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.
We love dipping pizza in ranch and these spicy chicken bites are awesome with ranch on the side too.
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.
Homemade Ranch Dressing
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 Salad 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.
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
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream and milk until smooth.
- Add the dill, parsley, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Add the lemon and whisk again. Pour into a jar and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
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
- ¾ – 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
{originally published 9/15/11 – recipe notes and photographs updated 7/15/21}
Ron says
I made a batch of this ranch dressing for my wife and daughter to dip carrots and celery in during a game day. My daughter yelled from the living room, Dad you have to make about a gallon of this stuff!!
Mary Younkin says
haha, that’s awesome, Ron.
Dave says
Looking forward to trying this tomorrow.
I make my own mayo, and salad dressings/dips to take on the road (truck driver). I’m always looking for something new to keep me out of the truckstops and eating healthier.
Popeyes has a “blackened ranch” dip, have you ever seen a recipe for this variation?
Mary Younkin says
I hope you love the dressing as much as we do, Dave. I’m not sure what would make a ranch dressing “blackened.” I haven’t seen that before, but my guess is that a bit of Cajun seasoning is added to the mix.
Alisha says
Tried making this tonight and it was a GREAT hit! Thank you for sharing! What would you say the shelf life is?
Mary Younkin says
This will keep nicely in the fridge for at least a week.
Judy Jordan says
Too many ads. Why has society accepted this crap?
Mary Younkin says
Well, hello there. Feel free to use that handy “Jump to Recipe” button located at the top of every page. It will take you directly to the printable recipe. Seeing how the advertising pays all business expenses and maintenance costs for this free-to-use website as well as the expenses related to the recipes that I develop and share at no cost whatsoever to you, most people tend to be okay with scrolling a bit and seeing the ads. Have a terrific rest of the day, friend.
Pungent Aromatics says
The creator makes money of you clicking and leaving comments to pay for her “free of charge that you help pay for by clicking” hobby but then turns around and is passive aggressive, about you clicking and commenting, taking it very personally that you don’t like the amount of ads as if she got slighted. I’m sure he appreciates the recipe and the awesome reply Mary. It’s called feedback and comes with the hobby. I’m thanking him for you! Keep up the great work and maybe put some shoes on those sensitive feet.
Mary Younkin says
Hey there, my pungent friend. Thanks for the interesting comment. I sure do enjoy this cute hobby of mine. Have a terrific rest of the day!
Maggie says
Wow. Haven’t made this for a long time. I don’t know why it is absolutely delicious, even my fussy pants of a daughter loved it. When I visit my daughter in law and grandchildren I have to make some to take. Thank you so much for sharing it
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad it’s a hit with your family, Maggie!
Marcus Irwin says
I thought, there’s no way this ranch is better than mine. Then I read the ingredients. Same recipe, exactly! Ha ha!
Mary Younkin says
haha that’s funny, Marcus. Glad that we agree it’s the best!
Karen Slater-Parker says
I would love to come to a class you’re teaching one day. Love this recipe.
Mary Younkin says
I don’t teach any classes in person, Karen, but I love sharing all the recipes here. I’m glad you are enjoying the ranch!
Laura Reichsman says
Just made this, my first bfk recipe, and it was fabulous!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you’re enjoying the dressing, Laura!
Candace says
Waaaaaay too runny! I wish I would not have used the recommended 1/2c milk! I double the sour cream and mayo and it was STILL too runny! Super disappointed I wasted those ingredients.
Mary Younkin says
The dressing will thicken in the refrigerator, but yes, this is an easily pourable salad dressing. If you prefer it thicker, I recommend starting with just half the milk and adjusting the consistency from there.
Candace says
Have you tried making this with fresh dill? I’m wondering if it would be a 1:1 or if I would need to adjust the amount?
Mary Younkin says
I typically add 3x the amounts when using fresh herbs, Candace. You can try it with less and adjust to taste as well.
Joe s says
We had the name brand in the fridge and it’s mostly chemicals. That junk just wont do. I prefer to do everything from scratch. This is a fantastic recipe. Well its good enough to drink 😁
Mary Younkin says
haha, good enough to drink is a heck of a compliment. I’m glad you like the dressing so much, joe!
Steven Hueston says
Tastes great but super runny. Followed and double checked the recipe.
Mary Younkin says
The dressing should thicken a bit in the refrigerator. If it’s still runnier than you like, I recommend reducing the milk by half next time and then adding more slowly until the desired consistency is achieved.
RJ says
This is a super solid base recipe. I have high-ish risk tolerance. ~> I’m guilty of jimmy-rigging almost any recipes, not as much for baking. A household member of mine bought the full weed so had decided to hide it for her own person. (Mind you, I do 90% of the cooking for the whole family.)
So I had to, and many times have to improvise. 🙂
Substitutions as followed and turned out great!
Giuliano olive juice in place of dill (1 tsp)
Vit D milk plus ACV to make buttermilk
Italian dried spice in place of parsley and chive
1/2 tsp+ Classico traditional pesto in place of garlic (it has garlic in it so…. Can’t find the garlic so ha! Voila!) also the added basil is just mmm mmm
I may grate some garlic cloves and dice some onion. Eh why not.
4 stars plus from me!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad the dressing is a win for you, RJ!