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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!
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}
I have been searching for a homemade ranch dressing for years and I came upon your recipe yesterday. Made it last night and I will never have to look for or try another ranch recipe again. It is delicious!
I am so happy that you love the ranch dressing as much as we do, Karen!
Did you use the buttermilk or regular milk?
Really great ranch, I’m about to make it for the second time and I’m going to add less lemon juice, and less dill weed. I think I’ll like it with a little less tang.
I’m thrilled you like it, Eric.
About how long of a shelf life does it have? I love ranch, but I don’t eat a lot of it. The recipe looks delicious, but I’m hesitant to try to make it without know how long it lasts. Thank you!
It must be kept in the fridge, not on the shelf. It lasts without any problems for about a week in my house.
I made this ranch dressing today and it was fantastic!! So glad I found this recipe on your site. I will never buy store bought ranch dressing again. This will be my go to RD from now on. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe.
I’m thrilled that you love the dressing so much, Gena!
This sounds delicious!! How long is it good for in the fridge??
It will last at least a week, Pollyanna.
Amazing. All the flavor (and more) of store bought ranch dressing yet the finish is so fresh. Had to cut up a second batch of veggies during game night. One guy who despises ranch because it’s “sour dairy” couldn’t keep his hands out of the platter! He calls it “Jenny dip” ..WIN!!
awe! I love hearing this. I’m thrilled that you all enjoyed it so much.
Can I premix all the dry ingredients in a tight lid glass jar in the kitchen cabinets for a fast go to ranch dressing whenever we want some?
You sure can, Linda. Enjoy!
Why is it so thin, how to thicken it, hard to dip
veggies so thin
This is a ranch dressing. It should be pourable for salads, although it will thicken up a bit in the refrigerator. If you’re looking for a thicker dip option, I recommend making this ranch dip recipe: https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/quick-and-easy-homemade-ranch-dressing/
My husband is in a sodium, potassium restricted diet. It would be nice to see the nutritional value of a serving.
There are several online calculators available where you can cut and paste all of the ingredients to check the nutritional information. This isn’t something that I am capable of providing for all of the content on this site.
Delicious ranch dressing. I may have used a little more lemon juice than called for, but we are all lemon lovers, so it was great for us. Thanks for a great recipe!
I’m thrilled that you loved the ranch, Vivian!
Love this dressing. It now has a permanent place in my fridge and we eat it on almost everything. I will never buy the premade stuff for ever again.
I’m so happy to hear that, Pam!
Amazing! This truly is the best recipe I’ve tried. And it’s not bad calorie-wise. This is now a staple in our house. Thanks for sharing.
I’m happy to hear that you enjoy the ranch recipe, Judy!
What brand of mayo works best with this recipe? Kraft? Dukes? Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Hi Kim! I’ve made this with Dukes, Best Foods, and the Costco brand of mayonnaise. It works with pretty much everything.
Delicious! I Added a fourth a teaspoon of ground mustard
I’m so glad you like it! I’ll have to try it with a bit of mustard, Amber.
Is there any reason for using the dried herbs instead of fresh (other than cost)?
This dressing works beautifully with fresh herbs, Keith. I typically have dried on hand though and that’s my go-to for this recipe. I’ve made it both ways.
Thanks, Mary, looks great,, There are chicken wings in my near future. You may just have made my dippng sauce.
I can’t wait to try this! What would be the expiration date from date of made?
Thank you!
This will keep nicely in the refrigerator for several days, Kim.
I ran out of prepared dressing and found this recipe. It is amazing! And so easy to make. I will always make it from scratch – thank you!
I’m so glad that you love the ranch recipe, Richelle!
My absolute favorite, been making it forever! It’s even better after sitting for a day or two!
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the dressing, Deandra.
I just tried this last night…. it was so good! Thank you for the recipe. I didn’t even have all the dried herbs listed (I’m going to stock dried chives from now on) and still my husband liked it! I’ll never buy store bought ranch dressing again!
I’m so happy you’re enjoying the dressing, Vivian!
OMG! I just made this and it is delicious! I did add lime juice instead of lemon as that is what I had on hand. I also added a 1/2 tsp of sugar since Dad likes his dressing on the sweeter side. So YUMMY! Thanks for providing an excellent recipe that allows adjusting for other’s tastes!
I’m so glad you are enjoying the ranch dressing, Gabriella!
Love the recipe, only thing I would leave out is parsley