Homemade Creamy Ranch Dressing Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup of sour cream
  • 1/2 cup of buttermilk or full-fat milk
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or white vinegar
  • 1 clove of garlic, finely minced or grated
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon of dried chives
  • 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

Steps and instructions

  1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk or milk. Stir until well mixed.
  2. Add the fresh lemon juice or white vinegar to the mixture and stir again.
  3. Finely mince or grate one clove of garlic and add it to the bowl.
  4. Add chopped fresh dill, parsley, dried chives, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Stir all the ingredients until well combined.
  5. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
  6. Stir the dressing again before serving. If you find the dressing too thick, you can thin it with a little extra milk or water.
  7. The Ranch dressing is now ready to serve with your favorite salads, veggies, or dishes. Enjoy!

Tools for making

  • Mixing Bowl - A medium-sized bowl to combine all the ingredients.
  • Whisk - To stir and mix the ingredients together until well combined.
  • Measuring Cups - For accurately measuring the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, and lemon juice.
  • Measuring Spoons - To measure the garlic, fresh herbs, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Grater - If using fresh garlic, you will need a grater to finely grate it.
  • Lid or Plastic Wrap - To cover the bowl before refrigerating the dressing.

Recipe variations

  • Spicy Ranch: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the dressing for a kick of heat.
  • Avocado Ranch: Mash 1 ripe avocado and mix it into the dressing for a creamy and flavorful twist.
  • Chipotle Ranch: Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers to give the dressing a smoky and spicy flavor.
  • Greek Yogurt Ranch: Replace the mayonnaise and sour cream with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt for a healthier version of the dressing.
  • Herb Ranch: Experiment with different herbs such as basil, tarragon, or cilantro to add unique flavors to the dressing.
  • Vegan Ranch: Substitute the mayonnaise and sour cream with vegan alternatives like vegan mayo and vegan sour cream.
  • Buttermilk Ranch: Use traditional buttermilk instead of regular milk for a tangier and creamier dressing.
  • Ranch Dip: Increase the amount of sour cream and reduce the liquid ingredients to create a thicker and dip-like consistency.
  • Low-Fat Ranch: Use low-fat or light mayonnaise and sour cream to reduce the overall fat content without compromising too much on flavor.
  • Parmesan Ranch: Add grated Parmesan cheese to the dressing for a cheesy and savory twist.

Recipe overview

This homemade Ranch dressing is creamy, tangy, and full of flavor. It's quick and easy to make with mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, and a mix of herbs and spices. This healthy alternative to store-bought dressing is perfect for salads, vegetables, and many other dishes. It's far superior to bottled dressing and once you taste it, you'll never go back. The recipe doesn't require any advanced cooking skills, and it's ready in just a few minutes. After combining all the ingredients, a little time in the refrigerator allows the flavors to meld together, creating a dressing that's rich, tasty, and full of the classic Ranch flavor.

Common questions

  1. Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream? Yes, you can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream in this recipe. The texture and taste may be slightly different, but it will still work well.
  2. Is it possible to make a vegan version of this dressing? Yes, you can make a vegan version of Ranch dressing by using vegan mayonnaise, dairy-free sour cream or yogurt, and plant-based milk. Make sure to check the labels of the ingredients to ensure they are vegan-friendly.
  3. Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh ones? While fresh herbs provide the best flavor, you can use dried herbs as a substitute. Keep in mind that the intensity of the flavor may be stronger with dried herbs, so you may need to adjust the amounts accordingly.
  4. How long can I store the Ranch dressing? You can store the Ranch dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Make sure to give it a good stir before using it again.
  5. Can I double or halve this recipe? Yes, you can easily adjust the quantities to double or halve the recipe based on your needs. Just make sure to maintain the ratio of ingredients for the best results.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Mixing Bowl - A medium-sized bowl to mix and combine all the ingredients.
  • Whisk - A whisk to blend the ingredients together smoothly.
  • Measuring Cups - Measuring cups to accurately measure the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk or milk, and lemon juice.
  • Measuring Spoons - Measuring spoons to measure the garlic, dill, parsley, dried chives, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Garlic Press - A garlic press to finely mince or grate the garlic clove.
  • Cover or Plastic Wrap - A cover or plastic wrap to seal the bowl and refrigerate the dressing.
  • Refrigerator - A refrigerator to chill the dressing for at least one hour.

Origin stories

Ranch dressing has an interesting origin story that hails from the wild, wild west of the United States. Specifically, it was born on a real ranch in Santa Barbara, California in the 1950s. The creator, Steve Henson, was a cowboy from Nebraska who moved to California to work as a plumbing contractor in the Alaska bush. While there, he cooked for his coworkers, perfecting his buttermilk dressing recipe. Later, he and his wife Gayle opened Hidden Valley Ranch, a dude ranch in Santa Barbara, where guests fell in love with Steve's dressing. So beloved was this creamy, herb-flecked condiment that the Hensons began selling it in packages for guests to take home, first as a dry mix and then as a ready-to-use dressing. The rest is creamy, delicious history. Today, Ranch dressing isn't just a salad dressing, it's a cultural phenomenon, adored for its cool, tangy taste and culinary versatility.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.