Fiesta ranch is a zesty dip mix with a hint of roasted chipotle peppers. Our family absolutely loves the the Hidden Valley version, but I truly hate shelling out $1.29+ for a single packet of dip. Here’s a tried and true recipe that tastes just like it- and you can make 12-14 packets for the price of just one.
Ingredients:
8 Saltine Crackers
1 c. Dry Parsley Flakes
1/4 c. Minced Onion (Dried)
1 T. Dill Weed (dried)
2 T. Onion Salt
2 T. Garlic Salt
2 T. Onion Powder
2 T. Garlic Powder
In a blender, grind the saltines, add the remaining ingredients and give it a couple whirls until incorporated but not pureed. Store in a Jar, makes about 1 1/2 c. of Seasoning or 12-14 packets of Seasoning Mix.
This makes a LOVELY Ranch Seasoning for Dip, Dressing, French Fries, etc
To make Ranch Dip use 1 1/2 c. Sour Cream and 2 Tablespoons of Ranch Seasoning.
To Make Ranch Dressing use 1 1/4. Sour Cream, 1/4 C. Milk and 2 T. Ranch Dressing Mix. Add more milk to reach desired dressing consistency, if needed.
For Fiesta Ranch: Use 2 T. Ranch Mix, add 3/4 tsp- 2 tsp McCormick Chipotle Pepper Seasoning, depending on the level of hotness your family prefers. (We used 1 tsp.)
Ranch Fries & Fiesta Fries
The Price Breakdown: I actually used cheap spices from walmart which were .50 per bottle. I’ve found that when mixing up bulk spices like Taco seasoning or Ranch dip, the flavor is not compromised by using cheaper spices.
- Parsley .75
- Minced onion .25
- Dill Weed .25
- Onion Salt .08
- Garlic Salt .08
- Garlic Powder .08
- Saltines .09
Total Cost for 12-14 Packages of Ranch Dip/Dressing Mix $1.58 (or .11 per package)
Onion Powder .08
Just a quick note – I notice all of these spices appear to have been purchased at a grocery store. I can purchase spices at my local health food store for pennies on the dollar in comparison to spices at the grocery store. I just keep taking my container back and having them refilled.
I also get mine in bulk at Amish stores for pennies on the dollar. I also get Coconut oil (not organic) for $11.48 a gallon.
How about eliminating a couple ingredients?
4 T. Onion Powder
4 T. Garlic Powder
1 T. Salt?
Then people have more control over the amount of salt in the recipe too.
Thanks for recipe.
The ingredients of the official package indicate that it should contain Salt, Tomato Powder, Dried Red Bell Pepper, dried onion, corn flour, paprika, powdered milk, sugar, cream, cheese , and buttermilk.
I’m sure your recipe is a good one, but it seems to be a completely different recipe.
It might be a completely different ingredients, but the flavor is the same. (well, without the MSG, Maltodextrin, Modified food starch, Disodoum someorrather. )
Msg and modified food starch are both glutens for those with gluten sensitivity
Any ideas on eliminating the saltines? I would like to make this a gluten free dip. Thanks.
This is my question also.
I have some packets of regular hidden valley ranch mix. If I added the chipotle pepper to the regular mix, do you think it would taste like fiesta ranch?
This is a great question. I wonder if it would work. Have you tried it? What happened to all the fiesta ranch packets???
Gosh I am going to try that. I haven’t had the original Fiesta Ranch in 20 years! And I still miss it. They stopped selling around here: NJ, PA. Why? We loved it.
I think so
that is the best fiesta ranch! I initially Thought that without the paprika and tomato powder you have left off 50% of the flavor, but man was I ever wrong! The chipotle really adds the zing. I think I’ll stick to knitting instead of judging recipes.
Thanks for sharing, We’re glad you took the time to make the recipe and give it a try despite your hesitation.
Does the T in the recipe stand for TSP or TBSP? And what would be the modification to the recipe if you already have a ranch packet? The minimum I would have to add just to make it fiesta ranch. Thank you. 🙂
In recipes a Capital T stands for Tablespoon and a lower case t stands for teaspoon
I’m so happy to have found this! Thank you. I love this site.
I tried this but it was more like Spicy Ranch not Fiesta. It was too spicy in my opinion. It tasted very different. I love Fiesta and do not like the spicy ranch.