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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}
Wowzers!!! The best Freshest ranch recipe I have found yet. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
-Michael Che Romero
I’m so very happy to hear that you love the ranch dressing, Michael!
I have tried a lot of Ranch dressing recipes, none as good as yours! Absolute perfection!
I’m thrilled to hear that, Stella!
I’m going to make this! Get back to you.
I hope that you love the dressing, Janet!
Really
I haven’t tried it quite yet but wondering how long will it typically last once i make it.
It will be fine for at least a week, Sierra.
Can I use non fat Greek yoghurt in place of sour cream?
That should work, Alison. I’d recommend draining off any liquids prior to measuring it.
I made it with plain goat yogurt and goat milk and fresh parsley and scallions
It came out really good!
I’m so happy to hear that you love the dressing, Rita!
I have fresh herbs in my garden. Why not use fresh instead of dried??
Absolutely use fresh if you have them, JoAnne! Fresh is always my first choice when available. You’ll want to use approximately three times the amounts for fresh ingredients and adjust to taste. Enjoy the dressing!
This sounds delicious, Do you think it would work with non dairy milks such as almond milk?
Yes, this will work nicely with dairy-free alternatives, Margaret!
Delicious!!! Had a huge veggie platter for a gathering and used this as the dip!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed it, RC!
Really good! Nice to be able to make things at home . Especially now as we shelter in place. A little comfort food certainly helps.
I’m so glad you like the ranch, Betty!
Is there a way to thicken it up a little bit more without changing the flavor?
It should thicken in the refrigerator, Brittaney. If you’d prefer it to be more like a dip, I recommend trying one of the ranch dip recipes here on the website. (No milk, more sour cream, and mayonnaise.) I hope that helps!
Hank you for the tips!
Is there a substitution for Mayo? If not what brand Mayo do you use? I’ve tried the avocado mayo and it has a strange taste. Trying for a healthier option but will try Best Foods if that’s what you recommend. my daughter has been asking for ranch and I hate to buy the Bottle with all those chemicals. Thanks
I use Best Foods. You can certainly try making your own though, Julie.
Maybe that’s why I got that gross mayo taste too because I used the Best Foods with avocado oil. It’s so strong in the recipe.
I’m guessing it’s the avocado mayo that is throwing the recipe off, Mallory.
So so good, on lockdown here in france,ranch is impossible to get here and our Florida vacation is postponed, next best thing!
I’m thrilled that you love it, Vicki!
This is fantastic dressing, a winner with the whole family!
So glad you like it, Alicia!
My toddlers (4 & 3) loved it, and they don’t usually eat anything outside of ketchup! This is my all time favorite!
I’m so glad that they like the ranch!
I have a question: How long does it need to sit in the fridge before using it?
I’m 15 and i love making stuff so i decided to try this recipe. I don’t really like store bought ranch but i like restaurants ranch so i wanted to make my own. This was a good base recipe and i added a few extra things to get it how i like! I put a little extra milk because i like it liquidy 🙂
You can use it immediately, Kirra! Enjoy.
This was excellent. I think buttermilk would have made it even better, but we didn’t have any. Used fresh chives and assorted garden herbs on addition to dried dill.
I’m so glad that you like the ranch, Lisa!
Wow! That’s so crazy I’m also 15 and I feel the same way about store bought ranch!
This is fantastic and simple
I eyed most of it and my husband, the huge ranch fan was hesitant but so pleasantly surprised.
We recently moved to Sweden and ranch isn’t around so much in stores.
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the ranch, Emma!
Very good
I’m glad you like it, Maria!