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The best homemade ranch salad dressing tastes better than anything store-bought and only takes a few minutes to make. Ranch dressing is delicious on salads and as a dip for fresh vegetables.
Homemade Ranch Dressing
There aren’t all that many recipes here on the blog that I label as “the best.” With nearly 1,500 recipes here, there are less than 20 that have truly earned that label.
I figure that everyone’s tastes are different and who knows if someone else’s opinion on the “best recipe ever” is going to match mine? These recipes though? They really are the best of the best.
And this ranch salad dressing? It is hands down the BEST Ranch Salad Dressing that I have ever tasted. Without fail, the people who try it, have all agreed. Just scroll through the comments to see how everyone raves over it.
Ranch Dressing Recipe
Plenty of garlic, dill, and other spices make this a memorable ranch dressing. Just thin enough to pour smoothly, without becoming too liquid or watered down: the creaminess of the dressing is well balanced by the tang of the fresh lemon.
This dressing has had a permanent place in my refrigerator for almost five years now. My kids reach for this ranch dressing or our homemade ranch dip at least once, if not twice, a day to eat with fresh vegetables.
Most nights, I set out our produce boxes and a bowl of this ranch dressing each day as I am getting ready to make dinner. The kids happily snack on vegetables for half an hour or more while we chat and cook dinner.
Ranch Dressing
This is easily the most popular salad dressing I make. We have friends that insist I bring this Homemade Ranch Salad Dressing along every time we get together for a meal.
Everyone who has tasted this dressing has been convinced at first bite that they need to make it for themselves. This recipe has become not only the most popular salad dressing on this website but one of the most popular recipes overall.
After all, what’s not to love about the BEST ranch dressing you’ll ever taste?
How To Make Ranch Dressing
Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, and milk in a small bowl or jar, and whisk until smooth. Add the dill, parsley, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and fresh lemon juice. Whisk again to combine.
Taste the ranch, I recommend dipping fresh vegetables into it for the perfect taste test. Adjust the spices or add more lemon juice for extra tang. Pour into a jar and refrigerate until ready to serve. This will keep well in the fridge for as long as the dairy ingredients are good, usually at least a week.
Salad Dressing Recipes
For more great dressing recipes to try, Honey Lime Jalapeno Vinaigrette, Creamy Poppyseed Dressing, and these Balsamic Vinaigrettes are a few more of my go-to homemade dressings.
If you love ranch but want to bump it up, Pepper Dill Ranch is packed full of crushed pepper and loaded with fresh dill, this dressing is a great addition to our usual dressings and dips for our raw vegetables.
I have this Avocado Lime Salad Dressing by Inside BruCrew Life and this Green Goddess Salad Dressing by Kalyn’s Kitchen on my future recipes to try list.
The Best Homemade Ranch Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or regular milk
- 3/4 – 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon finely cracked pepper
- freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste approximately 1-3 teaspoons, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together the mayo, sour cream and milk until smooth. Add the spices and whisk until combined. Add the lemon and whisk again. Pour into a jar and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This dressing will keep nicely in the refrigerator for up to a week. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 9/15/11 – recipe notes and photographs updated 7/15/21}
This is so good and fresh tasting! I’ve always wanted to make this recipe and I did it last night. It is a little on the thin side than I would like but I will adjust next time!
It will thicken in the fridge as it rests, Raelynn. And if you still prefer it a bit thicker, a little less milk should do the trick. I’m glad you’re enjoying the ranch!
Tried this recipe since I ran out of the bottled stuff. My husband was floored!!. I made a smaller amount and as another poster did, I used heavy cream instead of milk, adding slowly to get the perfect consistency. This one’s a keeper!
I’m so glad you like the ranch, Nomi.
how much do I use if I use fresh parsley, dill and chives
You’ll want to triple the herbs for fresh ingredients vs dried.
Not a fan of this dressing! It taste more like a dip, because the sour cream is overpowering in this recipe. Next time I will definitely leave out the sour cream, and hope that it taste better!
The beauty of homemade dressings is how easy they are to adjust to your tastes. Personally, I’m not too sure about skipping the sour cream entirely, but if you aren’t a fan of sour cream, maybe that will make it perfect for you. Happy salad making, Lorie!
I just made this and tasted in pizza before getting cold and it was good I may add a little bit more spices and the yogurt the one with the probiotics in it and try next time instead of buttermilk as made the buttermilk with vinegar..I did do my own homemade mayo as trying to avoid seed oils..but just according to directions yummy and will have it with salad tonight..thank you
I’m so glad you like the ranch, Patricia!
I liked it! I’ve been looking for a good ranch recipe for a long time so happy to have found it. Question…can you substitute plain yogurt for sour cream?
Greek yogurt works nicely for a swap, Michelle. I’ve found that plain yogurt is very thin and can result in a very thin dressing, so you may want to reduce the milk by a good bit if you’re trying this with plain yogurt. Both yogurts will change the flavor a bit as well. However many people make the dressing that way and enjoy it too!