The creamy dressing made from buttermilk and herbs that is popular on salads is ranch dressing.
Ranch usually combines buttermilk with mayonnaise or another oil-based emulsion, plus garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and herbs such as dill, parsley, and chives. Sour cream or yogurt may be added, giving the dressing its thick texture and tangy flavor.
The dressing is associated with Steve Henson, who developed it while operating Hidden Valley Ranch in California in the early 1950s. It was first served to guests as a house dressing before being sold as a seasoning mix and later as a bottled dressing. The Hidden Valley brand was acquired by Clorox in 1972, helping ranch spread nationwide.
Ranch is not limited to salads: in the United States and Canada, it is also widely used as a dip for vegetables, pizza, chicken wings, and snacks. Caesar dressing is also creamy, but its signature ingredients include Parmesan, anchovies, and Worcestershire sauce rather than buttermilk and herbs.