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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}
This recipe was an instant hit with my family! As soon as we use it up, I have to make it again! It’s so easy and delicious and the things we put it on is endless! So happy to have this recipe🤗
I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the ranch dressing, Vivian!
Do you think you could sub Greek yogurt for the mayo?
If you’re going to serve it immediately, yes, that should work. However, I’ve found that yogurt as a substitute tends to be thinner and doesn’t hold quite as nicely. So, keep that in mind.
I’m going to make this. Mary was saying Greek yogurt tends to be thinner but if you put some yogurt into a strainer/sieve, cover it and place it over a bowl in the fridge overnight a lot of the liquid will come out!! Then it will be thicker. I do this now always with my Greek yogurt, I leave it for over 24hrs before I eat it and it’s delicious
What kind of Mayonnaise do you recommend for the best results (Hellman’s vs. Miracle Whip etc)
I use Hellmans, Best Foods, or Dukes. I don’t recommend Miracle Whip, Nathan.
Thank you!
I just made the ranch dressing. My picky husband loved it. “Don’t buy it any more, just make it. “ he said.
That’s awesome, Joni!
For how long I can store it in a glass mason jar??
It will be fine for up to a week, Sandy.
I made it not using any lemon or vinegar. It’s delicious!
I’m glad you like it, Jancye!
I can’t do mayo (or fake mayo) Could I use all sour cream or some homemade yogurt and sour cream? I want to try this but don’t want to mess it up too badly! 😜
Yes, you can use all sour cream. It will be a bit more runny, but should work. I’d wait and add the milk slowly to see how thin it gets.
It’s too runny for me I’d like it thicker any suggestions?
The dressing will thicken in the refrigerator, Katie. You can also reduce the amount of milk next time you make it.
Hi, this recipe is great! I just have a question about carbs, do you know how much is in it per serving? I am doing keto so i need to watch my carbs, thank you for sharing this recipe as my family loves it!
That isn’t something that I track, Angie. However, you should be able to copy and paste the ingredient list into an online nutrition calculator and figure it out.
Best ranch ever! I’m never buying ranch from the store again!
Glad you’re enjoying it, Erik.
Did not expect this to be so good. Easy to make and wonderful taste. No more store bought for me
You’ll never go back, Bea. Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Even best if you make your own soybean oil free mayo.
Excellent. I use milk not buttermilk. And for Mexican Salad, I add two T taco seasoning to this dressing and it’s delicious.
Happy to see that it’s working out for you, Jan.
This it it! I’ve tried multiple recipes to duplicate a local cafe’s Ranch dressing.! I think it maybe the addition of lemon juice. Excellent. My veggies & I thank you
I’m so happy that you love it, Teresa!
How can I store this? And how long will it be good for? Can I put in a bottle in the fridge?
This will keep for at least a week in the fridge, Damian. Enjoy!
This does not last a week in the fridge, it was gone in two days! We aren’t usually ranch people, but this has been such a nice change with all the salads we’ve been eating. Between our garden and our CSA box, it’s two salads a day.
I’m happy to hear that you like it so much, May!
Thanks for the jump to recipe button!
Thank you, Mary! This is honest to goodness great ranch. I’ve made it twice now and have been impressed by the flavor result on both the dressing and dip.
You are welcome, Cari. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
I absolutely love this recipe and should have complimented you sooner.
Time saving tip if you plan to make this dressing more than once: multiply the dry ingredients by four in a small glass jar and give it a shake. If you normally use one full teaspoon of dill in each dressing batch, you need just a smidgen over a tablespoon of dry ingredients when making a batch of dressing.
Like other people commenting, there’s no way Im going back to store-bought again!
I’m so glad that you love the dressing, Carol!
My wife has been after me to get the preservatives out of my salad dressing. I’m a huge ranch dressing fan and this one is delicious and simple. Thank you! I subscribed to your email recipe list 🙂
I’m glad you like the ranch, Dale!
Hi, I love this recipe but make quite big batches. Would I be able to freeze it or would it split? I tend to use low fat mayo and sour cream to make it, not sure if that makes a difference. I have shared the link for this with quite a few people and they all love it!
This will not freeze well, Faye. In the past, I have mixed together the dry ingredients ahead of time and stored them in ziploc bags. It makes quick work of stirring a batch together without getting out all the separate spices when you’re in a hurry.
This is delicious! I had to omit the chives (I’ll be sure to stock up for next time) and I substituted 2 oz of cream cheese for the sour cream, since I didn’t have any on hand. I’d much rather have this than the store bought dressing! 🙂
I’m glad your recipe turned out well.