This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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!
Video
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}
Love recepies for dressings:) I never buy ready ones..never;) Great stuff;)
I made the ranch tonight. I used milk instead of buttermilk, and it was watery and tasted nothing like ranch dressing. I did what the directions stated and ended up dumping it out. Very disappointed.
Ranch dressing is made with butter milk not reg milk thats why yours was watery
Can it be made with lowfat Mayo an lowfat sour. Team?
I'm sorry to hear that it didn't turn out well for you. I really can't imagine what went wrong. We've been making this dressing for years and truly love it. If you could describe what was wrong with it, I might be able to help you figure it out or come up with something you would enjoy more. It is somewhat runny when you first make it, but it should have thickened up in the fridge within an hour or so.
I did refrigerate it also after I made it but it remained thin and did not taste anything like ranch?? There was not a nice taste like ranch should have had. It was actually alittle more on the bitter side?? Wish it had turned out different.
I use these same spice ingredients to make ranch chicken, & never really measure… just dump a bunch & it definitely has a ranch flavoring. I haven’t sent my husband after those ranch seasoning packets in almost a year. Pinterest has almost entirely great reviews of this particular recipe too, so going out on a limb, I am betting it’s worth another try! You could try w the buttermilk, or adjusting the milk like others in the comments section suggest w lemon juice or vinegar. If it’s still off, Maybe double the spices in the recipe. I have left out both dill & chives…. & they really make a difference. So unless you have an aversion to dill, don’t skimp! 😉
I really can not imagine what would have caused it to taste bitter. My guess would be a problem with the milk, mayo or sour cream. I've never had it turn out that way at all. I'm sorry it wasn't what you were hoping for!
I see the recipe says milk or buttermilk, but buttermilk makes a huge difference to me–especially if you are using low fat or no fat milk.
Buttermilk does make a big difference if you are using lowfat ingredients. I haven't used reduced fat ingredients in years, so I'd forgotten about that. I tend to use whole milk with added lemon juice and I've never had a problem with it.
How long do u think it would stay good in the fridge?
Well this guy claims to have kept a jar for 5 years in the fridge. This is truly an X-File! Lemme get Scully…
hahaha, obviously not the same jar for 5 years, but yes, it’s been a staple in our house for years. It will keep fine for a week or two. Enjoy!
For certain at least a week, although I have used it for closer to 2 weeks in the past. Most of the time, it doesn't last that long though!
This is by far the best tasting homemade ranch recipe out there (in my opinion) .. Please make sure to use buttermilk and NOT milk. It will not turn out at all. I never have buttermilk on hand, but I do sour milk with a tblsp of either lemom juice or vinegar. Let the milk sour for about 15 minutes or so, and then, follow the recipe instructions. You won't be disappointed. ENJOY!!!
When you let the milk sour ahead of time, do you still add the lemon/vinegar at the later step? Thanks!
Try this with greek yogurt for a healthier version. The sourness of the yogurt makes it taste like buttermilk.
maybe it just needed to sit a bit in the fridge..
Would love to try this. How long will it stay fresh in the fridge for?
I have been making home made ranch for a couple years now. I make a big batch of the dry ingredients and jar it. There is nothing better than home made and the cost is significantly easier on the budget. To those that have not liked it, try a bit of adjusting on the ingredients to your liking. I use milk and mayo and lemon juice to kick in the bit of sour needed for a good ranch. But it is always better the second day once the flavors have had time to muddle together.
I am going to try your recipe the next time I make ranch dressing. I made my own out of kefir milk but there was something missing. Probably the mayo, because I don't use it.
My husband doesn't like mayo either. Try using miracle whip.
So don't tell him it's in there.
no no on the miracle whip, ruins everything about it!
I have to make ranch dressing here otherwise we spend far too much money, Chris goes through it like it's water! lol Love the photo with the dressing dripping down the jar!!
The mayo really does add a tang that is hard to replace. I'll be sure to let you know if I come across anything great that works as well.
Interesting dressing and looks really easy to do 🙂
Yum! Your recipe is very similar to mine–buttermilk and good mayo are key to making luscious ranch dressing. A little lemon helps to punch up the tanginess. Once people learn how simple it is to make and exceptional it tastes, they will not want to go back to bottled dressing.
Oooo, I need to try this dressing sometime! I love all of the spices in there and I'm a fan of pourable dressings too!
YUM! I love homemade ranch, it's so much better than the bottled kind. Thanks for the great recipe 🙂
Nancy, I've never tried adding lemon. I think I'll try it when this batch runs out. Thanks!
I love the shot of the dressing dribbling down the side of the jar.
I love homemade ranch – yours looks tasty!
I should give this a try. My family loves ranch dressing on salads, potatoes, rice, anything! Looks and sounds yummy.
One of my favourite salad dressings!
I can get my boys to eat almost anything if I serve alongside some ranch. This looks like a beautiful recipe! I'll be making this soon for sure.
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
Ranch dressing is a real favorite around here! Thanks for the recipe.
We have two jars of ranch dressing in the fridge right now. I probably should start making my own!
I love ranch dressing and would love to try your recipe soon. Love the ingredients.
Wow – wonderful flavors and a delicious dressing – I would put this on everything!
Mary x
I'm all for pourable, not-too-thin, not-too-thick dressing as well. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Love the photo .. how it's dripping and you have taken the click just at the right time 🙂
Thanks for another great salad dressing recipe, Mary! My little Taylor will devour a salad and veggies if it has some ranch on it so I try to have some on hand at all times…I just ran out so I better make this! I like the extra garlic and dill here.