In the USA, ranch sauce is one of the most widely used and adored sauces, toppings, and dips.
You probably have some of this dressing in your refrigerator, whether you like to create your own Ranch or rely on store-bought.
But can you determine whether it’s spoiled and how to keep it?
Please continue reading to learn if Ranch spoils, how to store it, and when to discard it.
What is Ranch?
Buttermilk, mayonnaise, garlic, onion, parsley, dill, chives, ground mustard, black pepper, and other herbs and spices are often used to make the Ranch dressing. The ingredients may include yogurt or oil emulsions, depending on the recipe.
The creamy dressing is the ideal topping for a salad, burger, or as a dip for vegetables, chips, wings, or other foods. It has a tangy and sweet flavor.
The name of the dressing was given by its creator, Steve Henson, which is an intriguing fact. The dressing was prepared by him and his wife, who subsequently began serving it at their Hidden Valley Ranch outside of Santa Barbara.
It quickly gained enormous popularity, and the couple began selling it to their visitors under the name Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing.
Later, Clorox bought the ranch brand and began producing several ranch-inspired goods.
Today, a wide variety of ranch dressing producers provide it. Since the early 1990s, it has consistently been the most widely used dressing in the USA.
How Long Can Ranch Last? Does It Go Bad?
How long this delicious and versatile dressing lasts depends on the type of Ranch you have, as well as how you store it.
When you buy a ready-made ranch, it will have a best-by expiration date on it. This is the date up to which the dressing will be at its best quality.
But even after its expiration date, most opened store-bought Ranch can be stored and remain edible for about a month. This is true if it’s properly sealed and kept in the refrigerator.
Sealed ranch dressing, which is ready-made, can be stored in the pantry for 6-8 months, as long as it’s kept in a cool and dry place and its packaging is not damaged.
Even though some brands contain preservatives allowing Ranch to be kept out of the refrigerator, we still recommend that you keep the open bottle of the dressing in the fridge.
When left outside opened, the Ranch’s oil and another fatty emulsion will go rancid, and the buttermilk or yogurt will quickly become sour.
As for homemade ranch dressing, which has no preservatives, you should make sure to eat it within a week of making it. In the meantime, put it in an airtight container, jar, or bottle and keep it in the fridge until the next use.
Overall, the shelf life of homemade ranch topping depends on which ingredients you use.
How to Tell if the Ranch Has Gone Bad? What is its Shelf Life?
First of all, check the best-by date on the label of your ranch sauce. If you haven’t opened it, the dressing should be good for about a month after its expiration.
If you have opened homemade or store-bought ranch dressing, it may go bad after time, even if you have meticulously kept it in the fridge.
To tell whether the dressing is no good and should be thrown out, you should use your senses. Look at it, smell it, and as a last resort – taste a little bit.
It should be easy to determine if the ranch salad dressing has gone bad. If it has an odd or unpleasant smell, it likely needs to be discarded.
When you examine the consistency of the dressing, make sure to inspect it for a suspicious-looking texture or any signs of mold. Another sign that the dressing has gone bad is if the contents have separated even though it does not contain oil. If you notice these tell-tale signs, then throw the old sauce out immediately.
If you are not entirely sure, then you can taste a tiny bit of the leftover ranch. If it tastes off, then it has probably gone bad.
To stay safe and to make the best of this type of dressing, dip, or topping, make sure you keep an eye on its expiration date. Also, close it tightly and store it in the fridge.
Conclusion
When made with healthy ingredients and consumed in moderation, Ranch is among the healthiest dressings in American cuisine.
It is also very universal and will go well with any salad, snack, grilled meal, or other.
But to save your money and to prevent the wastage of food, make sure to use the dressing within its best-by expiration date. If you prepare the sauce at home, make as much as you plan to eat within the next 6-7 days.
Good luck, and enjoy your delicious ranch dressing, topping, and dip!