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

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Replies

  • Me2FitMe
    Me2FitMe Posts: 1,285 Member
    Have you tried the yogurt kind? It's decent... and like a 1/3 of the cals if I remember correctly...
  • wdnisbet
    wdnisbet Posts: 518 Member
    Like so many, I suggest you make your own. I like a little less tart than you get with yogurt or buttermilk, so I do this:

    Hidden Valley ranch dressing powder mix.
    1 cup 1% lowfat milk
    1 cup light mayonnaise.

    Very easy. Tastes good
  • bonneboo
    bonneboo Posts: 27 Member
    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.

    YES! The best this way
  • valzippy
    valzippy Posts: 11 Member
    The Hidden Valley Ranch Light is delicious. They didn't make it sweet to make up for the decreased fat like many other brands.
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  • Cammi6
    Cammi6 Posts: 1 Member
    I like Boathouse Ranch, yogurt dressing. I also add a little bit of chopped jalapenos to it from time to time to give it a kick.
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    Here is a recipe for ranch mix without any salt or nasty additives:

    2T dried parsley
    1t dried dill
    1t garlic powder
    1 1/2t dried onion or onion powder
    1/2t dried basil
    1/2 t black pepper

    It is very good mixed with Greek yogurt, sour cream, crema Mexicana, mayo or any combination thereof.
  • MadeOfMagic
    MadeOfMagic Posts: 525 Member
    Best advise if find recipes online and make it yourself, the creme part can be substituted with different yogurts for lower calories. I have been experimenting with own dressings that use balsamic but all the recipes call for ridiculous amount of oil, I learned that mustard can be used as thickening agent instead of oil. I made a recipe of my own that only used 1tbsp of oil in entire cup and half serving of dressing. Once

    Here is a recipe that is 64 cals for 2 tbsp and it's 5 star rated.
    http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/light-ranch-recipe.html

    This one is 200 calories for cup and half, that is 8 cals per tablespoon, it has almost 5 star rating:
    http://showmetheyummy.com/homemade-greek-yogurt-ranch-dressing/

    This one is also 5 star rated and is only 13.4 cals per 2 tablespoons and makes 16 servings:
    https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=118898

    Experiment until you find something you like!
  • debtay123
    debtay123 Posts: 1,327 Member
    Bolthouse is my all time favorite- for light dressings. Their ranch is da bomb
  • madeleinekagy
    madeleinekagy Posts: 1 Member
    Hidden Valley has a packet that makes Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing. I use Fage 2% Greek Yogurt to make it and it is very good! There are only 20 calories in 2 Tablespoons! I make half of the packet at a time, since I am the only one using it, that way it stays fresh.
  • BarbieAS
    BarbieAS Posts: 1,414 Member
    I find when you make ranch dressing with only greek yogurt, particularly the fat free kind, it has an odd texture/mouthfeel to it. It's not creamy enough, even if you're using it as a dip. You need sour cream or mayo or milk/buttermilk to smooth it out a little. It's worth an extra 10 calories a tablespoon over yogurt only, IMHO.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    edited February 2016
    I make the Joy of Cooking recipe, using yogurt and water instead of the buttermilk.

    https://mybestcookbook.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/real-buttermilk-dressing/

    INGREDIENTS:
    • 2/3 c of buttermilk (I used a whole cup, cuz that’s what 1/2 a pint is)
    • 1 lg clove of garlic, micro-planed
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 2-3 tbsp fresh lime juice (please use real limes!)
    • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
    • 1 tbsp fresh chives, or minced green parts of scallions
    • Up to 1/2 c mayonnaise if you want to thicken it up.

    INSTRUCTIONS:
    1. Mix it all together.
    2. Let sit in fridge for a few hours for the dressing to thicken a bit, and flavors to meld.

    Serves: 1 cup
  • brb_2013
    brb_2013 Posts: 1,197 Member
    I have never found a substitute. I just use less of the classic version.
  • yayamom3
    yayamom3 Posts: 939 Member
    I can't stand store-bought salad dressing. I make my own Ranch dressing every week (I'm eating it as I type this). I found the recipe on Pinterest. It's three ingredients (Ranch packet, buttermilk and light Hellman's mayo) and 50 calories for a generous serving (sometimes I only need half a serving). My kids even prefer it to the bottled Hidden Valley Ranch.
    http://www.skinnykitchen.com/recipes/the-best-skinny-ranch-dressing-3-ingredients

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  • mattyc772014
    mattyc772014 Posts: 3,543 Member
    Some of the Walden Farms zero calories are good. https://www.waldenfarms.com/products/dressings.html

    Sesame Ginger is really good. Have not tried the ranch but they have a few options for them.
  • DataSeven
    DataSeven Posts: 245 Member
    mattyc772014 wrote: »
    Some of the Walden Farms zero calories are good. https://www.waldenfarms.com/products/dressings.html

    Sesame Ginger is really good. Have not tried the ranch but they have a few options for them.

    I'm a bit hesitant on these walden farms items. What on earth is in them so that they have zero calories?

  • mattyc772014
    mattyc772014 Posts: 3,543 Member
    Dont forget you can get away with zero calories depending on the servings. I would say it is still very low. Below is from there website. Xanthan gum is in alot of their products. It is a natural thickener and I use it my own recipes.

    Great taste, no calories - we use only the finest ingredients in Walden Farms Specialties. Concentrated Natural Flavors. Walden Farms irresistibly sweet calorie free specialties are prepared with real fruit extracts, concentrated natural flavors, rich cocoa and other natural flavorings, all sweetened with Splenda. Our savory specialties are made with hundreds of freshly ground herbs and spices, concentrated natural flavors and the finest aged imported and domestic vinegars. See for yourself.

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