Homemade ranch dressing puts store-bought dressing to shame. With its creamy base of mayonnaise, tangy sour cream, and buttermilk, it’s infused with fragrant herbs and spices, making this the best ranch dressing recipe. Get ready to take salads, dips, and snacks to the next level.
Once you’ve made ranch dressing, try this healthy avocado green goddess dressing!
I Know Ranch Dressing
I should begin this post by disclosing why I am problematic – I love or hate a restaurant entirely based on the ranch dressing they serve. I am known to travel miles searching for good ranch dressing- shout out to Dion’s in Colorado Springs and Fratelli’s Pizza in Flagstaff – they have some of the best ranch dressing!
An honorable mention goes to Black Bear Diner; did you know they make their ranch with bacon? And when it comes to the bottled stuff in stores, I will have none of it!
That left me with one option, I needed to whip up with the best ranch dressing recipe so I no longer had to rely on a restaurant or store to give me what I needed.
What is Ranch Dressing?
Ranch dressing is a well-known American dressing that commonly incorporates a base of mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk flavored with herbs and spices, including parsley, dill, garlic, onion, and black pepper, among others. Use the condiment as a dip for vegetables, crispy baked chicken wings, and a dressing for salad and meals like Instant Pot Mississippi pot roast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Mayonnaise: The base for the tastiest ranch dressing is typically made with full-fat mayonnaise to provide creaminess.
- Sour Cream: Adding sour cream thickens the dressing and provides a slightly tangy flavor.
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk is a necessary ingredient in ranch dressing that gives it its signature tanginess and helps to thin out the mixture; use it as a lever to get the consistency and flavor you want.
- Lemon Juice: A small amount of acid brightens the dressing.
- Herbs: Bring our homemade dressing to the next level with fresh dill and parsley.
- Garlic: I suggest using four cloves, but don’t let my recipe tell you how much garlic to use – measure with your heart.
- Spices: Finish the best ranch dressing recipe by seasoning the base with garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
How to Make the Best Ranch Dressing Recipe
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk in a mixing bowl whisk to emulsify.
Step 2: Add the dill, parsley, lemon juice, and garlic. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Stir in the spices and transfer the dressing to an airtight container.
Expert Tips
- Change the consistency by adjusting the amount of buttermilk to your liking. Use less for a lighter texture or more for a creamier consistency.
- For best results, let the dressing sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to combine.
Whip up the ranch dressing, and pair it with one of these tasty appetizers!
Serving Suggestions
Crafting a batch of homemade ranch dressing is a breeze, and its versatility makes it the perfect accompaniment to anything from appetizers to main courses.
- Fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, bell peppers, or tomatoes.
- French Fries, Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
- Cobb Salad, Vegetable Chopped Salad
- Chicken Nuggets, Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Strips
- Roasted Potatoes, Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes, Potato Skins
- Corned Beef and Cabbage Egg Rolls
- Buffalo Chicken Crust Pizza
- Mac and Cheese Balls, Jalapeño Poppers, Quesadillas
- BLT
What to do with the Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make ranch dressing ahead of time?
This is the best ranch dressing recipe to prepare in advance; it’s a permanent fixture in my refrigerator.
To ensure the dressing stays fresh and flavorful, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. When you’re ready to serve, give the dressing a good stir or shake to redistribute any separated ingredients, and adjust the seasoning if needed.
What gives ranch dressing its distinct flavor?
Tangy sour cream and buttermilk with fresh herbs and spices create the signature flavor of ranch dressing.
More Dressing and Dip Recipes:
Best Ranch Dressing Recipe
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup fresh dill, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice,
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, coarse ground
- Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk in a mixing bowl whisk to emulsify.
- Add the dill, parsley, lemon juice, and garlic. Stir to combine.
- Stir in the spices and transfer the dressing to an airtight container.
- Change the consistency by adjusting the amount of buttermilk to your liking. Use less for a lighter texture or more for a creamier consistency.
- For best results, let the dressing sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to combine.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.