Anyone know a light or lower fat ranch dressing that doesn't taste like death?

DataSeven
DataSeven Posts: 245 Member
edited November 30 in Food and Nutrition
Right now I'm sacrificing about 100 more calories for full-fat spicy hidden valley ranch. Every light or low fat/fat free ranch I find just tastes like *kitten*. Anyone know one that's nice and flavourful but also light or lower-calorie?
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Replies

  • Lourdesong
    Lourdesong Posts: 1,492 Member
    I just use some combination of salsa, hot sauce, Greek yogurt, and/or cottage cheese to dress my salads.

    There is no substitute for Ranch, imo.
  • MABMomma
    MABMomma Posts: 36 Member
    edited February 2016
    Try the Opa Greek Yogurt Ranch. I wouldn't touch that *kitten* (any ranch, no matter the brand) with a 10 foot pole but my husband loves the stuff. Also, I think it's like 60 calories a serving.
  • williams969
    williams969 Posts: 2,528 Member
    I like the yogurt dressings sold in the produce department (refrigerated ones). Depending on brand and flavor, they're around 40-70 cals per 2Tbsp serving.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    OPA (Litehouse) Greek Style Ranch Dressing. 5g of Fat, 60 calories per 2 tbsp.
  • momofthreesons
    momofthreesons Posts: 162 Member
    Make your own. Light or fat free sour cream, hidden valley ranch mix (its powder in a packet at the grocery store) and a bit of water to get to the consistency you like.
  • chilisadie
    chilisadie Posts: 11 Member
    I also make my own - fat free Greek yogurt and hidden valley ranch powder mix, add a little bit of milk to thin it out.
  • chubby_checkers
    chubby_checkers Posts: 2,352 Member
    williams969 wrote: »
    I like the yogurt dressings sold in the produce department (refrigerated ones). Depending on brand and flavor, they're around 40-70 cals per 2Tbsp serving.

    Came here to suggest this. The brand at my grocery is Bolthouse farms. The ranch is actually pretty decent.
  • hopeandtheabsurd
    hopeandtheabsurd Posts: 265 Member
    Bolthouse makes a decent tasting lower calorie yogurt based ranch (located in the refrigerated produce section).
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    chubby_checkers wrote: »
    williams969 wrote: »
    I like the yogurt dressings sold in the produce department (refrigerated ones). Depending on brand and flavor, they're around 40-70 cals per 2Tbsp serving.

    Came here to suggest this. The brand at my grocery is Bolthouse farms. The ranch is actually pretty decent.

    I love the bolthouse farm ranch. I prefer the taste to regular ranch dressing. I think it's 45 calories for 2 tablespoons.
  • Adventuretown
    Adventuretown Posts: 120 Member
    Boathouse farms yogurt-- avocado cilantro dressing is sooooooo good. 40 calories for 2T.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Never tried it myself, but how about ranch powder?
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    i like the bolthouse farms dressings
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    edited February 2016
    momofthreesons wrote: »
    Make your own. Light or fat free sour cream, hidden valley ranch mix (its powder in a packet at the grocery store) and a bit of water to get to the consistency you like.

    Greek yogurt and dry ranch seasoning may work for you also.
  • williams969
    williams969 Posts: 2,528 Member
    Adventuretown wrote: »
    Boathouse farms yogurt-- avocado cilantro dressing is sooooooo good. 40 calories for 2T.

    What!? Sounds divine. My store doesn't carry this flavor. :'(

    /kicks rocks
  • ModernRock
    ModernRock Posts: 372 Member
    For something like dressing I eat what I want, but less of it. Besides, I like the flavor of veggies and want something to complement rather than conceal.
  • mis1022
    mis1022 Posts: 109 Member
    Adventuretown wrote: »
    Boathouse farms yogurt-- avocado cilantro dressing is sooooooo good. 40 calories for 2T.

