A packet of Hidden Valley ranch seasoning and a container of sour cream. It’s a reliable, simple dip recipe that has been a mainstay at potlucks, parties and holiday gatherings for decades.
While the original recipe is, unarguably, a classic veggie dip, it’s also an endlessly versatile base recipe you can load up with additional tasty ingredients to give ranch dip your own signature flair.
Keep reading for our Loaded Hidden Valley Ranch Dip recipe and ideas for further customization!
Loaded Hidden Valley Ranch Dip Recipe
This recipe makes about 2 cups of dip.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1 Hidden Valley ranch packet
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and finely chopped
- 1/2 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives (or green onions)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill
Don’t miss the story behind the original Hidden Valley ranch.
Directions
Step 1: Beat together the first three ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat together the sour cream, softened cream cheese and buttermilk until smooth.
Step 2: Stir in seasoning
Stir in the ranch packet, bacon, cheeses and herbs until evenly incorporated. This Hidden Valley ranch dip recipe is loaded with all the good stuff!
Step 3: Serve
Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Serve with crackers, pretzels or fresh vegetables (such as broccoli, carrots and cucumbers).
Loaded Hidden Valley Ranch Dip Recipe Variations
The beauty of this Hidden Valley ranch dip recipe is that it’s easily adaptable. Here are a few of our favorite ways to customize this recipe:
- Southwest Hidden Valley Ranch Dip: Swap the bacon for cooked crumbled chorizo, add 1/2 cup of diced red bell pepper, swap the parsley and dill for fresh cilantro. Add fresh, diced jalapeno, to taste, for an extra kick.
- Buffalo Hidden Valley Ranch Dip: Add 2 tablespoons of buffalo sauce (like Frank’s or one of these best hot sauce brands). Swap the Parmesan for blue cheese crumbles. Add 1/2 teaspoon of paprika and garlic powder.
- Healthy(ish) Loaded Hidden Valley Ranch Dip: Swap the sour cream for fat-free sour cream or healthy Greek yogurt and use low-fat cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese instead of regular cream cheese. You may also opt for cooked turkey bacon instead of regular bacon.
How to Store Hidden Valley Ranch Dip
Once prepared, ranch dip may be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Stir be before serving again since separation may occur. Ranch dip may also be frozen for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Recipes That Start with a Packet of Ranch
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Bacon-Chicken Club Pizza
A chicken club pizza topped with lettuce, tomatoes and dressing? You’re in for a treat! Vegetables give the cheesy crust a cool crunch. —Debbie Reid, Clearwater, Florida
Ranch Pigs in a Blanket
Who knew you could amp up the fun factor for pigs in a blanket? Sprinkle ranch seasoning on top before you bake. And if you still can't get enough of that tang, dip 'em in ranch dressing before you take a bite. Holy cow, it's good! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Parmesan-Ranch Pan Rolls
Mom taught me this easy recipe, which is perfect for feeding a crowd. There is never a crumb left over. Mom used her own bread dough, but using frozen dough is my shortcut. I make a wheat bread dough version with poppy and sesame seeds that’s popular, too. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Slow-Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Sour cream and cream cheese give richness to these smooth make-ahead potatoes. They are wonderful for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner since there's no last-minute mashing required. —Trudy Vincent, Valles Mines, Missouri
Ranch Green Beans
Years ago, I discovered this handwritten recipe on a note card and decided to give it a try. It's deliciously different from the usual green bean casserole and quickly became a favorite. —Carol Conn, Aurora, Colorado
Skillet Ranch Beef and Macaroni
You'd be hard-pressed to find easier comfort food made from scratch. Our secret ingredient: ranch dressing seasoning. It takes the flavor over the top. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Beer Dip
Ranch dressing mix flavors this easy dip packed with shredded cheese. It's perfect paired with pretzels. Be forewarned, though—it's hard to stop eating once you've started! The beer cheese dip can be made with any type of beer, including nonalcoholic. I've taken it to many parties and I am always asked for the recipe. —Michelle Long, New Castle, Colorado
