronounce "Chattanooga," he's excellent! ☑⬆

[@christophejergales7852]

I like the girl more.

[@jimbucket2996]

I think it could be narrowed down to a select few in a league with this guy.

[@spencerdokes6056]

Everyone says they hear Stephen colbert. I always hear James woods in the narrator. Someone please back me up

[@DCYote1]

I introduced my friend from The Netherlands to Ranch dressing when she visited the US. Apparently they have it over there, but it's called "American sauce" or "American flavor" but she liked the version over here better.

[@LythaWausW]

American sauce, if you find such a thing in Europe, is more likely to be a thousand island type dressing.

[@MegaCatGirl13]

We don't have the sauce, but Cool Ranch Doritos are named Cool American here. "American sauce" is usually a fry sauce with herbs based on the sauce McDonalds sells, even though they only sell it in the Netherlands lol

[@tretbootpilot]

The Netherlands has a condiment with a fairly similar story: Joppiesaus. Originally developed in a small takeaway it has spread internationally over the course of the last few years

[@noahb582]

I grew up driving past Hidden Valley Road in Santa Barbara and always wondered if there was a connection there. We’d go to Cold Spring Tavern for tri tip on Sundays too! What a neat local history lesson

[@marilynalvarez9951]

Yes, best onion rings I've ever had too.

[@markadams7046]

I remember bike riding in the mountains in neighboring Ventura County and seeing a street with a sign that said Hidden Valley Road. Maybe the road crossed county lines.

[@joels5150]

I miss going for Tri-tip on Sundays since I moved away 😢.

[@chloesmithwalker7565]

When I first moved to Arizona, folks would put ranch on pizza. I thought this was insane until I tried. Its good, especially the buttermilk ranch.

[@jscott6]

Ranch on pizza is absolutely disgusting... until you try it. Then it's amazing.

[@Lupine.]

Try Ranch in Chili. (Chili con carne). T-rust me...

[@upsidedownpenny]

where did you live beforehand that didn't do that?

[@chrismayer3919]

You could put ranch sauce on TRUCK TIRES and it’d taste good! 😌

[@tonyfourpaws4511]

you should visit Pittsburgh. ranch is their state bird. or is it French fries?

[@lp-xl9ld]

I had no idea ranch dressing was such a recent invention.

[@CalcProgrammer1]

Same, I was born in 89 and so growing up ranch dressing was just a thing that always existed alongside other condiments. I had no idea I grew up just as it started being that way.

[@Andrea-rw9tf]

I have a 7 year old nephew that can tell you the difference in the ranches. He doesn’t like the oil based ones, he likes the dairy based ones.

[@btetschner]

A+ video! Had no idea Hidden valley ranch has such a fascinating history!

[@chrismayer3919]

Have you ever seen fish on a ranch? Why not; they have ranch on fish! 🐟

[@stanford-nf4jk]

One day my grocery store had their brand of Ranch dressing for like $1.50 cheaper and I ended up liking it better. However, for dipping chips, mixing the powder flavoring into sour cream is even better. The bottled variety is better for salads and veggie dipping.

[@THE-X-Force]

"Food lubricant" was perfect. Caught me off guard lol.

[@theoriginaledi]

This has been an intriguing topic to me for many years. When I was growing up in the '60s and '70s, my grandmother used to make HVR dressing from the original powder mix (which, I don't care what anyone says, is NOT the same today!) and buttermilk. For most of my life until I was fully an adult, I never really heard much about it, though both the powder and the liquid form became available in stores at some point. Then starting in the early '90s, suddenly it was EVERYWHERE, and today it's just about as ubiquitous as salt and black pepper. Such an odd and unexpected rise in popularity.

[@rogerwilcojr]

Nearly everything that was good and tasty in the 60's & 70's has had the recipe changed to make them cheaper and less healthy. Younger people that have never tasted the originals just don't know what they are missing.

[@ehrenloudermilk1053]

It's not the '60s anymore. We just call it pepper these days.

[@sam-sn5pu]

Legalize Ranch!

[@Maxaldojo]

And, we used to make fun of my in-laws for putting Ranch Dressing on EVERYTHING! Little did we know, they were trendsetters!!!

