Does Ranch Have Eggs?

Ranch is easily America’s favorite salad dressing and dip that goes with just about everything. It is incredibly versatile and is made with just a handful of basic ingredients.

Have you ever wondered what ranch is made of and whether it has eggs? Since quite a few people have egg allergies, it is best to find out!

So, does ranch have eggs? Yes, most ranch does contain eggs. You may come across some brands that are egg-free, but for the most part, eggs are a common ingredient found in most store-bought ranch.

Read on to find out if ranch typically contains eggs, what you can use in place of the eggs, a recipe to make ranch without eggs at home, and much more.

What Is Ranch Made Of?

Ranch is a buttermilk-based dressing made using garlic, onion, chives, parsley, dill, salt, black pepper, paprika, and ground mustard seeds, all mixed into a mayonnaise-based sauce and an oil emulsion.

It has a rich, tangy, and creamy flavor that it gets from the eggs, buttermilk, and oil in the dressing. If you do not see eggs listed in the ingredients of your ranch dressing, look for mayonnaise which contains eggs.

Ranch dressing is a delicious condiment that can be served with everything from raw vegetables to green salads, pasta, fried chicken wings, and coleslaw. It can also be used as a marinade, topping, and sandwich spread.

Why Are There Eggs In Ranch?

Ranch does not have eggs on their own. They are included in the dressing as part of the mayonnaise, which plays a significant role in creating the distinctive ranch flavor.

Mayonnaise lends body to the dressing and gives it a smooth texture. Together with buttermilk, it forms the base of ranch dressing.

It is an important part of ranch, and eggs are an important part of mayonnaise. It is made by emulsifying eggs, oil, and either vinegar or lemon juice to get the creamy texture that is popular as a sandwich spread and burger condiment.

Mayonnaise is a permanent emulsion and it is the lecithin in egg yolk that acts an as effective emulsifier and keeps it all together.

Can You Make Ranch Without Eggs?

Yes, you can make ranch without eggs if you find substitutes for the egg-based mayonnaise used to make this popular dressing.

Some popular substitutes for mayonnaise to make egg-free ranch dressing include:

Egg-Free Mayonnaise

It is possible to make mayonnaise without eggs! You can either make it at home or buy store-bought egg-free mayonnaise (veganaise) to add to your ranch dressing.

Made by combining lemon juice, milk, salt, paprika, mustard, and vegetable oil to give it a thick, creamy texture, egg-free mayonnaise can be used in a variety of recipes where you wish to go egg-free.

Sour Cream

If you can’t get your hands on some egg-free mayonnaise, sour cream is a great alternative to use in your ranch dressing.

Made by adding lactic-acid-producing bacteria to dairy cream, sour cream is slightly tart with a thick texture and can add a fresh flavor to almost any recipe that calls for mayonnaise.

Sour cream is already found in many ranch dressings and adding more of it simply accentuates the flavor and texture of the ranch.

Sour cream will thicken your ranch dressing, but you will have to add a good amount in order to see a substantial difference. 50g of thick sour cream added to 100ml of ranch dressing should do the trick.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is another great alternative to mayonnaise in ranch that is a healthier option and adds a nice tangy flavor to the dressing.

It is essentially regular yogurt that has gone through an additional step – straining! It is thicker and denser than its non-strained counterpart and is a great substitute for mayonnaise in many recipes.

Greek yogurt is thicker than milk but thinner than mayonnaise and, similar to sour cream, you will need a lot of Greek yogurt to make your ranch dressing thicker.

Recipe To Make Ranch Without Eggs

Making homemade ranch without eggs is incredibly easy and takes just a handful of ingredients and a couple of minutes to prepare.

You can try any of the three mayonnaise substitutes listed above to make egg-free ranch. For this recipe, we will be using a combination of sour cream and Greek yogurt to balance out the flavors.

