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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!
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}
Can I freeze this? Would it be ok when defrosted?
Ranch dressing is not freezer-stable, Patricia.
First time tonight. Needed dressing. My Mother said she likes better than boughten Ranch. I left seasonings and lemon juice out but put in salt. Added 1-2 T sugar.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the dressing, Nancy.
Amazing!!!
I’m so glad that you like the ranch, Libby.
I ran out of ranch, didnt have any ranch dressing packets, so thought I’d make my own from scratch……sooooooo good!
I’m so glad that you love the dressing, Robyn!
I’m going to have to make this but I sure wish it lasted longer than a week .
Oh well I guess I’ll have to get creative using it .
Honestly, we’ve kept it for longer without any issues at all, Christina. I am always hesitant to advise on that though, so you’ll want to use your best judgment when using it. You can also click on the serving size and slide it to the left to reduce the ingredient amounts for a smaller recipe.
I want to make this but im watching my calories. I see that you have the nutrition facts listed but i dont see the serving size anywhere. Would you be able to tell me the serving size associated with the nutrition facts?
This recipe makes approximately 1 1/2 cups worth, or (24) 1 tablespoon servings, Taylor.
Mine turned out super runny 🙁 Tried adding some flour to thicken it up to no avail. Tastes great though, but thicker would be better.
Hi Patrick! This should be a pourable dressing vs a dip. (There are several variations of ranch dip here too.) That said, it’s runny initially and should thicken in the fridge if made as directed. Did you by chance substitute any ingredients? Or use low-fat/fat-free alternatives?
Hi Mary!
I like using this. I like to make ranch side dishes, and to me bottled ranch tastes more like vinegar than ranch. When I make it, I use lemon juice, and skip the Mayonaise, it turns out perfect for what I put it in. Love it thanks so much!!
I’m glad you like it, Julie!
Husband loved this on a salad with carrots, cumin era and croutons. He licked the bowl clean and said it was the best salad he’s ever had. It’s all thanks to this wonderful dressing! Thank you for blessing us with this recipe!
I’m thrilled that you like the dressing so much, Hollynn
If you actually want the best don’t use dried stuff. Fresh herbs, caramelized onion paste, and homemade mayo. Makes a world of difference, but you have to carefully tune the quantities when using fresh stuff
I agree, Ton. All of those things will make it even better. I do have a recipe on the site that is made with fresh herbs. You’ll want to triple the amounts and adjust to taste for fresh vs dried herbs.
Ok I made this at dinner time tonight because I wanted salad and had no bottled dressing. I poured it in a mason jar and shook well. My son and I used it on our salad and we both agreed: it really is THE best ranch dressing we have ever had. Wow! I want to drink it as a beverage,it’s that good. I will never buy another bottle of this when I can so easily make it myself. Thanks for the recipe
I’m so happy to hear that you love the dressing, Al!
Wondering what the carb content is? I must have missed it.
It looks like (1) carb per serving. Enjoy!
I am lactose intolerant so I tried this recipe with a few tweaks. Instead of buttermilk I used almond milk, instead of mayo I used olive oil and for creaminess I used 1.5 avocados and lime instead of lemon. I also made the ranch according to recipe for my family and both were big hits. I definitely recommend this recipe.
I’m so glad that your family enjoyed both dressings, Tia!
Very good! Thanks!
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the dressing, Mel!
This homemade ranch salad dressing is really an amazing recipe. Thanks!
I’m so glad you like it!
I’ve made this 3 times now and we love it! I will never go back to bottled Ranch! Thanks for the great recipe.
I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying the ranch dressing, Deb!
Awesome recipe! I’ve made it multiple times and the family goes wild over it!
I’m so glad that you love the ranch, Edie!
I never liked ranch on my salad, this is amazing, it’s the only dressing I use now. I eat at least one salad a day for my meal. I leave out the vinegar/ lemon juice. I don’t like the tang. Everyone that has tried it, loves it!
This makes me so happy, Robin! I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying it.
Do you have actual measurements?
Yes, the ingredient amounts are all in the recipe card, James.
To make it lighter, I substituted low fat greek yogurt for the sour cream.
I’m so glad that it worked for you, Lisa!