[@blacklabel3980]

My wife made home made ranch (from scratch) for my bday. Best bday gift ever

[@NASCARFAN93100]

The OG Narrator nailed it with this one

[@swampfox984]

When I was flying to Europe I stopped into a little store in the Amsterdam Airport. They had "Cool American" flavored Doritos. Cracked me up.

[@Tactical_Hotdog]

Cool original in the UK, we don't put ranch on everything, because it's disgusting.

[@pronounshismajesty3542]

@@Tactical_Hotdogand it’s not halal. Your little island is now a Muslim emirate

[@Tactical_Hotdog]

@@pronounshismajesty3542 I couldn't care less.

[@pronounshismajesty3542]

@@Tactical_Hotdog I know. None of you do. That’s why Europe is falling. The true Europeans left and came to the Americas

[@Tactical_Hotdog]

@@pronounshismajesty3542 No, I'm just not a xenophobic cunt, like you.

[@kmstins]

Hahahaha! I don't know why but, I can't stop laughing about "Cool Clorox flavor Doritos". Thanks very much WHF for the morning humor! 😄😆🤣👍👏

[@monkeygraborange]

Mmmm... bleachy!

[@SkylerDraike]

Guaranteed to clean you out!

[@matthewsermons7247]

My takeaway: Hidden Valley is a Clorox product.

[@FloralAndFire]

I make it at home as close to the original recipe as possible. WORTH IT.

[@Kaiju_Queen94]

Every time we have BBQ chicken, I have to have some Hidden Valley Ranch on the side to dip it in. Especially if the chicken is covered in Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce 😋🤤

[@willdonnelly2074]

I spent a summer in Amsterdam a few years back, and there, they label "Cool Ranch" Doritos as "Cool American" Doritos. Maybe Ranch doesn't mean there what it means here? Not sure, but I love them either way!

[@JohnClark-tt2bl]

They usually just call it American flavor in Europe. I find it kind of funny, makes it sound like it's human flavored.😅

[@MegaCatGirl13]

Ranch dressing is not a thing outside the US! "Ranch" flavored chips would just make people think of barns.

[@romanfilmmaker1]

Ranch is delish. I make my own at home and it’s beyond legit

[@BeyondDaX]

Neat I guess

[@romanfilmmaker1]

@@BeyondDaX made it last night. 3 equal parts mayo buttermilk sour cream with dill parsley chives and seasoning. Amazing!!!!!

[@moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115]

I love this narrator! Whoever he is, he deserves a huge rise! Every Weird History and Weird History Food video makes me actually laugh out loud and I learn something new every time. 😂🥰 Especially that recipes can't be copyrighted. 🤯

[@bobbyomari5500]

I think it’s Jordan Klepper for some reason lol

[@Lil-Britches]

I worked with this guy "i love ranch but i hate mayonnaise" 😂 me:well lemme tell you how its made real quick. 🎉

[@angiehayes6738]

I'm from Wisconsin and here we use ranch on deep fried cheese curds yum! Love your channel!

[@blackamerican40]

I know somewhere out there in the spirit world, Sally Kellerman is loving this video. 🙏

[@SinisterMD]

Fascinating history to a condiment I've loved since I was a kid. Please keep these coming.

[@dido2341]

I love the Timmy's Takeout cameo

[@BeyondDaX]

Who?

[@Laz3rCat95]

@@BeyondDaX The guy trying the ranch flavored ice cream

[@AshleyxVlogs]

I love the Ken’s Steakhouse Buttermilk ranch, that one is the best. Maybe it’s because I’m from Texas, but we always have ranch in the fridge at my house. 😊

[@sugarplum5824]

Ken's is absolutely the BEST Ranch dressing! It's a staple ingredient in my fridge 😋

[@HayTatsuko]

Biggest surprise for me here was learning who owns the Hidden Valley brand! I looked into their current portfolio and found they also own Brita, KC Masterpiece, and Soy Vay. Pretty good for a company whose reputation was built on bleach.

[@markadams7046]

Pringles Potato chips was originally made by Proctor & Gamble, a company known for soap and other cleaning products.