Chili Cornbread Salad
A co-worker brought this wonderful dish to a potluck several years ago. She had copies of the recipe next to the pan. Now I make it for get-togethers and also supply copies of the recipe. I never have any leftover salad or recipes. —Kelly Newsom, Jenks, Oklahoma
Monster Munchies
Magically transform squash or pumpkin seeds into a spellbinding snack with ranch salad dressing mix. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pull-Apart Bacon Bread
I stumbled across this recipe while looking for something different to take to a brunch. Boy, am I glad I did! Everyone asked for the recipe and was surprised it called for only five ingredients. It's the perfect treat to bake for an informal get-together. —Traci Collins, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Ranch Chicken Quesadillas
Your favorite cheesy, creamy Mexican dish gets some down-home goodness with the addition of ranch dressing mix. Can you say "yum"? —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Sweet & Sour Squash Salad
This salad goes over really well with all ages, and it's a good way to get kids to eat summer squash. —Opal Shipman Levelland, Texas
Breaded Ranch Chicken
A crunchy coating of cornflakes and Parmesan cheese adds delectable flavor to this zesty ranch chicken. The golden, crispy chicken is a mainstay dish I can always count on. —Launa Shoemaker, Landrum, South Carolina
Creamy Red Potatoes
This rich and creamy potato side dish is my go-to for potlucks. It’s super easy to double, so I usually do. Folks almost always take seconds, and I almost always get compliments. —Shelia Schmitt, Topeka, Kansas
Ranch Snack Mix
This is a wonderful fast-to-fix munchie. The recipe makes tons and doesn't involve any cooking. It's a cinch to package in individual snack bags, it keeps its crunch and it's a savory alternative to the cakes and pies usually offered at bake sales. —Linda Murphy, Pulaski, Wisconsin
Crispy Ranch Fried Chicken
It's almost impossible to improve crispy fried chicken. A sprinkling of ranch dressing mix in the coating makes it happen, though. The empty-in-seconds serving platter is proof. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Hearty Taco Chili
Ranch dressing mix and taco seasoning give extra special flavor to my hearty chili. Folks will come back for seconds. —Julie Neuhalfen, Glenwood, Iowa
Parmesan Ranch Popcorn
Whether you need a quick gift idea or yummy munchies for movie night, we've got you covered with this cheesy twist on regular popped popcorn. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Ranch Chicken Fajitas
Give sizzling chicken fajitas a tangy twist by adding ranch dressing mix to the marinade. They have so much flavor, it's almost hard to believe how quickly they come together! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Flavorful Pot Roast
On hectic days, this is so quick and easy to prep! Convenient packages of dressing and gravy combine to create a sauce worthy of a fall-apart roast. For a filling meal-in-one, serve with mashed potatoes and ladle the juices over top. —Arlene Butler, Ogden, Utah
Mini Party Burgers
We love finger foods in the South. For parties, I make mini burgers in advance and then wrap them in pastry, bake them and serve them with assorted sauces. —Monica Flatford, Knoxville, Tennessee
Cayenne Pretzels
These spicy pretzels were a huge hit at my daughter's graduation party. The longer they sit, the spicier they get! —Gayle Zebo, Warren, Pennsylvania
Veggie Ranch Tortilla Pinwheels
These terrific bite-size appetizers are always a hit wherever I take them. They're easy to make ahead of time, and are a great addition to other party fare! —Lori Kostecki, Wausau, Wisconsin
Ranch Scalloped Potatoes
How could creamy scalloped potatoes possibly get any better? We’ll tell you: Add ranch dressing mix to the cheesy sauce and watch as your family dives back in for seconds. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chicken Wing Dings
Your guests will have a ball sampling this appetizer that has all the flavor and saucy goodness of traditional Buffalo chicken wings, just without the bones. —Suzanne Clark, Phoenix, Arizona
Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potato Stuffing
Every family seems to have a favorite stuffing recipe. My family and I have been making this one for many years. It’s so delicious that no gravy is required! —Sandra Dombek, Camillus, New York
Ranch Tater Tot Bake
This cheesy Tater Tot casserole is perfect to whip together when time before supper is short. Ingredients like crispy tots and zippy ranch dressing mix make it family friendly and extra comforting. Double the recipe to serve a crowd! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chunky Taco Soup
