Ranch dressing is a classic condiment that adds a creamy, tangy, and herbaceous touch to salads, vegetables, and even meats. Making it from scratch is surprisingly easy and well worth the effort.
The homemade version tastes fresher, lacks preservatives, and can be customized to your liking. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect ranch dressing at home.
1. How to Make Ranch Dressing from Scratch
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (preferably full-fat)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (adjust for desired consistency)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (or white vinegar)
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley (or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley)
- 1 teaspoon dried dill (or 2 teaspoons fresh chopped dill)
- 1 teaspoon dried chives (or 2 teaspoons fresh chopped chives)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt (or more to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Combine the base ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the mayonnaise and sour cream. This duo creates the creamy, rich base for the ranch dressing, giving it a perfect consistency that’s not too thick and not too runny.
Add the buttermilk: Slowly pour in the buttermilk, stirring as you go. The buttermilk will help thin out the dressing to your desired consistency. Start with 1/2 cup and add more if you want a thinner dressing, especially for drizzling on salads.
Flavor it up: Add the lemon juice (or white vinegar) to give the dressing a nice tang. Stir in the parsley, dill, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, and chives add depth and a burst of freshness. If you have fresh herbs on hand, using them will enhance the flavor even further.
Mix and adjust: Stir everything together until fully combined. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired. Let the dressing sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve and enjoy: Once chilled, your homemade ranch dressing is ready to use. Serve it alongside your favorite salads, as a dip for veggies, or drizzle it over grilled chicken or fries.
2. Tips for Perfect Ranch Dressing
Making ranch dressing from scratch can be a simple process, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure it turns out just right:
Use full-fat mayonnaise: While it may be tempting to use low-fat or fat-free versions, full-fat mayonnaise provides the best texture and flavor. It gives the ranch dressing that creamy, luscious consistency that makes it so enjoyable.
Chill before serving: Letting your ranch dressing chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or even a few hours) allows the flavors to come together. This step enhances the overall taste, making it more vibrant and well-rounded.
Adjust the buttermilk: Depending on how thick or thin you want your ranch dressing, feel free to adjust the buttermilk. Less buttermilk will create a thicker dressing, which works well for dipping, while more will give you a thinner consistency that’s perfect for salads.
Taste and adjust the seasoning: Always taste your ranch dressing and adjust the seasoning to suit your preference. Add more garlic powder for extra depth, a bit more lemon juice for tang, or a pinch more salt if it needs some brightness.
Fresh herbs are always better: If possible, use fresh herbs instead of dried. They bring an extra layer of flavor and freshness that dried herbs can’t quite replicate. That said, dried herbs will work in a pinch and still make a great dressing.
3. What to Do with Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing isn’t just for salads. It’s incredibly versatile and can elevate many dishes:
Dipping sauce: Use it as a dip for fresh-cut veggies like carrots, celery, cucumbers, or bell peppers. It’s also fantastic for dipping chicken wings, pizza, or crispy fries.
Topping for baked potatoes: A dollop of ranch on a baked potato, along with some shredded cheese and bacon bits, makes for a delicious comfort food treat.
Drizzle over roasted vegetables: It adds a creamy richness when drizzled over roasted potatoes, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts.
Sandwiches and wraps: Spread ranch dressing on your favorite sandwiches or wraps for an extra boost of flavor.
Grilled meats: Pair ranch dressing with grilled chicken, steak, or pork for a refreshing contrast to smoky, charred flavors.
In my experience, ranch dressing is one of those condiments that works wonders on almost anything. I love experimenting with it and finding new ways to use it, from enhancing the simplest of meals to turning them into something special.
4. How to Store Leftover Ranch Dressing
If you’re lucky enough to have any leftover ranch dressing (which is rare in my house!), you can store it for later use:
Refrigerate: Transfer the dressing into an airtight container or jar and store it in the fridge. Homemade ranch dressing will keep for up to a week, but it’s best when used within 3-4 days for maximum freshness.
Freeze: If you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze ranch dressing. However, note that freezing can affect the texture, causing it to separate. If you go this route, simply thaw it in the fridge and give it a good stir before serving.
Revive the dressing: After storing, you may find that it thickens in the fridge. If this happens, add a splash of buttermilk or milk and stir until you reach the desired consistency.
Making ranch dressing from scratch is an easy and rewarding process. The homemade version tastes so much better than store-bought, and you get complete control over the ingredients.
Once you try homemade ranch, you might never go back to bottled dressing again! Give it a try, and enjoy the rich, tangy, and herby goodness of fresh ranch dressing.
