Published April 3, 2021. Updated April 16, 2021
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The BEST homemade Ranch Dressing recipe! It’s perfectly flavorful, unbelievably simple, only needs a few ingredients, and only requires a few minutes to make!
Homemade Ranch Dressing
This is the dressing my family praises and requests again and again. And not just to pair with salad but chicken nuggets, pizza, fresh veggies, baked potatoes, and more.
We are addicted to this stuff! It is a thousand times better than any of the shelf stable bottled stuff and tastes so much fresher.
Truly, this ranch is such a breeze to prepare. You can make it in minutes when you need a quick side to go with dinner. A simple green salad covered generously with ranch is just a classic everyone loves.
This is also a trick that helped me figure out how to get my kids to eat those nutritious veggies I pack in their lunch box.
It’s the perfect upgrade to a crisp salad or chilled vegetables.
Ranch Dressing Recipe Ingredients
Only 6 ingredients needed (or 7 if you want to count salt and pepper separately). I always keep fresh parsley on hand and this dressing is one of the reasons why.
- Mayonnaise: We use a generous amount of this here. Over the years I’ve discovered that basically the more mayo in ranch the better. It’s so creamy and rich.
- Buttermilk: This adds a light tang to the dressing that it really needs to bring more flavor. Milk just won’t cut it.
- Parsley: Though it’s a fairly mild flavor herb, using a fair amount here really helps build up the flavor.
- Dried chives: I recommend using freeze dried chives for best flavor.
- Garlic powder: Fresh garlic can be used as well but to keep it a quick and easy ranch dressing, I like this shortcut here.
- Salt and pepper: I use a fair amount of both. It’s usually the only salt that will be added to a salad.
Scroll down for full recipe with amounts and print option.
How to Make Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Measure out all ingredients.
- Add to a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk together to blend.
How long does it keep?
Homemade ranch dressing can last in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, this dressing uses ingredients that are naturally gluten free but just check labels to be sure there’s no cross contamination in factories that may make other ingredients that contain gluten.
Variations
- Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to taste to make it spicy.
- Include dill for one more layer of flavor. You can use a few teaspoons of chopped fresh or a little dried.
- If you do want an even thicker ranch (such as using as a dip) you can try sour cream in place of buttermilk.
Helpful Tips for the Best Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Use good quality mayonnaise. This makes up the majority of the dressing so for best results use a good quality brand such as Hellman’s/Best Foods. It really makes a difference.
- Mince parsley fine. You’ll be measuring out more this way and I prefer the smoother texture this offers.
- Only use real buttermilk, not the buttermilk substitute.The milk/vinegar or lemon substitute isn’t thick enough.
- Stick with fresh parsley, not dried here. The fresh has better flavor and more flavor.
- Chill ingredients. If you are using a new jar of mayo that hasn’t been refrigerated then refrigerate the dressing for a while so it’s cold and refreshing.
More Dressing and Sauce Recipes
- Caesar Dressing
- Chimichurri
- Creamy Pesto Dressing (Spaghetti Factory Copycat)
- Italian Dressing
- Pesto
16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)
Homemade Ranch Dressing
The BEST homemade Ranch Dressing recipe! It's perfectly flavorful, unbelievably simple, only needs a few ingredients, and only requires a few minutes to make!
Servings: 9
Prep5 minutes minutes
Ready in: 5 minutes minutes
Instructions
In a mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, parsley, chives, and garlic powder.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and mix (I like it on the salty side since it's usually the only salt added to a salad so I use about 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper).
If time allows let rest in the fridge 1 hour (I don't always do this, just when I've planned ahead. It just allows some extra time to bring out and meld flavors).
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Amount Per Serving
Calories 178Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 11mg4%
Sodium 178mg8%
Potassium 43mg1%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 165IU3%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 25mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.
Course: Dressing
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Ranch Dressing
Author: Jaclyn
FAQs
Even when a restaurant does start with premade ranch, they will often fold in extra fresh herbs, and maybe even more buttermilk, to lighten and bring in some brighter flavors that can be lost in shelf-stable bottling.
What can you add to ranch dressing to make it taste better? ›
One of my favorite ranch boosts is adding something spicy. Squirt in some Sriracha or Mexican-style hot sauce, or add a spoonful of Moroccan harissa paste, wing or Buffalo sauce, or some diced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
How to make ranch dressing Martha Stewart? ›
Directions. In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth. Whisk in thyme, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
What gives ranch dressing its distinctive flavor? ›
According to the New York Times, ranch dressing gets its signature taste from three distinct, yet equally important elements: Creaminess, herbs, and allium (that is, onions and garlic). The cream base can be various things, from sour cream to buttermilk and mayo.
