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}
Ronnie Hunt says
I just made this and it’s fantastic! I usually use Ree Drummond’s recipe but I like yours better! Thank you for sharing. It’s perfection and I need this in my life! Soooo tasty!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you love it, Ronnie!
Bernadette says
I just made this and it’s out of this world…the best ranch dressing. I used a good tablespoon of vinegar instead of lemon juice. Your balsamic garlic has become my favorite as well. From now on I will only go to your site for any dressing needed. Thanks for these fantastic recipes.
Mary Younkin says
Yay! I’m thrilled to hear that you’re enjoying both dressings, Bernadette.
Kathy says
This was amazing! I will make this from now on.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear it’s a hit, Kathy.
JaylaTheOldSoul says
Had made the kids dinner and looked in the cupboard and remembered I forgot to buy dressing. Had mayo though, so I got to thinking and just searched up homemade ranch dressing recipes and I just knew this one was the one! It taste just like Hidden goddamn Valley, only better. And on such short notice?!! It was the bees knees, honey!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you like it!
Conall Lively says
Great recipe! Usually I use a different ranch dressing recipe but I like this one more. One thing I would say is make it a few hours in advance – much better when it sits for a while.
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you like it, Conall.
Charlie Groat says
Marvelous dressing! Super quick to whip up, and delicious from the second you stop whisking (though I did find an hour or two in the fridge helped it out a lot, as it usually does). I split the garlic 50/50 between regular garlic powder and some black garlic powder I had, and also stirred in a healthy dollop of good whole grain mustard for the acidity (no lemons on hand). I’m looking forward to making it again as intended, as well as trying a few shakes of Old Bay in a future batch! I doubt I’m ever going to use grocery store ranch again after this 🙂
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled to hear that the dressing was a hit, Charlie.
Mare says
Fantastic! I’ve never liked store bought ranch dressings, so I’ve been making my own for years. Recently I wasn’t really enjoying my old recipe anymore and wanted to find a new one. This one is perfect! I used plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and regular milk instead of buttermilk but it still had a buttermilk taste to it. This stuff is addictive. Thanks!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like the dressing, Mare!
Eva White says
I have been making your Ranch Recipe for about 5 yrs now.I usually double or triple the Recipe. I will never have bottled again.It is so good it makes you want to DRINK IT.
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you like it so much, Eva!
Lynda says
I just made a batch and all I could taste was the mayo, so I added more sour cream and buttermilk and added more of the spices and vinegar (used instead of lemon) and it seemed to come into balance. We’ll see how it tastes after it brews in the fridge. 😊
LIGA ZEMESARAJS says
I could just drink this dressing. Seriously.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like it!
Sylvia Carlson says
Mary, I made this today and it is delicious. I didn’t have any dried chives, so I used fresh ones. I might put in a little less milk if I was just using it for a dip, but not if I was using it for a salad dressing. The taste is really good. Thank you for this recipe!
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled you like the dressing, Sylvia!
Susan says
I think I did something wrong! Uuuggghhh, help. It’s very “liquidity”. Didn’t have buttermilk so I used whole milk.
Should I add more sour cream and and/or mayo?
Susan says
Taste delish btw!!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like it!
Mary Younkin says
It may thicken a bit as it rests in the refrigerator, Susan. However, you can thicken it a bit with more mayo or sour cream. You may need to adjust the spices a bit.
ria says
can we use apple cider vinegar?
Mary Younkin says
Ria – I would not recommend it in this recipe. The slightly sweeter flavor of it just doesn’t work in the Ranch Dressing combination for me.
Debra says
Absolutely delicious! Foolproof too. I also use a crushed garlic clove.
Mary Younkin says
Debra – So glad you enjoyed it.
Frances says
My family has said I need to make more of this. Even those that don’t like ranch love it. So easy to make and the rewards are huge (lots of veggies eaten when this is available for a dip)
Mary Younkin says
Frances – Big rewards right there. Getting all those veggies in is not an easy task with kids sometimes, and adults lets face it.
Rhonda says
LOVE this dressing! There is always some in my fridge !
Mary Younkin says
Rhonda – I love hearing that. I always have it on hand as well. My kids love it.
Lori S says
Living in the Czech Republic and really wanted my homemade hot wings but couldn’t find Ranch here. Found your recipe and gave it a try. OMG you made my day. It is awesome!! Just what I needed. Thank you
Mary Younkin says
Lori – Nothing like a taste of home. Hot wings and ranch = the perfect comfort food.
Andrea Jurzysta says
The dressing looks delicious! My question is can this be frozen and taken out a day before using
Mary Younkin says
Unfortunately, this type of dressing will not freeze well. However, it will keep nicely in the fridge for a couple of weeks, Andrea.
Sandi Fryer says
Super easy and super yummy! Will never buy store bought again
Mary Younkin says
Sandi – Congratulations, You joined the Homemade Ranch Club! It really is that good and so easy.
Suzanne says
Delicious!! I used 2% milk and all fresh herbs. It’s going in my recipe book!
Mary Younkin says
All fresh herbs – I bet that tastes AMAZING!