Can Ranch Dressing Be Frozen For Later?

Every now and then, you might find yourself with the wonderful problem of having too much ranch leftover from your takeout order. Should you let that uniquely tangy dressing go to waste, or could freezing it for later help make your next meal even better?

As it turns out, like trying to pasteurize eggs at home, just because you can do something doesn't necessarily mean you should. You absolutely can freeze ranch dressing, whether it's your favorite homemade ranch recipe or the best bottled dressing you find at the grocery store, but it may not be the best-tasting option. A traditional ranch dressing usually contains ingredients like eggs, buttermilk, herbs, and mayonnaise.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that just about any food can be frozen safely, but not all foods will freeze well. The department specifically notes that sauces such as mayonnaise and those containing cream will likely decrease in quality after being thawed. On the other hand, it also advises that opened mayonnaise and other salad dressings can last up to two months in a refrigerator. With that in mind, there are some ways to freeze and enjoy ranch for later, but we can't promise it will be as tasty as when you first dipped your chicken wings in it.

The reason you may want to avoid freezing your ranch is that its ingredients might separate over time. This might turn your creamy, herbaceous dressing into a grainy or somewhat watery mixture. If you're absolutely adamant about freezing your ranch, here's what you should do.

Place the dressing in an airtight bag or plastic container to help prevent bacteria growth. You should also try to make sure the bag sits upright in the freezer or that the container is properly sealed to prevent it from spilling. You could also pour the ranch into an ice tray so that you have smaller portions to thaw out instead of a whole container. The ranch could last in the freezer for a few months this way, but don't be surprised if it looks like it has layers when you start thawing it out.

To defrost your frozen ranch, you should transfer it to the refrigerator and not leave it out. After a few hours, you can use a whisk to mix the layers around and hopefully better redistribute the separated ingredients. The overall taste and texture of the ranch dressing might be a little different than you remember, but that's the risk you run by freezing the dressing.