The Unstoppable Rise of Ranch Dressing

From a homemade dude ranch recipe to a cultural phenomenon, ranch dressing has become America's favorite condiment.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:53am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of ranch dressing being poured over a salad, creating soft pools of warm color and light that capture the mood of this beloved condiment's rise to prominence.The versatile and beloved ranch dressing has become a staple of American cuisine, transcending its origins as a simple salad topping to become a cultural icon.Today in Nashville

Ranch dressing has become the best-selling salad dressing in America, surpassing Italian dressing in the late 20th century. But ranch now competes with other condiments like ketchup, becoming a versatile staple found in grocery stores, recipes, and on menus across the country. The story of ranch's rise to prominence is an American entrepreneurial tale, starting with plumber Steve Henson's homemade recipe served at his California dude ranch in the 1950s, which eventually became a multimillion-dollar industry after being bottled and mass-produced.

Why it matters

Ranch dressing's ascent to cultural icon status reflects broader trends in American cuisine and consumer preferences. Its ubiquity and versatility as a condiment speak to the country's evolving tastes and the power of entrepreneurial spirit to turn a homemade product into a beloved national phenomenon.

The details

Steve Henson, a plumbing contractor in Alaska, first served his homemade ranch dressing recipe to workers. It became so popular with guests at the Hidden Valley dude ranch he and his wife opened in California that Henson began selling it as a DIY dry mix. Clorox later bottled a shelf-stable version, and competitors like Ken's, Kraft, and Wish-Bone joined the ranch dressing market. Ranch dressing is now found everywhere from grocery stores to restaurant menus, and has even inspired viral food debates and entire cookbooks dedicated to the flavor.

  • In the 1950s, Steve Henson first served his ranch dressing recipe at the Hidden Valley dude ranch in California.
  • In the 1970s, Henson sold his ranch dressing business to The Clorox Company.
  • By the 1980s, ranch dressing was listed alongside other food fads and fashions of the decade, like sushi and arugula.

The players

Steve Henson

A plumbing contractor in Alaska who first served his homemade ranch dressing recipe to workers, then sold it as a DIY dry mix after it became popular at the Hidden Valley dude ranch he and his wife opened in California.

The Clorox Company

The company that purchased Steve Henson's ranch dressing business and began bottling a shelf-stable version in the 1970s.

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What they’re saying

“What started out almost as a lark became a multimillion-dollar industry.”

— Steve Henson

“It took off in my mouth like a freight train.”

— Debbie Wilson Potts, Owner, Cold Spring Tavern

What’s next

As ranch dressing's popularity continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how the condiment industry evolves to meet consumer demand and how ranch dressing maintains its status as a cultural icon.

The takeaway

Ranch dressing's rise from a homemade recipe to a beloved national condiment reflects the entrepreneurial spirit and evolving tastes of American consumers. Its ubiquity and versatility have cemented its place as a quintessential part of the country's culinary landscape.