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Try this Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing recipe once and you will never go back to the bottled or mix packet again! Ranch dressing is easy to make and perfect for salads, dipping, and even marinating!
Everybody has their favorite salad dressing that they turn to time after time and for me, it has always been ranch dressing. I grew up with Wishbone Ranch Dressing before discovering later on that I like Hidden Valley Ranch Way better, before discovering that homemade ranch dressing blows both of those out of the water! I tried homemade ranch dressing once and decided the bottle in the fridge was only to be used as an emergency back-up, you know, for those times when I don’t have the homemade dressing on hand, yet I need to dip my pizza in it? (Yes, I dip my pizza in ranch dressing, I told you… I’m addicted).
Homemade Ranch Dressing Ingredients
Homemade salad dressing always sounds so intimidating for some reason, yet it couldn’t be easier to make, especially Homemade Ranch Dressing. The base of this dressing is simply my homemade Classic Ranch Dip, have you tried it yet? Here are the ingredients that you will need:
- mayo– I recommend classic Hellman’s mayo
- sour cream – you can also use greek yogurt as a sour cream substitute. This adds tang to ranch dressing.
- dried chives – fresh chives are also delicious!
- dried parsley
- dried dill weed
- garlic powder
- salt
- black pepper
- buttermilk
A fresh squeeze of lemon juice is also delicious if you happen to have lemons on hand!
Buttermilk in Ranch Dressing
Buttermilk in ranch dressing is an essential ingredients and makes it creamy and delicious. If you do not have buttermilk on hand, you can use my favorite kitchen hack for making a buttermilk substitute with milk and vinegar.
Begin by adding ½ cup of buttermilk, then adjust accordingly. If you want your dressing thinner, add more buttermilk. If you’d like it thicker, add less. Add a little buttermilk at a time so that you end up with the consistency that you like best.
You can thin-out this homemade ranch dressing with milk, but I highly recommend the buttermilk. Believe it or not, it makes a difference in the taste and the consistency. All of the seasonings you likely already have on hand, with perhaps the exception of dried dill weed. I know not everyone stocks that spice, but you will definitely want it for this recipe.
How is ranch made from scratch?
Making homemade ranch dressing is truly so easy. Ranch is made from scratch by combining mayo with sour cream along with plenty of herbs, then adding in buttermilk for that creamy consistency that we all love!
Storing Homemade Buttermilk Ranch
It is best to store homemade ranch dressing in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 7 days (sometimes up to two weeks) but it never lasts that long in my house! I use this on salads, for dipping fresh veggies, and even for dipping pizza (I’m from the Midwest, can you tell?) :)
More Ranch Recipes
Love ranch dressing as much as I do? Here are some of my favorite ranch inspired recipes!
I hope you enjoy this recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing. It is truly my #1 go-to ranch dressing that I make over and over again. Enjoy!
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayo
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup buttermilk
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the buttermilk, and mix well.
- Slowly whisk in the cold buttermilk. Add more or less, depending on the thickness you’d like your dressing.
- Refrigerate and chill for at least two hours or overnight.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Enjoy!
