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
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 dressing so good? ›
Scratch ranch relies on fresh herbs and aromatics, which bring bite and those pops of grassy flavor that dried or powdered versions never can, so you get an eating experience that is elevated. Usually, ranch recipes will contain fresh buttermilk, and sometimes sour cream as well, for a tang that is really balanced.
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.
How do you make ranch taste better at home? ›
Lemon Juice or Vinegar: A splash of fresh lemon juice or white wine vinegar brightens the dressing in a way that store-bought bottles can't compete with. It makes this dressing taste homemade. Fresh Herbs: I love fresh dill, parsley, and chives for a classic ranch flavor, but dried herbs will work in a pinch.
Why is Jet's ranch so good? ›
The flavor is obviously incredible, and what makes it superior to other ranch dressings is that it tastes fresh. So many of these chains have pre-packaged ranch that is lame and uninspiring, but Jet's tastes like they make it at their store, even if its not.
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.
What makes ranch dressing taste like ranch? ›
Ranch dressing is a savory, creamy American salad dressing usually made from buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, mustard, herbs (commonly chives, parsley and dill), and spices (commonly pepper, paprika and ground mustard seed) mixed into a sauce based on mayonnaise or another oil emulsion.
How long can I keep homemade ranch dressing? ›
Stored in a well-sealed container in the fridge (assuming you began with fresh sour cream and buttermilk) your buttermilk ranch dressing should keep for up to two weeks. Help it stay fresh by not dipping anything directly into the container that you're storing it in—for example, a half-bitten carrot.
Why is Wingstop ranch so different? ›
Key Ingredients In Wingstop's Ranch Recipe
The Importance of Fresh Herbs and Spices: The use of fresh dill, garlic, and other herbs imparts a depth of flavor that dried counterparts cannot match. These components are pivotal in achieving the signature Wingstop taste.
What kind of ranch dressing does Dairy Queen use? ›
Dairy Queen - New Hidden Valley Ranch made IN HOUSE!
Who Invented Ranch? Around 1950, Steve Henson unknowingly made history when he whipped up a unique mixture of dry herbs and buttermilk. Originally a plumber, Steve came up with the concoction while working briefly in Anchorage as a construction worker and part-time cook for his crew.
What is the emulsifier in ranch dressing? ›
Xanthan gum emulsifier is often present in ranch dressing, thousand island dressing, and honey mustard dressing.
What gives ranch its signature flavor? ›
The slightly sweet hint of green onion combined with mayonnaise and buttermilk give this classic recipe its fresh, signature taste.
How to thicken homemade ranch dressing? ›
If you want to thicken up your homemade ranch dressing, add more mayo, yogurt, or sour cream, and use less milk. For a more drizzle-able dressing, add more milk (or water) to thin it out. Chill in the Fridge. Transfer your creamy ranch dressing into a sealed jar or bottle for storage.
Is homemade ranch better? ›
It's so quick, simple, inexpensive, and tastes way better than bottled store-bought dressings or dry packet mixes. This recipe works great as a buttermilk ranch salad dressing or as a ranch dip for veggies and Buffalo Chicken Wings. If you love the flavor of restaurant ranch, this homemade ranch dressing is a must-try.
What is the difference between restaurant ranch and bottled ranch? ›
The difference is dairy
The key difference between bottled ranch and ranch that's been mixed from a packet — which is what's usually served in restaurants — is that ranch made from a mix usually contains real dairy ingredients. The store-bought varieties don't.
What kind of ranch do Wing restaurants use? ›
They use packets of dry Hidden Valley Ranch to flavor their dressing. It is the leading brand of ranch seasoning around, offering a rich, zesty flavor. Our easy-to-make Wingstop ranch dressing recipe uses this dry seasoning mix. However, you can make homemade ranch seasoning mix if you prefer.
What kind of ranch is Chick Fil A ranch? ›
A creamy buttermilk ranch sauce with savory garlic, onion and herb flavors.
What brand of ranch does Hooters use? ›
Naturally Fresh, Inc. is a producer of dressings, sauces, marinades, dips, oils, and vinegar. The company also manufactures dressings, sauces and dips for a number of different restaurants and institutions, including Hooters.
