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Dotdash Meredith/Janet Maples
When you think of ranch dressing, Hidden Valley is likely the first name that comes to mind. HVR is certainly the most classic ranch out of all the products on the market. And, as a heritage brand that fans love, it’s no surprise that Hidden Valley finds itself practically everywhere.
It’s the official ranch of fast food faves, like Burger King and Taco Bell. It teamed up with Cheez-It to release both ranch-flavored crackers and Cheez-It cracker-flavored ranch. And it even brought the beloved duo of ranch and pizza together in the freezer aisle with its Spicy Rancheroni and Chicken Bacon Ranch DiGiorno pizzas.
While multiple R&D departments are cooking up new ways to use the classic Hidden Valley Ranch, the minds over at HVR are whirring to come up with even more new flavors for ranch lovers to try. In 2024, the brand released seven new flavors, including the famous Cheez-It Cheezy Ranch, which resulted in my favorite ranch flavor of all time: Garlic Ranch. The Garlic Ranch quickly took over as my go-to condiment for dipping and drizzling over anything and everything (like pizza, roasted potatoes, and wraps).
While HVR’s Garlic Ranch hasn’t become my replacement for traditional ranch—I still love the creamy dressing for my salads and wings—the brand might have just released a new flavor that will.
Hidden Valley recently released five all-new ranch flavors and two new seasoning packets. The ranch dressings include Blue Cheese Ranch, Kickin’ Cajun Blackened Ranch, Cilantro Lime Ranch, Cracked Pepper Ranch, and Sweet BBQ Ranch. HVR’s fan-loved seasoning packets will now be available in Garlic Ranch Seasoning and Creamy Jalapeño Ranch Seasoning varieties.
I tried all of Hidden Valley's new ranch dressing flavors, and these are my rankings from last place to first.
The Best New Hidden Valley Ranch Flavors, Ranked
5. Kickin' Cajun Blackened Ranch
Hidden Valley Ranch / Allrecipes
This ranch has a bit of a bold kick from Cajun flavors, however, there’s something just a little bit off about the Cajun blend. It’s mildly spicy, which I enjoy, but it loses me in the seasoning mix, which tastes more like cayenne pepper than anything else.
4. Sweet BBQ Ranch
Hidden Valley Ranch / Allrecipes
If you can’t choose between barbecue sauce and ranch, now you literally don’t have to. The Sweet BBQ Ranch has the best of both sweet, smoky barbecue flavors in a creamy, slightly zesty sauce. Because the barbecue sauce is the dominant flavor here, I wish it offered a little more heat, rather than a sugary taste. It’s not my favorite dipper, but I bet this ranch would be delicious on a pulled pork sandwich.
3. Cilantro Lime Ranch
Hidden Valley Ranch / Allrecipes
This one might be a little controversial because not everyone likes cilantro, but I think this herby ranch would be delicious on nachos and burrito bowls to add more flavor than sour cream would, but with a similar texture. It’s almost shocking how fresh this bottled ranch tastes, with real notes of cilantro and lime.
2. Cracked Pepper Ranch
Hidden Valley Ranch / Allrecipes
If you’ve ever wanted your creamy, zesty ranch dressing to have a bit more of a seasoned flavor, this is the ranch for you. Anyone who likes freshly cracked pepper will enjoy this flavorful ranch dressing, which HVR says tastes great on bowls, salads, and more (my more was chicken tenders and fries and, yes, it was delicious).
1. Blue Cheese Ranch
Hidden Valley Ranch / Allrecipes
Before you come at me for this one, just know, that I am a blue cheese over ranch stan any day when it comes to my Buffalo wings. To me, ranch doesn’t hold up in flavor when paired with a spicy sauce—it’s more there for the cooling factor. Blue cheese cools and also offers a unique flavor that complements the saucy wings.
As a blue cheese fan, I have to say: HVR might make blue cheese better than some true blue cheese condiment brands—and it’s not even true blue cheese. The ranch still offers the same garlicky flavor you crave but with the addition of delicious blue cheese flavor. The only thing I’m missing in this dressing is the real chunks of blue cheese. But, I can promise that Hidden Valley’s Blue Cheese Ranch will be a new staple in my fridge for when I want a slightly milder version of my favorite wing dipping sauce.
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