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.
We love dipping pizza in ranch and these spicy chicken bites are awesome with ranch on the side too.
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.
Homemade Ranch Dressing
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 Salad 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.
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
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream and milk until smooth.
- Add the dill, parsley, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Add the lemon and whisk again. Pour into a jar and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
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
- ¾ – 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
{originally published 9/15/11 – recipe notes and photographs updated 7/15/21}
Patricia Deacon says
Can I freeze this? Would it be ok when defrosted?
Mary Younkin says
Ranch dressing is not freezer-stable, Patricia.
Nancy L McIntosh says
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.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you’re enjoying the dressing, Nancy.
Libby says
Amazing!!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the ranch, Libby.
Robyn E says
I ran out of ranch, didnt have any ranch dressing packets, so thought I’d make my own from scratch……sooooooo good!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you love the dressing, Robyn!
Christina says
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 .
Mary Younkin says
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.
Taylor Awe says
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?
Mary Younkin says
This recipe makes approximately 1 1/2 cups worth, or (24) 1 tablespoon servings, Taylor.
Patrick says
Mine turned out super runny 🙁 Tried adding some flour to thicken it up to no avail. Tastes great though, but thicker would be better.
Mary Younkin says
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?
Julie says
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!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like it, Julie!
Hollynn says
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!
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you like the dressing so much, Hollynn
Ton says
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
Mary Younkin says
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.
AL says
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
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you love the dressing, Al!
P.P says
Wondering what the carb content is? I must have missed it.
Mary Younkin says
It looks like (1) carb per serving. Enjoy!
Tia Dorseux says
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.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that your family enjoyed both dressings, Tia!
Mel says
Very good! Thanks!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the dressing, Mel!
Bhavesh says
This homemade ranch salad dressing is really an amazing recipe. Thanks!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like it!
Deb says
I’ve made this 3 times now and we love it! I will never go back to bottled Ranch! Thanks for the great recipe.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying the ranch dressing, Deb!
Edie says
Awesome recipe! I’ve made it multiple times and the family goes wild over it!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you love the ranch, Edie!
Robin Rainey says
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!
Mary Younkin says
This makes me so happy, Robin! I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying it.
James Strunk says
Do you have actual measurements?
Mary Younkin says
Yes, the ingredient amounts are all in the recipe card, James.
Lisa Zeffren says
To make it lighter, I substituted low fat greek yogurt for the sour cream.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that it worked for you, Lisa!