Published April 3, 2021. Updated April 16, 2021
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
- Jump to Recipe
- Share
- Comments
- Print
- Save
The BEST homemade Ranch Dressing recipe! It’s perfectly flavorful, unbelievably simple, only needs a few ingredients, and only requires a few minutes to make!
Homemade Ranch Dressing
This is the dressing my family praises and requests again and again. And not just to pair with salad but chicken nuggets, pizza, fresh veggies, baked potatoes, and more.
We are addicted to this stuff! It is a thousand times better than any of the shelf stable bottled stuff and tastes so much fresher.
Truly, this ranch is such a breeze to prepare. You can make it in minutes when you need a quick side to go with dinner. A simple green salad covered generously with ranch is just a classic everyone loves.
This is also a trick that helped me figure out how to get my kids to eat those nutritious veggies I pack in their lunch box.
It’s the perfect upgrade to a crisp salad or chilled vegetables.
Ranch Dressing Recipe Ingredients
Only 6 ingredients needed (or 7 if you want to count salt and pepper separately). I always keep fresh parsley on hand and this dressing is one of the reasons why.
- Mayonnaise: We use a generous amount of this here. Over the years I’ve discovered that basically the more mayo in ranch the better. It’s so creamy and rich.
- Buttermilk: This adds a light tang to the dressing that it really needs to bring more flavor. Milk just won’t cut it.
- Parsley: Though it’s a fairly mild flavor herb, using a fair amount here really helps build up the flavor.
- Dried chives: I recommend using freeze dried chives for best flavor.
- Garlic powder: Fresh garlic can be used as well but to keep it a quick and easy ranch dressing, I like this shortcut here.
- Salt and pepper: I use a fair amount of both. It’s usually the only salt that will be added to a salad.
Scroll down for full recipe with amounts and print option.
How to Make Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Measure out all ingredients.
- Add to a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk together to blend.
How long does it keep?
Homemade ranch dressing can last in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, this dressing uses ingredients that are naturally gluten free but just check labels to be sure there’s no cross contamination in factories that may make other ingredients that contain gluten.
Variations
- Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to taste to make it spicy.
- Include dill for one more layer of flavor. You can use a few teaspoons of chopped fresh or a little dried.
- If you do want an even thicker ranch (such as using as a dip) you can try sour cream in place of buttermilk.
Helpful Tips for the Best Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Use good quality mayonnaise. This makes up the majority of the dressing so for best results use a good quality brand such as Hellman’s/Best Foods. It really makes a difference.
- Mince parsley fine. You’ll be measuring out more this way and I prefer the smoother texture this offers.
- Only use real buttermilk, not the buttermilk substitute.The milk/vinegar or lemon substitute isn’t thick enough.
- Stick with fresh parsley, not dried here. The fresh has better flavor and more flavor.
- Chill ingredients. If you are using a new jar of mayo that hasn’t been refrigerated then refrigerate the dressing for a while so it’s cold and refreshing.
More Dressing and Sauce Recipes
- Caesar Dressing
- Chimichurri
- Creamy Pesto Dressing (Spaghetti Factory Copycat)
- Italian Dressing
- Pesto
16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)
Homemade Ranch Dressing
The BEST homemade Ranch Dressing recipe! It's perfectly flavorful, unbelievably simple, only needs a few ingredients, and only requires a few minutes to make!
Servings: 9
Prep5 minutes minutes
Ready in: 5 minutes minutes
Instructions
In a mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, parsley, chives, and garlic powder.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and mix (I like it on the salty side since it's usually the only salt added to a salad so I use about 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper).
If time allows let rest in the fridge 1 hour (I don't always do this, just when I've planned ahead. It just allows some extra time to bring out and meld flavors).
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Amount Per Serving
Calories 178Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 11mg4%
Sodium 178mg8%
Potassium 43mg1%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 165IU3%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 25mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.
Course: Dressing
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Ranch Dressing
Author: Jaclyn
FAQs
Most restaurants don't buy pre packaged ranch. They buy hidden valley seasoning and mix it themselves with ingredients they already have.
