Ranch Nation
The Secret Behind Hidden Valley & The Original Ranch
America is drizzling, dipping and dunking more than ever with its absolute favorite salad dressing—ranch. This herbaceous, zesty dressing took the nation by storm three decades ago, and it still reigns supreme. Who better to tout its distinctive fresh flavors than the original creator—Hidden Valley? Along with most Americans, Hidden Valley Ranch takes its dressing seriously. “Hidden Valley has become more than America’s favorite ranch dressing, it’s a point of view—a proud, zesty stake in the ground that proclaims you can never take your love of ranch too far…”
It was around 1954 when Steve Henson, a cowboy from Nebraska, decided to create delicious dressing that mixed buttermilk, herbs and spices. While the dressing was originally intended for the guests of his Santa Barbara Dude Ranch named “Hidden Valley,” guests couldn’t get enough. They began requesting jars to take home to enjoy and share with friends and family. Word got out, and the rancher was inundated with requests for his salad dressing from all over the United States. Finally, in the 1980s, the dressing began being bottled, creating the tangy, delicious condiment we know today as Hidden Valley Ranch. And, we are forever thankful for it.