Ranch Dressing
36 Comments
Apr 07, 2025
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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, 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.
Ranch Dressing
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.
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. 😉
This is very tasty!! I added some extra garlic because we like garlic. So easy to throw together!
You can never go wrong with extra garlic! Glad you enjoyed this ranch dressing recipe, Diane.
Hi Lisa, love this recipe, really tasty. I used greek yogurt instead of sour cream as I didn’t have it at home. Mayo was obviously homemade also following your recipe. :) Thanx!
Glad your ranch dressing turned out perfectly with yogurt instead of sour cream, Szilvi!
Ah we needed this recipe! Thanks Lisa! Any substitutions for the mayo?
Hi Anna – You can try using Greek yogurt instead!
Oh my goodness, this ranch dressing is so good! I’ve been looking to make my own for so long and this recipe hit the spot. I used it for a simple salad I made for dinner and my husband love it as well!
Hi Emily – Thrilled to hear you and your husband love this homemade ranch dressing! Now you have a fresh recipe you can always come back to.
I see the calories are 105 per serving but can you tell me how much dressing is in 1 serving?
Hi Jeannie – each serving is about 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing. Enjoy!
Hi Lisa,
When I click on the print button to print the recipe (I know you fixed it on the website), it still says lemon juice and chives.
Thanks.
PS…you are my favorite recipe artist.
If you refresh the page it should display correctly now. :) Thanks!
What can I change out the buttermilk with, maybe use more alternative sour cream?
Thanks,
Hi Virginia – you could use any type of milk or an alternative sour cream. If using milk, you could always add a bit more vinegar to get some of that tanginess back. Enjoy!
How well does this dressing freeze (I.e. frozen cubes for pre-portions I can pop into a mini dressing container for a lunch to-go)?
Or more generally, what dressings freeze the most effectively?
Hi Geneva – because it has dairy in it, I don’t recommend freezing it. You can easily freeze any of my non-dairy dressings or vinaigrettes though!
Just an FYI–
The ingredient list says apple cider vinegar, but the instructions say lemon juice, just in case you see this message and want to update the recipe. :)
Hi Bridget – Thanks for letting us know! We just adjusted the instructions.
Hi Lisa,
I was about to make your ranch dressing and then I noticed that the list of ingredients and your description of making the dressing doesn’t match. The ingredient list doesn’t contain lemon juice or chives, but does have dill. Can you clarify exactly ingredients and amount of each? Thanks.
Hi Carol – Thanks for pointing that out! It should be apple cider vinegar and no chives. The recipe has been updated!
Can you use Greek yogurt instead of mayo?
Sure, you could do that.
In the ranch dressing what is a good non cows milk substitute for milk or buttermilk
Hi Virginia – you could use your favorite non-dairy milk. I would probably use my cashew milk recipe.
Hi Lisa I would love to know where to purchase the small pitcher you show the ranch dressing in.
Hi Becky – unfortunately, that’s a vintage piece and no longer available. But it sure is pretty isn’t it? :)
This sounds delicious. Definitely going to make this.
There is no chive measurement in the recipe!
Hi Nicole – Can’t wait for you to try this! I’ve adjusted the recipe directions so it should be correct now.
You list apple cider vinegar in the ingredients but in the instructions you talk about adding lemon juice. Is that an additional ingredient or is it supposed to say apple cider vinegar?
Hi Linda – Thanks for pointing that out! It was meant to say apple cider vinegar, not lemon juice. The recipe has been adjusted.
Hi Lisa!
The instructions in #1 mention lemon juice but it’s not listed in the ingredients.
Thank you!
Hi there – I meant to say apple cider vinegar! The recipe has been adjusted now.
I love many of your recipes, but sometimes the ingredients in the instructions section are not the same as in the ingredients section and sometimes they differ from your video instructions.
It can be a little confusing to decide which ingredients to use.
Hi there – Thanks for letting me know! I’ve adjusted the directions so that they match the ingredients now.
YUM!! Can’t wait to make this! We love your recipes and dressings here in Sarasota, FL! Also, your banana bread is THE BEST! So easy and comes togethers in one bowl! My favorite!!!
Can’t wait for you to try this recipe, Colleen. Enjoy!