National Ranch Day 2024 (US): March 10 is National Ranch Day, and to celebrate, everything should bear the ranch name. We truly mean it. Every aspect. Because, in all honesty, Ranch elevates every dish. Fries, indeed? Undoubtedly so. Grazing on sandwiches? You wager. Cream ice cream? Perhaps. Excellent, perhaps. Today, calories are irrelevant, and ranching is the only law of the land.
Collaborate with companions in an endeavor to ascertain the preeminent ranch through a taste test, attempt to recreate ranch-inclusive recipes, or simply employ the emblematic hashtag #RanchEverything. Read on for some excellent food advice and a historical account of the ideal cuisine that man has created.
The History of National Ranch Day
Hidden Valley boasts that it established the first ranch in 1954, on its dude ranch situated in the highlands beyond Santa Barbara. The setting could not be more ideal for the inception of the only authentic dressing. According to legend, Steve Henson, a plumber-turned-cowboy rancher in the Hidden Valley, was the original proprietor of the ranch and prepared meals for his visitors using an enticing mixture of buttermilk and herbs as a covering.
When the demand surpassed Steve’s ability to package and ship his dressing to guests, it became unmanageable. Ranch eventually spread from Southwestern supermarkets to supermarkets across the nation, necessitating the relocation of production of the divine liquid to a larger facility in Sparks, Nevada. The practice of distributing homemade seasoning packets to neighbors and acquaintances for blending with buttermilk and mayonnaise has become obsolete.
Instantaneously following Clorox’s $8 million acquisition of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing in 1972, Kraft Foods and General Foods were sued for attempting to produce their Ranch varieties. While fending off imitations, Clorox laboriously revised the recipe to omit the costly buttermilk and created a bottled version that was suitable for storage in a pantry and did not need refrigeration.
Ranch varieties and methods of consumption continued to proliferate throughout the 1980s. Ranch aficionados quickly resorted to Cool Ranch Doritos and Hidden Valley Ranch Wavy Lay’s crisps as snacks, whereas children were offered Ranch dressings flavored after pizza or tacos. Nationwide, even dried ranch-flavored seasoning was shaken onto popcorn. We’re all the better off as a result of numerous companies, including Ken’s, Kraft, Newman’s Own, and Marie’s, throwing their names into the Ranch arena since Hidden Valley invented the condiment.
Ranch, one of the most well-liked and highest-selling salad dressings in the United States and Canada, consistently surpasses the salad it was originally intended for. People are perpetually inventing ranch-centric dishes and concoctions in response to their growing levels of ingenuity, including fried tiramisu and fried vegetables (thoughts on that one). We believe that Ranch merits every accolade it will receive on this momentous occasion.
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FAQs for National Ranch Day
Are any discounts available on National Ranch Day?
New York City residents are fortunate. On National Ranch Day, Hidden Valley Ranch will, among other promotional antics, pour their renowned ranch on tap in New York City bars. Additionally, ranch-themed events occur frequently in Las Vegas.
Do additional national condiment days exist?
National BBQ Sauce Day is May 16, National Ketchup Day is June 5, National Mustard Day is the first Saturday of August, and National Mayonnaise Day is May 5.
In which locations does National Ranch Day occur?
National Ranch Day is celebrated throughout the United States, but Hidden Valley introduces it to New York City in particular through entertaining events and discounts.
Methods for Observing National Ranch Day
Construct one’s ranch dressing
A few minutes are required to prepare a quantity of ranch dressing from scratch. Mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, garlic, onion powder, and additional seasonings and spices are all that is required.
Coordinate a pasture barbecue
Collect family and friends for a day of feasting on delectable dishes adorned with ranch dressing. Request that each attendee bring their preferred ranch-based recipes.
Visit a homestead.
Look for dining establishments that serve dishes containing ranch. Salads, sandwiches, burgers, tacos, and more—delectable options are abundant.
Ranch gustatory evaluation
Investigate various brands of ranch dressing to contrast their flavor profiles. Delight in assigning ratings to each one from one to ten.
Prepare a dish with vinegar
There is an extensive array of culinary applications for the ranch, spanning from savory snacks such as pretzels and crackers to sweet delights like ranch cookies and cupcakes.
Five Unveiled National Ranch Day Facts
Since 1992, Ranch has been the leading dressing in the United States.
Ranch dressing has maintained its status as the most favored salad dressing in America for nearly three decades, demonstrating its enduring popularity, after surpassing Italian dressing in 1992.
At one time, the ranch dressing recipe was an intensely guarded secret.
Before its commercial production, Steve Henson only provided devoted customers who adored its flavor with packets of the dry blend. When Clorox acquired Hidden Valley Ranch, the recipe was not made available to the public.
For true enthusiasts, a Ranch Dressing Fountain is available.
This Hidden Valley-made fountain has a capacity of 2 liters of ranch dressing, ideal for those who enjoy dipping or are willing to attempt a ranch cocktail.
Ranch Dressing’s Notoriety Extends Beyond the United States
Ranch, with its delectable allure, is not merely a preference among Americans. It has penetrated Canadian households and is even generating interest in the United Kingdom, where it is experiencing a surge in popularity.
In 1972, Hidden Valley Ranch was sold for $8 million.
Steve Henson sold Hidden Valley Ranch to the Clorox Company for $8 million. This has been a tremendous return on investment, given that ranch dressing continues to dominate national sales and popularity.
NATIONAL RANCH DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | March 10 | Sunday |
| 2025 | March 10 | Monday |
| 2026 | March 10 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | March 10 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | March 10 | Friday |