Ingredients

• Sour cream
• Greek yogurt
• Buttermilk
• Chives
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dried parsley
• Dried dill weed
• Salt
• Black pepper

Instructions

• Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and mix well.
• Store it in an airtight jar and keep it in the refrigerator.

Notes

Start by adding half of the buttermilk. Add the rest slowly depending on the consistency you want. Ranch dip has a thicker consistency and ranch dressing is slightly runnier. Adjust the quantities accordingly.

The dressing will be ready to serve right away but letting it sit in the refrigerator for a while will allow the flavors to develop and make it taste better. 

If you want the herbs and seasonings to break down more, you can blitz the ranch in a food processor to get a smoother texture. You can store the dressing for about a week in the refrigerator in an airtight container. 

Egg-Free Ranch Dressing Brands

Ranch dressing is one of those versatile condiments that somehow taste delicious with everything. Whether you’re pouring some on our favorite salad or using it as a dip for your fries and wings, ranch never fails to impress.

If you cannot consume eggs for some reason and also cannot live without ranch, you can simply make it at home using the recipe listed above.

But if you’re looking for a quick, convenient, and undeniably tasty option, there are a variety of great options available in the market today.

Our top pick of the best egg-free ranch is Follow Your Heart Vegan Ranch Dressing. Classic, creamy, and tangy, this indulgent ranch dressing is vegan and made without dairy or eggs!

Perfect to pair on salads, sandwiches, or even pizza, it is the perfect option for people on an egg-free, dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free diet.

Real ranch flavor combined with the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, this vegan ranch dressing is plant-based and contains no preservatives.

Egg-Free Substitutes For Ranch Dressing

If you cannot get your hands on egg-free ranch dressing or do not have time to make it at home, you can use one of the many delicious egg-free substitutes for ranch dressing. Our top picks include:

Plain yogurt

For a delicious and healthy alternative, you can substitute ranch with plain yogurt. You may add other ingredients such as garlic, onions, cayenne pepper, salt, and other seasonings to kick the flavor up a notch.

Tzatziki sauce

An interesting mix of Greek yogurt and lemon juice, tzatziki sauce offers a tart and creamy taste and can be used in place of ranch as a dip for vegetables and fries.

Hummus

One of the most popular dips that tastes amazing when paired with other food items, hummus is made with mashed chickpeas, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and tahini. Yum!

How To Make Ranch Dairy-Free

Ranch dressing, both homemade and store-bought, often contains dairy in the form of buttermilk, sour cream, or yogurt to give it a tangy flavor. Unfortunately, for the lactose intolerant, this means they can’t have ranch dressings and dips.

While they can’t enjoy these dairy-laden ranch dressings, they surely can find great dairy-free alternatives in the market and can also whip up their own versions at home!

To make dairy-free and egg-free ranch dressing at home, here’s what you’ll need:

• Vegan mayo
• Full-fat coconut milk
• Apple cider vinegar
• Salt
• Pepper
• Dried parsley
• Dried dill
• Dried snipped chives
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

Simply combine all the ingredients in a bowl, whisk them together, transfer the dressing into an airtight bottle, and refrigerate. 

Related Questions

Now that you know if ranch has eggs and how to make the best egg-free ranch at home, here are a few additional questions we thought you might have:

Is ranch gluten-free?

Ranch dressing usually does not contain any gluten but some manufacturers may choose to add an ingredient that contains gluten, such as wheat flour as a thickener or malt vinegar for flavor.

It is always a good idea to check the packaging and review all the ingredients to make sure the ranch dressing you are buying is actually gluten-free.

How long does ranch dressing last?

Store-bought ranch dressing comes with a use-by date that indicates how long it will stay good. Properly stored unopened ranch will last for 12-18 months. Opened ranch dressing will last for 6 months in the refrigerator.

Homemade ranch dressing will last for up to 2 weeks in the fridge with proper storage.

How to tell if ranch has gone bad?

If the dressing starts to look discolored or develops a weird odor, it is time to throw it out and either buy new ranch or whip up a new batch.

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