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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 love this for dip or dressing. I added fresh finely chopped chives and parsley and added a squeeze of old fashion dijon mustard. Yummy!
I love using fresh herbs any time I have them in the house! I’m glad you like it, Judy.
This is a great dip! I used avocado mayo and low fat milk. It was still creamy and delicious. Per my taste I added a little more dill and chives than recommended. I’ll be making this again.
I’m so glad you like it, Bethany!
Looks delicious! I will try this. How long will it keep in the refrigerator?
It will keep for up to a week without any problems, Ryan.
I really like the taste. But it is really thin. How can I make it thicker
It will thicken slightly in the refrigerator. However, if you want it to be more dippable and less pourable, you can reduce the milk in the future.
I had the same problem with mine so I used plain greek yogurt instead of milk in my second batch and it was nice and thick.
That works too, Andy!
Excellent recipe, a big hit at my home. I made two modifications , I used plain greek yougurt instead of sour cream and therefore cut back on the lemon juice as the yougurt has its own tang. Thank you so much.
I’m glad you enjoyed the dressing, Grant!
BEST ever it is!! Many thanks for posting the recipe.
I’m happy you’re enjoying the ranch dressing, Millie!
This is really really good dressing! Thanks for sharing it with me.
So glad you liked it, Linda!
Wonderful and easy! Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the ranch dressing, Eddie!
I don’t know why I have been intimidated to make my own ranch? It was easy and delicious! Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that you like the ranch recipe, Stacie!
I’m excited to try your ranch dressing. What is the shelf life of the dressing if jarred and kept in the refridgerator?
This dressing will keep nicely in the refrigerator for up to a week, Martha. Enjoy!
You’re not the barefoot contessa
Really? I’m not?? Thanks for clearing that up. #identitycrisisaverted
Is 4chan leaking? Venture out of your subterranean nerd dungeon, B ;).
Hi Mary
I am from The Netherlands and ranch dressing is hard to come by here. I had ranch dressing many times when visiting The States and wanted to use it back home too. This recipy is the best one i have made so far. So thank you for posting this. I am very grateful.
Regards
Nikki
I’m so happy to hear that you like it, Nikki!
Has anyone made this using Almond Milk?
no but i would love to try it with it. I’m doing keto so i use almond milk in everything.
Thinking heavy cream could substitute for the milk. That’s what I plan to try. I’m also doing Keto.
I did with almond milk. My first ranch dressing tastes delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Can you substitute fresh dill, chives & parsley for the dried?
Absolutely! I make this with fresh herbs anytime I have them available, Patti.
Thanks! It was really good!
How much fresh herbs would you use?
I use at least three times the amount of fresh herbs when substituting for dried herbs in most recipes. For this dressing, I’d start with tripled amounts and adjust to taste. Enjoy!
When I made it it was so liquidy and thin, Will it thicken some in the fridge?
Hi Ashley, this is a liquid and pourable ranch salad dressing recipe. It will thicken a bit in the refrigerator. If you’re looking for more of a dip, this ranch dip recipe might be a better recipe to try.
How many carbs and fats are in this recipe?
I made this recipe and loved it but would like to see all the nutritional facts.
Thanks!
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the dressing, Jennifer. I don’t track nutritional information for the recipes. You are welcome to copy and paste the ingredient list into one of the online calorie calculators though.
Thank you so much I am hoping that this is the ranch recipe I have been looking for. I have been searching for that thick ranch dip but with a certain flavor. Even if this isn’t thick if it is the flavor I will be thrilled. Thank you for taking the time do put this up we all appreciate you!
I hope you love it as much as we do. We also make this homemade ranch dip every week. Hopefully one of them will be what you’re looking for, Margaret!
Truly is the best! Took it to a party recently and had several requests for the recipe. Thanks!
I’m thrilled that you like the dressing, Emmie!
I LOVE your recipes!!!!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipes, Beverly.
Looking forward to trying this!
I hope you love it!
Can’t wait to try this! Been looking for a replacement to the blah tasting bottled dressings. One question, what kind of Mayo do you use?
I use Best Foods, Hellman’s, or Duke’s mayonnaise.
I thought it was time I should comment since I have made this every week since I found the recipe. Amazing! I have used it on salads, chicken burgers, pizza and more. I prefer milk over the buttermilk but both deserve a 5!!
I am so very happy to hear that you’re enjoying this dressing, Deb!