Is Ranch On Pizza A Sin?

Here are my qualifications:

• Certified ranch enthusiast—like, major lover status.
• Moderate but consistent admirer of pizza.

Now, while this may not spark as much debate as pineapple on pizza, I recently experienced a moment of heartbreak at the iconic Prince Street Pizza. There, boldly displayed on the wall, was a sign that read: “Ranch is a sin.” As someone who holds ranch close to their heart, I won’t lie—this stung a little.

Even more ironic? They recently launched a new dipping sauce called “Not Ranch,” a garlic-based concoction that feels suspiciously like a dig at those of us loyal to the tangy goodness that is ranch.

It’s fascinating to think about how far ranch has strayed from its original purpose. Originally crafted as a dressing meant for salads and raw veggies, it somehow found its way into the hearts of Americans as the ultimate companion to pizza, wings, fries, and pretty much anything else that can be dipped.

There’s definitely a cultural layer to this whole debate. The ranch-on-pizza combo feels like a uniquely American invention—one that might puzzle or even horrify folks from other parts of the world. But isn’t that kind of the beauty of American food culture? We dip and we drown in sauces. And for many of us, it just works.

Hidden Valley, the OG of ranch, clearly recognized this shift early on. Since the mid-20th century, their branding has leaned heavily into the “ranch goes with everything” vibe—pizza included. Their ad campaigns over the decades have practically encouraged this so-called rebellion against the original salad-only destiny.

So honestly, when I see people judging or shaming the ranch-and-pizza combo, I can’t help but feel a little misunderstood. Sure, it’s not traditional. But taboo? Not in the average American pizza spot. In fact, I’d argue it’s becoming a staple.

What do you think—does ranch deserve redemption in the eyes of the pizza purists, or are we forever destined to dip in the shadows?