This easy Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing is perfect over salads. You can also serve it as a dip for veggies or chips - healthier than store-bought!
Ranch dressing is a classic American salad dressing usually made from buttermilk, sour cream, sometimes mayonnaise, seasonings, herbs such as parsley, dill, and chives. It is one of the best-selling salad dressings in the United States.
This buttermilk ranch dressing tastes fresh, creamy, herby, and tangy. The tang slightly comes from the sour cream and lemon juice. The herb flavors come from chives, dill, and parsley.
You can use it as dressing for salads or dip for veggies, fries, or chips. It is also a great addition for tacos, wraps, sandwiches, or roasted veggies. To make a thick homemade ranch dip reduce the amount of buttermilk to ¼ cup.
This recipe was adapted from cookie and kate blog.
Ingredients for making Ranch Dressing
- Sour Cream: I like to use full-fat Sour cream to get a creamy ranch dressing. You may also use low-fat sour cream.
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk offers some additional tang and thins out the sour cream and mayonnaise to yield a drizzly texture.
- Mayonnaise: Use Full fat and no added sugar. This gives the dressing extra creaminess. My favorite brands are Hellmann's and Primal Kitchen.
- Fresh Herbs: I love to use fresh Parsley, Dill, and Chives as it gives signature ranch flavor. You can also use dried herbs if that's what you have.
- Garlic: a fresh clove of garlic finely minced. You can also use garlic powder.
- Lemon Juice: adds a dash of tanginess to the dressing. You can substitute this with apple cider vinegar instead.
- Seasonings: Salt & Pepper
How to Make Homemade Ranch Dressing
In a jar or bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth. At this stage, taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
Serve it immediately or transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
How to Serve Ranch Dressing?
This homemade ranch dressing goes well on almost everything.
- Drizzled on chopped salad
- As a dip with veggies, fries, or chips
- Spread on wraps or sandwiches
- With roasted potatoes
Tips & Variations
- If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a homemade buttermilk substitute by combining a teaspoon of lemon juice with ½ cup of milk.
- You can replace lemon juice with apple cider vinegar for extra tartness.
- Both fresh herbs and dried herbs work great for this recipe.
- To make spicy ranch dressing, add a little cayenne pepper or red chili powder for a kick.
- Be sure to taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning as you like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Leftover homemade ranch dressing should last for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator when stored in a Mason jar or airtight container. I do not recommend freezing as it doesn't freeze or thaw well.
If you don’t have buttermilk, then prepare a homemade buttermilk substitute by combining a teaspoon of lemon juice with a half cup of milk.
More sour cream (or greek yogurt), or vegan mayo. It will taste slightly different, but it definitely works!
No, this recipe uses buttermilk which is high in carbs. Also, some store-bought ranch dressings have hidden ingredients like sugar.
More Dressings & Dips Recipes
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup sour cream (or greek yogurt)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ½ cup buttermilk or as required
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley minced
- 1 garlic clove minced or pressed
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar)
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a jar or bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth. At this stage, taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
- Serve it immediately or transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Notes
Tips & Variations
- If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a homemade buttermilk substitute by combining a teaspoon of lemon juice with ½ cup of milk.
- You can replace lemon juice with apple cider vinegar for extra tartness.
- Both fresh herbs and dried herbs work great for this recipe.
- To make spicy ranch dressing, add a little cayenne pepper or red chili powder for a kick.
- Be sure to taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning as you like.
Nutrition
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