This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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!
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}
It’s good, but way too much dill for me.
Sorry to hear that you weren’t a fan of the dill, Patz! Everyone has different tastes; hopefully your next recipe turns out well.
The best tastiest, easiest to make ranch dressing. It’s a keeper in my kitchen. Will pass recipe on to friends. I liked your balanced comment with the man unhappy with the term ‘the best’. That diffused the situation. .
Glad to hear that the ranch dressing is a staple in your kitchen, Joyce. Enjoy, and happy cooking!
As the title declares, this is THE best homemade ranch dressing. I will never, ever buy bottled ranch again. I’ve never attempted making my own dressing and there’s no comparison between what I whip up using this recipe and the chemical and preservative laden stuff I’d bought all of my married life (since 1976). Thank you, thank you for publishing this. I now need to go and refrigerate the double batch I just made!!
Glad to hear that the ranch dressing was a hit, Deborah. Happy cooking!
I didn’t have dried parsley so I used double the chives. I also halved the wet ingredients, used light mayo, and kept the dry ingredients the same. Amazing! I never liked bottled ranch and am now obsessed with real ranch dressing since moving to the Pittsburgh area. The local restaurants and pizza places make the best ranch. This recipe is spot on!
I’m glad to hear that you’re loving the ranch dressing, Asia! Ranch and pizza are a combination made in heaven. Enjoy, and happy cooking!
I added two extra steps – using 1/2 milk caused it to be too thin for me- I used 1/4 instead. And added a little Worcestershire sauce. Pretty tasty!
I’m glad you liked it, Anne! I bet the Worcestershire added a great new flavor.
Pretty good! I liked the consistency. Plain, I thought it had a strong mayonnaise flavor and I was skeptical. In my salad though, I didn’t notice anymore! I used an avocado oil-based mayo so it might just have a strong flavor in general.
Hi, Mikayla. In the past, I’ve noticed that alternative mayo options (like avocado oil-based mayo) tend to have strong flavors in dressing recipes like this one, especially when they’re supposed to be used in large amounts. I’m glad you enjoyed the dressing! Happy cooking.
Hi my name is Robin Garrick and I like your presentation and I am interested in your menu
Tastes great but mine turned out really really running. Like defrosted ice cream. Any way to fix that?
Hi, Steph! I would recommend gradually adding more sour cream and mayonnaise in equal measure until the ranch dressing is the consistency you’re looking for. Enjoy!
my family loves this recipe. I had a tweak it a little because I didn’t have sour cream just used a cup of mayo instead. turned out great!
I’m so glad you like it, Jessica. (I’ve done the same thing in a pinch!)
How long does it last in the frig?
This will easily last a week or two, Ruth. (For as long as the dairy ingredients were good for on their own.)
Very good! I never buy store bought ranch anymore!
Neither do we, Debra. This recipe’s just too easy. Enjoy the ranch dressing!
Wow. This was great on the first day and even better after a couple of days. Fantastic recipe.
Glad to hear that the ranch dressing’s getting better with time, Zarana. Happy cooking!
Very simple recipe without exotic ingredients that I don’t have (like dude, I have run out of dressing and you think I just have buttermilk lying around?), which I appreciate! I doubled the herbs & spices, could’ve chilled out on the dill a bit though tbh. Way better than anything store bought 100%. Will bookmark or just print for my spice cabinet.
I’m glad you’re loving the ranch dressing, Phoebe. We’re in full agreement here; sometimes it’s best to have recipes available that only require basic household ingredients, like this dressing! Enjoy, and happy cooking.
Trying to make this right now. What is 3/4-1 tsp dill? 1tsp+3/4tsp? Can’t wait to try it. Ranch dressing is not easy to find in Germany 😂
Hi, Romina. That’s 3/4 to 1 whole teaspoon of dill; adjust to taste. I hope you love the ranch dressing!
Nice foundational recipe! Thank you for posting it! I appreciate the subtle flavor dill adds to ranch dressing, but I really don’t like it (and don’t have any in my pantry) SO instead of lemon or vinegar, I used pickle juice! haha! It works quite nicely!
mmmm, I love that!
How long do you think this dressing will last if refrigerated?
It will be fine for at least a week, Jayne.
I followed the recipe exactly and ended up adding just a bit more mayo and buttermilk just to get rid of my leftovers. I also did a lemon and apple cider vinegar combo for the acidity. Tasted great right after preparing but can’t wait to try after its chilled in the fridge for awhile. I would probably lean closer to 3/4 tsp or less on the dill as some others mentioned. Will definitely be my go to ranch recipe. Thank you.
You are welcome! Once you start making ranch from scratch, you’ll never want to go back. I’m glad the recipe turned out nicely for you; happy cooking.
Ranch was yummy
Glad to hear it, Kaye.
good, but please please please put the ingredients first, then the instructions, and end with optional verbiage.
Hi, Paul. There’s a button above the optional verbiage that gives you the option to skip past it and go straight to the ingredients. It says “Jump to Recipe”. I’m glad you liked the ranch dressing!
Love this dressing! Perfect amount of seasonings. Thank you!
You are welcome, Peggy. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying the dressing.