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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}
I just whipped this up. It’s pretty good and super easy to make. Versatile and simple as a dip for any vegetable snack. Also a great dip for wings, coated or otherwise.
I wonder what can give this a spice kick…
I’m so glad you like the ranch. We often add hot sauce, or red pepper for a bit of heat. You can also finely mince jalapenos and stir them in.
I made it with fine diced jalapenos for Cinco de Mayo. Muy bueno!!!!
I bet that was delicious, Joanne. I’m glad you like the dressing!
I did not have salad dressing from the store and I thought why not make it. I found your site – I believe I have everything…. well almost everything. I used maybe 2 tablespoons of sour cream, and I did not add dill, chives because i did not have it- BUT I HAD EVERYTHING else and it was GREAT!! First timer here and the family thought it was yummy. Five stars for this mom. I will be definitely be making this again and I know it will taste even better than the first with ALL the ingredient. I did not have lemon juice and thank you for letting us know about the substitution. Very helpful!! for me as a none baker, salad dressing maker. Thank you for making this mom make her salad a five star.
I’m so very happy that you love it, Patricia!
Hi Mary,
I have tried making this.
The flavour is fantastic.
However, i blended everything in a food processor and they became too runny.
Would you say I should not have processed them?
You are correct. Blending the sour cream and mayonnaise broke the mixture down too much. You can simply whisk it together or shake it in a jar next time.
I cant wait to try this Ranch dressing. I’m having health issues so I’m going vegan and staying away from most processed foods.
I hope you love it, Debbie.
What Mayo yields the best results for this ranch recipe?
I use Hellman’s, Duke’s, or Best Foods mayo most of the time, Dan.
Thank you!
OMG! This was amazing and so easy to make. I just happened to have 99%of the ingredients except for dried chives and was bursting with flavors upon taste. I can’t wait to make it with dried chives to complete the recipe, so quick and easy, this is a definite must have and keep recipe. I will never buy store bought ranch dressing again! The lemon gives that perfect kick and fresh dill is even better if your growing herbs,
I am so happy to hear that you love the dressing, Norma!
I doubled this recipe, but it seems thin. Is adding more mayo the cure?
Yes, you can add more mayo or sour cream. This dressing will thicken in the fridge too, Mike.
Absolutely the best !!! I didn’t have dried chives or parsley so I’ll be getting those in spice cabinet so I can make this anytime. I used regular milk and fresh lemon juice . Sooo good!
I’m so glad that you like the dressing, Kayla!
Loved it! I’ll have to lessen the dill for my husband but it we all love it. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad that you like the ranch, Ashley!
Greek yogurt instead of sour cream works well. Made this at least 7 or 8 times . Excellent recipe!
That’s awesome to know, Karen. I’m so glad that you like it!
We loved it, best ranch dressing!! Thanks for a great recipe!!
I’m so glad that you love the dressing, Rose.
My all time favorite ranch recipe! I don’t put as much milk in it, as I prefer it thicker. And I skip the lemon……..cuz that is just me. I share this recipe with everyone because it is SO wonderful and almost identical to restaurant quality ranch. Thank you so much for the best recipe!
I’m so glad that you love it, Carol.
Yummy dressing! Other comments mentioned it was runny at first. But mine was quite thick right off the bat! I doubled the buttermilk for a pouring consistency. Is the picture you took (pouring it out) thinned at all or the original recipe? I’m trying to figure out why it turned out different for me.
The photo is of the original recipe made with milk before refrigeration. The dressing does thicken a bit when it is chilled, Erin. Buttermilk is significantly thicker than milk though, so that is why yours turned out thicker than many. I typically make this with whole milk.
Have been trying numerous recipes for buttermilk ranch lately. Followed your recipe exact and I think it is PERFECT! My search is over, this is the recipe I’m using from now on. Thanks!
I’m so happy to hear that, Kerri!
So yummy — and I didn’t even have all the ingredients this evening! My available spices this evening were garlic, green onions, salt, pepper, and dill seed (not weed). I had no parsley, no chives, no onion or garlic powder (these I had fresh, not powdered), yet the dressing was absolutely delicious!
I’m so happy to hear that it still worked out for you, Lisa.
Hi I’m lactose intolerant but LOVE and miss a good restaurant style ranch. I have food intolerances and allergies like crazy. Finally found some Meat alternatives since I cannot digest the real
Stuff but have been CRAVING ranch chicken tender pita wraps! Any suggestions on how to make this lactose free??
You can use dairy-free sour cream (there’s even a recipe for that here on the site) and a mild flavored (unsweetened) dairy-free milk to make this ranch, Kristen.
To kick this up a level, use fresh chives, fresh dill, and fresh parsley. Your mouth will thank you!
I love using fresh herbs whenever I have them on hand, Jason.
I love the taste of this dressing! However, mine never thickened up, even after sitting in the fridge all night long. Any advice? 🙂
You can reduce the milk next time you make this, Brittney, if you prefer a thicker dressing.
I’ve been wanting to make homemade ranch dressing for years. Finally tried after finding this recipe. I’ve made 4 batches in the past week! It’s a hit around this house!!! Looks like we won’t be buying bottled ranch anymore. GREAT recipe!!!
I’m so happy to hear that you like it, Greg.
Has anyone tried this with fresh herbs?
This is delicious with fresh herbs, Jill.
I substituted all of the herbs for fresh herbs and MY OH MY what a different world! I suggest trying this if you haven’t already.
I LOVE this with fresh herbs as well, Wes. Anytime they’re available, that’s my first choice.
Tastes like the liquid sour cream served at chipotle wayyyyyyyy too much sour cream next time I would try 1/8 cup and work up from there
Sounds like this isn’t the recipe for you. This shouldn’t have been liquid at all. Feel free to make it with all mayo, if that’s how you prefer it.