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This Homemade Ranch Dressing recipe is creamy, tangy, and full of fresh flavor! Made with just a few ingredients (mayo, sour cream, buttermilk, fresh 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.

glass jar with homemade ranch dressing and a spoon with dressing on it

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Why you'll love it
What you'll need
Tips
How to make ranch dressing
Substitutions and variations
How to Use Ranch Dressing
Leftovers and storage
Frequently Asked Questions
More Delicious Sauce Recipes
Recipe
Homemade Ranch Dressing

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 homemade, so unlike store-bought versions it contains no preservatives or artificial additives.

What you'll need

This basic dish calls for only a few ingredients. Here are the major items you'll need:

ingredients for ranch dressing in prep bowls

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.
Buttermilk - Thins the dressing to a pourable consistency and adds that classic ranch tang.
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.
Worcestershire sauce - Adds a subtle savory, umami depth to the dressing.

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 together 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.
Taste on lettuce: Keep tasting as you go, and don't just stick in the tip of your pinkie and taste a little dab, taste it on some lettuce - that'll always give you a more accurate gauge of the final flavor.
Go easy on the raw garlic: Keep in mind that the longer the dressing sits in the fridge, the stronger the garlic flavor will get, so start light and add more if you think it needs it.

How to make ranch dressing

Making this recipe is quick and simple!

Whisk together all ingredients in a bowl until smooth and combined.

adding ingredients for ranch dressing to a mason jar and then shaking it up

Chill & Serve: Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Stir before serving and enjoy as a dip or dressing!
Season to Taste: Add more salt and/or pepper, if desired.

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.
Pepper Dill Ranch: Packed with crushed pepper and loaded with fresh dill, this variation is a great choice for dipping raw vegetables.
Fresh herb swap: If you don't have fresh chives on hand, feel free to skip them; a little extra parsley is a nice alternative.

How to Use Ranch Dressing

Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

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 satisfying, savory 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.
On roasted veggies: I love this dressing on roasted broccoli and crispy smashed potatoes.
As a snack dip: We love keeping it on hand to enjoy with veggies as a snack, try dipping fresh vegetables like carrots and bell peppers for the perfect taste test.

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 freeze well (due to its dairy content) and tends to separate and become grainy after thawing. New batches always yield the best texture and flavor!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much garlic should you use in ranch dressing?

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.

How do you make ranch dressing from scratch?

To prepare ranch dressing, whisk mayonnaise, sour cream and buttermilk together, then stir in the minced garlic, dill, parsley, chives, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt and black pepper till well blended, then chill at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator before service to allow flavors to meld.

Can you freeze ranch dressing?

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.

How long does ranch dressing last?

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.

Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?

Yes! When using fresh herbs instead of dried ones in this recipe, you need to use three times as much.

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Buttermilk will make the dressing thicker and tangier; regular milk will produce a milder, thinner dressing. If you prefer a very pourable dressing, regular milk works well.

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!

Homemade Ranch Dressing