is ranch the same as mayonnaise

Ranch dressing is hugely popular in the United States, and it’s also starting to appear on some grocery store shelves in the UK.

You could be forgiven for thinking that ranch is similar to or the same as mayonnaise, and they’re often associated with each other. Still, there is a difference between the two when it comes to ingredients, nutrients, and uses.

In this article, I’ll compare ranch dressing (or topping) against mayonnaise to find out the difference between the two and which is the best nutritionally.

You’ll learn that Ranch and mayo, while often associated with each other, have distinct differences in ingredients, nutritional content, and uses. The primary components of ranch are similar to mayo, but ranch includes buttermilk and added flavors like dried garlic and onion. Nutritionally, ranch dressing is lighter than mayo, containing fewer calories and fats but slightly more sugar, making it a potential alternative for those seeking a lower-calorie option.

They’re actually kind of not. Sort of, but less different than you’d think. Ranch = Mayo + buttermilk + garlic + herbs, usually dill. Ranch is mostly mayo.

Ranch Vs. Mayo Nutritional Comparison

Moving onto the nutritional comparison and because the recommended servings are different, I’ll be comparing them weight-for-weight (per 100g), but I’ll also include the serving data for information.

The brands I’ll be comparing are top-sellers Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing/Topping and Best Foods Original Real Mayonnaise.

When comparing the calorie content of original ranch and real mayo, the sauce with the least calories is ranch dressing, with 259 fewer calories per 100g than mayo.

If you compare each sauce per 13g (equivalent to a tablespoon), ranch dressing contains 56kcal compared to mayo which has 90kcal. So if you’re looking for a lower-calorie alternative to mayo without going down the ‘light’ route, ranch dressing is a good option.

When it comes to nutritional values, the main differences between ranch dressing and mayo are that ranch is higher in carbs and sugars. In contrast, mayo is higher in fat and saturated fat and slightly higher in cholesterol.

Because ranch and mayo are made from vegetable-based oils, it’s not all bad fat, although it does push up the calorie content and can be an issue if you need to reduce your fat intake depending on your diet.

Mayonnaise is slightly lower in sodium (per weight). However, the daily value percentage for sodium in ranch dressing is 11%, compared to a serving of mayonnaise is 4%, but this is because a serving of ranch weighs more than a serving of mayo.

The table below shows the nutritional values Per 100g of ranch and mayo:

mcg = microgram (1000th of a milligram) / mg = milligram (1000th of a gram)

Here’s the bar graph comparing the daily value percentages of Fat per 100g for Ranch and Mayo.

Based on a 2,000 calorie diet:

• Ranch has approximately 46.7% of the daily value of fat per 100g.
• Mayo has approximately 77% of the daily value of fat per 100g.

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I’ll be using nutritional data for top brands, Hidden Valley Original Ranch and Best Foods Real Mayonnaise, for this comparison.

When you look at the ingredients comparison between the two, you can see the main ingredients of ranch is vegetable oil, water, eggs, sugar, and salt, which are almost identical to the main ingredients of mayonnaise. This information tells us that the basis of ranch is a mayonnaise-type dressing.

The main difference between the ranch and mayonnaise I compared is that ranch contains buttermilk and additional flavors, including dried garlic and onion.

Can you use ranch instead of mayo?

FAQ

Is ranch just mayonnaise?

Is mayo healthier than ranch?

Is ranch dressing just garlic mayo?

Is ranch the same as mayonnaise?

You could be forgiven for thinking that ranch is similar to or the same as mayonnaise, and they’re often associated with each other. Still, there is a difference between the two when it comes to ingredients, nutrients, and uses.

Can mayonnaise be used instead of eggs?

Yes, you can replace eggs with mayonnaise in recipes. You can use 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise for each egg. Mayonnaise is a good substitute for adding moisture to your brownies or other baked goods, as it is made of eggs and oil, which make them soft and moist.

What is the difference between mayonnaise and ranch dressing?

Mayonnaise is widely used as a sandwich spread, a base for other sauces (such as tartar sauce and remoulade), and a thickening agent in soups and sauces. It can also be used as a dressing for salads and vegetables. Ranch Dressing Ranch dressing is generally higher in calories and fat than mayonnaise.

Does Ranch have Mayo?

Mayo is commonly used on sandwiches, whereas most people wouldn’t use ranch on their sandwiches. Here’s something you may find interesting: ranch often contains mayo as an ingredient! The mayo contributes to the rich taste and creamy texture of ranch dressing. So when you pick ranch, you’re technically picking mayo too, just not by itself.