What is the best low calorie ranch brand? A definitive guide for your healthy diet

October 28, 2025 •

5 min read

While a single serving of traditional ranch dressing can contain over 100 calories, the market for lighter alternatives has exploded. For those committed to a healthier lifestyle, finding what is the best low calorie ranch brand offers a delicious way to enjoy this popular condiment without compromising dietary goals. This guide breaks down the best options available today.

Quick Summary

This review analyzes and compares leading low-calorie ranch dressing brands, detailing nutritional facts, ingredients, and taste to help you make the best choice for your dietary needs.

Key Points

Bolthouse Farms: Offers a highly-rated, creamy yogurt-based ranch with only 45 calories per serving.
Marzetti Simply 60: A refrigerated buttermilk ranch with 60 calories per serving, praised for its flavor balance.
Walden Farms: Provides a calorie-free option for strict diets, but taste and texture are often compromised.
Hidden Valley Light: A good choice for those who want the classic, familiar taste in a reduced-calorie format.
Homemade Option: Making your own ranch with Greek yogurt provides the freshest, most customizable, and often healthiest alternative.
Consider Ingredients: When choosing, evaluate whether you prefer a yogurt base or artificial thickeners to achieve a lower calorie count.

The Quest for Lighter Condiments

For many, ranch dressing is an essential condiment, but its traditional, full-fat formulation is often high in calories and saturated fat. As more consumers prioritize health-conscious eating, food companies have responded with a variety of low-calorie alternatives. These lighter dressings achieve a similar creamy texture and herby flavor profile by using alternative ingredients, such as yogurt, buttermilk, or plant-based purees, to reduce the overall fat and calorie content. However, the quality, flavor, and texture can vary significantly between brands, making it a challenge to find the perfect guilt-free option.

Top Contenders for the Best Low Calorie Ranch

Bolthouse Farms Classic Ranch

Bolthouse Farms is a standout in the refrigerated dressing aisle, known for its yogurt-based dressings. Their Classic Ranch offers a creamy texture and robust flavor profile, earning praise from many online reviewers. It is made with buttermilk and yogurt, and provides only 45 calories per serving, making it one of the lowest-calorie options that doesn't sacrifice taste. It is often found in the produce section of grocery stores, rather than with other shelf-stable dressings.

Marzetti Simply 60 Buttermilk Ranch

Marzetti Simply 60 is another popular low-calorie refrigerated choice. With just 60 calories per serving, it aims to deliver a classic buttermilk ranch flavor with half the calories of its original version. Reviews suggest it strikes a good balance between flavor and a lighter profile, avoiding the overly sweet or salty taste that can plague some reduced-fat products. It is an excellent middle-ground option for those who want a familiar taste without the extra fat.

Healthy Choice Power Dressing Garden Ranch

As part of its 'plant-powered' line, Healthy Choice offers a Garden Ranch dressing that uses cauliflower puree as a base. This provides a creamy texture and helps keep the calorie count low at just 45 calories per serving. It is a decent option for those seeking a vegetable-based dressing, though its unique ingredient list results in a different flavor profile than a traditional dairy-based ranch. Like most Healthy Choice dressings, it is shelf-stable.

Hidden Valley Light Ranch

For many, Hidden Valley is the quintessential ranch flavor. Their Light version aims to capture that familiar taste with reduced calories (around 60-70 per serving) and fat. Reviews indicate that it successfully maintains much of the signature, creamy Hidden Valley flavor and mouthfeel, making it a reliable choice for those who are loyal to the brand. It is widely available and typically located alongside other shelf-stable dressings.

Walden Farms Calorie Free Ranch

For the strictest calorie counters, Walden Farms offers a calorie-free, fat-free, and sugar-free ranch dressing. While the nutritional facts are appealing, many consumer taste tests find its flavor and texture to be significantly lacking compared to traditional ranch. Its base consists of purified water and a mix of cellulose gum, flavorings, and sweeteners, which can result in a thin, artificial-tasting product. This brand is best suited for those for whom calorie count is the absolute top priority.

How to Choose the Right Low-Calorie Ranch for You

Choosing the ideal dressing involves balancing several key factors based on your priorities.

Prioritize Taste and Texture: If flavor is paramount, you may prefer options like Bolthouse Farms or Marzetti, which use higher-quality, yogurt-based ingredients to mimic a traditional ranch. These tend to have better reviews for creaminess and authentic herby notes.
Consider Ingredient Quality: Read the ingredient list carefully. Brands like Bolthouse and Marzetti often have simpler, more recognizable ingredients compared to calorie-free options like Walden Farms, which rely heavily on artificial additives and gums.
Evaluate Calorie Trade-offs: Are you willing to spend 45-60 calories for a better taste experience, or is zero calories the ultimate goal? This is the primary trade-off between the yogurt-based brands and Walden Farms.
Check Dietary Needs: For vegan or dairy-free individuals, options may be more limited, requiring a closer look at labels or exploring specialized brands.

