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    Home » Recipes » Salad Dressing

    Ranch Dressing Recipe

    Published: Jun 9, 2021 · Modified: Aug 9, 2022 by Laura Reigel · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump To Recipe Comments Jump To Video
    ranch dressing pin

    Ranch dressing might be the most popular salad dressing recipe in the world. This salad dressing recipe tastes like the Buttermilk Ranch Dressing that's in that beloved packet, only better!

    This homemade ranch is so much better than store-bought.

    homemade ranch in a kerr jar

    This dressing recipe is the BEST Ranch Dressing recipe because it tastes like Hidden Valley Ranch mix, but it's made with fresh ingredients. It has classic ranch flavor that you know and love. See how easy it is to make this ranch dressing from scratch.

    You can also use this recipe to make a ranch dip. All you have to do is leave out the buttermilk entirely or use less of it to get a thicker consistency. Adjust it to your liking.

    Why this recipe works

    • This salad dressing recipe has the perfect ranch flavor.
    • You can make this recipe in a bowl or just shake it up in a mason jar.
    • This recipe is quick and easy; you'll never buy ranch dressing again.
    • Make this salad dressing with dried or fresh herbs.
    a spoonful of ranch showing the herbs

    Recipe Notes

    Restaurant ranch dressing is most commonly made with Hidden Valley Ranch mix. It's sort of the signature ranch flavor. When I was recipe testing, I wanted this homemade ranch recipe to have that classic flavor and be easy enough to whip up on the fly.

    I use dried herbs in this recipe, but I have made this ranch recipe using fresh herbs too, and it's also fantastic. You'll use a little bit more or each herb if you do make this dressing with fresh herbs. Check out the recipe card for more details.

    What Goes Into Ranch?

    ingredients that go into ranch
    • Mayonnaise. Use Hellman's or Best Food mayo.
    • Sour cream. Daisy sour cream is my favorite. It has the freshest sour cream flavor.
    • Buttermilk. I like full-fat Bulgarian-style buttermilk. If you don't have buttermilk you can use whole will and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice.
    • Chives. Dried or fresh.
    • Parsley. Dried or fresh.
    • Dill. Dried or fresh.
    • Garlic powder.
    • Onion powder.
    • Salt and pepper.

    As a general rule, to convert dried herbs to fresh herbs, use 3 times the amount of fresh herbs. For every teaspoon of dried herbs, you would use a tablespoon of fresh herbs.

    How to make this salad dressing

    a simple salad recipe served with buttermilk ranch dressing
    1. Simply add all the ingredients, except the buttermilk, to a bowl and whisk.
    2. Add the buttermilk and whisk it in. You can adjust the amount of buttermilk to achieve the desired consistency.

    Alternatively, you and all all of the ingredients to a mason jar and simply shake it up to blend it.

    3 Recipe Variations

    Ranch Dip

    To make ranch dip, simply leave out the buttermilk. You will end up with a thicker ranch that is perfect for dipping crudites (sliced veggies.)

    Buffalo Ranch

    Add ½ teaspoon of paprika and ⅛-1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.

    Chipotle Ranch

    Add 2 teaspoons of dried chipotle pepper, 2 teaspoons of taco seasoning mix, and 2 tablespoons of hot sauce like Chipotle Cholula.

    Storing Tips

    Store ranch dressing in the fridge for up to two weeks in an airtight container.

    easy homemade ranch in a mason jar

    What To Serve With Ranch Dressing

    This traditional ranch dressing recipe is of course delicious on a salad. You can even add grilled chicken. Ranch dressing is also a winner with wings and of course, pizza.

    I love this dressing on my Burger Bowl too.

    • Garlic Parmesan Wings (Baked and Super Crispy)
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    More Salad Dressings That You’ll Love

    Salads make great no-cook dinner recipes. Whether you're in the mood for a crisp Greek Salad with Greek Salad Dressing or a Grilled Chicken Salad with Champagne Mustard Vinaigrette I've got you covered.

    Plus, I've got Blue Cheese Dressing that is divine on a Classic Wedge Salad.

    Find a new favorite Salad Dressing Recipe.

    • Green Goddess Dressing
    • Homemade Mayonnaise Recipe
    • Caesar Salad With Dressing
    • Asian Slaw With Peanut Dressing

    ➽ Did you make this recipe? I love to see what's going on in your kitchen. Please show me what you're cooking. 🍳 Tag me @foodologygeek on your favorite social channel! Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. If you loved ❤︎ this recipe, please leave a five ★ review and a comment!

    ranch dressing in a kerr jar
    Favorite Saved!

    Ranch Dressing Recipe

    Laura Reigel
    Ranch dressing might just be the most popular salad dressing recipe in the world. This salad dressing recipe tastes like the Buttermilk Ranch Dressing that's in that beloved packet, only better!
    PRINT PIN SAVE SAVED
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Dressing
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 183 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup Mayonnaise
    • ½ cup Sour cream
    • ½ cup Buttermilk Or whole milk + 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon Chives
    • ½ teaspoon Dill
    • ½ teaspoon Parsley
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¾ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, and seasoning to a medium bowl.
      step 1 of making ranch dressing. add mayo, sour cream and seasoning to a bowl
    • Whisk the ingredients together.
      whisking ranch ingredients together
    • Add the buttermilk.
      add buttermilk to the ranch dressing
    • Whisk to combine. Add more buttermilk to thin the ranch dressing, if needed.
      whisked buttermilk ranch dressing

    Video

    Laura's Tips + Notes

    Ingredient Notes
    • Mayonnaise. Use Hellman's or Best Food mayo.
    • Sour cream. Daisy sour cream is my favorite. It has the freshest sour cream flavor.
    • Buttermilk. I like full-fat Bulgarian-style buttermilk. If you don't have buttermilk you can use whole will and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice.
    Recipe Variations
    • Ranch Dip: To make ranch dip, simply leave out the buttermilk. You will end up with a thicker ranch that is perfect for dipping crudites (sliced veggies.)
    • Buffalo Ranch Dressing: Add ½ teaspoon of paprika and ⅛-1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
    • Chipotle Ranch Dressing: Add 2 teaspoons of dried chipotle pepper, 2 teaspoons of taco seasoning mix, and 2 tablespoons of hot sauce like Chipotle Cholula.

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 183kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 339mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword ranch, salad dressing
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Snap a 📸 and share it. Tag me @foodologygeek and don't forget to hashtag #foodologygeek!

    More Hoemamade Salad Dressing Recipes

    • Greek Salad Dressing Recipe
    • Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
    • Champagne Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
    • Asian Salad Dressing - Sesame Ginger Deliciousness
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    About Laura Reigel

    Laura is the owner and CEO of Foodology Geek. She holds a degree in Physiology and Neuroscience as well as a Certification as a Nutrition Coach. Laura uses her love of cooking and science to create healthy real food recipes that you'll love eating.

    As a certified recipe hoarder, and meal prep maven Laura is passionate about sharing her love for cooking easy from-scratch recipes. She also shares the occasional family recipe and all of the technical details.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura

      June 14, 2021 at 6:18 pm

      Thanks Lisa for the review. This is my favorite ranch ever.

      Reply
    2. Lisa Hatfield

      June 14, 2021 at 1:10 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this last night for dinner, it is SO good!!!

      Reply

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