World Cup Fans, This Is the Ranch Dressing Worth Packing in Your Suitcase
World Cup tourists have grown, and they’ve been spotted chugging ranch dressing as they fly back home. TSA has jokingly (we hope) asked World Cup visitors not to chug ranch when they get flagged at security. If you’re a ranch chugger, no judgement! We love it too—that’s why we tasted 16 bottles in the Test Kitchen to find the best ranch dressing to transport across borders.
How to Pack Ranch for International Travel
To transport ranch dressing across international borders, there are a few ground rules you should follow. First, throw your precious bottle of ranch into your checked bag, not your carry-on; that way you can skirt the 3.4-ounce liquid limit allowed in a carry-on bag. You’ll also probably want to throw the bottle in a resealable plastic bag just in case, God forbid, it cracks during your journey. And finally, avoid any ranch dressings that need refrigeration to stay fresh—though you knew that already, right?
The Best Ranch Dressing to Pack in Your Suitcase
For Your Checked Bag
A great ranch dressing should have a strong, pedal-to-the-metal flavor. Dill, garlic, onion, and other herbs should be prominent. There should also be a balanced tanginess, a light pepper note, and, most importantly, it should be creamy, not gloppy or thick.
Hidden Valley gets a lot of credit (it did originate the category after all), but in our ranch taste test, Ken’s Steak House Ranch dressing stood out as a clear staff favorite. (Ken’s Steak House Ranch dressing also got rave reviews.) It’s got robust notes of garlic and dill, as well as a satisfying crack of black pepper. Toss a full bottle (or two or three) of Ken’s in your checked bag, and enjoy it at home on salads, or as a dip for anything your heart desires.
For Your Carry-On
If your checked bag is simply too stuffed to fit a bottle of ranch, fear not. There is another way to get ranch home with you! Grab a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning. It’s a superpowered hit of the tangy, herby ranch flavor you love in the liquid dressing, without the TSA fuss.
You can mix the dried seasoning packet with yogurt, buttermilk, or milk and mayonnaise to make a custom batch of creamy ranch dressing. But the powerful powder also works like any other herb blend—albeit magically magnified with wonderful ranchiness. Trickle it atop popcorn, or stir into potatoes for what might be the world’s most delicious side dish.
Continue Your Ranch Journey
The kicky homemade ranch marinade tastes bright, creamy, and deeply familiar. More cooking stories from Bon Appétit are available, including fast meals, wine picks, and expert-tested recipes.