Kamil Perry
Blue cheese and ranch are both popular dressings for salad, dips, and chicken wings. While they share some similarities, they have distinct differences. Both dressings have a base of buttermilk, sour cream, and mayonnaise, but ranch contains herbs such as dill, parsley, and chives, while blue cheese contains vinegar and, of course, blue cheese. Blue cheese is more versatile and can be incorporated into a wider variety of dishes. It is also lower in calories.
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What You'll Learn
Nutritional value
Ranch and blue cheese dressings are both high in fat and calories, but blue cheese dressing typically has slightly more calories. A general comparison shows that one serving (two tablespoons) of ranch dressing has around 140 calories and 14 grams of fat. For the same quantity, blue cheese has slightly more calories, at 145. For 100 grams, ranch dressing contains approximately 430 calories, while blue cheese dressing is slightly higher at 484 calories.
The specific nutritional value of each can vary depending on the brand and type of dressing, such as traditional recipes versus fat-free varieties. For example, ranch dressing is typically made with buttermilk, sour cream, and mayonnaise, with herbs such as dill, parsley, and chives. This gives it a tangy and slightly sweet flavor, as well as a creamy consistency. On the other hand, blue cheese dressing contains crumbled blue cheese and vinegar, resulting in a bolder, more pungent, and tangy flavor, and a thicker consistency.
Both dressings are popular choices for salads and dips, but the nutritional implications of consuming them regularly should be considered. While they offer similar calorie counts, the specific ingredients and quantities can vary, affecting the overall nutritional profile. For example, ranch dressing is often chosen for its versatility and ability to complement a wide range of dishes, while blue cheese dressing is preferred for its robust flavor and ability to elevate milder foods.
In conclusion, while ranch and blue cheese dressings have comparable calorie contents, the specific nutritional value will depend on the ingredients and brand. Blue cheese dressing tends to have slightly more calories and a bolder flavor due to the presence of blue cheese crumbles, while ranch dressing is known for its tangy-sweet flavor and creamy texture, making it a versatile choice for various dishes.
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Taste and texture
While both dressings have a buttermilk base, ranch and blue cheese differ in texture and seasonings. Blue cheese is more of a versatile dip, pairing well with chicken, turkey, sandwiches, wraps, garlic bread, and especially buffalo wings. Ranch, on the other hand, is known for its tangy and slightly sweet flavour, as well as its creamy consistency. It is often used as a dip for cooling down hot wings or balancing the flavour of sweet wings.
Blue cheese gets its name from the blue-colored marbling in the cheese, which is the result of the addition of a mold called Penicillium. It is made from cow's milk, goat's milk, or sheep's milk and has a more intense and salty taste. The blue cheese dressing also contains vinegar, buttermilk, and sour cream, which balance the strong flavour of the cheese.
Ranch dressing typically contains herbs such as dill, parsley, and chives, as well as spices like garlic and mustard. It is popular for its unique herb and spice flavour profile. While ranch is also commonly used as a salad dressing, its versatility is limited compared to blue cheese.
In terms of nutritional value, blue cheese is a better option if you are concerned about calories. A general comparison shows that one serving (two tablespoons) of ranch dressing has around 140 calories, 14 grams of fat, and 2 grams of carbohydrates. However, the exact nutritional values can vary depending on the brand and type of dressing.
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Food pairings
Blue cheese and ranch are both popular dressings for salads and dips, and they are often served together. However, they have distinct differences in taste and texture. Blue cheese has a sharp, bitter, and mildly salty flavour, while ranch is known for its tangy and slightly sweet flavour, as well as its creamy consistency.
When it comes to food pairings, blue cheese and ranch each have their own unique combinations that bring out their flavours.
Blue cheese is a classic salad dressing and dipping sauce. It pairs well with fried foods, chicken wings, burgers, meats, and fresh-cut vegetables. Blue cheese can also be used in recipes like lasagna, cheesy pastas, and baked vegetable dishes. Its tangy and creamy flavour adds a wonderful dimension to these dishes. For a harmonious blend of contrasting textures and complementary flavours, try pairing mild blue cheeses with green pears. The creamy texture and sweetness of Gorgonzola Dolce or Danablu go well with the crisp and juicy bite of green pears, creating a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.
