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Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe

4.5 from 94 reviews

This homemade ranch dressing is a creamy, tangy, and flavorful sauce made from a blend of classic herbs and spices mixed with mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk. Perfect for salads, dips, or drizzling over your favorite dishes, this recipe allows customization with optional dill pickle juice for an extra zesty kick.

Ingredients

Scale

Spices

  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp dried dill
  • 1/2 tsp dried chives
  • 3/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 3/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried onion flakes

Dressing Base

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp dill pickle juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine Spices: In a small bowl, mix together all the dried spices — salt, pepper, dried parsley, dried dill, dried chives, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried onion flakes. Alternatively, you can use 2 tablespoons of pre-made Dry Ranch seasoning mix for convenience.
  2. Mix Base Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the prepared seasoning mix, mayonnaise, sour cream, half of the buttermilk, and dill pickle juice if using. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
  3. Adjust Consistency: Gradually whisk in the remaining buttermilk until you reach your desired thickness for the dressing—thicker for dips, thinner for salad dressings.
  4. Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the ranch dressing for at least one hour and up to overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and develop fully.
  5. Serve: Once chilled, stir the dressing again before serving. Enjoy it as a dip, salad dressing, or sauce for your favorite dishes.

Notes

  • The dill pickle juice is optional but adds a nice tang and depth of flavor.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream and buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives and use vegan mayonnaise.
  • Homemade ranch dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • If you prefer a thicker dressing, reduce the amount of buttermilk or add more sour cream.
  • Use fresh herbs instead of dried if available; adjust quantities as dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor.

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