17 Creative Ways To Use Ranch Powder In Your Cooking

Ranch seasoning is a lifesaver for hosts and snack enthusiasts alike, as it can be mixed with a creamy condiment for an instant dressing or dip. Popular examples include mayonnaise, sour cream, yogurt, crème fraîche, or a combination of these ingredients, all serving as delicious vehicles for the tangy, zesty flavors of ranch powder. But why stop at these options? Beyond the usual dressing or dip, a packet of ranch seasoning can elevate many foods and, in some cases, full dishes.

The exact ingredients of ranch seasoning can vary by brand or recipe. It often features a medley of buttermilk powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, dried chives, dried parsley, and dried dill. It's a true party for your taste buds. That being said, you can often find ranch seasoning sold in packets next to bottles of dressing at the grocery store. But if you have some extra time, make homemade ranch powder from scratch and change the ratio of ingredients to suit your palate.

The key to getting creative with ranch powder is to think of it like any other seasoning. This will help you find opportunities to incorporate the ingredient, whether you're whipping up a snack or cooking an entrée. If you're unsure where to start, check out these creative ways to use ranch powder in the kitchen.

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Fold It Into Cream Cheese

Plain cream cheese is the perfect canvas for ranch seasoning. For starters, cream cheese is mildly tangy yet neutral, which makes it perfect for highlighting the herby notes of ranch powder. It's also wonderfully versatile, so you can use ranch-infused cream cheese in several ways, including as a dip, in rich pasta sauce, or as a bagel spread. It's easy to upgrade your next breakfast spread with ranch cream cheese, which is perfect for expanding beyond the flavored cream cheese options found in stores.

Before adding ranch powder to cream cheese, be sure to let the cream cheese soften. This will allow you to evenly disperse the ranch seasoning into the cream cheese and also make it easier to spread on your bagel or toast. It's also a good idea to use a flat spatula, as this will help distribute the seasoning throughout the condiment.

Make Ranch Garlic Bread

To make garlic bread from scratch, you'll need a blend of seasonings such as garlic powder, parsley, and salt. So why not take things up a notch with ranch powder, instead? Not only does ranch powder already include these ingredients, but the seasoning as a whole will play well with garlic, butter, and bread. This medley also complements any main dish you're serving with garlic bread, like pizza and pasta.

If you prefer a strong garlic flavor, you can sprinkle ranch seasoning directly on pre-made garlic bread. And yes, that includes frozen versions or garlic bread from your local pizzeria. Otherwise, if you're making garlic bread at home, simply fold ranch seasoning into softened butter, along with grated fresh garlic cloves. As the garlic bread toasts in the oven, the ranch-infused butter will melt into every crevice of the bread, ensuring an evenly dispersed flavor.

Flavor Mac And Cheese

Punch up your next batch of mac and cheese with ranch seasoning. You can sprinkle it right on top of the finished dish, where it will add a mouthwatering, contrasting texture. Alternatively, if you'd like a more potent ranch flavor, add it to the sauce as you make it. It's important to note that ranch seasoning already has ingredients like salt and garlic powder, so consider scaling back on these ingredients in the sauce for a more balanced flavor profile.

If you're unsure how much ranch powder to use, consider your go-to cheeses for mac and cheese. Sharp cheddar and Gruyère have more pungent flavors, so ranch powder should be added in moderation so the cheeses still come through. However, if you're making a sauce with milder options like Colby cheese or Monterey Jack, adding more ranch seasoning will balance everything out.

Roast Vegetables With Ranch Seasoning

With a humble packet of ranch powder in your arsenal, you can transform almost any vegetable into a zesty delight. Start by tossing the vegetables in oil, then add ranch seasoning, just like you would salt or pepper. Toss the vegetables until they're evenly coated in ranch powder, then roast as usual. The cooking process will coax out the vegetables' natural sweetness, which tastes delicious with the herbs in ranch seasoning.

This technique is especially helpful for upgrading milder vegetables, like carrots, cauliflower, and potatoes, but even more pungent varieties — like roasted broccoli — taste great with the powder. Enjoy ranch-roasted vegetables in a hearty wrap, mixed into a creamy pasta recipe, or as a side dish with the protein of your choice.

Add It To Mashed Potatoes

Thanks to ranch seasoning, you'll be well on your way to making the best mashed potatoes. If you're making the dish from scratch, add the seasoning at the same time as the salt and pepper. Start with half a packet, which will allow you to flavor the potatoes without overpowering the dish. Once the mashed potatoes are ready, give it a taste and add more incrementally. Similarly, if you're making mashed potatoes from the box, add half a packet to the finished dish before using more.

