Ranch Dressing
Add Preferred SourceRanch Dressing tastes completely different when it’s homemade, with fresh herb flavor and real garlic instead of that salty, preservative taste from the bottle. The base is thick and creamy, the tang hits just right, and it has actual depth instead of just tasting like seasoned mayo. You’ll taste the difference immediately and wonder why you ever bought it premade.
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I make it for game day parties, family dinners, and whenever I need something to make raw vegetables irresistible. It stays fresh in the fridge for up to 1 week, so you can prep a batch on Sunday and use it all week for salads, grain bowls, or dipping. It’s budget-friendly, healthier than bottled, and tastes incredible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Ranch Dressing with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
This homemade ranch dressing might just make you skip the store-bought versions (for good).
Whisk the Base
In a medium glass mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, dried basil, dried fresh dill, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. The mixture should be thick and creamy with no lumps.
Having a salt and pepper grinder lets you adjust the taste more easily; a real game-changer!
Add the Milk
Slowly whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until the dressing reaches your desired consistency. Adding it gradually gives you better control over the thickness, so you can make it thicker for dipping or thinner for drizzling over salads.
A wire whisk is ideal for getting everything well blended and smooth.
Chill and Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Transfer the ranch to an airtight container or a mason jar and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. The chilling time lets the dried herbs rehydrate and the flavors blend together.
Once chilled, you can use it on your salads or however you want, and enjoy!
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup milk
Video
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, dried basil, dried dill, salt, and black pepper until smooth.½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, ½ teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon dried dill, ¾ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Slowly whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.¼ cup milk
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Keep the ranch dressing in a mason jar or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or transfer it to a squeeze bottle for easy drizzling over salads. The flavors will continue to develop, so it actually tastes even better after sitting in the fridge overnight.
Before using, give it a quick stir since the herbs may settle at the bottom. If it thickens too much after refrigerating, whisk in a teaspoon or two of milk to loosen it back up. I don’t recommend freezing it because the mayo may tend to separate.
What to Serve With Ranch Dressing
Use this for dipping fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli florets. It’s also perfect drizzled over green salads, wedge salads, grain bowls, or tossed with cooked pasta for easy pasta salad.
Try it as a topping for baked potatoes, a dip for pizza crust, French fries, crackers, or pretzels, or spread it on sandwiches and wraps for extra flavor. The creamy, herby taste works with just about anything, making it the most versatile dressing in your fridge.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
If you loved this ranch, you’ll want to try my other homemade dressing recipes.
I made a batch and I’ve got to tell you, next time, doubling the recipe. This ranch dressing blows away any store made or any other recipe I’ve made before. My family just loved the freshness of the dressing and it created a fabulous salad for us.