Making your own Homemade Ranch Dressing recipe couldn’t be easier! Two simple steps and three simple ingredients is all it takes.
History of Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing was created by Steve Henson as his signature buttermilk dressing. He made it for friends and family until later in life he purchased a ranch with his wife, Gayle.
They started calling it the dressing of the Ranch and then mass marketed. Hidden Valley Ranch is the name of their ranch and the rest is history.
Ingredients
You only need three, yes three ingredients to make your own homemade ranch dressing.
- Dry ranch seasoning mix – You can either buy a packet at the grocery store, or use my recipe to make your own dry ranch.
- Whole milk – I prefer whole milk, but you can use a lower fat version. Just keep in mind the consistency might be a little thinner.
- Mayonnaise – You can use your favorite store bought mayo, or try making your own homemade mayo. It might be easier than you think!
Dry Ranch Mix
All of these ingredients I can pronounce and I feel good about feeding to my family. My kids refer to ranch dressing simply as “dip” and won’t eat carrots without it.
- dry powdered buttermilk
- dried parsley flakes
- dried dill
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- dried onion flakes
- ground black pepper
- dried chives
- fine sea salt
You are probably familiar with all of the ingredients in this homemade ranch dressing with the exception of maybe one: dry powdered buttermilk.
Dry powdered buttermilk is just like any other dry powdered milk. It is made from actual buttermilk, which is the liquid left behind after churning to milk butter, but fermented so it is a little funky.
But then dehydrated so it has a much longer shelf life. Let’s be honest, I don’t use that much buttermilk. Maybe here and there for fried chicken, pancakes and waffles, but not on the regular.
So keeping a canister of buttermilk powder in the pantry is my solution for a last minute breakfast or easy homemade ranch dressing.
How to Make Homemade Ranch Dressing
Making this homemade dressing is as easy as one, two, three!
- Combine ingredients in food processor. Combine all three ingredients in a bowl and whisk or in a small food processor. Mix until combined.
- Cover and chill. Cover and chill for 30 minutes for best results. This allows the flavors to marry.
Ways to Use Ranch Dressing
I have one friend who is a self proclaimed ranch fanatic who would tell you there isn’t anything that ranch dressing shouldn’t go on. But the most common uses are:
- Salad, of course
- Corn on the cob
- Baked potatoes
- Grilled or roasted vegetables
- Pizza dipping sauce
- Dipping sauce for French fries and tater tots
- On sandwiches
- For buffalo wings
- On burgers and hot dogs
- As a marinade for chicken or pork
- Dipping raw veggies like carrots or celery
Storage and Freezing
How to Store Ranch Dressing
It is stored best in an airtight container- either plastic or a mason jar with a tight lid. Since it is homemade and doesn’t have any preservatives other than salt, a natural preservative, it only last about a week.
You can make a large batch of the dry ranch seasoning and then make fresh dressing every night though. I doubt it will last a whole week since it is so good!
Can I Freeze Ranch Dressing?
Although technically you can freeze it, I do not recommend it. Upon thawing, the texture will be quite different.
More Homemade Dressings
If you know me, you know how much I love a good homemade sauce. These homemade dressings are some of my favorites!
Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- Combine all three ingredients in a bowl and whisk or in a small food processor. Mix until combined.
- Cover and chill for 30 minutes for best results.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
Nutrition