For that iconic ranch dressing flavor, consider using buttermilk instead of milk in your ranch mashed potatoes. If you don't have a bottle on hand, you can whip up a buttermilk substitute by combining 1 tablespoon of vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice for each cup of milk (or dairy substitute).

Mix It Into Potato Salad

Potato salad is equal parts versatile and simple -- but that doesn't mean you can't amp up the flavor with ranch seasoning. The trick is to add ranch powder to the dressing before you combine it with the boiled potato chunks. This will ensure the seasoning is evenly dispersed throughout the dish. Otherwise, if you mix ranch seasoning to the finished potato salad, you'll run the risk of overmixing and making the potatoes mushy.

To elevate your ranch-infused potato salad even further, add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to the dressing. This will give the salad a tangy kick that's found similarly in ranch dressing. You can also add chopped chives, diced red onions, and crumbled bacon, all of which pair well with the flavors found in ranch.

Toss It Into Stuffing

When you think of stuffing, what herbs come to mind? If you're like most folks, thoughts of winter herbs like sage and rosemary probably pop up — but you're not limited to these choices. For a unique twist on the comforting dish, try adding a packet of ranch seasoning to your next batch of stuffing. The combination of dill, parsley, and buttermilk powder will add a zesty and bright riff to the dish.

To incorporate ranch seasoning into stuffing, consider your recipe and specific opportunities to add the powder to it. For example, if you're using crumbled sausage, try adding it to the meat as you cook it. You can also melt butter, stir in the ranch seasoning, then drizzle it on the stuffing just before baking, which will make the top delightfully golden brown and flavorful.

Season Popcorn

One of the easiest ways to use ranch powder is to make ranch-seasoned popcorn. The snack is super satisfying, as plain popcorn is quite bland and holds the flavors of ranch well. All you need to do is toss plain popcorn with butter or oil, which will help the seasonings stick. If using butter, go for the unsalted variety to avoid an overly salty snack since the ranch seasoning already contains some salt. If using oil, choose a neutral-tasting oil such as avocado, vegetable, grapeseed, or safflower oil.

For the most personalized snack, you'll want to pop the popcorn yourself at home. This way, you'll be able to start with perfectly plain popcorn and season it exactly how you'd like. If you must use store-bought popcorn, don't forget to give it a light spray of oil before tossing it with ranch powder.

Garnish Avocado Toast

When it comes to avocado toast, the topping possibilities are endless — and seasonings are no exception. Ranch powder is a particularly tasty candidate, as the seasoning will shine atop the mild, buttery flavor of avocado. You can sprinkle the ranch seasoning on top of avocado toast or, if you prefer a more evenly dispersed flavor, mix the seasoning into mashed avocado before spreading it on toast.

An easy way to enhance your avocado toast is to mix the avocado with cream cheese first. It will make the avocado extra decadent and slightly tangy without overpowering the flavor. If you prefer a light version, try it with ricotta cheese, instead. In either case, combining avocado with a creamy ingredient will stretch your avocados even further, letting you create a greater number of ranch-topped toasts.

Use It With Eggs

Ranch seasoning and eggs might seem like an unlikely combo, but it's a delicious pairing that deserves a spot on your plate. Try sprinkling ranch seasoning on top of finished eggs or, if you're making an omelet, mix it into the whisked eggs before cooking. You can also add ranch seasoning to quiche for a serious punch of flavor. You'll only need a few tablespoons per quiche to upgrade the flavor.

If you've already used ranch powder to make dressing, you're in luck — it can also be used to flavor scrambled eggs. You'll need one or two tablespoons for every two eggs. In addition to infusing the scrambled eggs with tanginess and herbs, the dressing will elevate the creamy factor as well. With that in mind, avoid using too much dressing, as it will make the scrambled eggs too watery.

Season Roasted Nuts

Once you've roasted nuts at home, you'll never buy the stuff in stores again. This is especially true if you season roasted nuts with ranch powder, which will transform the pieces into a crunchy and savory snack. Always start with raw nuts, as other varieties (like dry-roasted or salted) already have salt. Adding ranch powder to these options will result in an extra-salty snack, and ultimately detract the herby and nutty goodness of the dish.

You'll also want to soak nuts in warm or room-temperature water before roasting them. Soaking nuts removes substances that reduce nutrient absorption and bitter compounds called tannins. This will make nuts creamier and better-tasting, ensuring the zesty notes of ranch seasoning can truly shine.

