Ranch Ice Cream? New Flavor Joins Mac & Cheese, Lobster And Everything Bagel In Ongoing Race For Savory Dessert

Topline

Ranch ice cream is the latest in a series of gimmicky ice cream flavors—like pizza, honey jalapeño pickle and lobster—targeting fans of savory flavors, as the global ice cream market looks for ways to continue its growth.

Key Facts

Van Leeuwen, a national ice cream chain, launches a Hidden Valley Ranch flavored ice cream in honor of National Ranch Day on Friday, sold exclusively at Walmart, the company said in a statement.

The ice cream includes buttermilk, herbs and a “touch of sweetness,” the company said, recommending it be paired with salty snacks.

The flavor will be only briefly on sale, from March 20 through May 28.

Key Background

An additional 13% of adult Americans and 25% of those 25-34, say would be encouraged to buy more ice cream if there were more savory offerings, a 2022 survey from market-research firm Mintel found, the Wall Street Journal reported. In 2021, when Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream launched its Everything Bagel ice cream it sold out in nine days. Its popularity convinced the ice cream company to roll out the onion and garlic flavor in 2022. Meanwhile, Van Leeuwen released its popular bright yellow Kraft macaroni & cheese flavored ice cream in 2021, with 6,000 pints selling out in an hour, Food & Wine reported. In 2022 it also created a pizza flavored ice cream with cream cheese and mozzarella ice cream, a tomato jam swirl and basil crust cookies. In February, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream announced a special edition “Biscuits With The Boss” flavor, paying homage to a storyline in the popular Apple TV show Ted Lasso. Since the flavor went on sale online, it has sold out and is only available in some stores.

Tangent

Local ice cream shops have also sought publicity with savory flavors in recent years: Sweet Action Ice Cream in Denver, Colorado, tried out a honey jalapeño pickle flavor and Lick Honest Ice Creams in Austin,Texas, sells a roasted beets and fresh mint flavor. Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium in Massachusetts though has spent the past 20 years selling lobster ice cream.

Big Number

105 billion. That’s what the global ice cream market is projected to be worth by 2029, according to Fortune Business Insights.

Further Reading

People Are Actually Loving Kraft’s Mac-And-Cheese Ice cream—The Website To Order $12 Pints Crashed And The Flavor Sold Out (Business Insider)

Yum! No, Yuck! Weird Ice Cream Flavors Churn Up Discord (Wall Street Journal)

Ice Cream From Gimmick To Rapture (The New Yorker)