A simple recipe to make your own homemade ranch dressing! So easy and made with just a few basic ingredients that you probably already have on hand!
Quick & Easy Homemade Dressing
Ever since Luke decided that he will no longer eat anything without “dip” (AKA ranch dressing) I’ve been on the hunt for an alternative to the Hidden Valley we’d been keeping in our fridge. I wanted something that was a bit more wholesome and where I recognized the ingredients on the label, and so began the hunt for my own ranch dressing recipe.
Today I’m finally sharing this quick and easy (and toddler-approved!) 5 minute recipe. It can be used either as a dip for your veggies or as a dressing for your salad and can be substituted in any recipe that calls for ranch dressing.
It’s incredibly simple, so let’s get right to it!
- Buttermilk. Full-fat buttermilk adds flavor, richness, tang, and body to the ranch dressing (and also technically makes it a buttermilk ranch dressing, I suppose!). If you can’t get your hands on buttermilk, you can use my buttermilk substitute using whole milk and lemon juice or vinegar, but keep in mind the dressing will be thinner.
- Mayo. Use a mayonnaise that you know you enjoy the taste of, as this is an important starting point for the dressing. For my toddler, I like to use Primal Kitchen brand mayo made with avocado oil, but I’m not nearly as picky if I’m making this for myself and will use Hellmann’s or Duke’s.
- Sour cream. Sour cream is another ingredient that adds that tangy, zesty flavor you love to homemade ranch dressing. If you’re looking to lighten up your ranch, you can substitute this ingredient with plain Greek yogurt instead.
- Vinegar or lemon juice. Either can be used to add to the tanginess of the ranch! I usually use white vinegar because I always have it on hand, but the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon is also great!
- Olive oil. I like the added body that a splash of oil adds to the dressing.
- Sugar. Likely an unexpected ingredient in homemade ranch dressing, the small pinch of sugar that I add does not make the dressing sweet but does add to the overall flavor. You can reduce or eliminate this if you’d like, but after numerous taste-testing sessions I preferred versions made with the sugar. Which should surprise exactly no one.
- Spices. While I dabbled with a number of different spices, for the most classic ranch dressing taste I ultimately opted for just garlic, onion, parsley, and good old fashioned salt and pepper. I do have some additional add-in spices listed in the FAQ below for anyone who would like to be a bit more adventurous.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a general rule I like to use mine within 5-7 days of making. However, check the date on all of your dairy products, and so long as you use the ranch before the soonest expiration date, you should be fine.
Always store in an airtight container in the refrigerator (this recipe fits neatly in a mason jar!). Please note that homemade ranch dressing does not freeze well.
Absolutely! Try some of the following:
Add a teaspoon of dried chives and a half-teaspoon of dried dill weed for a garden herb ranch dressing!
Add ¼ cup of grated parmesan for a parmesan ranch dressing!
Increase the black pepper to up to a tablespoon of ground black peppercorns for peppercorn ranch!
Toss in finely chopped fresh cilantro for a cilantro ranch dressing!
Absolutely!
Substitute 2-3 teaspoons of finely chopped fresh parsley.
While I don’t have a substitute for the onion powder (finely minced onion doesn’t translate as well as I’d like it to) for the garlic powder simply substitute one small clove of finely minced garlic.
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 1 cup (236 g) mayo
- ⅓ cup (80 g) sour cream
- ½ cup (118 ml) buttermilk
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar optional
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined1 cup (236 g) mayo, ⅓ cup (80 g) sour cream, ½ cup (118 ml) buttermilk, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 Tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon table salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours (to give the flavors time to develop) before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Marie G.
Going to make this much better than to buy it is the store!!!!!Marie G. Tehachapi,,Ca.
Sam
I hope you love it! 🙂
Rose Shaner
This is Rose again……meant to say Food Network Channel should give you your own show. This is why proof reading is so important! ☆
Sam
It happens sometimes. I really appreciate it, Rose. 🙂
Jane
I like sauses, always have Caesar dressing in fridge. This one will be next to Caesar. Very simple and delicious 😋
Thank you so much for your recipes!!
Sam
I hope you love it, Jane! 🙂
Jazmine
Is there anything else you can use on place of the mayo
Sam
Hi Jazmine! Unfortunately I don’t know of a good substitute other than making your own. 🙁
Matthew bryant
Do you have a mayo recipe?
Sam
Unfortunately I do not have one at the moment. 🙁
Rose Shaner
Hi Sam! You are the best! Your recipes are delicious yet simple enough for everyone to follow. I’m thinking Food Network Channel you give you your own show. Keep up the good work!
Your fan forever,
Rose
Sam
Thank you so much, Rose! 🙂