[@bangdollarsign]

​@@markadams7046 Pringles are crisps

[@markadams7046]

@@bangdollarsign In America they are called potato chips and not crisps, calling them crisps is a British thing.

[@markadams7046]

@@bangdollarsign Learn something about the differences in American English and British English.

[@englishatheart]

​​@@markadams7046 😂 Oh my goodness, this needs to go up on Confidently Incorrect. Pringles are by definition "crisps." Why? Because "potato chips" have to be made with sliced potatoes. Pringles are made with a potato mulch, if you will, not sliced potatoes. Pringles themselves call their product "crisps." It has nothing to to with British and American English. Yes, they were originally labeled as "chips," but they changed that since they aren't actual chips.

[@mikelundquist4596]

My daughter will only buy Hidden Valley. At one holiday get-together she called her brother and asked that he pick some up on the way over. He showed up with a bargain brand. I feared for the poor boys safety. She ripped him a new one.

[@KayReeseKay]

Poor guy😂😂

[@tmn5647382910]

Do the history of fry sauce pls !!

[@rileyfuckingrifle]

Excellent video. A history lesson I had no idea I needed.

[@markadams7046]

Tortilla chips are still my favorite thing to dip in ranch dressing.

[@btetschner]

Awesome Eric Andre clip in the beginning! I often think of his Bird up! movement lol.

[@wesleyrussell8386]

hey I saw Jacob (carpetbagger) in there! Love the little cameos you guys put in all these videos. I think I saw beardmeatsfood in another vid of yours recently too

[@lucywright6018]

this channel really fills the whole unwrapped left in my heart

[@dgrn101]

🤣🤣🤣 thank you for that. I will never use the term condiments ever again. They will definitely be called food lubricants

[@alext8828]

Did I just hear him say "Food Lubricant"??? Who writes this stuff? It's gold.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

So, the modern ranch was not the original recipe made by Steven.

[@websoldier4576]

You have to go to the Cold Spring Tavern to get the original.

[@packertai1]

Love Ranch! ❤Always my top pick to have with everything! Yum! 🤤

[@muppetsretrofan8873]

This was a fantastic video, Weird History! I love ranch [ironic as I DESPISE mayo], and I had no clue it had such an interesting story. Ranch ice cream on the other hand, is 🤢. I'm surprised it was Domino's Pizza that introduced the buffalo wings and ranch concept, but they've always been creative. Also Cool Ranch Doritos are the GOAT. If you ever do a video on the history of Domino's Pizza please talk about the post-Noid mascots as well [Donny and Dottie Domino, Bad Andy, Flying Buffalo], because they are just as interesting as the Noid [Ollie vs Domino's Pizza case over Donny Domino, and sales dropped during Bad Andy period]. Jack In The Box also has an interesting history, due to inventing several concepts [although they didn't invent the drive thru as they claim to, In N Out did it first], and their 1970s animated characters [including Jack himself] were voiced by none other then Paul Winchell, who is known as the voice of Tigger from Winnie The Pooh. There's some compilations of vintage JITB ads on YT for reference. I'd also love to see a video on Frito-Lay's history [from the original Frito Kid mascot, to Pepsi buying it out, to inventing all sorts of flavors].

[@chyenneteichman4307]

dreamy memey ranch dressin’ thanks for another great video haha

[@nslouka90]

I do like ranch on occasion but I’d prefer the powder mix vario over the bottle stuff any day, it tastes a lot more fresh and rich.

[@Mrbink01]

Making ranch from the mix is so much better than anything bottled

[@msbigdog1460]

Yes! But I use the HVR dip mix. I use sour cream, mayo and whole buttermilk and a little extra dried dill. If you ever get a chance try this, it is so good. It's more like a dip but a little more buttermilk will thin it out for pouring.

[@sarahwegman4981]

Nothing better than wings and celery

[@Silver-28]

Many do not know that wingstop ranch is just Hidden Valley packets. It’s that good

[@pamelamays4186]

My favorite food to dip in Ranch? Hot wings of course!🍗🍗🍗🍗

[@mrmacguff1n]

I live in St Louis. Twisted Ranch is a place i still need to try

[@btetschner]

Hidden Valley Ranch was the only dressing we used to want.

