For many people, ranch dressing is a guilty pleasure. Creamy, tangy, and addictive — but also a calorie bomb. A traditional homemade batch made with ranch salad dressing seasoning, mayonnaise, and buttermilk can add up to nearly 890 calories in total. That’s more than some full meals.
But a new, healthier version of ranch is trending on social media — and this one lets you enjoy the flavor without the calorie overload.
The Traditional Recipe
Hidden Valley’s iconic recipe calls for:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup buttermilk or milk
- 1 seasoning packet
Calories add up quickly. The mayo alone brings in about 800 calories, the buttermilk around 60–70, and the seasoning about 30. Delicious, yes — but diet-friendly, not quite.
The Lighter Ranch: A Trending Alternative
The healthier recipe swaps heavy ingredients for high-protein, low-fat options:
- 1 tbsp Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning
- ¾ cup nonfat or light Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp fat-free mayo
- 1½ tbsp skim milk
- 1 tbsp fresh dill
- Juice of ½ lemon
The entire batch clocks in at just 150 calories — with 20 grams of protein, 15 grams of carbs, and only 1 gram of fat. That’s fewer calories in the whole batch than in a single serving of traditional ranch.
Why It Works
Greek yogurt provides creaminess and protein, the lemon juice adds brightness, and dill brings fresh flavor. Together, they deliver the ranch taste people love — without the calorie baggage.
Stored in a squeeze bottle, this lighter ranch keeps in the fridge for up to 7 days, making it easy to drizzle on salads, veggies, or even grilled chicken.
Final Words
Food swaps like this show how small changes add up. By tweaking one of America’s favorite dressings, you can cut calories, boost protein, and still enjoy what you crave. It’s not about giving up flavor — it’s about upgrading it.
