We Tried KFC’s New Hot Ranch And We Couldn’t Find The Heat

IShowSpeed is one of those social media personalities known for his unpredictable ventures. While he is primarily a streamer, his various collaborations and event appearances often seem to materialize out of nowhere. However, this recently announced partnership with KFC feels slightly less surprising. In a press release, he noted that fans shouldn’t be shocked by this collaboration, as he has consistently expressed his genuine love for KFC as one of his favorite fast-food chains.

The launch marks a foray into condiments with the introduction of his “Hot Ranch Big Dip.” With KFC’s new Saucy Nuggets seemingly taking center stage, it is refreshing to see the brand not only garnering attention through this partnership but also investing effort into the sauce selection at traditional KFC locations.

Collaborating with an internet personality always carries a slight risk that the product might be poorly executed. We knew we had to get our hands on this new ranch to see what the hype was about. Here is our official Sporked review.

Pros — At the end of the day, this is essentially just ranch. And as we know, ranch is delicious. It is a fan favorite for a reason, and tourists visiting the United States for the World Cup even grew to love it so much that it became an international sensation, despite its common nature for Americans. Ultimately, it was no surprise that the sauce is quite tasty.

In our opinion, it ranks on the high-quality end of ranch execution. It avoids a gloopy, mayonnaise-heavy texture, opting instead for a thinner, saucier consistency. It feels like the type of ranch you would find at a restaurant that prepares it fresh. The classic ranch flavors come through beautifully, offering the perfect balance of salty, creamy, and tangy notes for dipping your chicken. Additionally, for $1.50, you receive a generous portion. It is larger than any other sauce available at KFC, making the higher price point feel justified.

Cons — The only area where this ranch struggled was the spice level. You do get a hint of heat, but it is merely a warming sensation at the back of your palate rather than a prominent flavor profile. It functions more as an aftereffect than an integral part of the eating experience.

If you enjoy the concept of spicy ranch but aren’t a fan of intense heat, you will likely appreciate this. However, if you are searching for a significant kick, we aren’t going to pretend you will be satisfied with the spice level of this ranch, both in terms of actual heat and flavor.