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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}
Definitely double spices!
Go for it!
Mine is really watery. Is there a way to thicken it up?
You could try adding some sour cream.
When you add the acid (lemon juice) it helps to thicken the dressing, especially after a night in the fridge. I used something called True Lemon – it’s crystallized lemon so you get all the lemon effects but no added liquid.
Add less milk
Mines was as well
Thank you for the add.i look forward to sharing many delicious dinner ideas with you in the future God bless
Welcome to the site, Regina.
How does adding Blue Cheese work with this?
I have not tried it but I don’t see why you couldn’t.
I used 1 cup mayo, 1/2 cup sour cream, 3 tsp of fresh lemon juice and doubled all the herbs/spices except salt.
It’s fantastic! We were trying to replicate our favorite Italian restaurant’s homemade ranch dressing and this is as good or better.
Sounds delicious, Keila.
Very good recipe but I substituted the ranch dressing powder seasoning for most of the d aspires except for the dill weed. I added that and pepper. I also prefer to use buttermilk for added flavor and thickness. The lemon juice is a must. This is a nice recipe for dipping fresh veggies too when I don’t have hummus available. I even like this to accompany fried fish as well because I’m not a fan of tarter sauce.
Thanks. I hope to try other recipes.
Thank you, Val.
But if you used the ranch dressing powder, you didn’t really follow the recipe??
Cant wait to try this I looove ranch! How long will it last in the fridge for?
It doesn’t last long in our refrigerator as we love it but I would say a week or so. Keep in mind it is fresh with no preservatives.
I tried this recipe for the homemade Ranch. It’s great. Thank you. Ive became lactose several months ago and I’ve had to learn alot new things and ways to eat. And substitutions for different things. I use Ranch for one of my fav dishes. Bacon chicken ranch cheddar potatoes casserole. The cheddar isn’t to bad if I limit the amount I use or eat. But regular Ranch is horrible on me. Even the lactaid pills don’t help. But I love this recipe and so do my friends and grandkids. I’m a 52 year old widower and love to cook. I cook for myself and to see the response outta other people when they eat my food. It’s my passion and I love it. And I love this recipe. Haven’t had it for awhile but now I can make it again. Thank you so much.
I am so happy this recipe works for you Ronald.
I had to sub out the onion powder for ¾ tsp finely minced onion because I have no onion powder but followed the rest of the recipe. My family is big into ranch dressing and they love it. Thank you.
That is fantastic that they loved it, Sheryl. Thank you for sharing.
I have made this ranch many times since January. It’s great as is (the rating is for as is) but I have discovered it’s out of this world when I double everything except the mayo, milk, and sour cream. Thanks again.
So I made this today. Oddly enough I didn’t seem to have dried parsley or couldn’t find it. Anyway, I used freeze dried cilantro in place of the parsley. It was AWESOME!
Good to know that worked!
Probably the best ranch dressing I’ve ever tasted.
Thank you, Kayla. I am delighted you enjoyed it.
Love this recipe. I make it as written and it’s fantastic. I did opt for 3 tsp of lemon juice for that tang. I have made this so many times with requests for “my” recipe. I have tried a few variations, too. I have added a lot more freshly ground black pepper and/or added 1/2 cup grated parmesan. All variations turned out super yummy! I do use my own homegrown herbs that I dry at the end of the season and that just adds to the flavor. So much better than store bought! Thanks for the recipe.
Thank you, Naomi. I love how you have customized it.
I just made my first homemade batch of ranch dressing!! This recipe is delicious! I was in a time crunch with guests arriving soon and no time for a run to the store. I am sure I will get plenty of compliments! I don’t think I will ever buy ranch dressing again. This is so fresh, light and tasty! Thank you!!
You are so welcome, Nanny.
I was shocked how highly this was rated. Sorry but this recipe was such a let down that I had to take the time to write a review. Just very bland, super runny, and just not really a good rich ranch I was hoping for. If you like a bland watery thing then I guess it’s good
Well Katey, you are the odd woman out on this one. This recipe is loved by thousands. I hope you find one you enjoy.
I always use garlic powder, and use extra. I believe salt is a ‘must’, as it brings all the flavors together. I also make a buttermilk and add more later, if I need to. I do equal parts sour cream, mayo,and almost as much buttermilk. If you need to, add a bit more dill and chives, too. Hope that helps.
Naw Katey, I’m right there with you!
Such a delicious recipe! Tip: for the buttermilk, look for Bob’s Red Mill package of Powdered Buttermilk in most grocery stores. I mix 2 tablespoons of powder with 3-4 tablespoons of water. Works perfectly for this super recipe.
That’s a handy tip, Janet. Thanks!
Best ranch dressing I’ve ever had. I did double spices. Anyone who says it’s runny isn’t chilling it. It’s perfectly creamy. Was runny when I put it in the fridge but an hour or so later it was thick.
My 4 year old ate salad for the first time with this dressing and said he liked it.
Great tips, Hannah. It is so delicious for sure.
Flavor was on point! Fantastic dressing! My only issue was mine came out very watery.
If it is too watery for you, try a little less buttermilk next time, Chuck.
How long will this stay fresh in the fridge after making?
5-7 days in the refrigerator, Erin.
Can you use more sor cream than mayo? Or will it ruin the taste? Only asking because I am not a big mayo fan…
it will change the flavor slightly but should be fine, Jennie.
I just made this ranch dressing and put it in tiny jars with a label and bow on each one and am giving them to my friends at work. Of course, now I have to make your poppyseed dressing and jalapeño dressing to give as a little 3 pack. Thank you so very much.
What a lovely though. But don’t forget the Balsamic Vinaigrette it gets rave reviews, Katrina.