What Is The Difference Between The Hidden Valley Ranch Dips Mix & Salad Dressing Mix?

Hidden Valley was a dude ranch near Santa Barbara in the 1950s. The owners, Steve and Gayle Henson, created a salad dressing from mayonnaise, buttermilk, herbs and garlic. It became so popular with their customers that they began bottling and selling the dressing. Then they set up a factory to manufacture the dry mix that home cooks could add to buttermilk and mayonnaise in their own kitchens. Ranch dressing is now the most popular salad dressing in the United States, according to a market survey of salad dressings reported by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

Salad Dressing

Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing mix contains maltodextrin, buttermilk, salt, monosodium glutamate, lactic acid, dried garlic, dried onion, spices, citric acid, calcium stearate, artificial flavor, xanthan gum, carboxymethylcellulose and guar gum, according to the Hidden Valley website. When combined with buttermilk and mayonnaise according to the recipe on the package, each 2-tbsp. serving contains 120 calories, 110 of which are from fat.

Dips Mix

Hidden Valley Ranch Dips mix contains maltodextrin, salt, monosodium glutamate, dried onion, dried garlic, spices, modified food starch, buttermilk, calcium stearate and natural flavor. When added to sour cream according to package directions, each 2-tbsp. serving contains 70 calories, 60 of which are from fat.

Flavorings

Maltodextrin is derived from corn syrup and is mildly sweet. Salt and monosodium glutamate are flavor enhancers which contain sodium. Monosodium glutamate is used to add a savory taste, called umami. It is generally recognized as safe, but some people have adverse reactions and should avoid MSG. Lactic acid and citric acid are added to add a sharpness similar to vinegar or lemon juice.

Thickeners

Xanthan gum, guar gum and calcium stearate are all used to thicken and emulsify the dressing or dip ingredients. Calcium stearate is also used in dry mixtures to prevent the ingredients from caking. Carboxymethylcellulose is a thickener and stabilizer derived from vegetable sources. Modified food starch is a thickener and emulsifier.

Mystery Ingredients

The salad dressing ingredients include spices -- unspecified -- and artificial flavoring -- also unspecified. The dip mix also contains unidentified spices and a natural flavoring which isn't revealed either. This may be done to protect the company's specific recipes, but it could be a concern for people with food sensitivity.