This homemade ranch dressing is easy to make in minutes with a buttermilk base. It’s creamy, flavorful and tastes so much better on salads and veggies than any store-bought ranch!
Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing
Homemade ranch dressing is so delicious and much easier to make than you may think! I love how thick and fresh the flavor tastes, especially with all the fresh herbs. It’s super creamy without feeling too heavy. It tastes perfect on a buffalo chicken salad!
This ranch salad dressing recipe is so simple and can be made in less than 5 minutes! It takes amazing over pretty much any salad, makes a great dip for fresh veggies and is the ultimate appetizer dip with jalapeno poppers, homemade chicken wings and potato skins. Yum!
Tips for the Best Ranch Dressing
- Fresh herbs. Using fresh parsley and dill makes a huge difference and really packs a punch of flavor. In this case, fresh is definitely best!
- Buttermilk. I like the tangy flavor that buttermilk adds and prefer it over regular milk. You can make your own homemade buttermilk by mixing together whole milk and distilled vinegar.
- Full fat. This is one of those recipes where it does make a difference to use full fat mayo, sour cream and buttermilk. It’s what gives the dressing that creamy base and rich flavors. You can always swap for lighter alternatives, it just may alter the taste a bit.
- Consistency. This is really a matter of preference. For a thicker dressing to dip with veggies, use less buttermilk. For a thinner salad dressing consistency, use more buttermilk. Add a little at a time until the dressing has reached your desired consistency.
- Let sit. Although you can definitely enjoy the dressing immediately after mixing, I like to let mine chill in the fridge for a few minutes to help the flavors marinate together. The longer it sits, the more flavor it will have. If the dressing thickens up too much while in the fridge, just mix in some extra buttermilk.
Favorite Ways to Use Ranch
Ranch is one of those condiments that people like to put on everything! It’s so versatile and tastes great with salads, appetizers, veggies, pizza and more. Below are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy this delicious dressing.
- Just like my dill pickle dip recipe, use it on fresh veggies like carrots, celery, cucumber, broccoli, peppers and tomatoes
- This buttermilk ranch salad dressing is restaurant quality! It’s a must try for dipping baked Buffalo chicken wings or drizzled over a Cobb salad.
- As an appetizer dip for jalapeno poppers, oven baked wings or buffalo chicken meatballs
- Drizzled over a wedge salad or a steak salad
- As a dip after baking homemade pizza dough, breadsticks or buffalo cauliflower wings
- Spooned on top of potato skins or twice baked potatoes
- Served for dipping with potato wedges or sweet potato fries
Storing
One of the great things about this easy ranch dressing recipe is the longer shelf life!
Store for up 2 weeks in the fridge in an airtight container or jar (we like to use mason jars). Although the ranch is already creamy and thick, it will thicken up a bit more once it sets in the fridge. Feel free to thin it out a little with a splash of buttermilk before serving.
Other favorite salad dressings to make at home include this salsa ranch dressing, homemade Caesar dressing and avocado lime dressing.
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Homemade Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayo
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dill weed
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice , more to taste
S&P, to taste
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk until combined.
- Pour into a mason jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Enjoy!
Categorized as: American, Condiments, Dressings, Low Carb, Reader Favorites
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
My son is obsessed with ranch and LOVES this recipe! Thank you!
Ranch is one of my favorites! So quick and easy!
Is there a recipe for dry Ranch dressing?
Hi Anne! I don’t have a recipe for dry ranch dressing, but I know Pioneer Woman has a great one! :)
Homemade dressing is the best! This ranch if my favorite!
My favorite dressing! I am so glad that I can make it now at home!
This looks like a good recipe. I like ranch dressings. Looks beautiful and tasty! Cannot wait to try this.
OMG!!! If you make this, you will never go back to bottled dressing! So fresh and totally yummy!
Ranch is one of our favorite dressings! This ranch dressing looks just perfect!
This is amazing, I use ranch very often and this will come in handy! Sounds tasty, too
Do you have a recipe for a chunky Blue Cheese Dressing?
Hi Karen, yes! You can find my blue cheese dressing recipe here: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/blue-cheese-dressing/