This Homemade Ranch Dressing recipe is creamy, tangy, and full of fresh flavor! Made with a few ingredients — buttermilk and herbs, and a touch of garlic. it’s a good dressing for salads, or serve it as a dip, or drizzle over your favorite dishes. Once you make this easy, made-from-scratch version, you won’t want store-bought again!
Try my Chipotle Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing or my Italian Sub Dressing.
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Why you’ll love it
- Fresh & Flavorful – With real ingredients like fresh herbs and tangy buttermilk, this homemade ranch dressing is a deep, bright flavor that trumps anything you see in a bottle.
- Versatile – Great as a salad dressing, as a veggie dip, or a flavor boost over grilled proteins, roasted potatoes, etc.!
- Easy to Make — You only need a few pantry staples and five minutes of prep time until you can enjoy a good, creamy dressing.
- No Preservatives – This ranch is not store bought, so unlike store bought versions it will not have preservatives or artificial things.
What you’ll need
This basic dish calls for only a few ingredients. Here are the major items you'll need:
- Mayonnaise – This is the base for the dressing and the result is thick, smooth velvety dressing. It allows for all the ingredients to meld together while also delivering heft and a little tang from the oil and egg base. Even the kind of mayo you use can affect the taste—organic, avocado oil, or even homemade for a fresher, brighter flavor.
- Sour Cream – Provides a kick of tang and a wee bit of a tartness to cut through the creaminess of the mayo. It also acts to thicken the dressing and give it a more luxurious feel. Sour cream adds to the overall mouthfeel as well, allowing the dressing to coat salads, veggies and other edibles more effectively.
- Garlic – Adds a mellow, savory depth.
- Fresh or Dried Dill – Adds a classic herby freshness to the dressing.
- Chopped Parsley — Provides mild, earthy flavor and livens the flavor of the dressing.
- Chives optional – Adds a mild, onion-like taste without being overwhelming.
- Lemon Juice or Vinegar – Adds extra tang and cuts through the richness.
- Salt & Black Pepper – A must to fully brighten up all the flavors.
- Worcestchire sauce.
Tips
- Let It Rest for Maximum Flavor – For better flavor, cover and put your ranch dressing in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before using. It gives the herbs and seasonings time to work their magic and meld into the rice for a richer, more balanced flavor.
- Adjust the Consistency — If you would like a thicker dip, use less buttermilk or add some more sour cream. For a thinner, pourable dressing, stir in more buttermilk, or a splash of milk, gradually, until you get the texture you want.
How to make ranch dressing
Making this recipe is quick and simple!
- Whisk together all ingredients in a bowl until smooth and combined.
- Chill & Serve: Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Recombine before serving and enjoy as a dip or dressing!
Substitutions and variations
- Greek Yogurt Swap – Use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream for a tangy, protein-packed, equally creamy alternative.
- TO MAKE IT DAIRY FREE Use vegan mayo, coconut yogurt and almond milk to replace the mayonnaise, sour cream and buttermilk for a plant-based ranch.
- Spicy Ranch — For a kick of heat, mix in ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or hot sauce, which is great for dipping wings or drizzling over tacos.
- Avocado Ranch — Whisk in ½ ripe avocado for a thicker, ultra-creamy dressing with fresh, buttery notes.
- Smoky Ranch — Mix in ½ teaspoon smoked paprika for an extra-rich, smoky depth that’s great with grilled meats and roasted veggies.
How to Use Ranch Dressing
I assume you already have a favorite way to utilize ranch salad dressing if you're cooking this dish.
- Salad Dressing — Drizzle on top of fresh greens, grain bowls or pasta salads for a rich, flavorful touch.
- Dipping Sauce – Great for veggies, chicken wings, fries, and even pizza for a mouthwateringly sweet-then-sour dunk.
- Sandwich & Wrap Spread – Apply as a dressing to hamburgers, sandwiches, or wraps for added creaminess and zest.
- Marinade or Sauce – Rub ranch on chicken, fish, or roasted veggies before cooking them for flavor and moisture.
Leftovers and storage
- Refrigeration: You can refrigerate homemade ranch dressing in an airtight container for up to one week. Stir before using, as the ingredients may separate over time.
- Avoid freezing: Ranch dressing does not make their way properly to freeze (due to dairy, which the ranch dressing contains), and to separate and grainy become after they thaw. New batches always yield the best texture and flavor!
Frequently Asked Questions
Use ½ to 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 small clove of fresh garlic, more or less to taste for a milder or stronger flavor.
To prepare ranch dressing, whisk mayonnaise, sour cream and buttermilk together, then stir in Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley, chives, lemon juice, salt and black pepper till well blended, then chill at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator before service to allow flavors to meld.
No, ranch dressing doesn’t freeze and thaw well, as its dairy ingredients (mayonnaise, sour cream and buttermilk) may separate and become grainy. For optimal texture and flavor, keep in the refrigerator and use within one week.
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, homemade ranch dressing will keep up to 1 week. Always stir before using and throw out if it takes on an off smell, taste or appearance.
If you tried this Homemade Ranch Dressing or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!
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Recipe
Homemade Ranch Dressing
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup mayo
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ tablespoon chopped fresh chives optional
INSTRUCTIONS
- Whisk together all ingredients in a bowl until smooth and combined.
- Chill & Serve: Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Recombine before serving and enjoy as a dip or dressing!
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