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}
Sally Frye says
I found this recipe while I was a caterer. I use half and half and for the acid, pickle juice. I make it at least a day ahead to help the flavors bloom. Wonderful!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like the dressing, Sally!
Teresa L Booher says
I love this recipe. The first time I made it exactly as written and it was great. Now I insist on making it with fresh herbs, never measuring because the more, the better! I love it heavy on the dill.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear it’s a keeper for you, Teresa.
Alexis Sexsmith says
Delicious!!!
I am not eating dairy at the moment so I used Forager brand cashew sour cream. I was out of chives and used cilantro. I used unsweetened rice milk and not the full amount, just enough to make it pourable. It was amazing!!! I have missed Ranch dressing and sometimes cheat on my diet to have it. This made it so I don’t even want to cheat. Thank you!
Mary Younkin says
I am thrilled that you found a way to make the recipe work for you, Alexis. Enjoy!
Michelle says
This is a good recipe. I didn’t have any chives but I have some garlic growing so I used the tops from that and it was a good substitute. I used milk so I also added a little vinegar. I plaid with the mix of seasonings until it was to my liking. I like my ranch to have extra dill so I just about doubled that. I like this as a base recipe
Mary Younkin says
That’s a clever solution, Michelle! I’m glad you found a way to make this recipe work for you.
Sarah says
So yummy! I’m ecstatic I can create a health version of a store bought product, often made with unhealthy ingredients. Thanks so much for the guidance.
Mary Younkin says
You are welcome, Sarah. I hope you continue to love the ranch dressing recipe over time.
Sandy Larson says
I used a small amount of fresh lemon juice and it still overpowered dressing.My guy isn’t a fan of lemon juice. 😩So pondered how to fix this and used small amount of Uncle Dans dry mix. This helped the flavor for us. Thank you for sharing and great way to have your kiddos eat their veggies!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you were able to adapt the recipe to match your family’s tastes, Sandy. Happy cooking!
Sandy Larson says
I meant to hit 4 STARS in my review. My apologies.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the dressing, Sandy!
pam says
Ranch dressing was excellent! I used Kefir instead of buttermilk and didn’t have sour cream and it still turned out great.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you’re loving the ranch dressing, Pam.
Dee says
As a vegan, I tweaked the recipe some. I used vegan mayo with nut milk. Used all fresh herbs, I didn’t add buttermilk or sour cream. But it tasted just to my liking. I will make this over and over again. Thank you.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you were able to make it work for you, Dee!
Rhonda says
No more bottled Ranch for us. I had most of the ingredients in my kitchen. Delicious! I will try to use fresh herbs next time. Thank you.
Mary Younkin says
You are welcome, Rhonda. Homemade ranch dressing makes all the difference, doesn’t it?
Ed Plants says
I’m not a cook, but I DO prepare stuff in the kitchen every blue moon. My wife is the chef. (not an actual chef, but I think she could be). She loves my breakfasts and I can make a mean Black Forest Cake from scratch thanks to my first wife who sadly passed away. Anyway, I just made up this recipe and cut fresh herbs from our garden, (parsley & chives). My wife has everything else on hand. Like I said, she’s a chef. Balsamic vinegars, herbs & spices fill our pantries. (Yes, pantry is plural!) I followed the directions pretty much to the tee and the taste when it was done…. WoW! I’m impressed with myself. My wife will be so surprised. Now to make the cheesy baked pickles I seen. 🙂
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the ranch dressing, Ed. I hope your wife loves the recipe!
Y says
Easy and delicious. I’ll never buy ranch again.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you’ve been loving the ranch dressing!
Gayle says
Great tasty homemade dressing..
Mary Younkin says
Glad the ranch dressing is a hit, Gayle.
Laura Elizabeth says
I used doubled the quantity of herbs and used fresh instead of dried. I also used one garlic clove instead of garlic powder and soaked a large onion wedge in the dressing for a few hours instead of onion powder. Results were amazing!! My husband is a picky eater and asked me to make this dressing every week. Big win!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad the ranch dressing was a hit, Laura! Adding fresh spices and herbs when possible always makes for amazing results. Happy cooking!
Alex Joncas says
Fantastic! Even yummier than the store bought stuff!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you’re loving the ranch dressing, Alex. Happy cooking!
Stacey says
Great ranch dressing! I used fresh chives and dill but otherwise followed the recipe exactly. Even my husband who only ever eats Caesar salad wanted a salad with this ranch once he tasted mine! Will make again and shared this recipe with friends. 🙂
Mary Younkin says
Glad you’re all loving the ranch dressing, Stacey. I hope everyone keeps coming back for more. Enjoy!
Patty C says
I’ll never buy store bought bottled dressing again. Your recipe is perfect and I feel so much more healthy than store bought ranch dressing.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you’re loving the ranch dressing, Patty. Happy cooking!
Becky says
So, made with light sour cream, Dukes mayo and 2% milk. Also used white vinegar. Not a fan. Was so wanting this to taste like the homemade dressing we had at a restaurant this week. Very runny. And taste was lacking. Thinking problem may have been in all the less fat items I used. Will have to try with regular items.
Mary Younkin says
Hi, Becky! Yes, I would suspect that using the low-fat items probably affected your result. 2% milk, light sour cream, etc. all have a lot more water by volume. Hopefully the ranch dressing turns out perfectly next time.
Rheta says
Was was getting ready to order Ranch from the grocery and looked at the ingredients and it was mainly chemicals, so I decided to make your recipe. It turned out great. I had fresh chives and dill so I used those along with some dried tarragon. I didn’t have enough sour cream so I substituted Greek yogurt. Probably will never buy store bought again ❤️❤️
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you were able to find a ranch dressing recipe that works for you, Rheta. Enjoy!
Stacy says
So creamy, and fresh tasting. I eyeballed the ingredients and it tastes amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you loved the ranch dressing, Stacy! Happy cooking.