Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe
This homemade Ranch Dressing features a delicious combination of creamy buttermilk, zesty lemon, smooth mayo, and aromatic herbs to elevate your salads, dips, and more!
With its tangy and creamy profile bursting with herbal notes, this ranch dressing recipe can be whipped up in just a few minutes!
Any fans of ranch dressing out there? Me! Me! Me! Today’s homemade ranch dressing recipe is all about the flavor and none of the fuss.
The creamy foundation of buttermilk, the invigorating kick of lemon, the velvety consistency of mayo, and the fragrant essence of herbs all unite seamlessly in this ranch dressing recipe. Whether you’re dunking crispy appetizers or fresh veggies, or drizzling it over a crunchy salad, this salad dressing is a versatile and delightful addition to any meal.
You might just find yourself (and anyone else in the vicinity) using this buttermilk goodness on everything! <– Just like Erik and I did!
What is Ranch Dressing Made Of?
This ranch dressing recipe is made of mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, lemon, and a number of herbs including dill, parsley, onion powder, and garlic.
How to Make Ranch Dressing
It’s very simple to make ranch dressing. All you have to do is whisk all of the homemade salad dressing ingredients together in a bowl: mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, fresh dill, spices, and lemon juice.
Whisk until it’s very well mixed.
Then, if needed, you can add more buttermilk if you like your buttermilk ranch dressing thinner and more liquidy. I’ve listed more ways to customize it below.
Tips for Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
- For more tang: Whisk in 1 additional teaspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar at a time.
- More spice: Increase the black pepper to amp up the spice. Or even throw in some of your favorite hot sauce!
- Thicker ranch dressing: start with just 1/4 cup buttermilk (less than the 6 tablespoons I recommend) and see how thick you like it. Don’t add anymore if you like it this thick.
- Thinner dressing: add more buttermilk, stirring it in in 1 tablespoon increments until you reach the desired consistency.
- Less calories: use light mayonnaise, light sour cream
- Healthy substitute: you can also substitute some or all of the sour cream with Greek yogurt for a healthier homemade salad dressing.
Who Invented Ranch Dressing?
Ever heard of Hidden Valley? Ya know, the salad dressing mega-company that makes practically all of the dressings you’ve had since childhood? Well, Hidden Valley was actually the name of the guest ranch Steve Henson opened up with his wife in 1954.
Henson, the innovator behind ranch dressing, developed the iconic condiment in Anchorage in 1949. While juggling work as a construction worker and part-time cook, he crafted a unique blend of dried spices and buttermilk.
This dressing quickly rose to fame when served at his guest ranch in Santa Barbara, California. To meet the increasing demand, he started selling the essential ingredients to customers. By 1972, Hidden Valley Ranch became a small business that sold dressing via mail order, at which point the Clorox Company came in and acquired it and turned it in the famous salad dressing company we know today!
What to Serve with Ranch Dressing
- Appetizers: guilt-free potato wedges, homemade french fries, extra crispy onion rings
- Salads: top salads like 7 layer Salad and Chickpea Salad with a dollop of rich ranch dressing.
- Veggies: broccoli, honey sriracha brussels sprouts, baby carrots, roasted bell peppers, blistered green beans, breakfast potatoes, or these mouthwatering garlic parmesan potatoes
- Sandwiches: Pizza Sliders, Tomato Sandwich
- Dips: Ever try making a flight of dips? You serve up a bunch of yummy dips in various colorful bowls and let everyone enjoy their fave apps with it. Try these: roasted garlic aioli, onion ring sauce, and spicy chipotle aioli.
How Long Can I Keep Homemade Ranch Dressing
Since this homemade ranch dressing is made with simple, whole ingredients, it’s best kept in the refrigerator for a maximum of 1 week. Make sure to keep it in a tightly-sealed container and cover it when not in use.
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Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: about 1 ¼ cups 1x
Description
This homemade Ranch Dressing features a delicious combination of creamy buttermilk, zesty lemon, smooth mayo, and aromatic herbs to elevate your salads, dips, and more!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 6 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 garlic clove, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- Fresh-squeezed lemon juice to taste (1-2 teaspoons), or white vinegar
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh minced dill
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl: mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, onion powder, garlic, salt, lemon juice, black pepper, dill, parsley, and chives. Whisk well until combined.
- If needed, add more buttermilk for a thinner consistency. Taste and add more for the desired taste: extra lemon juice or white vinegar for more tang, more pepper for spice, or salt for flavor.
- Use immediately, or store in an airtight jar for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
Notes
Storing Instructions: Keep a maximum of 1 week in a tightly-sealed container in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Condiments
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
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This was so good on our salad this week
Woohoo! So glad to hear it!
The fresh herbs and creamy base made every salad burst with flavor, and it was incredibly easy to whip up. I highly recommend giving it a try for a delicious and healthier alternative to store-bought options!
Yes to all the herby goodness! Isn’t homemade just the best?
I never knew it was so easy to make homemade ranch! And the best part – it tastes better than store bought!
It so totally does! I’m really glad you enjoyed it!
This ranch was so much better than the store bought version! And it was so easy to make – creamy and so flavorful. I loved it!
Woohoo! I know, who needs the store stuff when you can make your own?
This was a complete hit with the whole family. The steps were easy to follow and the flavor was perfect.
That’s so wonderful to hear, Melissa! 😄