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}
Definitely the best I have tried. My only regret isI didn’t realize until after I made it that my milk expires today. I better get busy eating lol. I can’t wait for summer to use fresh ingredients. Thanks so much for this recipe…
I’m thrilled you like the ranch!
The dressing is delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe. This one’s a keeper.
I’m so glad you are enjoying the dressing!
Delicious but I didn’t have any chives
Glad you like it, Michelle!
Really Good. Easy to make and tastes amazing. The best ranch dressing I have ever had. I omitted the dried scallions as I could not find it in the store. I would say fresh chopped scallions if you had them, would put a very nice twist. Held up well in the fridge. Do shake between servings as it can seperate.
Thank you very much for sharing this recipe!
I’m thrilled you like it so much!
I typically use the ranch packet, but id like to try a healthier version. I don’t care for dill though and the last time I used parsley in a recipe(it was fresh italian parsley, not dried though), I didn’t care for the flavor. How will this taste without both? Also, have you tried subbing out Greek yogurt for sour cream?
This won’t taste like ranch dressing without the dill and the parsley. Yes, you can make it with greek yogurt.
I’ve been using this, and only this recipe for awhile now. Not even a comparison to bottled stuff. The consistency reminds me of pizza parlor ranch and while it may be sacrilege to some, goes PERFECT with pizza.
I agree! It is awesome with pizza too.
Can’t really say it tasted alot like ranch. The only thing I did not use was pepper but I can’t see how that would of changed anything. Maybe I’m just use to bottled ranch.
Sorry to hear that it wasn’t to your tastes. Did you change anything else, Sharon? The beauty of homemade dressings is that you can tweak them to your individual tastes. What kind of dressing are you used to buying?
Best Ranch Dressing! Thanks!
I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
How long does it last in the fridge ?
This will keep nicely for at least a week, based on the expiration dates of the dairy ingredients used.
It’s got a fabulous flavor, but it was so thin when I first made it. I think next time I’ll try 1/4c of milk instead of 1/2c, definitely added more sour cream to thicken it slightly to make it more closely resemble the picture of yours.
The dressing should thicken as it rests in the fridge, Dusteigh. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
I have made this twice now and love it. My only question is, how can I make it a bit more tangy? It’s just missing that little zing
A bit more lemon should do the trick, Mel. Happy salad making!
In this recipe rather than dried herbs have you used fresh dill, parsley, chives, garlic, & onion? If so how much of each?
Yes, whenever I have them on hand, I use fresh herbs. You’ll want to triple the amounts listed in the recipe when using fresh herbs. The onion and garlic will remain the same, but you may want to add more to your tastes.
Perfect!
I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying the dressing!
What would you say is the best Mayo to use
for this recipe?
Any mayo will work. I typically use Best Foods or Hellmans.
Very tasty! I made this exactly as directed and it is definitely a keeper. Thanks for sharing this with us!
I’m so glad you like the dressing!
The flavor was good but the dressing was really thin.
It should thicken as it rests. You can also add less milk next time for a thicker dressing.
Delicious recipe but came out very thin. I think next time I would half, or even quarter, the milk. I didn’t have any chives but flavor was still great!
I’m so glad you like the ranch. It should thicken up in the fridge, but it does also work to reduce the milk for a thicker dressing.
I will NEVER purchase pre-made ranch dressing again. This recipe is so delicious and fresh-tasting, there’s no comparison. Thank you for sharing.
I’m so happy to hear it!
Soooo good! I make this recipe every Sunday during meal prep for the week and I just love it. I’m sure I’ll never go back to store bought ranch again!
I’m so happy to hear that!
I made this as written, (only used fresh chives) and loved it. I will make it earlier next time in order to give it time in the fridge to thicken and the ingredients to all come together. Super easy to make too!
I’m so glad you like it!