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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 have made this several times. I did add 2 T dill pickle juice and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Love all the spices in it. Thanks for a great recipe.
I’m so glad that you like the dressing, Katie.
A bit too much dill, IMO.
Feel free to reduce it to your tastes next time. I’m glad you still liked it, Stephanie. Me? I typically add a bit more when I make it.
Oh I’m all about the dill.
This is so good! I used fresh dill and chives from my garden and they are great in this.
It was pretty runny, which I’m thinking is because I used regular milk, but that’s my favorite thing about it. So much better than the thick and goopy bottled ranch.
Glad you like it, Carolyn .
One can never have too much Ranch. I love this recipe I make this about 2 times a month.. Yummie thanks…
I’m so happy to hear that you love it, Lorica.
anyone ever use greek yogurt over the sour cream ?
Yes, it will work with greek yogurt. However, it will result in a thinner dressing.
I made this for tonights dinner. The taste is spot on, but for me it was a little too thin, i like my dressing a bit thicker. But lovely flavours and i will definitely make this again
It will thicken in the fridge, Debra. You can also reduce the milk to thicken it further.
I am a caterer and use this often. I sub dill pickle juice for the acid. It is wonderful!
The best!!! Definitely will make over and over!!
I’m so glad that you like the ranch, Helen.
We refuse to use the bottled stuff anymore! This is perfect and always in our fridge. Thank you!
I’m so glad you like it, Lisa.
I’m working on my own cookbook, and would love to hear how you started out.
Hi Mary Ann. I’ve been publishing recipes here on the website for 9 years now. When a publishing company reached out to me, it was a natural fit. I don’t have any experience with pitching a cookbook as you’re describing. Best of luck with it all!
What Mayo is best for this recipe?
I typically use Best Foods, Hellmans, or Duke’s.
I bought a store salad and got home to no salad dressing. This recipe was very easy. I had everything it called for and it is SO good.
I’m so glad that you like the ranch, Cheryl.
Is this freezer friendly?
I would not recommend freezing this dressing, Kelly. Dairy tends to separate.
Excellent!! Not dressing really available in South Africa so was curious. Really delicious
I’m so glad that you like it, Marie!
Can you use miracle whip instead of Mayo.?
If you prefer the taste of Miracle Whip, then yes, you can use it. Personally, I prefer mayonnaise, so that is what I use, Vanessa.
This is the best darned ranch dressing ever. I do add a splash of red wine vinegar and agave syrup to suit our taste. However, it is awesome as written.
I’m so glad you like the dressing, Irene!
I can’t wait to try this. Is it thicker if you use buttermilk vs. regular milk? We have 2% milk here, and not whole milk.
It will work nicely with 2%, Susan. The acid in the recipe works like buttermilk to give the recipe tang. It will also thicken in the refrigerator.
I love all these recipes . They look so so good. I love Ranch dressing I am southern from Alabama. And can not wait to make the Ranch Dressing
I hope that you love it as much as we do, Charlotte.
I enjoy the taste of this but it is pretty runny for some reason. I used 2% milk and didn’t add the lemon because no didn’t want the tang. I will make again but use less milk. Any advice would be appreciated.
Reducing the milk will thicken it nicely, Ty. (It will also thicken while chilling in the fridge.)
Awesome!
I’m glad you like the dressing, Anthony!
Just made it, used fresh herbs but the dried onion and garlic and otherwise followed the recipe. Very good, super easy, thanks!
I’m so glad that you love the dressing, Susan.
What amount of the fresh herbs vs dried do you use? Does the fresh herb variety need to be used faster than the dried herb variety?
You’ll want to use three times the amount for fresh herbs vs dried herbs. The dressing will still be good for up to a week.
How long will this last in the fridge?
This will last for up to a week without any issues, Gretchen.