    I am totally going to hunt this down, mmmm cilantro

    But as far as low fat ranch Aldi is my favorite, really don't knock it until you tried it. Light, NOT fat free.
  • chastity0921
    chastity0921 Posts: 209 Member
    I have done all of these. Bolthouse Farms Ranch, Avocado Cilantro... Those are good. I prefer the ranch powder with sour cream and a little fat-free milk, if needed. Really good as a dip with crudités, too.
  • dcshima
    dcshima Posts: 529 Member
    Mix your bottled ranch dressing of choice 1:1 with plain non- fat greek yogurt, lower calories and added protein
  • ForeverSunshine09
    ForeverSunshine09 Posts: 966 Member
    I switched to bolthouse ranch. It is actually pretty good. It is no hidden valley but, 45 cals per 2 tbsp is a win.
  • Meganthedogmom
    Meganthedogmom Posts: 1,639 Member
    OP I feel your pain. The ones I've tried are atrocious - same with light Italian dressings. I might have to try some of these suggestions for ranch.
  • SeptemberFeyre
    SeptemberFeyre Posts: 178 Member
    Maybe it's just me, but I like Kraft Ranch Lite. Kraft salad dressings are way better than Hidden Valley IMHO.
  • fishshark
    fishshark Posts: 1,886 Member
    as others said you can make your own... i go a step above the hidden valley mix and i make my own mix. Butter milk powder, dried chives, dried dill, dried chopped onions, garlic and onion powder and mix it with greek yogurt :)
  • mamadon
    mamadon Posts: 1,422 Member
    edited February 2016
    hopeandtheabsurd wrote: »
    Bolthouse makes a decent tasting lower calorie yogurt based ranch (located in the refrigerated produce section).

    This one! It's the only low cal ranch that I actually like the taste of. I think its only around 20 calories a table spoon.
  • ashleyjongepier
    ashleyjongepier Posts: 130 Member
    Flavor God Ranch seasoning and greek yogurt!
  • Cynsonya
    Cynsonya Posts: 668 Member
    williams969 wrote: »
    I like the yogurt dressings sold in the produce department (refrigerated ones). Depending on brand and flavor, they're around 40-70 cals per 2Tbsp serving.

    Agree. Opa and Bolthouse
  • jbee27
    jbee27 Posts: 356 Member
    Echoing the commenters above. Bolthouse Ranch is very good, I actually prefer it over any of the Kraft/Hidden Valley full fat ones, much less greasy tasting.
  • TheLittleRedHairedGirl
    TheLittleRedHairedGirl Posts: 154 Member
    Hidden Valley Ranch makes a mix especially for Greek Yogurt. It's really good.
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    I cut it 1/2 and 1/2 with cultured buttermilk. Reduces the calories by 1/3 and still tastes like Ranch Buttermilk dressing.
  • BarbieAS
    BarbieAS Posts: 1,414 Member
    edited February 2016
    Agree with making your own.

    I do one ranch packet, one 5.3 oz container of fat free greek yogurt, one 8 oz container of light sour cream, and then about 1/4-1/2C lowfat buttermilk depending on how thin I want it (mine's on the thick side usually, if you want it more of a pourable consistency then you'll want a bit more buttermilk than even the 1/2C, or you could use regular milk instead because that's a lot thinner), and then I add just a bit of extra garlic powder and some chopped fresh parsley and chives (all to taste). I weigh mine for servings, but you end up with about 15-18 calories per tablespoon. For me, I have to get just the right ingredients - normally I'm ALL about Aldi and store brands and such, but this particular thing MUST be the Hidden Valley packet, Daisy Light sour cream, and Fage yogurt. Best "light" ranch I've ever had - it's not all sugary and fake tasting like the stuff in a bottle.
  • Adah_m
    Adah_m Posts: 216 Member
    I dress my salads with malt vinegar, seasonings, and a little olive oil, but if you really like a creamy dressing you can make your own with plain greek yogurt and ranch seasoning mix. It even has protein so it can help you feel satisfied longer even. I wouldn't user sour cream personally because yogurt has probiotics and protein that sour cream doesn't.
    I use greek yogurt to make home made tzatziki to dip veggies in all the time and I love it.
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