Ranch, with its creamy and slightly sweet flavour, is a versatile dressing that can be used in salads and as a dip for chicken wings, fried foods, and vegetables. It is also a popular choice for cooling down hot wings and balancing the sweetness of others. Ranch is the number one choice for wings across the country, according to most surveys. It is also often served with veggie platters.
While blue cheese and ranch have their own distinct pairings, there is some overlap. Both dressings, for example, are commonly used for chicken wings and vegetables. Ultimately, the choice between blue cheese and ranch depends on personal preference, as some people enjoy the bold, spicy flavour of blue cheese, while others prefer the slightly sweeter and creamier taste of ranch.
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History
The history of ranch dressing can be traced back to the late 1940s and early 1950s when it was invented by Steven Henson, a Nebraska native who moved to California with his wife, Gayle, and bought a ranch. Henson, a former plumbing contractor, started cooking and perfecting his buttermilk dressing recipe for his work crews in Alaska. In 1954, the couple opened the Hidden Valley Guest Ranch in California, where they served their homemade ranch dressing to guests. They soon began selling packets of the dressing's dry mix in stores and through mail orders. By the mid-1960s, the guest ranch had closed, but the Henson's ranch dressing business was thriving. They incorporated Hidden Valley Ranch Food Products, Inc., and opened a factory to manufacture ranch dressing, initially distributing it to supermarkets in the Southwest before expanding nationwide.
In 1972, the Hidden Valley Ranch brand was acquired by Clorox for $8 million, and Henson retired. This marked a new phase in the widespread popularity and distribution of ranch dressing. Clorox and other companies like Kraft, Ken's, and Wish-Bone worked on developing bottled versions and shelf-stable alternatives using soybean and canola oil. By the late 20th century, ranch dressing had become a staple in American households, often used as a dip, dressing, and flavoring. It surpassed Italian dressing to become the best-selling salad dressing in the United States in 1992, a position it has maintained ever since. Its popularity has also spread internationally, with various countries adopting and adapting the dressing to their tastes.
The history of blue cheese dressing, on the other hand, has its earliest recording in the Edgewater Beach Hotel Salad book in 1928, but it was called Roquefort dressing at the time. Blue cheese is a type of Roquefort, a cheese made from ewe's milk and matured in caves. While the origin of blue cheese dressing is somewhat unknown, it is typically a mayonnaise-based creamy dressing with crumbled blue cheese, and it has become a popular choice for salads, dips, and wings.
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Popularity
The popularity of ranch and blue cheese dressings has been a topic of much discussion and debate, with people expressing strong preferences for one over the other. On Twitter, for example, there is a clear divide, with 59% favouring ranch and 41% choosing blue cheese.
Ranch dressing has seen a significant boost in popularity, especially when paired with chicken wings. The pizza chain Domino's contributed to this by offering wings on their menu with ranch as the default dip. This led to a surge in demand for wings and a subsequent increase in the consumption of ranch dressing. According to the National Chicken Council, ranch dip is consumed nearly two to one over blue cheese during football weekends.
However, blue cheese still has its loyal fans, with some considering it a more sophisticated or "grown-up" choice compared to ranch. It is particularly popular in certain regions, such as Buffalo, where it is traditionally paired with chicken wings.
The popularity of these dressings has also inspired creative combinations, such as blending ranch and blue cheese together to create a "Blue Ranch" dressing that combines the flavours of both. This hybrid dressing has gained traction for those who enjoy the taste of both ranch and blue cheese and want the best of both worlds.
While the popularity of ranch and blue cheese dressings continues to fluctuate, with some people staunchly defending their favourite, it is clear that both have established themselves as popular condiments, especially when it comes to enhancing the flavour of chicken wings and other savoury dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese dressing contains blue cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, yoghurt, milk, vinegar, onion powder, and garlic powder. Ranch dressing contains buttermilk, mayonnaise, dill, parsley, chives, and spices.
Blue cheese has a zingy taste from the vinegar and cheese, balanced by the mild flavours of buttermilk and sour cream. Ranch has a tangy and slightly sweet flavour, and a creamy consistency.
Blue cheese is more versatile and can be incorporated into a wider variety of dishes. It goes well with chicken, turkey, sandwiches, wraps, garlic bread, and buffalo wings. Ranch is also used as a dip for chips, fries, and vegetables, and as a dressing for salads.
Surveys suggest that blue cheese is preferred by true wing enthusiasts, but ranch is the number-one choice for wings across the US, especially for those under 30.
