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There is no dip more versatile than my creamy tangy Homemade Ranch Dressing! You can of course use it as a dressing for your favorite salad or a dip for veggies, chips, or wings. My kids like to dip their pizza in this delicious homemade dressing and we use it in wraps and on burgers! Use high quality herbs and buttermilk for the absolute best ranch!
If you are making ranch dressing in a hurry keep some of my Ranch Dressing Seasoning Mix on hand, it makes a great topping for snack mixes, chicken, or veggies too!
Don’t want all the extras in a recipe post? We provide a skip to recipe button in the top left corner, as well as a clickable table of contents, just below, to help make this page easier to navigate.
At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
How to Make Ranch Dressing
Make your own delicious creamy ranch dressing with just 10 ingredients below!
Ranch Dressing Ingredients
To make this recipe, we will need the following ingredients:
- Mayonnaise (½ cup) – Forms the creamy, rich base of the dressing.
- Sour Cream (¼ cup) – Adds tanginess and extra creaminess for depth of flavor.
- Chives, fresh (2 tbsp) – Brings a mild onion flavor and fresh, herbal brightness.
- Dill, fresh (2 tsp) – Adds a classic ranch tang with slightly grassy, citrusy notes.
- Parsley, fresh (2 tsp) – Contributes fresh, earthy flavor and vibrant color.
- Garlic, minced (2 tsp) – Delivers a bold, savory punch and aromatic depth.
- Onion powder (½ tsp) – Enhances the savory flavor with subtle sweetness.
- Sea salt (½ tsp) – Balances all the flavors and enhances the herbs.
- Black pepper (¼ tsp) – Adds gentle heat and complexity.
- Buttermilk (¾ cup) – Thins the dressing to pourable consistency while adding signature tang.
Ranch Dressing Method
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:
Assemble
Gather ingredients and mixing bowls.
Mix
Whisk together all the ingredients in a bowl. Serve immediately or leave in the refrigerator for 2 hours for best flavor.
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Homemade Ranch Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour Cream
- 2 tbsp chives, fresh
- 2 tsp dill, fresh
- 2 tsp parsley, fresh
- 2 tsp garlic, minced
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ black pepper, fresh ground
- ¾ cup buttermilk, can substitute milk with 2 tsp of white vinegar
Instructions
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream and seasonings
- Add the buttermilk and whisk until smooth.
- Serve immediately or for the best flavor chill 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tips and Tricks for Creamy Ranch Dressing
Use fresh herbs when possible – Fresh chives, dill, and parsley give brighter, more vibrant flavor than dried.
Let it chill before serving – Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
Adjust thickness to your liking – Add more buttermilk for a pourable dressing or less for a thicker dip.
Use full-fat mayo and sour cream – For the richest, creamiest texture and taste.
Grate or finely mince garlic – This ensures even distribution and prevents overpowering bites.
Taste and adjust seasoning – Add more salt, pepper, or herbs to suit your personal preference.
Make it tangier – Add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar if you like extra acidity.
Store in an airtight container – Keeps it fresh in the fridge for up to one week.
Shake or stir before each use – Ingredients may settle, especially if the dressing sits for a few days.
Customize with extras – Add hot sauce, smoked paprika, or grated Parmesan for a flavor twist.
FAQs
Yes, but use about one-third the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.
Yes, I keep a dry ranch seasoning mix around for when I need to make a batch quick. The seasoning mix also goes well on meat, veggies, and in soups!
Mix ¾ cup of milk with 2 teaspoons of white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5–10 minutes as a buttermilk substitute.
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it typically lasts up to 7 days.
Try increasing the salt, garlic, or herbs—chilling it for 30 minutes also helps the flavors develop.
No, ranch dressing doesn’t freeze well due to separation of the creamy ingredients when thawed.
Reduce the amount of buttermilk or add more sour cream or mayonnaise until it reaches your desired consistency.
Yes, homemade ranch is naturally gluten-free as long as all your ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Absolutely—use vegan mayo, plant-based milk with vinegar, and dairy-free sour cream to create a vegan version.
Keep it in a sealed jar or bottle in the refrigerator, and shake or stir before each use to keep it well-mixed.
