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}
Judy SG says
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!
Mary Younkin says
I love using fresh herbs any time I have them in the house! I’m glad you like it, Judy.
Bethany says
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.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like it, Bethany!
Ryan says
Looks delicious! I will try this. How long will it keep in the refrigerator?
Mary Younkin says
It will keep for up to a week without any problems, Ryan.
Sara Cook says
I really like the taste. But it is really thin. How can I make it thicker
Mary Younkin says
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.
Andy says
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.
Mary Younkin says
That works too, Andy!
Grant says
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.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you enjoyed the dressing, Grant!
Miss Millie says
BEST ever it is!! Many thanks for posting the recipe.
Mary Younkin says
I’m happy you’re enjoying the ranch dressing, Millie!
Linda W Flood says
This is really really good dressing! Thanks for sharing it with me.
Mary Younkin says
So glad you liked it, Linda!
Eddie says
Wonderful and easy! Thanks for sharing.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you enjoyed the ranch dressing, Eddie!
Stacie says
I don’t know why I have been intimidated to make my own ranch? It was easy and delicious! Thank you!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad to hear that you like the ranch recipe, Stacie!
Martha says
I’m excited to try your ranch dressing. What is the shelf life of the dressing if jarred and kept in the refridgerator?
Mary Younkin says
This dressing will keep nicely in the refrigerator for up to a week, Martha. Enjoy!
B*tch says
You’re not the barefoot contessa
Mary Younkin says
Really? I’m not?? Thanks for clearing that up. #identitycrisisaverted
B*tch Please! says
Is 4chan leaking? Venture out of your subterranean nerd dungeon, B ;).
Nikki De Groot says
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
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you like it, Nikki!
Martha Skala says
Has anyone made this using Almond Milk?
Helen Katz says
no but i would love to try it with it. I’m doing keto so i use almond milk in everything.
Tricia S. says
Thinking heavy cream could substitute for the milk. That’s what I plan to try. I’m also doing Keto.
Andrea Z says
I did with almond milk. My first ranch dressing tastes delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Patti says
Can you substitute fresh dill, chives & parsley for the dried?
Mary Younkin says
Absolutely! I make this with fresh herbs anytime I have them available, Patti.
Patti says
Thanks! It was really good!
Jana says
How much fresh herbs would you use?
Mary Younkin says
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!
Ashley says
When I made it it was so liquidy and thin, Will it thicken some in the fridge?
Mary Younkin says
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.
Jennifer says
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!
Mary Younkin says
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.
Margaret Slaughter says
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!
Mary Younkin says
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!
Emmie says
Truly is the best! Took it to a party recently and had several requests for the recipe. Thanks!
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you like the dressing, Emmie!
Beverly says
I LOVE your recipes!!!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipes, Beverly.
Kathy says
Looking forward to trying this!
Mary Younkin says
I hope you love it!
Dave says
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?
Mary Younkin says
I use Best Foods, Hellman’s, or Duke’s mayonnaise.
Deb says
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!!
Mary Younkin says
I am so very happy to hear that you’re enjoying this dressing, Deb!