Make Ranch Breadcrumbs

There's no doubt that store-bought seasoned breadcrumbs have a place in the kitchen. But most varieties have the same blend of seasonings and often take on an Italian-inspired angle (think parsley flakes, dried oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder). Mixing plain breadcrumbs — either panko or regular — with ranch powder is a tasty way to customize your own seasoned breadcrumbs while getting creative with the ingredients.

Ranch breadcrumbs will transform your cooking game. Use them to coat your favorite protein, like salmon, chicken, or tofu. They can also be tossed with butter and sprinkled on casseroles, pasta dishes, or scalloped potatoes for a crunchy topping. If you enjoy making meat or veggie burgers, use ranch breadcrumbs as a delicious and unique binder for your patties. Even fresh vegetables can benefit from ranch breadcrumbs, as they can be used in place of croutons for a satisfying salad topping.

Flavor Puff Pastry

Ranch is a common flavor in appetizers. It can be used to flavor puff pastry for herby pinwheels, wings, and salads. The two-ingredient recipe is a busy host's dream come true. All you need to do is sprinkle ranch seasoning on thawed puff pastry, roll the dough into pinwheels, and bake until golden brown and flaky. The result is a tangy, no-fuss, and finger-friendly appetizer.

Of course, you can go beyond the two ingredients and add extra elements to the dish. For extra flavor and texture, add crumbled bacon or ham. Or. if you made ranch cream cheese and have leftovers, use it as a filling in the pinwheels. You're not limited to the pinwheel shape, either; whether you're using puff pastry to wrap asparagus or mini hot dogs, ranch seasoning will be a welcome addition.

Try It With Pretzels

Both store-bought and homemade ranch powder will instantly upgrade pretzels. To make ranch-seasoned pretzels, all you need to do is spray pretzels with oil and toss them with ranch powder. Be sure to use a light layer of oil, as adding too much can make the pretzels soggy. Another technique is to mix ranch seasoning with oil, add it to a bowl of pretzels, then toss. Once the pretzels are fully coated, spread them on a baking sheet in a single, even layer and bake until golden brown.

If you prefer soft pretzels, you're in luck. This idea for using ranch powder can be easily adapted for the plusher twists. When making soft pretzels from scratch, you'll need to sprinkle the ranch seasoning after applying the egg wash. Otherwise, if you're preparing frozen soft pretzels, you can mix ranch powder with melted butter and brush it right on.

Season French Fries

The next time you're making french fries at home, skip the salt and use ranch seasoning, instead. The combination of powdered buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs will transform the potatoes into a tasty side dish. You should avoid using store-bought frozen fries, as they typically already have added salt. However, if you're DIYing your ranch seasoning, you can omit the salt and use pre-made, salted fries without worrying about throwing off the flavor balance.

If you're deep-frying french fries at home, be sure to toss them with ranch powder right after removing them from the oil. This will ensure the seasoning sticks to the fries. If you're using an air fryer or baking them in the oven, toss the fries with oil and ranch powder before baking.

Use It In Chex Mix

If you have yet to make Chex Mix at home, you're in for a treat. The snack is delightfully easy to whip up, even for beginner home cooks. Homemade Chex Mix will also taste so much better than the store-bought kind, as you have full control over the flavor and seasonings used. Enter ranch seasoning, which pairs well with the salty and savory ingredients typically found in Chex Mix.

When it comes to pairing snacks with ranch seasoning, options like nuts, pretzels, popcorn, crackers, and, of course, Chex cereal are all fair game. From there, if you want the ultimate ranch-infused concoction, toss everything with broken ranch-flavored potato chips or tortilla chips. Any leftover seasoning can be used to make ranch dressing, which will serve as the perfect dip for larger pieces in your ranch Chex Mix.

Stir It Into Instant Ramen

Boring instant ramen will be a thing of the past, thanks to ranch seasoning packets. The buttermilk powder in ranch seasoning turns the broth into a thick and creamy liquid. Plus, the herby notes will also play well with the flavors of the noodles and broth, resulting in an extra-satisfying dish. To upgrade your instant ramen with ranch seasoning, you'll need about 1 teaspoon of powder per bowl, though you can play with the ratios from there.

Additionally, to avoid a too-salty dish, you may want to avoid adding the seasoning packet that comes with the instant ramen. Depending on the ingredients, the flavors may clash with the ranch powder as well. Rest assured, the ramen packet can be easily reused to season other foods, like popcorn or vegetables.

Read the original article on Tasting Table