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}
How long i can leave on the refrigerator?
This dressing will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week without any issues, Danielle.
Hands down, the BESTEST fresh ranch dressing I have ever had!!!! No more packets for me!
You have changed how I make ranch for life. So easy and so delicious! Thank you 🙏
I’m so glad you like the recipe, Michelle!
I’m not a big fan of dairy type dressing unless there’s a whole hunk of blue cheese in it, but I was hankering for Ranch dressing. I printed out 4 recipes, and this was the last one I tried over a span of a couple of months. Even after sitting in the fridge, all the others tasted like a lot of diary with spices, but this one was a winner. The only changes, or I should say substitutions, I made was dried shallots for chives because I did not have dried or fresh chives on hand, more dill and garlic powder, lots of fresh parsley, and a whole wedge of squeezed lemon. Loved it! I made it in the morning so it could sit in the frig and meld for awhile, but this was excellent even after just making it. Used it for a chicken, mango green salad, and it was perfect. I wish it had been the first one I tried. Thanks for the recipe.
I’m absolutely thrilled that you like the ranch dressing so much, Jean!
I followed the recipe to a T & it was absolutely delicious! My whole family loved it! I will never eat bottled ranch dressing again. Thank you!
I am so very happy to hear that you’re enjoying the dressing, Jill!
Was out of boughten dressing for my husband and decided to try this I found first. Should be great for diabetics. I didn’t have all the spices but just used what I had and it was delicious. Don’t plan on ever buying ranch dressing again. I like French but this was fine for my salad too. Thanks again.
I’m thrilled that you like the dressing, Elaine!
Had a hard time finding ranch made with pasteurized milk, so we decided to make our own with this recipe… May end up making our own mayo as well.
I’m glad you like the recipe, Bruce.
I’m just wondering what type of mayonnaise you prefer because every mayo is different
I tend to use Best Foods, Duke’s, or Hellmans.
Wonderful recipe, Mary :). I’ve been trying to recreate a ranch dressing from The Wilno Tavern (a Polish restaurant in rural Ontario) that my family absolutely adores. This recipe is a VERY close match. It’s the base that does it – no substitute for real mayo, sour cream and buttermilk! I find all the spices can be tweaked to personal preference, but those three are an absolute must. Thank you very much! Delicious delicious.
I’m so glad you like the dressing, James~
Agreed! Made it tonight to drizzle over a salad. Ended up drizzling over my chicken, potatoes, everything! So delish and took just a couple minutes to whip together!
I’m so glad you love it, Regina!
I plan on trying this recipe tomorrow! We only drink raw goat milk, but I do use buttermilk for homemade biscuits, cornbread…etc! Do you prefer using buttermilk in your recipe, or regular milk?
Thanks
I use buttermilk when I have it available, Ashli.
Hello, do I have to sterilize the jar by boiling it in a pot of water before I put the ranch dressing in it?
You just need a clean jar. You aren’t processing it and keeping it shelf stable, the jar is just for storing the dressing in the fridge.
I can’t attest that this is the original recipe concocted by a restaurateur in Santa Barbara County, California more than 60 years ago, but it is certainly worthwhile making at home. Delish, and healthy!
Hi Mark! I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the ranch recipe.
Tasted great. Definitely will be my go to ranch recipe!
I’m glad to hear that you like the ranch, Georgina!
Made this today and love it! I hate the bottled ones in the store, can taste the sugar they put in it. Will be keeping this around. Thank you!
I’m so very happy to hear that you’re enjoying the dressing, Claire!
Tastes like dilly mayonnaise.
Sorry to here that it wasn’t to your liking. Better luck with another recipe, Ashley.
Thank you for the recipe! Tried it because I ran out of regular ranch and nEeded it for a chickEN recipe , I omitted the dill because I’m noT really a fan of dill, and I am never going back to store baught!
I’m so happy to hear that you like the ranch, Allie!
I substituted goat milk yogurt for the sour cream and unsweetened coconut milk for the milk. Didn’t have many of the spices, just dill, onion, garlic salt and pepper and fresh lemon juice. Turned out delicious! Happy to have this, much healthier than the MSG loaded Hidden Valley Ranch. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m glad you’re enjoying the dressing, Mary Anne!
Delicious… Light… Flavorful… Thank you for this recipe. This is my second time making it. I keep to your ingredients but I might add a little more dill or parsley depending on my mood. I’ve given this recipe out to my entire family. It only takes 10 minutes to whip up and lasts all week in the back of the fridge. Thanks again!
I’m so happy to hear that you like the ranch dressing, Michelle!
I don”t like sour. What can i use instead of sour cream?
Thanks,
Don
You can make this with all mayonnaise as well, or you can swap Greek yogurt for the sour cream. It works both ways. The result will taste a little different, but they’re both tasty options, Don.
Hi Mary, was trying to find a recipe that was equal to one they serve at Hecla Island Resort and this is the closest one I could find. Simply amazing. Only ranch dressing I use now. Would still like to find the one from Hecla to compare but very happy with this one. Thanks for such a wonderful recipe.
Deanna
I am so happy that you like the dressing, Deanna!
Do you think it would be ok to sub yogurt for the mayo? I just really have an aversion to mayo.
Yogurt will probably work fine for this recipe, Yasie.
Can’t wait 2 try…buying ingredients today. Have been buying bottled lite ranch from refrigerator case & knew I could make it myself w/o preservatives.. Can it be frozen? and if so, for how long?
Hi Kim, I’m thrilled that you like the recipe. I’ve never tried freezing it.