The ranch has been one of my favorite dips with veggies and chicken wings. Even in my regular diet, I always use ranch dressings to make my salad tastier. And my go-to ranch brand is the Hidden Valley ranch.
This ranch brand has been receiving love from all the ranch lovers. It is the perfect dip and flavoring for any type of food. But “is hidden valley ranch dressing keto friendly?”
To get a better idea about Hidden Valley ranch dressing and the keto diet, I have gathered all the nutritional facts and keto requirements. Therefore, you can decide whether you are willing to add this creamy goodness to your keto routine.
Table of Contents
What Is Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing?
Hidden Valley ranch dressing is the most popular dressing in America. Most Americans love this dressing in literally with everything they eat. As America’s No.1 selling ranch dressing, it is an easy-to-make and delicious side dish.
This dressing ranch is usually used in salads, different kinds of pasta, and even as a dip for pizza, chicken wings, chips, etc. For its unique tangy and peppery taste, you can also use it with baked potatoes. It will add a distinct flavor to your kid’s school lunches or backyard BBQ.
What Is Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Made Of?
There are some common ingredients you will find in every ranch dressing. However, Hidden Valley Ranch is specifically made of vegetable oil like soybean oil, buttermilk powder, egg yolk, vinegar, water, salt, and sugar.
When it comes to dressing, you can add other ingredients like garlic, onion, mustard, and mixed herbs, including chives, parsley, and dill. Different spices like pepper, paprika, and ground mustard seed can be mixed into the sauce for flavor.
You might also add mayonnaise or another oil emulsion. The dressing can be customized according to your preference. However, you should always check for authentic Hidden Valley ranch for your salad dressings.
You can find both bottled ranch and powdered ranch in the market. You can also find powdered packets of Hidden Valley ranch in markets. This dressing powder only needs water to mix. And Voila! Your authentic salad dressing is ready.
Nutritional Value In Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing
Before buying any kind of pre-made dressing, you need to check for nutritional information about that dressing. It contains all the numbers of calories, carbs, protein, and other factors. So if you are on a diet, it will help you count your calorie intake.
So, to know “is hidden valley ranch dressing keto friendly”, you should always check the back of the bottle for the nutritional value. Fat, carbohydrate, and protein count are very important in the keto diet.
Here I have measured the nutrients in 2 tablespoons (30 ml) serving of Hidden Valley ranch dressing:
- Calories- 130
- Carbohydrate- 2 gram
- Fiber- 0 gram
- Suger- 1 gram
- Fat- 14 grams
- Protein- 0 gram
- Sodium- 260 mg
- Potassium- 8 mg
- Net carbohydrate- 2 grams
Moreover, Hidden Valley ranch provides vitamin C, vitamin A and a large amount of vitamin K. Vitamin K helps to improve your bones. If you add the dressing with other vegetables, it helps increase calcium and other micronutrients.
Furthermore, the dressing contains healthy sides like onion, garlic, and other herbs, which help in your blood circulation and metabolism. Other than that, ingredients like soybean oil and buttermilk powder are both low in calories.
A Brief About The Keto Diet
Before knowing whether Hidden Valley ranch dressing is keto-approved, let’s find out what this ketogenic diet is? And why do people follow this diet?
The Keto diet is a popular diet after paleo and vegan. Like other low-carb diets, it is also high in fat and low in carbs. However, this diet is strictly based on numbers. It requires less than 20 grams of net carbs per day on a strict basis. You can also go for 50 grams of carbs per day on keto.
Due to the limitation of carbs, your body will go through a ketosis state after 4 to 5 days of starting the diet. In this state, your body will burn fats instead of carbs for energy. It will help you to lose weight quickly.
Moreover, keto also prevents most processed foods and sweeteners like sugar. This also includes high-sugar fruits, honey, sweetened yogurt, and juices.
Recently, the keto diet has become famous amongst many people. It not only helps in losing weight but also manages certain medical conditions like heart and brain diseases, diabetes, and more. The keto diet also helps in preventing acne and other skin conditions.
Is Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Fit For Keto?
As the keto diet started to become a trend, many people began to search for keto friendly items in their kitchens. And one of them is the infamous Hidden Valley ranch. Because it is the most used dressing for salads, the question arises, “is hidden valley ranch dressing keto friendly?”
The answer would be yes. Hidden Valley ranch dressing is keto friendly. However, it should be used in moderation. The reason is that it contains a good amount of sodium and sugar. Therefore it would be best if you use one to two tablespoons for one cup of dressing.
It is also high in fat and low in carbs. Two tablespoons of ranch dressing have 2 grams of net carbs and 14 grams of fat. It is a perfect fit for a strict keto diet of 20 grams of carbs per day. You can use it as a low-carb dip or dressing. So it is a great choice to use in a salad, veggies, or however, you want to use it.
Moreover, while tracking your daily carbs, you also need to add the carbs from the ingredients of salad or vegetables that you are consuming. You also need to be aware of other versions of this ranch.
Hidden Valley ranch is a big brand with different versions of ranches. This includes Hidden Valley Original Fat-Free Ranch, which does not have any fat rather, you will be consuming more calories. So it is not a good fit for the keto diet.
