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}
Diana says
Love this recipe. I haven’t purchased store bought ranch in 4 months. Even the grandkids love it.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you love the ranch as much as we do, Diana!
Zachary O'Brien says
Is this recipe 44 kcals per serving or 44 calories?
Mary Younkin says
That’s the nutritional info for each serving, Zachary.
Brigitte Rotter says
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.👍
V Gray says
This is Yummo!!! Easy to make. Thank you.
Mary Younkin says
So glad you like it!
Lexi says
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.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the ranch, Lexi!
Tanya Herbert says
Hi Mary
This looks wonderful. Just one question, do you use Hellmann’s mayonnaise in this recipe?
Mary Younkin says
I use Hellman’s/Best Food’s or Duke’s – depending on where I am and what is available, Tanya.
Shannon Burden says
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!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so very happy to hear that, Shannon!
Sandy says
Thank you I did make it and hubby enjoyed it very much. I will keep making it from now on
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying it, Sandy!
Karen says
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.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the ranch recipe, Karen!
Fran says
Hi Mary,
How long can you keep this dressing in the fridge?
Mary Younkin says
We usually polish it off within a week, Fran.
Angela Yanni says
How do I thicken it? It’s really thin at the moment.
Mary Younkin says
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.
Lynn Gorski says
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.
Deb says
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.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the ranch dressing, Deb!
Nina says
Can you substitute with nut milk?
Mary Younkin says
Yes, that will work fine, Nina.
Melanie Rodriguez says
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.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the ranch dressing, Melanie!
Lara says
I have a question rather then a comment, can I use dried minced onion instead of onion powder?
Mary Younkin says
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.
Terri says
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 .
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like it, Terri.
Stephanie Baassler says
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!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you love it, Stephanie!
Judy Frucci says
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!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like it, Judy!
James says
Searching for years, you hit it. Thank you!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you’re enjoying the ranch, James!
ZenDiel says
Very tasty sauce. Thanks for the recipe! Hello from Russia!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like it!
Ross says
I was wondering do I have to use dried chive,dill weed,&parsley? How will it taste if I use fresh them fresh ingredients.
Mary Younkin says
Fresh herbs work beautifully here, Ross. If you have them available, I triple the amounts when using fresh ingredients and then adjust to taste.
Kathleen Giles says
Can I substitute dried tarragon for the dill?
Mary Younkin says
Technically, yes? But I’ve never tried that. It might be delicious, but it won’t necessarily taste like ranch dressing.