Homemade Ranch Dressing

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Creamy, tangy, and irresistibly flavorful, Homemade Ranch Dressing is a kitchen essential that beats any store-bought version. Whether you’re pouring it over a fresh salad, using it as a dip for veggies, or drizzling it over crispy chicken wings, this ranch brings a cool, herby richness to every bite.

The beauty of this dressing lies in its simplicity. With just a few fresh ingredients and a quick mix, you’ll have a versatile dressing that’s fresh, zesty, and full of real flavor—perfect for weekday meals, gatherings, or late-night snacking. Once you taste the difference, you might never go back to bottled ranch again.

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Why You’ll Love This Homemade Ranch Dressing

• It comes together in minutes with simple pantry and fridge staples.
• Customizable to your taste: make it thicker, tangier, or more garlicky.
• So much fresher and healthier than store-bought ranch.
• Doubles as a dip, sauce, or even sandwich spread.
• Naturally gluten-free and can be made dairy-free with easy swaps.

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What Kind of Herbs Should I Use?

Fresh herbs make a huge difference in the flavor of ranch. Classic choices include dill, parsley, and chives. If fresh isn’t available, dried versions work well—just remember to use less (typically 1/3 of the amount of fresh). Mixing herbs adds complexity, so don’t be afraid to blend them based on your taste.

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Ingredients for the Homemade Ranch Dressing

Each ingredient in this dressing plays a vital role in delivering that classic ranch flavor and creamy texture. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Mayonnaise: The creamy base that gives ranch its smooth richness.
• Sour Cream: Adds tang and lightens the texture a bit for a balanced creaminess.
• Buttermilk: Thins the dressing and adds that signature tang. You can substitute with milk + lemon juice if needed.
• Garlic Powder: Brings subtle depth and warmth.
• Onion Powder: Adds savory flavor and complexity.
• Dried Dill: A classic herb in ranch, offering freshness and a mild citrus note.
• Chopped Fresh Chives: Mild oniony flavor and vibrant color.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds brightness and a clean, herbaceous touch.
• Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the other flavors.

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How To Make the Homemade Ranch Dressing

Step 1: Start With the Base

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise and sour cream. Whisk together until smooth and fully combined.

Step 2: Add the Buttermilk

Slowly pour in the buttermilk while whisking. Add more or less depending on how thick or thin you prefer your ranch.

Step 3: Season and Flavor

Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, dill, chives, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is evenly distributed.

Step 4: Chill and Let Flavors Blend

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the herbs infuse and the dressing thicken slightly.

Step 5: Taste and Adjust

Before serving, give it a taste. You can add a bit more salt, pepper, or herbs to match your flavor preference.

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Serving and Storing Homemade Ranch Dressing

This homemade ranch recipe makes about 1.5 cups, enough to serve 6 to 8 people depending on how generously you use it. Serve it chilled as a dip for crispy vegetables, wings, or chips, or drizzle it over salads, burgers, and wraps.

To store, keep your ranch dressing in an airtight jar or container in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to one week. Just give it a quick stir before each use to reincorporate the ingredients, especially if it sits for a few days.

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What to Serve With Homemade Ranch Dressing?

H3: Crispy Chicken Wings

Classic and crowd-pleasing, ranch is the ultimate sidekick to spicy or grilled wings.

H3: Fresh Veggie Platter

Carrots, celery, cucumbers, and bell peppers taste even better with a dip of cool ranch.

H3: Loaded Baked Potatoes

Drizzle ranch over hot, cheesy potatoes for a flavor-packed twist.

H3: Grilled Corn on the Cob

Brush ranch on grilled corn for a creamy, herby upgrade.

H3: Chicken Tenders or Nuggets

Great for kids and adults alike, ranch makes every bite better.

H3: Burgers and Sandwiches

Use as a spread for an extra hit of flavor and creaminess.

H3: Pizza

A drizzle of ranch on pizza (especially pepperoni or BBQ chicken) is a cult favorite.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ranch dressing dairy-free?
Yes! Simply swap the sour cream and buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like coconut milk yogurt and almond milk mixed with a little vinegar or lemon juice.

How long does homemade ranch dressing last?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it will stay fresh for up to one week. Be sure to stir it well before using after storing.

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Absolutely. Use about one-third the amount of dried herbs as you would fresh. Dried herbs still bring great flavor.

Is this ranch dressing gluten-free?
Yes, all the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your specific brands of mayonnaise and seasonings to be sure.

Can I make this dressing thicker for dipping?
Definitely. Just reduce the buttermilk or skip it entirely for a thicker, creamier ranch dip.

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Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dip board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go with fresh herbs or dried? Thicker dip or salad dressing style?
I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too, let’s help each other make the best ranch ever.

Find more daily recipes on my Pinterest: Life With Livia Pinterest

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Conclusion

This Homemade Ranch Dressing is the creamy, herby, tangy staple you didn’t know your kitchen was missing. Easy to whip up with simple ingredients, it’s endlessly versatile—ideal for salads, sandwiches, dips, and more. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself, this ranch is bound to be your new go-to. Once you try it, you’ll understand why homemade always wins.

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