The US Region That Consumes More Ranch Dressing Than Any Other
What condiment is so beloved in America that some celebrities get bedazzled bottles of it? If you guessed ranch dressing, you would be correct. Former "Vanderpump Rules" star Stassi Schroeder famously loves the dressing so much that a hotel gifted her a stone-studded bottle of ranch during her 2019 podcast tour, according to Bravo TV. She even dedicated a chapter of her book, "Next Level Basic," to the best ranch dressings she's ever had (via The New York Times).
You may think this is on another level, but Schroeder isn't the only one with a fervent attachment to ranch dressing. According to Allrecipes, chicken nuggets, pizza, and jalapeño poppers are among the top foods people love to dip into this creamy, tangy sauce. In fact, it's been America's best-selling salad dressing since 1992, according to Slate.
But even within the U.S., there are some regions that are more devoted to this creamy condiment than others, and you may be surprised to learn which section of the country contains the most die-hard ranch dressing fans.
The Midwest knows ranch best
When it comes to ranch dressing, the Midwest doesn't mess around. A variety of popular memes might explain it best: Ranch can be found in pizza aisles and kegs and is considered part of the Midwest starter pack, notes CheezBurger. According to the Association of Dressings and Sauces (yes, that's a real thing), ranch dressing is more popular in the Midwest than any other region in the country (via The New York Times).
So how did ranch dressing, which was invented by a plumber in Alaska who moved to California and bought a ranch called Hidden Valley (via Thrillist), become a fundamental part of Midwest culture? When Clorox bought Hidden Valley Ranch in 1972, they made powdered ranch seasoning easier to make (just add milk and mayo), which led to it catching on in Midwest restaurants (via DO317). The Detroit Metro Times suggests that the Midwest may be slower to incorporate food and dining trends coming from the coasts, which may explain why ranch is still such a staple there.
It's true that the Midwest's love for ranch is showing no signs of slowing down. The New York Times reports that Twisted Ranch, a restaurant in St. Louis, serves 31 variations of ranch dressing and even makes ranch-infused vodka. On their website, Hidden Valley sells a now-famous ranch fountain alongside ranch hoodies, suitcases, and pet harnesses so you can "show the world you're team ranch."
For Midwesterners, though, that proclamation is probably unnecessary, and it's safe to assume they're ranch dressing fanatics until proven otherwise.