Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe
Ditch store-bought bottled ranch and whip up fresh, flavorful homemade ranch right in your own kitchen! Our top-rated ranch dressing recipe is incredibly simple to make, and it calls for ingredients you almost certainly already have stocked in your kitchen.
What Is Ranch Dressing?
Ranch is an iconic, universally loved classic American salad dressing. Traditional recipes use a tangy buttermilk base, but many popular homemade versions—including this recipe—use a rich combination of sour cream and mayonnaise for extra creaminess instead. Ranch gets its signature savory taste from a perfectly blended mix of herbs and spices, most commonly garlic powder and dill.
Ranch Dressing Ingredients
You only need a handful of basic staples to make this homemade dressing. Here’s everything you’ll need:
Sour cream and mayonnaise: This creamy blend forms the smooth base of our dressing. If you prefer a thinner, tangier ranch, you can swap the sour cream for buttermilk easily.
Seasonings & herbs: Dried chives, parsley, dill weed, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground black pepper come together to create that classic, recognizable ranch flavor.
Top Tips for the Best Homemade Ranch
“If you love the smooth, flavorful ranch you get at restaurants, this is the recipe for you,” says culinary producer Nicole McLaughlin (also known as NicoleMcMom). “And the best part is, I bet you already have everything you need on hand to make it yourself.”
Nicole likes to elevate the recipe by adding fresh versions of the recipe’s dried herbs. For example, you can add fresh dill alongside dried dill, or swap dried for fresh entirely for a brighter taste.
For an easy, refreshing healthy snack, serve your finished homemade ranch with freshly sliced crisp veggies like bell peppers, celery, and carrots.
Can You Make Ranch Dressing Ahead of Time?
Yes! In fact, making it ahead is actually the better choice. Since the herbs and seasonings need time to meld and deepen their flavors, it often makes more sense to mix up your ranch one or two days before you plan to serve it.
How to Store Homemade Ranch Dressing
Store your finished homemade ranch in an airtight container (a mason jar works perfectly for this) in the refrigerator, and it will stay fresh for up to two weeks.
