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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}
Hi, what recipe is featured in the pictures? The one with bacon and peas? Looks delicious!
That is the Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, Emily. Enjoy!
This is absolutely delicious! Thank you!
I’m so very happy you love it, Margaret!
On the best homemade ranch dressing, could you clarify how much dill weed you use? Thanks!
I use about 1 teaspoon, however, I recommend starting at 3/4 teaspoon and adding more to taste. I hope you love it, Jamie!
Perfect ranch recipe! Love it!
I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying the recipe, Debbie!
The taste is fantastic but I found it was very liquidy with the 1/2 of milk stirred in. I did have to add almost another 1/2 cup of sour cream and 1/4 cup of mayo (all that was left in the jar) to get it thicker.
I’m excited to serve it to my family tonight over a mixed salad!
Thanks for a great recipe.
I’m glad you like it, Sarah! The dressing will thicken in the refrigerator as well.
Do you use regular milk or buttermilk as a preference?
I typically just use milk, but buttermilk is terrific when/if you have it on hand, Katherine.
Have made this twice now and it is now my go to. I will never BUY ranch dressing again. I added a little more pepper (I like peppery ranch) and a tad more salt. But this recipe is spot on for a great dressing. and do yourself a favor, use the buttermilk.
I’m thrilled that you are enjoying the ranch recipe, Taylor!
What is the calorie count?
Sorry! Just saw the calories!!!!
How long will this keep in the refrigerator? Thanks!
Hi Wendy! This should keep nicely for up to a week.
OMG!!! This is the BEST stuff ever!!! Gimme a straw! I will not ever buy the dry packs again! You have got to try this just once! Thanks Mary!
I am so happy that you love this recipe, Cindy!
I used fresh dill, parsley, and chives from the garden. Great flavor and fresh herbs always enhance the taste.
So glad that you liked the dressing!
I need to switch the powdered onion and garlic for the real stuff as I can’get them in Germany- how much of each should I use?
Love to try the recipe soon it sounds delicious!
I’d mince very fine, almost to a paste if possible, and add about a tablespoon of onion and maybe a teaspoon of garlic. You can definitely adjust to taste though!
Thanks I’ll try that!
Hi, Anke, I live in Germany, too, and you can get these ingredients: Knoblauch granuliert and Zwiebeln granuliert. The nicer supermarkets like Hit and Rewe should have these.
Thank you I remember having seen those. I could also try Metro but they only sell huge packages.
This is FANTASTIC! I can’t thank you enough for sharing this recipe with the world. LOL I’d been wanting for YEARS to find a Ranch dressing recipe which is not thick, bland, or sweet, and which has no “weird” additives, AND which I can make from ingredients already on hand at home. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
I am absolutely thrilled to hear that you love the recipe so much, Lauri! Thanks for taking the time to tell me.
Delicious!! Exactly what I was looking for! I accidentally left out the lemon, and it was still great. I added a touch more salt and it was just right for me. Thank you!
I’m so happy you are enjoying the ranch dressing, Amber!
This is SO Delicious! Thank you so much for sharing this Wonderful Tasting Recipe!
I’m thrilled that you like the ranch dressing, Deb!
This really is the best ranch recipe! I substituted Greek yogurt for sour cream and it is delicious.
I’m so happy you are enjoying the ranch recipe, Marcia!
I thought it was alright. Wouldn’t call it the best though.
Looks really good.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?⁴
This dressing is amazing with fresh herbs, if you have them on hand. I triple the amounts for fresh herbs, Kerstin.
Hi
I found your recipe by accident, made it and wow you are absolutely right! Can’t find a better ranch dressing at any store!
It delicious. Thank you so much for sharing
A big fan! 😉
Yay! I’m so glad you love the ranch recipe!
I made this but the dressing never thickened. I used powered buttermilk mixed with water per the recipe on the powered box. Is this why it was so runny?
Thanks, Carole
That might have affected the end result, Carole. I have never used powdered buttermilk, so I can’t speak to that as a substitution. It definitely should thicken in the refrigerator.