What brand of ranch dressing do most restaurants use? ›
It's no secret that Hidden Valley Ranch is a staple ingredient in many homemade ranch dressings, but did you know that restaurants also rely on this classic brand? According to several chefs I spoke with, Hidden Valley Ranch provides the perfect balance of tanginess and creaminess that customers love.
Why is restaurant ranch so creamy? ›
While many restaurants use mass produced ranch mix, they often add it to a higher-quality base. This might include milk, buttermilk, sour cream, or mayonnaise. So when you notice that the ranch in a restaurant tastes better than the bottled dressing from the store, what you're really tasting is delicious, creamy fat.
How do you doctor up ranch dressing? ›
Instead of making a classic blue cheese ranch dressing, add feta cheese instead. You get chunky, salty bites of Feta mixed with the creamy dressing. Ranch already contains garlic but it's time to bring it up a notch. Add even more for a delicious, savory ranch that tastes amazing on any salad.
What is the emulsifier in ranch dressing? ›
Xanthan gum is another popular emulsifier that can improve viscosity, suspension, and texture. It is used in dressings such as Ranch, Thousand Island, and Honey Mustard. Polysorbate 80 is a clean-label emulsifier that enhances the stability and shelf life of dressings.
What is Hidden Valley Ranch made of? ›
HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH STARTED IN 1954
Over the years, Steve had been perfecting his signature salad dressing, a tangy blend of buttermilk, savory herbs and spices. His ranch guests couldn't get enough of the stuff, and Hidden Valley Ranch dressing was invented.
Is there a difference between ranch and ranch dressing? ›
While they both have the delicious ranch flavor the dip is much thicker than the dressing. The use of something thick and creamy like sour cream is used to make the dip. While on the other hand buttermilk s used to make the dressing.
Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl until well-combined. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
What's the difference between ranch dressing and ranch dip? ›
Key Differences
Consistency: Ranch dressing has a pourable, liquid consistency, making it suitable for drizzling over salads or mixing into dishes. Ranch dip, on the other hand, is much thicker and is intended for dipping, spreading, or dolloping onto foods.
What makes Hidden Valley Ranch taste better? ›
The ranch packet has a fresher taste, because you add your own mayo and milk. Even though all the herbs and spices in the mix are dried, they rehydrate quickly and leave you with a product that feels homemade. This version of Hidden Valley Ranch is more flavorful than the bottled version and much, much thicker.
How was the original ranch made? ›
The original ranch dressing that was served at the Hidden Valley Ranch in Santa Barbara throughout the 1950's and the 1960's was mostly made from dry herbs and aromatics. To recreate the traditional recipe you can use garlic powder and dried herbs. You make and store the seasoning as needed and then add dairy.
Is there a difference between ranch seasoning mix and ranch dressing mix? ›
This homemade ranch seasoning mix can be used for both. The difference comes in what you combine the seasoning mix with to make either a dip or dressing. Ranch dressing is typically made with milk and mayo, while ranch dip is typically made with sour cream.
What do restaurants use for ranch? ›
Because while some restaurants do use a bottled shelf stable dressing, what you are referring to is a powdered ranch mix (typically the Hidden Valley brand) that the restaurant cooks add milk/ buttermilk and sour cream to make their dressing.
Why does Hidden Valley Ranch taste different? ›
The ranch packet has a fresher taste, because you add your own mayo and milk. Even though all the herbs and spices in the mix are dried, they rehydrate quickly and leave you with a product that feels homemade. This version of Hidden Valley Ranch is more flavorful than the bottled version and much, much thicker.
Why do fast food charge for ranch? ›
Restaurants sometimes charge money for extra sauces and dressings in order to cover their costs. They don't get the stuff for free, its cost isn't built into every menu item and they charge you so they don't lose money.
Why do people like Wingstop ranch? ›
What Sets Wingstop Ranch Apart: Wingstop's ranch is distinctive in its rich flavor profile and homemade quality, setting it apart from commercial brands. A Taste Test: Wingstop vs. Other Ranch Sauces: A side-by-side comparison illuminates the unique characteristics that make Wingstop's ranch a fan favorite.