Comparison Table: Low-Calorie Ranch Brands


Brand	Calories (per 2 tbsp)	Fat (per 2 tbsp)	Base Ingredients	Taste Notes	Shelf Location
Bolthouse Farms Classic Ranch	45	3g	Yogurt, Buttermilk	Creamy, robust, good flavor	Refrigerated
Marzetti Simply 60 Buttermilk Ranch	60	5g	Buttermilk	Balanced, good flavor, not overly sweet	Refrigerated
Healthy Choice Garden Ranch	45	1.5g	Cauliflower Purée, Buttermilk	Unique veggie-forward taste	Shelf-Stable
Hidden Valley Light	60-70	5g	Water, Soybean Oil, Buttermilk	Classic, signature taste	Shelf-Stable
Walden Farms Calorie Free	0	0g	Water, Cellulose Gel, Flavors	Thin, often artificial taste	Shelf-Stable

Making Your Own Low-Calorie Ranch

For ultimate control over ingredients and flavor, consider making your own low-calorie ranch. This is a popular option in the low-calorie cooking community.

Ingredients

1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 teaspoon dried dill
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
A pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth.
Add water or more buttermilk to achieve desired consistency.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

This homemade version provides a protein boost from the Greek yogurt and allows you to adjust seasonings to your personal taste.

Conclusion: Your Ideal Choice Depends on Your Goal

So, what is the best low calorie ranch brand? The answer depends on your priorities. For the best balance of flavor and low calories, Bolthouse Farms and Marzetti Simply 60 are often the winners. They provide a satisfying taste and creamy texture with a reasonable calorie count. If you are a fan of a particular brand's classic flavor, Hidden Valley Light offers a good, familiar alternative. For those who prioritize zero calories above all else, Walden Farms is the only choice, but be prepared for a taste and texture compromise. For the healthiest, most customizable option, making your own Greek yogurt-based ranch is an excellent and highly recommended route. Regardless of your choice, reading the nutrition label and ingredient list is always the best way to ensure it aligns with your specific dietary needs.

Authoritative Link

For a detailed breakdown of calories and ingredients for multiple brands, visit this resource: How Many Calories Does Ranch Dressing Have?

The Best Low Calorie Ranch Brands (At a Glance)

Best for Taste: Bolthouse Farms Classic Ranch delivers a satisfyingly creamy, herby flavor using a yogurt base.
Best Classic Alternative: Hidden Valley Light retains much of the classic, familiar ranch taste but with fewer calories.
Best Refrigerated Option: Marzetti Simply 60 provides a balanced, natural-tasting buttermilk ranch that is not overly sweet.
Best Zero-Calorie Option: Walden Farms Calorie Free is ideal for the strictest calorie counting, though it compromises on flavor and texture.
Best DIY Solution: A homemade version using Greek yogurt offers the best control over ingredients and freshness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Low-calorie ranch dressings often use yogurt or alternative bases to reduce fat, which can result in a different taste and texture than traditional versions. While many brands, like Bolthouse Farms and Marzetti, are highly rated for their flavor, others, such as Walden Farms, have a noticeable difference due to their zero-calorie formulation.

Walden Farms Calorie Free Ranch is a good option for those on a very strict diet where every calorie counts. However, many consumers find its taste and texture to be poor, as it relies on artificial flavors and thickeners rather than real dairy. The appeal depends heavily on whether you prioritize calorie count over flavor.

Brands like Bolthouse Farms and Marzetti are typically found in the refrigerated section because they use fresh ingredients like yogurt and buttermilk, which require refrigeration to maintain their quality and flavor.

Yes, you can easily make your own low-calorie ranch using plain Greek yogurt, low-fat buttermilk, and a blend of herbs and spices. This allows you to control all the ingredients and avoid any additives while still achieving a delicious, creamy result.

For a dairy-free low-calorie ranch, look for brands that use vegan-friendly ingredients. You could also try making a homemade version with a plain dairy-free yogurt alternative, adjusting the spices for flavor.

The best low-calorie ranches often use real ingredients like buttermilk, yogurt, or cauliflower puree to achieve a creamy texture. Look for products that list these wholesome ingredients rather than an extensive list of chemical-sounding thickeners and artificial flavorings.

To thin out a homemade Greek yogurt ranch, simply add a splash of milk, buttermilk, or water until it reaches your desired consistency. A little at a time is best to avoid making it too runny.