[@XaloGunner]

Ranch and mozzarella sticks is always a winner, too!

[@deboralee1623]

the way Steve Henson and his noble steed majestically traveled across the plain is 😆 (0:48-0:54)

[@monkeygraborange]

My favorite pizza place has a Chicken Ranch pizza with roasted chicken, bacon, onions, tomatoes and Ranch dressing. It a life-changing experience! 🍕

[@oaaooaooaao]

It's not a pizza

[@whispernorbury7985]

Thanks to this video, I have decided that I'm going to start referring to all condiments as "Food Lubricants"

[@arsinowey66]

There he is !!!! 🎉😂 So happy to hear his voice !!!!

[@marilynalvarez9951]

Can't have onion rings without ranch...it's illegal 😁

[@michaeldiaz9999]

I only recently discovered your channel on Sunday I think and I have watched like seven vids. I love your content. Could we get vids on James Coney Island or how about Pringles?

[@skorch9094]

Ranch on a hotdog is my favorite way to ranch up my food!

[@BrownImpediment]

I love the narration on this channel! Also, you should do a video on Worcestershire sauce!

[@JonnyMaxximum]

My mind is actually blown learning about the creation of shelf stable ranch. I've never liked ranch dressing despite it having flavors I enjoy and I'm now realizing it's likely because I've only ever had the oil-based stuff!

[@Dis-Emboweled]

"America's top food lubricant" Truer words have never been spoken

[@N_0968]

I had to do a quick search about what ranch is because I’m not American. 😂 Still can’t imagine the taste.

[@btetschner]

If you want any more recommendations of American products, let me know. I saw a test group of British School kids go crazy over biscuits and gravy.

[@JustSteph532]

It's delicious 🤤

[@nedludd7622]

I am American and this the first I have heard of it.

[@justinharvie8126]

@@nedludd7622 You live under a rock?

[@N_0968]

@@btetschner How to buy them in a small town is a bit of a problem. Besides if I don’t like it I’d waste a lot of money.

[@leviblevins513]

Im from northern Wisconsin. We put ranch on EVERYTHING. I worked many years in the restaurant industry. I dont know about everyone else in the state but in Green Bay where I grew up ranch came with everything.

[@jerranspearman3369]

good video

[@btetschner]

I totally forgot about Hidden Valley making those variants like Pizza Ranch, Taco Ranch, and Naco Ranch.

[@Matt_spalding82]

If you like bloody Marys, salt the rim with ranch mix powder. And put a dash of Worcestershire sauce in the drink as well. Personally I don't like them, but when I was a bartender I would make them this way, and people would go crazy over them.

[@NateyCat]

Hello Mr. Narrator. Please never leave us again.

[@Mrchair905]

Thank god for sweet sweet msg.

[@ThornMage]

11:45 Gotta love the Carpetbagger!

[@billsimonis]

i started dipping my fries in ranch dressing while eat buffalo wings. tastes really good

[@Indigo810]

Who remembers Wendy’s Ranch Tooth commercial? They were selling a Wendy’s Monterey Chicken and Ranch sandwich and the spokesman was their Ranch tooth! Look it up. Ranch ranch ranch! That’s probably the only thing I like about ranch.

[@lakrids-pibe]

I had no idea what this "ranch sauce" was when I heard about it from americans. It doesn't exist where I live. But we do have crème fraîche dressing with chives and dill. I'm guessing it's similar.

[@Leguminator]

Add sugar and you're getting closer to the American version.

[@RoseRose-hp4rq]

Add some sugar,mayonnaise, powdered garlic, and other herbs and you will get something close. I personally don’t like any bottled salad dressing. That involves garlic powder because garlic powder makes me sick.

[@kuchenjaeger2164]

No. No it is not. HV ranch tastes like mayonnaise that's been sitting in the sun for 8 hours and is also somehow gritty.

[@peggywoods4327]

Not even close! Creme fraiche is more delicate and made to accompany, not to overpower.

[@lefterisortylidis7197]

Amazing dressing real America cowboys taste

[@jimmyispromo]

Awesome story. Amazing narrator. As someone who doesn't use ranch, it was still entertaining

[@ccswelding1599]

you had me at ranch

[@RedRoseSeptember22]

My favorite dipping sauce ♥

[@pagalmasala]

Love this narrator! Wish he’d do audio books!!!

