How to Make Ranch Dressing or Dip From Scratch
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Homemade ranch dressing is so simple. you can whip up a batch of this creamy, flavorful sauce with pantry staples. the combination of herbs, spices, and dairy makes the perfect topping or dip for salads, sandwiches, veggies, fries, and more. Whether you’re in a pinch because you ran out of dressing or you just prefer to make things from scratch, this recipe will make you fall in love with homemade ranch dressing.
You are going to love this…
Homemade Ranch Dressing and Dip
Table of contents
- Homemade Ranch Dressing and Dip
- Why You’ll Love This Ranch Recipe
- What Is Ranch Dressing, Exactly?
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- Equipment Needed
- How to Make Ranch Dressing(Step-by-Step)
- Variations of This Recipe
- How to Store Ranch Dressing
- How to Serve Ranch dressing
- How This Recipe Fits a From-Scratch Kitchen
- More From Scratch Recipes You’ll Love
- Keys to Success Making Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Printable Recipe Card
- Leave a Comment and Share Your Results
Why You’ll Love This Ranch Recipe
This Ranch recipe is as simple as measure, dump, whisk. You probably have all of the ingredients on hand already! And it is super easy to customize by changing the amount of milk. So you can turn it into a thick and creamy dip, a pourable sauce, or an easy-to-serve salad dressing.
What Makes This Recipe Different
Three main things make this recipe special. I think these three things really make this ranch recipe better than anything else I have tried.
- Extra garlic powder. It makes the dressing a little spicy, which I LOVE. IF you’re not a fan, just cut the garlic in half.
- Mayo and sour cream. Most recipes use one or the other. Mayonnaise is typically for dressing and sour cream is usually for dips. I like to have the best of both worlds.
- Vinegar. Just a splash. All that creaminess and herbal flavor needs balance. A splash of something acidic really pushes this dressing over the top.
Who This Recipe Is Perfect For
Ranch is for everyone and everything! My kids will eat ranch on almost any food. When we order food from a restaurant, we get at least 2 sides of ranch for each of us. I’m talking pizza, burgers, fries, steak, any kind of potatoes, salads.
This recipe is great for parties because you can make your dressing and dip from the same recipe. Ranch dip is great for finger foods. It’s also an excellent addition to charcuterie boards, which tend to be a bit dry.
What Is Ranch Dressing, Exactly?
Ranch is a savory, creamy dressing made from herbs, mayo, and dairy. Wikipedia says that Ranch has been the best selling salad dressing for over 30 years! The advent of Ranch dressing is actually very interesting, much like the story of thousand island dressing.
A Brief History of Ranch Dressing
It all started at the Hidden Valley Ranch. Yes, THAT Hidden Valley- only the most recognizable ranch dressing brand in the world. The owner of the Hidden Valley Ranch become famous for his dressing that he served to workers and guests at the ranch. Soon enough, people were begging for more and started mailing out little packets of his seasoning mix. Hence, his recipe was referred to as the “ranch dressing.”
The rest is history, as they say. The operation became so large, they decided to incorporate and start the Hidden Valley Food Products Company. And now, you can make your very own version from scratch, right at home!
Why Homemade Ranch Is Better Than Store Bought
I like to think in terms of practicability as well as spirituality when it comes to food. On the practical side, store-bought dressings tend to have lots of preservatives. They sit on the shelf for a long time. And really, do you know what’s in that bottle? Not with certainty.
Now, I bet you’re thinking ” how on earth is ranch dressing going to tie in to spirituality?” It’s not necessarily the ranch itself, but the act of making something from scratch, with your hands. Making homemade food gives you the opportunity to pour love into whatever you’re making.
And lastly, for my own satisfaction. I’ve learned over my 16 years of homemaking and mothering that working with my hands gives me peace, joy, and satisfaction. I tend to agree with Jill Winger of the Prairie Homestead, who says, “I think it’s a very human thing is to find that satisfaction in the work of our hands.”
Ingredients You’ll Need
Core Ingredients
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- lemon juice or vinegar
- garlic powder
- onion powder, onion flakes, or dry minced onion
- dill weed, dried or fresh
- dried parsley
- dried chives (optional but recommended)
- salt (adjust to taste)
- black pepper
- milk or buttermilk (to thin to desired consistency)
Optional Add-Ins or Variations
Ingredient Substitutions
Swap out Mayo and /or sour cream for Yogurt
Many people swap out the mayo and or the sour cream for greek yogurt. A low fat greek yogurt lowers both the fat content and the calories. You can also use a full fat greek yogurt which will still be creamy, but also provide some probiotics. This substitution is great for people on certain diets or for people who can only tolerate fermented dairy.
lemon juice or vinegar
You can use anything acidic. The goal is to balance the creamy flavor and texture so you have balance. some options for this ingredients are:
- pickle juice
- red wine vinegar
- apple cider vinegar
- white vinegar
- sauer kraut juice
- lemon juice
- lime juice
Equipment Needed
This recipe is so simple, you only need a bowl, measuring spoons, and a whisk. And honestly, you can eyeball your measurements and whisk with a fork. You could even throw it all in a blender. I have done all of these things. My point is, ranch is so simple, you can just use what you have. Don’t get overwhelmed with the details.
