Indiana’s Favorite Condiment Isn’t Ranch, So What Is It?

To the surprise of many Hoosiers, ranch dressing isn't Indiana's favorite condiment. That said, there seems to be more to the story than meets the eye.

Condiments are a pivotal part of any restaurant menu. While I'm not the biggest fan of ranch dressing, it seems like that particular offering would be the favorite in the Hoosier state, given its popularity and widespread availability. However, that's not the case. In fact, it's another condiment—or rather, two—that seem to be at the top of the list.

Why Ranch Should Be Indiana's Top Condiment

You can't go anywhere in Indiana without seeing ranch dressing on a menu, and not just for salads. Folks seem to love the stuff on chicken wings, celery, fries, and even pizza. In fact, according to Tasting Table, ranch dressing is more popular in the Midwest than in any other region in the country. With a reputation like that, how could it not be a winner? To answer that question, I went to a couple of different sources.

What Is the Difference Between a Condiment and Dressing?

First and foremost, it's important to note that the definition of a condiment seems to be subjective. So, if you're saying to yourself, "Ranch dressing isn't Indiana's favorite condiment because it's a dressing," that's not factually correct. Believe it or not, the terms condiment and dressing can be used interchangeably, as no firm definition of either exists. The Kitchen even asked 10 professional chefs to define what a condiment truly is, and received answers that varied widely.

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Indiana's Favorite Condiment(s) Revealed

In 2019, a study by Influenster analyzed over 50,000 condiment reviews across the U.S. to determine the most popular in each state. That year, the website claimed that Bertolli Alfredo with Aged Parmesan Cheese Sauce was Indiana's favorite. The study also found that Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing was the most popular in five states, primarily in the West.

That same year, another state-by-state analysis revealed that spicy mustard was the favorite in Indiana. Given that this data is now almost six years old, I'd say it's time for a recount. Personally, I just can't believe that in two separate studies, ranch didn't top the list for Indiana. Am I crazy?