[@ruthanneseven]

The writers are BRILÌANT!!!

[@thegray5730]

Just discovered this channel, now if you'll excuse me....I've got some bingeing to do.

[@damonmcrea1275]

damn, pay the writers already. seeing Colbert just made me realize how long it'll be before watching him at night again. this aint covid, this problem can be easily contained

[@shadowflame2247]

first, always love this channel!

[@energiser4]

Visited Cold Spring Tavern, their ranch and onion rings are the bomb!

[@derek-64]

I love ranch! When i'm on break at work i sometimes get fries and i dip them in ranch.

[@solanaceae2069]

Not often I come across a story I'm not already familiar with. Cool. Ranch.

[@isjoshua4real_tho750]

nature valley bars and welch's fruit snacks think they'll be gr8 for videos!

[@BrianM_3rd]

I would love to see a video about the Medieval Times restaurant! Living in the UK, I have only seen it as a punchline in TV and movies, but I was shocked to learn it's a very real thing!

[@Adam-M-]

Oh, it's very real, and quite fun! If you're looking for a deep storyline, then forget it. It's just a simple tournament with horses and some basic mock combat. But I've always thought the food is great, and it's considered normal to eat without utensils for a more "medieval" feel, which is unique. It's fairly expensive, though, even if you avoid the souvenirs. So I'd say it's mostly for special occasions. Any more than that and it would probably get old quick.

[@juelzm149]

Very real and very fun! Gotta go at least once!

[@themoviedealers]

I believe it originated in Spain, so there might be a location much closer to you!

[@Shadowbot074]

Fries are an underrated thing to dip in ranch. Especially blacked or spicy ranch

[@ehrenloudermilk1053]

That Jay Leno Cool Ranch commercial unlocked some memories. God im old

[@hilgorgruppenschaaft2203]

Much respect to Hidden Valley for starting it all, but real OGs know that Lighthouse is where the real Ranch dressing party is at.

[@faysalahmedsany1832]

Love from Bangladesh 🇧🇩

[@EmilyJelassi]

I knew that ranch didn’t taste the same as when I was little! My mom makes ranch dressing from scratch and it’s way better. And if you add a bit of sweet chili sauce to the ranch? Delicious!!

[@DCYote1]

This. I always add a bit of sweet chili sauce to ranch, especially with chicken wings or tenders

[@Shayna11NM]

New Mexican here. I worked at a cantina where we offered a red chile ranch dressing for salads. It was regular ranch with a little (or lot, if you prefer) of our local Hatch red chile sauce. The same sauce we pour over enchiladas and huevos racheros.

[@kirdot2011]

usually conversations about ranch on "Twitch" ends up with people saying they hate the taste of ranch

[@blacklabel3980]

Daddy narrator is back yay!

[@KingCobraJFS]

Hidden Valley Bacon Ranch is the best god damn ranch ever made

[@patriciaaturner289]

I love ranch dressing on any raw veg, but jicama in particular.

[@Kinglioncrown]

Ranch is one of my favorite sauces

[@marcomlott9099]

Please do a video on fry sauce.

[@missdragonplays]

Pizza Rolls dipped in Ranch….nom!

[@susanduncan7875]

I had pizza at a place nearby to where we live. They don’t offer Alfredo sauce as an option for the red sauce. However they do offer Ranch dressing. I had them use it instead of the red sauce, as did my daughter. Hands down now my favorite pizza

[@courtneypuzzo2502]

love Ranch dressing as a dip for buffalo wings etc. not so much on burgers if I had to put salad dressing on a burger it would be blue cheese thousand Island or Creamy Italian/Caeser

[@SadBoys.1996]

It’s either blue cheese with wings or go f* your mother.

[@SkylarTrahan]

Yeah ranch is pretty good with wings, but blue cheese is the best when paired with them

[@johnnyfletcher1961]

I prefer Kraft but my wife has to have Hidden. We’ve bought both for 10 to 12 years and then finally I gave up and for the last 6ish years, it’s been all Hidden