Therefore, you should always look for Hidden Valley Original Ranch or Hidden Valley’s Spicy Plant-Powered Ranch dressing. Both are suited for the keto diet. The latter ranch dressing is made explicitly for a low carb, vegan and gluten-free diet.
Making Homemade Keto Friendly Ranch Dressing
With Hidden Valley ranch, you can easily make keto friendly ranch dressing. You can easily find the recipe for homemade ranch dressing on the Hidden Valley website. Here, I have explained the steps a bit more according to my own experience.
- First, you need 1 cup of mayo, ½ cup of milk, or ½ cup of sour cream, fresh parsley, and our favorite Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning, Salad Dressing, and Recipe Mix Packet.
- Add all the ingredients together in a medium bowl. Then, whisk them until they are thoroughly mixed. Then cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid. Wait for 30 minutes so that the dressings get thick.
After that, your ranch dressing is ready to eat. Get your regular salad and eat it with this beautiful homemade ranch dressing.
Adding Hidden Valley Ranch In The Keto Diet
Hidden Valley ranch can be used in many ways. Typically people only use it as a salad dressing. But it can also be added as side dips and sauce. This way, you can easily make keto friendly dishes that make your diet spontaneous.
Salad Dressing
Most salad dressings are low in carbs, but others might not fit this profile. However, Hidden Valley ranch dressing is the best choice for a low-carb and keto diet.
So you can add your favorite keto friendly fresh greens like broccoli, cucumber, cabbage, and even mushrooms to make a salad. Mix some ranch dressing with sour cream, lemon juice, and some paprika seasoning for flavor.
Drizzle the dressing on the bed of vegetables. Then, enjoy these creamy flavored vegetables as lunch or dinner in your keto routine.
Dips
Everyone loves some dips with their vegetables or meat. So you can make your ranch into a keto friendly dip.
You can easily make any type of dip with Hidden Valley ranch. Just add some sour cream or other seasonings. You can also add basil pesto if you want. Any keto-approved item can be added with Hidden Valley ranch powder.
You can eat any vegetables with this dip. Other than that, bacon or shrimp are delicious with ranch dips. So get creative and any flavor with this fantastic side dish.
Sauce Or Toppings
Hidden Valley ranch can also be used as sauce or toppings. If you want to eat chicken steak or breasts, this ranch dressing can be a delicious sauce. You can also mix sriracha sauce with it.
Moreover, you can use the ranch as a pasta sauce. For this, you will need to get keto friendly pasta so that your carbs fit into the keto routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the taste of Hidden Valley ranch?
Hidden Valley ranch tastes tangy and peppery with a creamy texture. Many people like this ranch on their salads and pizzas.
2. What is the difference between Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix and ranch dip mix?
The difference between Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix and ranch dip mix is their texture. Dressing mixes are usually made of buttermilk and mayonnaise. So it gives a thinner consistency. On the other hand, dip mix a thicker texture which makes it scoopable. It is made of mayonnaise and sour cream.
3. Can you use buttermilk instead of milk in Hidden Valley ranch dressing?
Yes. To get a unique flavor, you can use buttermilk seasoning in Hidden Valley ranch dressing. This addition will taste great with meats, salads, and even in side dishes.
4. What kind of ranch dressing do restaurants use?
Most restaurants use a mixture of ranch seasoning, mayo, and buttermilk. They also add other herbs for flavor. Some even use Hidden Valley packets.
5. Is Hidden Valley ranch vegan?
Although the original Hidden Valley ranch is not vegan, they have ranch dressing specifically for vegans. Hidden Valley’s Spicy Plant-Powered Ranch dressing has become a favorite of vegans because it is vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
6. Can you eat traditional ranch dressing on keto?
No. You cannot eat traditional ranch dressing on the keto diet because most brands have excess sugar and whole dairy milk. It contains more carbs. However, you can find some brands like Hidden Valley ranch that are specifically made for low-carb diets.
7. What is the worst salad dressing?
The worst salad dressings are those which contain a creamy texture like cheese, caesar, or even ranch. However, the ranch is in the middle between healthy and unhealthy. If you want a healthy salad dressing, then you should go for vinaigrette like balsamic vinegar or oil.
8. How can I add flavor to my salad without dressing?
If you want to add flavor to your salad without dressing, there are many options. You can add some lemon, lime, or orange juice to your salad. Salt and pepper can also add flavor. Yogurt is also great dressing with your greens.
Final Thoughts
Hidden Valley ranch dressing is perfect for your keto friendly routine. Due to its nutritional factors and health benefits, you can be assured to use it in your regular cooking. Some products of this brand are also great for vegan and gluten-free diets.
Other than that, as a No.1 ranch dressing in America, you can also be assured about the authenticity of its ingredients. So finally, you know the answer to, “is hidden valley ranch dressing keto friendly?”
Therefore, do not waste much time and buy Hidden Valley ranch dressing. It will not only make your food flavorful but also help you stay in your ketosis state. Moreover, you can get creative with this ranch dressing and add it to any meal.
