The One Ingredient Upgrade A Former NFL Star Uses To Elevate Ranch

Did you know there's one ingredient that can take any ranch sauce from good to great? Former NFL player and Food Network host, Eddie Jackson — who launched Ranch Roster, a lineup of ranch-inspired recipes on theranchroster.com, on September 25th, 2025 – revealed the secret: MSG. "To me, MSG is the MVP of ranch," enthused Jackson in an interview with Tasting Table, adding that "most folks don't realize MSG has long been in many ranches, and that's what brings that depth of flavor we love." 

Quite a few store-bought ranch dressings contain MSG, including those from Kraft, Ken's Steak House, and Hidden Valley. MSG, short for monosodium glutamate, was created by the Japanese scientist, Kikunae Ikeda, in 1908. The seasoning is known as a source of rich umami flavor. Not only does it add depth to ranch sauce, it also adds savoriness without making the dressing taste too salty. After decades of stigma, MSG is having a cultural renaissance, especially with social media creators and younger foodies. 

Jackson explained to Tasting Table that "social media has played a big role — when you see creators showing how MSG works, sprinkling it into recipes, it clicks. And once you try it at home, you realize it's been in the foods you've loved all along." If you're curious, try making Tasting Table's buttermilk ranch dressing recipe – and be sure to sprinkle in some MSG. 

For those who still feel unsure about keeping MSG in their pantries, Eddie Jackson said that he wants people to know "MSG isn't something new or scary, it's something you've likely been enjoying for years –- like in ranch. With Ranch Roster, I get to introduce fans to bold new recipes and, at the same time, show them that MSG is just part of making food taste better." Jackson also shared that he has had MSG in his own kitchen for as long as he can remember, adding that he was always curious about why certain dishes had flavors that stood out. That curiosity led him to discover that "MSG was that 'go-to player' behind the scenes."

These days, as a chef, Jackson's goal is to bring attention to MSG. As he stated, "I wanted to highlight MSG in these recipes because it deserves the credit — it's the ingredient that makes the flavors pop, and it's completely safe." MSG is made from glutamate — a common amino acid present in many foods, including meat, cheese, eggs, and tomatoes. As Jackson's story shows, curiosity is all it takes to discover new flavors in the kitchen. If any of his Ranch Roster recipes spark yours, consider some of the absolute best ways to use MSG. "If it sparks curiosity and gets people talking differently about MSG, then we've done our job," he said.