If you love ranch dressing as much as my family does, you need this easy Homemade Ranch Dressing recipe! 5 minutes is all you need for a creamy dressing packed with flavor that is better than anything you can buy at the store!
Seriously – we go through ranch dressing in our house like it’s going out of style. From dipping homemade pizza into it, to using it on salads and in wraps, this dressing recipe is one of our most loved!
I am all about taking a shortcut in the kitchen when it is needed. Seriously – no judgement here.
But the older I get, the more I realize that homemade really is so much better 9.5 times out of 10.
And this is true when it comes to making your own dressings.
The good thing is that making your own ranch is really not hard. At all. 5 minutes is all it takes. And the payoff is huge.
You know what is going into your ranch dressing, and it tastes way better than bottled. Definitely a win!
Ingredients
Mayonnaise: For best results, I recommend using full fat ingredients here. You can use low fat mayonnaise, but the consistency and flavor of the dressing will be different.
Sour Cream: The same as above – I do recommend full fat.
Buttermilk: You can use milk if that is all that you have on hand, although I definitely prefer buttermilk. If you want to make more of a ranch dressing dip, use less buttermilk. If you like a thinner dressing, you can add more. The buttermilk is the secret to getting the consistency you are after.
Vinegar: You need some added acid to give you that familiar tang. I like to use white vinegar, but lemon juice works well, as well.
Herbs – Dill, Parsley, Chives, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder: Most of the time, I use dried herbs because I always have them on hand. Fresh is delicious, but unless you have an herb garden of your own, it can get pricey to buy the fresh dill and chives. (Parsley is usually quite affordable.) But both options will work well. If using fresh herbs, you’ll want to do three times the amount of dried herbs.
Salt and Pepper: Season to taste with salt and pepper. I like to add the 1/4 teaspoon of salt as indicated in the recipe, but then taste after and add more, if needed. I like to use sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
How to Make Homemade Ranch Dressing
It doesn’t get any easier than this recipe! Simply combine everything in a blender and blend until everything is evenly incorporated and the dressing has thickened slightly.
Don’t have a blender? No problem! My favorite way to make this without a blender is to put all of the ingredients in a mason jar, screw the lid on tight, and then shake, shake, shake. You can also whisk everything in a bowl, but I find that the jar method works better.
Tips and Tricks
You can use this ranch dressing right after you make it, but I like to stick it in the refrigerator for a bit first. The flavors will meld and come together better if it has had a little bit of time in the fridge.
Keep in mind that it will thicken up some in the refrigerator, so if you aren’t using it right away, you can make it a little thinner than you normally would. If it has thickened up too much for you, just whisk in a bit more buttermilk before serving.
This dressing will last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator (as long as you are using fresh ingredients to start with), but I like to use it within a week. We have no problem going through it that fast, though!
Recipes Using Ranch Dressing
While we love ranch dressing as a salad dressing and as a dip for veggies, I also have a lot of recipes where it really shines. Here are a few of my favorites!
- Ranch Chicken with Potatoes and Cheese
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
- Ranch Chicken Sandwiches with Ranch Slaw
- BBQ Chicken Salad with Ranch
- Ranch Potatoes
More Salad Dressing Recipes
Avocado Ranch Salad Dressing
Blue Cheese Dressing
Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
Raspberry Vinagrette
Chipotle Ranch
Ranch Dressing Recipe
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Author: Deborah Harroun
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 1 1/2 cups
Course: Dressing
Cuisine: American
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If you love ranch dressing as much as my family does, you need this easy Homemade Ranch Dressing recipe! 5 minutes is all you need for a creamy dressing packed with flavor that is better than anything you can buy at the store!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth and emulsified. (See tips below to make without a blender.) Add more buttermilk if the dressing is too thick.
Taste, and season with more salt or pepper, if needed.
Pour into a jar and chill until needed.
Recipe Notes:
Don’t have a blender or don’t want to drag it out? Put all of your ingredients into a mason jar, tighten the lid, and shake until combined. You can also whisk everything in a bowl, but I find the the mason jar method works better.
SUBSTITUTIONS: For best results, do not substitute in low fat ingredients. You can use them, but the flavor and consistency of the dressing will be altered. You can add less buttermilk for a thicker dressing (for dipping) or add more buttermilk if you want a thinner consistency.
STORE: Stored in the refrigerator, this dressing will last up to 2 weeks, although we try to use it up in about a week.
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 2tablespoons, Calories: 87kcal (4%), Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 9g (14%), Saturated Fat: 3g (19%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 4mg (1%), Sodium: 128mg (6%), Sugar: 1g (1%)
Keywords: homemade ranch dressing, Ranch dressing, ranch dressing recipe
