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}
Melissa says
I love this! I used my fresh chives.
Mary Younkin says
Fresh chives are always a great addition, Melissa.
sandy baird says
Hi Melissa. Since you used fresh chives how much did you use? I also have fresh chives but wasn’t for sure how much to use.
Thanks!
Bobbie says
It was delicious, I made my homemade avocado oil mayonnaise & it was great!
Mary Younkin says
I bet that was delicious with the avocado mayo, Bobbie.
Caitlin Ackerson says
How long does this keep for?
Mary Younkin says
Hi, Caitlin. This dressing should keep in the refrigerator for a couple weeks. Enjoy!
Paul says
Are the nutrition facts per tablespoon serving ?
Mary Younkin says
Yes, it is per tablespoon, Paul.
Ian Welchel says
Could one conceivably substitute plain greek yogurt for the sour cream and maybe even almond milk for the regular milk?
Mary Younkin says
Hi, Ian! While the final texture/flavor of the salad dressing may be slightly different, you should be able to substitute Greek yogurt and almond milk in this recipe. I hope you love the final product!
Kay says
Hi- to respond to the almond milk, it does have a different taste- so be easy with it. I used original, unsweetened almond breeze brand. Though ultimately, the other ingredients did their thing! This will be my go-to recipe for homemade ranch dressing, but I will use regular milk next time.
Frank Sheeran says
How can this be “the best” if you can improve it simply by switching to fresh herbs?! You should also recognize by now that while some changes are basically ALWAYS improvements (such as switching to fresh ingredients) there is still a strong matter of personal taste in cooking. What’s best for you may not be best for me. (For instance I prefer coarse-ground pepper. You prefer fine.) I have a 250 page cookbook of family recipes and none are labelled “the best.”
Mary Younkin says
You said it well, Frank, “there is a strong matter of personal taste in cooking.” A great many people have declared this ranch dressing the best, and for what it’s worth, there are at least 20 more (out of the nearly 1800 recipes) on this website that are also labeled “the best.” If you find that label offensive, this really isn’t the best recipe source for your needs.
My family also has a family cookbook that my mother put together many years ago. Like yours, we do not have any recipes in that book that are labeled “the best” – the assumption being that if one of us enjoyed a dish enough to include it in our book it was clearly our best. Happy cooking, friend. I wish you only the very best.
Merry Lee Lander says
Rude, Frank, rude.
Cindy says
This is the best homemade ranch dressing I’ve ever made! I used whole milk and 2-3 tsp lemon juice. My husband even loves it.
Mary Younkin says
Glad to hear that you and your husband loved the ranch dressing, Cindy.
Mrs H says
Rude and completely unnecessary. Stick with your store bought. This dressing is the best I have found.
Kevin says
I don’t normally leave comments on things like this but I am going to make an exception here and say that I would really love to meet Frank. Just for a few seconds. I’m sure that’s all it would take.
Mya says
Wait until you hear about recipes that include “Slap Ya Mama” lol lighten up. Businesses use “the best” all the time. Well, most of the time. Lighten up love 💕
Diana says
I was searching for a ranch dressing to make for dinner tonight. Frank deeply influenced my decision. I am heading to the kitchen now to make this recipe. I’m looking to eating THE BEST Ranch Dressing.
I will leave an honest review afterwards.
Let me add that while I find Frank’s review to be extremely rude and unnecessary. That was my first reaction, but perhaps he is going through a particularly unhappy time in his life. I sincerely hope this is not just his personality.
Greg M says
To Kevin. Seriously dude, you threatened a poster because you disagree with his personal comment on …….a recipe? Considering all the craziness going on in the world, you are triggered about a recipe post that you disagreed with? I too disagreed with Franks assessment, but he is entitled to it. Every blogger knows this, for better worse, they develop thick skins. As a disabled veteran and physician who occasionally counsels others on anger management issues, I urge you to seek counseling. Perhaps the full post has been censored, in which case I’m not getting the full verbiage and context, but from what I saw in your reply, your comment concerned me enough to reply on your behalf. The level of anger/threat of violence doesn’t match the context or intent of this blog. Mary handled that comment in the most patient, professional, and non-confrontational way possible. She totally controlled and defused the reply. Brilliant and classy. I am now a fan.
