What is the Difference Between Ranch Dressing and Coleslaw Dressing

The main difference between ranch dressing and coleslaw dressing is their ingredients. While ranch dressing contains buttermilk, garlic, onion, herbs, salt, spices, and mayonnaise, coleslaw dressing typically contains mayonnaise, celery seeds, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and sweeteners like honey or sugar.

Ranch dressing and coleslaw dressing are creamy salad dressings that are popular among salad lovers.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Ranch Dressing  
     – Definition, Ingredients, Preparation 
2. What is Coleslaw Dressing
     – Definition, Ingredients, Preparation 
3. Similarities Between Ranch Dressing and Coleslaw Dressing
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Ranch Dressing and Coleslaw Dressing
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

 Coleslaw Dressing, Ranch Dressing

Difference Between Ranch Dressing and Coleslaw Dressingl - Comparison Summary

 

What is Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is a creamy salad dressing that contains buttermilk. It’s a very popular salad dressing in the US. In fact, it was first made in the US. Furthermore, looking at the ingredients, ranch dressing typically contains buttermilk, garlic, onion, herbs (usually, dill, parsley, and chives), salt, spices (commonly, paprika, pepper, and ground mustard seed), and mayonnaise or a similar oil emulsion. Some cooks also use yogurt or sour cream to substitute for buttermilk mayonnaise.

Ranch Dressing vs Coleslaw Dressing

To make ranch dressing at home, first, whisk the mayonnaise and buttermilk together in a bowl. Then, mash the garlic and onion with salt to create a paste. Now, add this paste and mustard to the mayonnaise-buttermilk mixture and combine well. After that add the herbs and spices to the mixture and mix it well. You can season the dressing with salt, as per your taste. You can even keep this dressing up for a week, but only if you refrigerate it in an airtight container.

Ranch dressing can be used with many salads. People also use it as a dip or flavoring for potato chips or other foods. Moreover, ranch dressing can be bought at stores since it’s manufactured by many brands, including Kroger, Ken’s, Hidden Valley, and Kraft.

What is Coleslaw Dressing

Coleslaw dressing is a creamy salad dressing that is based on mayonnaise. It is usually made with mayonnaise, celery seeds, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. But these ingredients can vary with recipes. Some recipes include buttermilk instead of mayonnaise. Some cooks also add sugar to sweeten the coleslaw dressing. But natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup are a better and healthier option. As its name indicates, we use coleslaw dressing in coleslaw salads, which contains shredded raw cabbage and other vegetables like carrots.

Compare Ranch Dressing and Coleslaw Dressing - What's the difference?

It’s also interesting to note that some chefs make coleslaw dressing with vinegar instead of mayonnaise. This dressing is different in taste and has no creaminess to it.

Similarities Between Ranch Dressing and Coleslaw Dressing

  • Ranch dressing and coleslaw dressing are two creamy salad dressings that are somewhat similar in appearance.
  • Also, both contain mayonnaise

Difference Between Ranch Dressing and Coleslaw Dressing

Definition

Ranch dressing is a creamy, American salad dressing that contains buttermilk, while coleslaw dressing is a creamy salad dressing that is based on mayonnaise.

Ingredients

Ranch dressing contains buttermilk, garlic, onion, herbs, salt, spices, and mayonnaise, while coleslaw dressing typically contains mayonnaise, celery stalks, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and sweeteners like honey or sugar.

Taste

Both have a creamy taste, but coleslaw dressing may taste sweeter since some recipes call for sugar or sweeteners like honey.

Paired with

Furthermore, coleslaw dressing is used in coleslaw salad, which is made with finely shredded cabbage and other vegetables like carrots. Ranch dressing, on the other hand, can be used with a variety of salads, chicken nuggets, French fries, buffalo wings, etc.

Conclusion

In brief, the main difference between ranch dressing and coleslaw dressing is their ingredients. Ranch dressing contains buttermilk, garlic, onion, herbs, salt, spices, and mayonnaise, while coleslaw dressing typically contains mayonnaise, celery stalks, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and sweeteners like honey or sugar.

Reference:

1. Bryan, Lisa. “Coleslaw Dressing (so Easy!).” Downshiftology, 20 Dec. 2019.
2. Minifie, Kemp. “Ranch Dressing.” Epicurious, 19 July 2013.
3. “Ranch Dressing.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Dec. 2021.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Fennel slaw” By Pat Kight (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Ranch dressing” By Whitney from Chicago, IL – Ranch DressingUploaded by Diádoco (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia

About the Author: Hasa

Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.

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