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}
Love this recipe. I haven’t purchased store bought ranch in 4 months. Even the grandkids love it.
I’m so happy to hear that you love the ranch as much as we do, Diana!
Is this recipe 44 kcals per serving or 44 calories?
That’s the nutritional info for each serving, Zachary.
Vielen Dank für das Rezept.
Ranch Dressing war nicht beliebt.
Ich probierte das Rezept und es wurde geliebt.
Zu Kartoffeln,Salat und Rohkost einfach toll
Nochmal einen Dank an dich.👍
This is Yummo!!! Easy to make. Thank you.
So glad you like it!
Thank you so much, Mary, for sharing this super easy and yummy recipe for ranch dressing. I substituted yogurt for the sour cream, kefir for the buttermilk, and Philippine lime juice for the lemon juice, and it still came out great.
I’m so glad that you like the ranch, Lexi!
Hi Mary
This looks wonderful. Just one question, do you use Hellmann’s mayonnaise in this recipe?
I use Hellman’s/Best Food’s or Duke’s – depending on where I am and what is available, Tanya.
I don’t normally comment on recipes, but this is the best ranch dressing I think I have ever tasted! I was making a pasta salad, and had some bacon on hand, but no ranch dressing. After a Google search, I found your recipe. I am never buying store bought salad dressing again!
I’m so very happy to hear that, Shannon!
Thank you I did make it and hubby enjoyed it very much. I will keep making it from now on
I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying it, Sandy!
My family wanted ranch dressing for ranch chicken salad but I didn’t have the dressing so I made your recipe. It was quick, easy to make and very tasty. I will be making ranch dressing from now on.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the ranch recipe, Karen!
Hi Mary,
How long can you keep this dressing in the fridge?
We usually polish it off within a week, Fran.
How do I thicken it? It’s really thin at the moment.
It should be thin and pourable when you make it, Angela. It will thicken in the refrigerator. If you’re looking for a more dippable recipe, there are a few ranch dips to choose from here on the website.
Add 2 ounces of softened cream cheese. That will make it more thick or add less milk.
This is my go to ranch recipe ever since I read the back of the hidden valley ranch bottle. MSG should never been in ranch dressing! I also use fresh herbs instead of dry, doubling the portion. (If it calls for 1 tsp of dry herbs use 2 tsp of fresh). Blend everything in a food processor for a smooth fabulous dressing.
This dressing is delicious! I used to use Hidden Valley mix but I stopped using it because of the MSG in it and the bottled Ranch dressing is just gross. This homemade recipe is better than the Hidden Valley mix and I love that I know what is in it. It was a huge hit at dinner last night, everyone loved it. Thank you for a wonderfully, delicious recipe.
I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the ranch dressing, Deb!
Can you substitute with nut milk?
Yes, that will work fine, Nina.
Just made this with vegan mayo and I was thinking the same for next time with the nut milk. I used buttermilk this time. It’s delicious.
I’m glad you like the ranch dressing, Melanie!
I have a question rather then a comment, can I use dried minced onion instead of onion powder?
Absolutely, Lara. Just mince it very finely and add 3x the amount fresh as dried. Of course, you can adjust that to taste as well.
I did not have the dried seasonings except for the garlic, so I used what I had on hand which was Italian seasoning and some paprika. I also change the sour cream to yoghurt because I don’t have sour cream either. Even with the alterations this is a delicious salad dressing and I will continue to use it. Hopefully, in the future I will have the ingredients on hand .
I’m glad you like it, Terri.
Have been looking for a good homemade recipe for years. Have finally found it. This is amazing! I can’t wait to have it with dinner tonight. Thank you!
I’m so happy to hear that you love it, Stephanie!
I used a little of the lemon juice and it changed the taste too much for me. Just a few drops was overpowering for us. Without it , we just love your recipe!
I’m glad you like it, Judy!
Searching for years, you hit it. Thank you!
I’m so happy that you’re enjoying the ranch, James!
Very tasty sauce. Thanks for the recipe! Hello from Russia!
I’m glad you like it!
I was wondering do I have to use dried chive,dill weed,&parsley? How will it taste if I use fresh them fresh ingredients.
Fresh herbs work beautifully here, Ross. If you have them available, I triple the amounts when using fresh ingredients and then adjust to taste.
Can I substitute dried tarragon for the dill?
Technically, yes? But I’ve never tried that. It might be delicious, but it won’t necessarily taste like ranch dressing.