On a more pleasant note, I happen to have a special needs child who LOVES ranch dressing with everything! Seriously, she will have ranch dressing with her ranch dressing! 🙂 The other night we were in a restaurant and she requested, as she always does, a side-order of ranch dressing. But the restaurant was completely out. so, I went home to look up ranch recipes ( I know, I know, why didn’t I think of this before :-))! And I came across Mary’s recipe. It is fantastic in its simplicity and ease of preparation. Most importantly though for me, is that my daughter loves it! So now I can make it on my healthy terms, not just purchase it from a store with all their preservatives and additives. Keep up the good work Mary, people are paying attention.
Ben says
Unbelievable
jess says
hi there! what kind of mayo did you use?
Mary Younkin says
Hi, Jess! I normally just use regular Hellman’s/Best Foods mayonnaise.
Zarana says
Wow. I didn’t add the milk bc I wanted to use it as ranch spread for fried mushroom sandwiches. I only had fresh herbs so used these in greater quantities. Fantastic. Thanks.
Mary Younkin says
You are welcome, Zarana! That sounds like a delicious idea; I may have to try that myself. Glad to hear that you’re loving the ranch. Enjoy, and happy cooking!
Karen Nichol says
The ranch dressing recipe was a hit with my hubby! We both real enjoyed it. It was so light and above all healthy. I was so sick of the store bought as it is filled with so much crap. This recipe will be a great addition to my fridge, Thank you😃
Mary Younkin says
Happy to hear that you both loved the ranch dressing, Karen. It really does taste so much better than store-bought ranch. Enjoy!
Kimberly says
I make this dressing all the time! My family loves this dressing and I consider it the best ranch dressing!
Mary Younkin says
Agreed, Kimberly. Happy cooking! Glad to hear the recipe’s a hit with your family, too.
Cindy says
This is the best homemade ranch dressing I’ve ever made! I used whole milk and 2-3 tsp lemon juice. My husband even loves it.
Kimberly says
Mary thank you for your delicious recipe! So dang good. I’ve been looking to make my own dressings more often to cut out some sodium for my husband and I instead of bottled dressings.
Mary Younkin says
You are welcome, Kimberley. Once you switch to homemade dressings, you’ll never go back; it’s easier in the long run, and the ranch tastes delicious, too! I’m glad you and your husband have been enjoying the dressing. Happy cooking!
Domenica says
I just made this and the flavour is fantastic, but it’s incredibly thin. I used 1% milk, regular Hellmans mayo, and Gay Lea Gold Label sour cream (which is so thick it’s practically a solid lol). Any tips on thickening the consistency?
Mary Younkin says
Hello! I don’t use 1% milk in my recipes as a general rule; using whole milk will heavily affect the end result. I would recommend adding more mayo and sour cream to thicken the dressing. Enjoy the ranch dressing!
Oliver Hunt says
Fresh chives. Fresh dill. Fresh garlic. Left everything else the same. Amazing!
Mary Younkin says
Adding fresh herbs really does make a huge difference in the end result, Oliver. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying the ranch dressing.
Donna says
I see ole’ Frank has left the building! I very much loved THE BEST ranch dressing I’ve made to date.
Mary Younkin says
So glad to hear that the ranch dressing is a hit, Donna! Enjoy, and happy cooking.
Terry says
I doubled the recipe. When I served it, it was very thin almost watered down. What did I do wrong?
Mary Younkin says
Hi, Terry! Did you double all the ingredients, or add more lemon juice/vinegar than was called for? Either of those options might have watered down your dressing.
Marilou says
I was excited to find this recipe. I recently made homemade ranch dressing with all fresh herbs. It went bad before I was able to use it all. I’m hoping the dried herbs in this recipe will extend the life of the dressing so that I can enjoy it longer.
Mary Younkin says
Happy to hear that the ranch dressing was a hit, Marilou! Hopefully it keeps for slightly longer this time.
Pamela Smith says
OMG this is the best I’ve ever had! Thank you Mary! I didn’t have the chives and forgot to use the milk and it still turned out excellent!!!! God bless you above and beyond! NO MSG or other artificial ingredients! How lovely! Mine forever!
Mary Younkin says
You are welcome, Pamela! I’m glad to hear that you’ve been enjoying the ranch dressing, and that you were able to adapt it to work with what you had. I hope you continue to love the recipes, and happy cooking.
mike saleh says
Great tasting ranch dressing.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like it, Mike!