Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Trader Joe's Ranch Seasoning Blend

Did you know that you don't need to shake a shaker? It's true. It's amazing what you can learn while surfing the interwebs. You just hold the shaker in place while upside down and rotate the plastic covering with the holes back and forth. Or hold the plastic covering in place and rotate the shaker itself. The salt or pepper or, in this case ranch powder, just falls right out...much more evenly than if you shake it, I might add. It was one of those "my whole life has been a lie" moments for me. So there you go. That's a free life hack just for reading this blog.

Another life hack: put this stuff on popcorn. Ranch popcorn. You're welcome. Why isn't ranch popcorn a thing? Well, actually, I suppose it is. But why isn't it more popular? I dunno. As I'm writing this paragraph, I'm realizing it says "sprinkle on popcorn" on the front of the label. I guess Trader Joe's beat me to it.

Pro tip: the more buttery your popcorn is, the better this seasoning will stick to it.

To be honest, ranch isn't really my thing. It's definitely not my go-to as far as salad dressing is concerned. I'm not big into hot wings or anything like that. In the upper midwest, they give out ranch with freaking everything. At some bar/grills around here, they give you ranch with French fries. I'm always like, "Um...have you ever heard of ketchup?"


But I digress. Ranch has its place. It's great as a veggie dip with carrots and celery and broccoli, although this powder doesn't really work in that application. I bet you could mix it with some sour cream and create a makeshift ranch dip. The side of the shaker actually has a recipe for "Creamy Buttermilk Ranch Dressing" involving mayo and buttermilk but I bet it would be just as good using only sour cream and this seasoning, a la those Hidden Valley seasoning packets.

It might just be me, but I felt this ranch flavor was particularly potent, almost spicy even. There's plenty of garlic, onion, dill, and pepper taste in addition to the creamy buttermilk. I'm thinking you could use this on baked potatoes, fish, poultry, or other meats. Anybody have any other crazy ideas? Love to hear about them in the comments.

We both liked it and would buy it again. $2.99 for the shaker. Four stars a piece from Sonia and me for Trader Joe's Ranch Seasoning Blend.

Bottom line: 8 out of 10.

5 comments:

  1. Suggesting the use of ranch dressing with hot wings can start a fight here in Buffalo. ;)

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  2. Ranch fish? 🤢
    I make dips using Greek yogurt. Tastes close enough to sour cream for me. Add onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and dried chives for "sour cream and onion" dip. I often use the bagel seasoning for a veggie dip. Tasty. Thought about picking up this one up, but then realized I don't crave ranch enough to have a whole bottle of it.

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    Replies
    1. I tried this with breaded pollock and it worked really well. Similar to the flavor of fried fish with tartar sauce.

      Also ranch seasoned mac n' cheese is surprisingly good.

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  3. Ranch seasoning/powder is my secret for super tasty home fries or hash browns or roasted potatoes (most potato things, really). Mix with paprika and the elote seasoning blend and toss on diced potatoes, pan fry in oil. Excellent side dish with Mexican food, or to put eggs on top of :)

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