Ranch dressing should always be made fresh! This homemade version is ultra-creamy, layered with tangy, herby flavors, and is a staple condiment for dinners and parties.
Why You’ll Love This Ranch Dressing
Gone are the days of buying bottled ranch dressing (or any dressings for that matter!). I totally get that store-bought versions might be fast and convenient, but trust me, once you taste this homemade version, you’ll never look back. The flavor is incredibly fresh, the texture is silky smooth, and the color is a crisp white, speckled with pops of herbs. Now that’s what ranch dressing should be! Here are a few more reasons why you’ll love my recipe:
- It’s unbelievably easy. It always amazes me how a few pantry staples can come together to create the most delicious dressing, just like my coleslaw dressing or Caesar dressing.
- It’s extremely versatile. Drizzle it over salads, dunk crispy chicken wings into it, or pour it over roasted veggies. The possibilities are endless.
- It stores well. This ranch will last up to one week in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep. Though let’s be honest, it won’t last that long!
Ranch Dressing Ingredients
- Creamy Base: A mix of sour cream, mayonnaise, and milk (or buttermilk) creates the most luxuriously creamy base. For a healthier alternative, try swapping some of the sour cream or mayonnaise for Greek yogurt.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A splash of this adds the perfect tangy touch.
- Dried Herbs & Spices: Dried dill, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder give this that classic ranch flavor.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below
How To Make Ranch Dressing
All you need to do is stir all of the ingredients together with a spoon or a small whisk! You can do this in a separate small bowl or directly in the container you’ll store it in (which is what I like to do sometimes for fewer dishes). If you plan to store this in the fridge, it will last up to one week. Just make sure to stir it well before each use.
Ways To Use
- The ultimate salad dressing: This is the best creamy dressing for classic salads like a Cobb salad, lettuce wedge salad, or this grilled chicken bacon ranch chopped salad.
- An essential dip: It’s not a party without ranch paired with chicken wings, fresh-cut veggies like carrots and celery, these roasted buffalo cauliflower bites, and roasted potato wedges. A must-make for your next Super Bowl party!
- The freshest sauce: You can serve this with grilled chicken or drizzle it on roasted vegetables like roasted potatoes or roasted broccoli. It adds the perfect fresh and creamy touch.
More Dressing Recipes
- Greek Salad Dressing: A staple for my Greek salad and more!
- Lemon Tahini Dressing: The perfect nutty, lemony dressing.
- Avocado Dressing: A great way to use creamy avocados.
- Or browse through all my sauces and dressings!
If you make this ranch dressing recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.
Description
Video
Equipment
- Glass Mixing Bowls My favorite set of nesting mixing bowls!
Ingredients
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup buttermilk or whole milk
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- pinch ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix together. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, apple cider vinegar, dried dill, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Use or store. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Lisa’s Tips
- This recipe yields about 1 ⅓ cups. Each serving is about 2 tablespoons.
- For a tangier flavor, if you’re using milk: Add one more teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. But if you use buttermilk, that will already have a slightly tangier flavor naturally.
- Storage tip: This will last for up to one week in the fridge.
- I’ve gotten a lot of requests for a link to the small glass pitcher shown in the photos. Unfortunately, that’s vintage and not available, but this one and this one are similar.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Behind The Scenes
This is one of those recipes where it’s hard to not just want to keep “testing” the dressing with spoonfuls in your mouth, because yes, it’s that good! Don’t say I didn’t warn you. 😉
I’m sorry may be I’m wrong but didn’t found the measures of ingredients
Hi Erica – You can always find the exact measurements in the recipe card! Just scroll further down past the post or hit the “jump to recipe” button at the very top of the post.
I don’t understand how so many people like this. I did not like it at all.
Hi Vicki – I’m sorry to hear you didn’t like it. Can you elaborate on what you didn’t like about it?
My go to ranch recipe.
Glad you found a new go-to ranch dressing, Joy!
My 7 year old daughter and I made your mayo recipe so we could make this ranch recipe together, both were delicious. She is a fairly picky eater, but this helped her eat “big girl salad” with baby spinach and baby arugula.
Yay! Glad you both loved this ranch dressing, Brittany.
I made the Ranch dressing , & it’s very good . Better than store bought . Thanks for sharing .
Glad you loved this homemade version, Marilyn!
Can you make and freeze in smaller portions?
Hi Krista – yes, you can freeze this, but be aware that the texture might not be as creamy after thawing. It can often go a bit grainy.