Why drive to the store to buy ranch dressing that’s loaded with chemicals, additives, and preservatives, when you can make it at home quicker and better? I promise that as soon as you try my Homemade Ranch Dressing, you’ll wonder why you never made your own ranch dressing before. Unlike its store-bought counterpart, homemade ranch dressing is made with whole ingredients and names you can pronounce.
I don’t know why it took me so long to make my own ranch dressing – my husband (not to mention myself) cannot get over how creamy and fresh it tastes! We are now officially hooked on eating my homemade ranch dressing with chopped bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, and broccoli (at least we’re eating healthy veggies dipped in a healthy ranch dressing, containing all REAL ingredients you can pronounce!). We also love dipping my Air Fryer French Fries and Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries in this creamy ranch dressing! If you like homemade dressings, then you’ll love my mouthwatering Red Robin Honey Mustard Poppy Seed Dressing, Homemade Thousand Island Dressing, Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing, and Homemade Italian Dressing recipes!
My creamy and tangy dressing is perfect over salads, wraps, and as a dip served with French fries or freshly cut veggies such as carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, and broccoli. The possibilities are endless as this insanely delicious dressing is tasty on just about anything you can imagine! We love pouring ranch dressing on pizza monkey bread, French bread pizza, salads, and using it as a dipping sauce for our cheesy pizza taco sticks recipe. When I make my Air Fryer French Fries, I make sure to prep my ranch dressing ahead of time (I mean, it only takes 5 minutes to make!).
Homemade Ranch Dressing contains mayo, sour cream, buttermilk, dried dill weed, dried parsley, dried chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice, and is done in only 5 minutes, making it one of the quickest (not to mention healthiest) homemade ranch dressing recipes out there! If you like fresh herbs, you’ll love my healthy Mediterranean cucumber dill salad recipe!
Special Diets
This recipe is naturally gluten free and vegetarian, making it suitable for those following a special gluten free and or vegetarian diet.
Ingredients in Homemade Ranch Dressing
Mayonnaise. Mayo provides a thick and creamy texture.
Sour cream. Sour cream blends with the mayo and buttermilk to form the creamy dressing base.
Buttermilk. I never buy buttermilk and always make my own; check out my easy Homemade Buttermilk recipe.
Dried dill weed. Dried dill weed adds a aroma, flavor, and health benefits. According to Web MD’s article, dill has been shown to help manage diabetes and may prevent type 2 diabetes from developing in the first place. Dill is also packed with flavonoids which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Dill is a great source of vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron. For more information on the benefits of dill, read the post.
Dried parsley. Dried parsley adds seasoning and a bitter flavor to the dressing. Healthline’s post reports that parsley has been used to treat hypertension, allergies, and inflammatory diseases. Parsley is high in vitamin K which is necessary for clotting and bone health. It’s a delicious antioxidant that is packed with vitamins A and C.
Dried chives. Dried chives or green onion blend with the other herbs and ingredients to produce an aromatic, fresh flavor. According to the National Institute of Health’s post, green onions are packed with flavonoids, vitamin C, minerals, and phenolic compounds that contain antioxidants and protect cells from oxidative damage.
Garlic powder. Aromatic garlic powder provides a garlic taste and adds flavor to the dressing.
Onion powder. Onion powder adds a hint of onion flavor. It’s a versatile seasoning the enhances the flavors of the other ranch dressing ingredients.
Salt. Salt provides flavor and seasoning in the salad dressing.
Pepper. Freshly cracked black pepper tastes best although regular black pepper can be used. Black pepper is packed with antioxidants and according to Healthline’s post, may benefit your brain and improve blood sugar levels.
Lemon. Fresh lemon juice mixes in with the remaining ingredients to add acid and balance out the other flavors. If you don’t have a lemon, you can use white vinegar which also provides an acidic flavor, enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients.
How to make the best Homemade Ranch Dressing
STEP 1: In a medium bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk until blended. Add the dill weed, chives, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice, whisking until smooth.
STEP 2: Pour into a mason jar or lidded container and chill in the fridge for up to one week.
More recipes you’ll want to make!
Red Robin Honey Mustard Poppy Seed Dressing
Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Doritos Taco Salad with Creamy Dressing
Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make this Homemade Ranch Dressing, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this recipe and always try my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your recipe photos!
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ c mayonnaise
- ½ c sour cream
- ½ c buttermilk
- 1 tsp dried dill weed
- 1 tsp dried chives
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper freshly cracked
- lemon wedge freshly squeezed; about 1-2 tsp, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk until blended. Add the dill weed, chives, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice, whisking until smooth.
- Pour into a mason jar or lidded container and chill in the fridge for up to one week.
- If you make this, don't forget to leave a rating and comment!
Notes
Nutrition (per serving)
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Elise’s Kitchen Favorites
Just made this for dinner tonight and it is so good! Super simple to make and way tastier than any store bought dressing. This recipe will be on repeat!
Thank you so much, Hannah! I’m so happy you loved it as much as we do 🙂