I've gotten great response at our church dinners and senior groups whenever I bring this thick easy-to-fix soup. I usually take home an empty pot and often get requests for the recipe. The flavor seems to improve with leftovers...if there are any! —Evelyn Buford, Belton, Missouri
Southwestern Eggs Benedict with Avocado Sauce
I frequently make this spicy spinoff of classic eggs Benedict for my husband, who loves breakfast. I like the heat from the jalapenos and also that the avocado sauce is a healthier substitute for the usual hollandaise sauce. —Kara Scow, McKinney, Texas
Beef Stroganoff Sandwiches
For an American take on classic Russian comfort food, we turn beef Stroganoff into a sandwich. It comes together fast, and our family devours it. —Alison Garcia, Beatrice, Nebraska
Slow-Cooked Ranch Potatoes
Even after seven years, my family still asks for this tasty potato and bacon dish. Try it once and I'll bet your family will be hooked, too. —Lynn Ireland, Lebanon, Wisconsin
Ranch-Glazed Baby Carrots
There's no need to dip these flavor-packed carrots in a creamy dip—they're already sauteed in delicious ranch dressing mix. You and your crew will love 'em! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Shredded Pork Burritos
This pork roast is slow-cooked with savory and sweet ingredients, including a can of cola, to create tender shredded pork burritos. A tomatillo sauce, made easy with a dressing mix, tops the pork for an out-of-this-world entree. —Katherine Nelson, Centerville, Utah
Buffalo Wing Bites
The Buffalo wing fans in my family were happy to do the taste testing as I was experimenting to create these zingy snacks. This version was the winner! —Jasey McBurnett, Rock Springs, Wyoming
Christmas Party Pinwheels
'Tis the season for easy make-ahead appetizers like these. They look so special and pretty that folks can't resist them! The refreshing flavor of ranch dressing and crisp colorful vegetables makes these pinwheels a pleasure to serve. —Janis Plourde, Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario
Saucy Ranch Pork and Potatoes
Awhile back, my sister Elyse shared a tasty ranch pork roast recipe. I tweaked it so I could use what was already in my pantry, and this dish was born. —Kendra Adamson, Layton, Utah
Layered Ranch Dip
I found something similar to this in one of my cookbooks for kids. It looked delicious, so I decided to try my own version. —Peggy Roos, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Simple Taco Soup
We first sampled this chili-like taco soup recipe at a church dinner. What a warming dish for a cold day. And because it uses packaged seasonings with several cans of vegetables, it's a snap to prepare. —Glenda Taylor, Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Jalapeno Ranch Dip
Ranch dressing got its start on a real dude ranch in California. Punch up the Western original with green salsa, green chilies, jalapenos and cilantro for more color and spice. Serve the dip along with your favorite wings to feed a crowd. —Lindsay Duke, Goodrich, Texas
Spinach Dip in a Bread Bowl
When we get together with friends, I like to prepare this creamy spinach dip. It's a real crowd pleaser. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin
Cheese & Garlic Biscuits
My biscuits won the prize for best quick bread at my county fair. One of the judges liked them so much, she asked for the recipe! These buttery, savory biscuits go with just about anything. —Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, Ohio
Dilly Pretzels
This savory snack shapes up in mere minutes and disappears just as quickly. My family agrees that you can't eat just one. That's okay, though—making more is just a matter of coating purchased pretzels with spices. Our children are always happy to help! —Sharon Skildum, Maple Grove, Minnesota
Deluxe Hash Brown Casserole
My son-in-law gave me the recipe for this hash brown casserole, which my kids say is addictive. It's an amazing make-ahead dish.—Amy Oswalt, Burr, Nebraska
Ranch Cheese Spread
This is a really crowd-pleaser. You really can't go wrong with ranch flavor and cheese. This delectable dip is perfect for vegetables or crackers.—Jenna Marty, Las Vegas, Nevada
Ranch Potato Bake
I sometimes substitute cream of chicken soup for the cream of mushroom. Even the "particular eaters" in my family love these potatoes.—Elaine Eavenson, Moselle, MassachusettsThe post We Made Loaded Hidden Valley Ranch Dip—and This Recipe Is an Instant Classic appeared first on Taste of Home.
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