Quick Answer
There are about 140 calories in 2 tablespoons of Hidden Valley Original Ranch salad dressing. The exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the specific variety. But most Hidden Valley Ranch dressings provide around 70 calories per tablespoon.
Detailed Answer
Hidden Valley Ranch is one of the most popular salad dressings in the United States. But like many creamy dressings, it packs a decent amount of calories into a small serving. Here is a detailed look at the calorie count in 2 tablespoons of various Hidden Valley Ranch dressings:
Original Ranch
Hidden Valley Original Ranch dressing contains 70 calories per tablespoon. So 2 tablespoons provides 140 calories.
This Original Ranch dressing gets its creamy texture and tangy flavor from ingredients like buttermilk, soybean oil, salt, garlic, onion, chives, and other seasonings. The combination of oil and buttermilk contributes most of the calories.
Light Ranch
The Light Ranch version contains just 45 calories in each tablespoon. So 2 tablespoons provide 90 calories.
To create a lighter ranch dressing, Hidden Valley uses a blend of canola oil and yogurt instead of full-fat buttermilk. This significantly reduces the calories while maintaining a creamy, ranch-like taste.
Organic Ranch
Hidden Valley also makes an Organic Ranch dressing that contains 60 calories per tablespoon or 120 calories in 2 tablespoons.
Like the Original, it’s made with buttermilk. But it uses olive oil instead of soybean oil. The switch to olive oil cuts about 10 calories per tablespoon compared to the Original Ranch.
Blasted Buffalo Ranch
For those who like some heat, Blasted Buffalo Ranch contains 70 calories in each tablespoon or 140 calories in 2 tablespoons.
In addition to the classic ranch ingredients like buttermilk, this variety includes buffalo wing sauce. The spicy blend of hot peppers and vinegar adds lots of flavor without adding calories.
Bacon Ranch
As you might expect, the calorie count gets a boost in the Bacon Ranch dressing, with 80 calories per tablespoon or 160 calories in 2 tablespoons.
Real bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor to the classic ranch ingredients. And a little extra fat and calories come along with it.
Chipotle Ranch
With the addition of chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, cumin, and red bell peppers, the Chipotle Ranch dressing contains 90 calories in each tablespoon. A 2 tablespoon serving provides 180 calories.
The blend of spicy chipotle flavor mixed with cooling ranch makes this one of the more higher-calorie Hidden Valley Ranch varieties.
Balsamic Vinaigrette
In addition to ranch dressings, Hidden Valley also makes a Balsamic Vinaigrette variety. With 60 calories per tablespoon, this tangy vinaigrette contains 120 calories in 2 tablespoons.
It’s made with a base of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, adding fewer calories than ranch options made with buttermilk and oils. The addition of honey adds a touch of sweetness.
Garden Herb Ranch
The Garden Herb Ranch contains 60 calories in each tablespoon, or 120 calories total in 2 tablespoons.
In addition to the classic ranch ingredients, this variety includes orange juice concentrate, garlic, onion, chives, parsley, dill, basil, oregano, and other herbs. The extra flavor adds almost no extra calories.
Peppercorn Ranch
With a bold blend of black peppercorns, Peppercorn Ranch dressing has 70 calories per tablespoon or 140 calories in 2 tablespoons.
It includes the usual ranch ingredients like buttermilk, oil, garlic, and onion. But the addition of cracked black peppercorns gives it a punchy flavor.
Serving Size Comparisons
To put the 2 tablespoon serving size into context, here’s how the calorie counts for Hidden Valley Ranch dressings compare across different serving sizes:
| Serving Size | Original Ranch Calories | Light Ranch Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon | 70 | 45 |
| 2 tablespoons | 140 | 90 |
| 1/4 cup | 280 | 180 |
| 1/2 cup | 560 | 360 |
As you can see, the calories add up quickly as the serving size increases. Even though 2 tablespoons doesn’t seem like much, it still provides a significant number of calories.
To keep the calorie count low, carefully measure out the dressing instead of pouring it directly on your salad. And opt for low-calorie varieties like Light Ranch when possible.
Nutrition Facts Comparison
Here is a nutrition facts label comparison between Hidden Valley Original Ranch and Light Ranch dressing:
Original Ranch (2 Tbsp)
| Calories | 140 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 14g |
| Carbs | 1g |
| Protein | 1g |
Light Ranch (2 Tbsp)
| Calories | 90 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 9g |
| Carbs | 2g |
| Protein | 1g |
As you can see, the Light Ranch cuts about 50 calories, 5g fat, and 1g carb compared to the Original version.
So when you’re aiming to cut back, the Light Ranch is a lower-calorie alternative. But keep portion sizes in check, as the calories still add up if you use more than the recommended 2 tablespoon serving size.
Tips for Reducing Calories
Here are some tips to cut calories when using Hidden Valley Ranch dressing:
Stick to the 2 Tbsp serving size
Carefully measure out 2 tablespoons instead of pouring dressing directly on your salad. Proper portion control is key.
Try the Light Ranch variety
With just 45 calories per tablespoon, Light Ranch can save about 50 calories per serving compared to regular Hidden Valley Ranch.
Use it as a dip instead of drizzling
Dipping vegetables and other items in ranch often uses less dressing than pouring it over salad. Dip just the ends rather than dunking fully.
Mix it with plain Greek yogurt
Mixing ranch dressing with an equal amount of non-fat plain Greek yogurt cuts the calories while retaining the flavor. The yogurt’s thickness also allows it to stick to items better when dipping.
Make your own “ranch” with Greek yogurt
For an even lower-calorie option, make homemade ranch by combining non-fat Greek yogurt with ranch seasoning mix and a splash of milk to thin. This lets you control the ingredients and calories.
The Bottom Line
The total calories in 2 tablespoons of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing ranges from about 90 to 180, depending on variety. To lighten up your salad, stick closely to the recommended serving size, choose lighter varieties, and use other tricks to cut back on calories. With some adjustments, you can still enjoy the flavor without all the extra calories.