What is old-fashioned Ranch cornbread, you ask?
It’s a little-known but super fun side dish you have to try to believe.
Made with just three ingredients (and one optional topping), it’s savory, salty, and flavorful to the max.
What Is Ranch Cornbread?
I’ve been following @bdylanhollis on TikTok for a while, and his recipes always make me smile.
(Seriously, go follow him right now; I’ll wait.)
Some recipes are hits, and some are misses – as you’d expect when baking recipes from the Great Depression and beyond!
And then some are so intriguing I have to try them out.
This is one of those recipes.
Perfect for gatherings or everyday meals, this dish combines the homely warmth of cornbread with the bold, tangy taste of ranch.
It’s a one-of-a-kind recipe I think everyone should try once.
If you’ve never heard of this 3-2-1 ranch cornbread, you’re not alone.
It first appeared in the Howells Nebraska 1987 Woman’s Club Centennial Cookbook: NE Community Favorite Recipes Collectible.
And as Hollis mentioned, it’s one of five secret cornbread recipes. (Here’s hoping he makes them all!)
I don’t know about the others, but this recipe is calling my name!
How to Make 3-Ingredient Ranch Cornbread
This recipe couldn’t be easier to whip up. You just have to trust the process:
1. Whisk the eggs until smooth, then add the cornbread mix. Stir until blended.
2. Add a whole bottle of ranch dressing and mix into a thick batter.
3. Bake until golden brown. Sprinkle dry ranch mix over the top (optional), then bake until fluffy.
The first time I made this I didn’t add the dry ranch mix over the top. It just felt like too much. So I added some dried herbs instead to give it a pop of color.
But the second time, I went all in.
The results? The first is definitely ranch-forward. But the second tastes way more like a Cool Ranch Dorito!
Can I Use Low Fat Ranch Dressing?
Ranch isn’t known for being healthy. And a whole bottle makes this pretty calorific!
That said, light ranch is usually very thin and will change the consistency of the cornbread.
So, instead of plain light ranch, I recommend Greek yogurt ranch dressing. It’s super thick and creamy!
Serving Suggestions
As mentioned, this stuff is flavorful. It’s not the same sweet-savory cornbread you’re used to.
With that in mind, I don’t recommend serving this with overly salty or bold dishes.
Here are some fun options:
Mac and Cheese – it’s cheesy and rich, and the salty tang of the ranch cornbread is just the right pairing.
Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets – they’re crispy, crunchy, and ideal with fluffy cornbread.
Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup – though flavorful, this soup is super creamy and mild. So it’ll be great with the bold flavor of ranch.
More Cornbread Recipes To Try
Cornbread Muffins
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Sour Cream Cornbread
White Lily Cornbread
3-Ingredient Ranch Cornbread
Course: Side DishCuisine: American12
servings5
minutes25
minutes238
kcalMade with just three ingredients (and one optional topping), this old-fashioned ranch cornbread is savory, salty, and flavorful to the max.
Ingredients
3 eggs
2 (8.5 ounces) boxes cornbread mix (such as Jiffy)
1 (16 fluid ounces) bottle Ranch Dressing
1 (1 ounce) packet Ranch Seasoning, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and light grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. Add 2 boxes of cornbread mix and stir with a spatula until just combined.
- Add 1 whole bottle of Ranch dressing and stir until blended.
- Pour the cornbread batter into the casserole dish and sprinkle the dry Ranch seasoning evenly over the top (optional). If using the dry mix, sprinkle some water over the surface to prevent dry spots.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Leave to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then slice, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- The calories listed an an estimate and do not include the optional dry ranch mix.