How to Make Ranch Dressing(Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Measure
Measure all of your ingredients.
Step 2: Combine
Pour everything into your bowl.
Step 3: Mix well
Stir or whisk until the dressing is smooth and well mixed. then, serve it!
Tips to help when you’re making Ranch Dressing
- Use your liquid to control the consistency. More liquid for a dressing. Less liquid for dip.
- Let your dressing rest for 30 minutes to rehydrate all the herbs and spices
- Add extras to turn your ranch into a themed dressing, i.e. dill pickle ranch, spicy ranch, taco ranch, etc.
Variations of This Recipe
Dill Pickle Ranch
Make up your recipe, then add in pickle juice or finely chopped pickles. This version of reach goes great with burgers or salads.
Spicy Ranch
For a little kick, add in 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce. Or add more if you really like it hot. Ranch dressing is the perfect vessel to deliver the spice! Spicy ranch goes well with chicken, wraps, salads, and more!
Taco Ranch
For the perfect topping on your taco salads, whip up some taco ranch. You can make this easily by adding in some taco seasoning or some taco sauce.
How to Store Ranch Dressing
Refrigerator Storage
Store your ranch in an air tight container for a week or so. I like to store mine in a mason jar or a bottle. I’ve found that sometimes the herbs rise to the top or the ingredients separate. A jar or bottle will make it easy to shake it up.
Freezer Storage
I do not recommend freezing this recipe. The dairy will separate and get grainy.
How to Serve Ranch dressing
- Make a wedge salad and drizzle ranch over it
- make a large batch and serve it in a chocolate fountain. provide chicken, veggies, fries, and more for dipping.
- Serve on a veggie tray.
- Make Honey mustard, thousand island, and a vinaigrette as other options to serve alongside your ranch
- add to burgers
- serve with baked potatoes
How This Recipe Fits a From-Scratch Kitchen
Pantry Staples Used
Ma from-scratch pantry should have these ingredients on hand all the time. Buy your herbs and spices in bulk so you always have some when you need it.
How It Saves Money
We all know a “quick” trip to the store for “just one thing” can turn into trouble. You go in for a $3 bottle of ranch and come out with $50 worth of stuff. Next time, just whip up a batch of this homemade ranch and save yourself the money and the hassle!
How It Fits a Simple Living Lifestyle
Plain Living is all about learning skills so we can slow down in this busy world. I know from experience that life gets so busy and we try so hard to be productive, we sometimes can’t make ourselves slow down. Making homemade ranch will force you to slow down.
Instead of quickly snatching a bottle out of the fridge and being in a rush, you will have to stop. Measure. smell the herbs.you will appreciate the beauty of making a dressing from scratch.
More From Scratch Recipes You’ll Love
Related Recipes
- Homemade Honey Mustard with only 3 ingredients
- Make Mayonnaise from scratch at home
- How to make yellow mustard
- Better than storebought thousand island salad dressing
Beginner From-Scratch Recipes
- Greek Chicken with a homemade marinade
- Traditional Pot Roast without canned soup
- lime popsicles for summer time treat
Keys to Success Making Homemade Ranch Dressing
• Homemade ranch is easiest when you have well stocked pantry and herb cabinet
• Always use half sour cream and half mayo for best flavor
• Homemade Ranch Dressing lasts about a week in the fridge
• This recipe works best when it has time to rest so the herbs and spices can absorb the liquid
Printable Recipe Card
The Best Homemade Ranch Dressing or Dip
Equipment
- 1 whisk
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder slightly extra for stronger flavor
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried dill weed or 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried chives optional but recommended
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4-8 tbsp milk or buttermilk to thin to desired consistency
Instructions
- Carefully measure all ingredients. Add to mixing bowl
- Whisk or stir until combined well.
- For best results, allow the dressing to rest int eh fridge for 30 minutes to absorb all the flavors.
Notes
Taste & Adjust
After chilling, taste and adjust if needed:- More garlicky spice → add a pinch more garlic powder
- More tang → add a splash of lemon juice
- More salt → just a pinch at a time
Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge
- Best used within 5–7 days
Notes (From-Scratch Tips)
- Using fresh dill will give this a brighter, more homemade flavor
- This recipe skips buttermilk powder but still has that classic ranch tang from the sour cream + lemon (use buttermilk in place of milk if you want)
- Great as a dip for veggies, wings, or pizza, or thinned for salads
Nutrition
Leave a Comment and Share Your Results
I love sharing my favorites recipes, and I really love seeing my friends try them! Drop a comment below if you try this. Or tag me on instagram in your beautiful photos @thekimbp