How to make ranch dressing Martha Stewart? ›
Directions. In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth. Whisk in thyme, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
How to make Hidden Valley Ranch dressing taste better? ›
If you don't have time or inclination to make your dressing from scratch, but you want that elevated restaurant-style ranch, think about zhuzhing up the bottled version with things like finely chopped shallot or scallion, a clove of minced fresh garlic, a splash of buttermilk or dollop of sour cream if you have them ...
What gives ranch dressing its distinctive flavor? ›
“But the particular flavor of traditional ranch can only be achieved with the dry versions of all those aromatics: garlic and onion powder, dried herbs, powdered pepper and buttermilk.” That's because fresh ingredients were rare in Alaska at the time. So Henson had to make due with what was available—and he sure did.
How do restaurants make their ranch so good? ›
The secret that many restaurants have up their sleeves is seasoning mix. Well-known brands make dry counterparts to their bottled ranch that encapsulate all the flavors, including powdered buttermilk, with none of the additives and oils.
Why does Hidden Valley Ranch taste different? ›
The ranch packet has a fresher taste, because you add your own mayo and milk. Even though all the herbs and spices in the mix are dried, they rehydrate quickly and leave you with a product that feels homemade. This version of Hidden Valley Ranch is more flavorful than the bottled version and much, much thicker.
How was the original ranch dressing made? ›
Who Invented Ranch? Around 1950, Steve Henson unknowingly made history when he whipped up a unique mixture of dry herbs and buttermilk. Originally a plumber, Steve came up with the concoction while working briefly in Anchorage as a construction worker and part-time cook for his crew.
Who makes the original ranch dressing? ›
Steven Henson, the Nebraska native who created ranch dressing, invented the now-ubiquitous condiment after moving to Anchorage in 1949 and taking a job as a plumbing contractor in the Alaskan bush, according to a biography of Henson published in the Santa Barbara Independent.
How is ranch made from scratch? ›
Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl until well-combined. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
What can I add to ranch dressing to make it better? ›
This might seem obvious, but you can add a lot of flavor to ranch dressing by adding more of what's already in it. I love adding lots of fresh herbs, extra garlic, or even lemon zest.
Because while some restaurants do use a bottled shelf stable dressing, what you are referring to is a powdered ranch mix (typically the Hidden Valley brand) that the restaurant cooks add milk/ buttermilk and sour cream to make their dressing. I agree it is far better tasting.
How do you make ranch dressing less tangy? ›
If you find you've made it too tangy (maybe too much butter milk or sour cream) then add more sweetness with the Worcestershire sauce. If you find you've made it too sweet, add more salt, or spice like the paprika or mustard.
Is there a difference between ranch seasoning mix and ranch dressing mix? ›
This homemade ranch seasoning mix can be used for both. The difference comes in what you combine the seasoning mix with to make either a dip or dressing. Ranch dressing is typically made with milk and mayo, while ranch dip is typically made with sour cream.
Is there a difference between ranch and ranch dressing? ›
Ranch dressing is usually based with mayonnaise, with sufficient water added that it will pour to cover the salad. Ranch dip is usually based with sour cream, or sometimes yogurt, and is not thinned so that it will stick to chips or vegetable slices.
What is Hidden Valley Ranch made of? ›
HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH STARTED IN 1954
Over the years, Steve had been perfecting his signature salad dressing, a tangy blend of buttermilk, savory herbs and spices. His ranch guests couldn't get enough of the stuff, and Hidden Valley Ranch dressing was invented.
What kind of ranch do Wing restaurants use? ›
They use packets of dry Hidden Valley Ranch to flavor their dressing. It is the leading brand of ranch seasoning around, offering a rich, zesty flavor. Our easy-to-make Wingstop ranch dressing recipe uses this dry seasoning mix. However, you can make homemade ranch seasoning mix if you prefer.
What's the difference between store ranch and restaurant ranch? ›
The difference is dairy
The key difference between bottled ranch and ranch that's been mixed from a packet — which is what's usually served in restaurants — is that ranch made from a mix usually contains real dairy ingredients. The store-bought varieties don't.
What kind of ranch dressing does Chick Fil A use? ›
8oz Garden Herb Ranch Sauce.
What brand of ranch dressing does Domino's use? ›
There are 190 calories in 1 serving (43 ml) of Domino's Pizza Ken's Ranch Dressing.
