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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!
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}
We stumbled upon this recipe because my Mom had made hot wings and we realized we were out of bottled ranch. We are NEVER going back to store bought ranch again. This is the best dressing ever. It was absolutely perfect with out hot wings and I made a fresh salad tonight with it as well!
I’m thrilled to hear that it’s a hit!
I never liked Ranch dressing because of the Buttermilk. This recipe had me licking my fingers. Thank goodness that I stumbled on this over the holiday as I live alone and was only cooking for me at home, I do have better table manners. This is the only Ranch dressing that I will be using ever. I put some in my purse and used it at the restaurant today for lunch with my wings. Our secret!
YAY! I’m thrilled it’s a hit for you.
Delicious! Waayy better than store bought or packaged. I used nonfat Greek yogurt in place of sour cream. I add the milk in batches to regulate the thickness – decided on less. Fresh lemon is awesome. My hubby gobbled it up, complimenting me with almost every dip, lol!
I’m so glad you like it!
Delicious and easy to prepare.
I’m glad you like the ranch!
Absolutely love this recipe. However, I double the spices.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the ranch.
Store bought Ranch dressing is “meh” except for one brand that we finally liked, then they discontinued it. I’ve tried so many mixes and recipes but they were all sub-par until this one!!!! It’s fabulous and perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing! Thank you for sharing this recipe. I will be making it many more times for years to come!!!!
I’m thrilled that it’s a hit!
Wonderful ranch salad
Happy to hear that you like the salad!
The Best. I have sent the recipe link to so many friends over the years!
Most people tweak recipes, and the only change I make is leaving out the buttermilk to yield a thicker dip. I love it so much! Thank you, Mary.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the ranch!
I’ve made this recipe 3 times in a month. Once with lemon juice and twice with white vinegar. Both are really good but my preference is the vinegar. Also I used fresh chives (3 times the dry amount). I’m so happy to have found this recipe. Great as a dip too!
I’m thrilled that you love it so much.
Thank you for these dressing recipes 🙂 Can you also please tell how long they can be kept in the fridge after making? This important information is NEVER provided. How long will it keep in the fridge after making?
Most dressings will last as long as the ingredients in them are good – i.e. you can go by the expiration date for dairy products for the ranch. I typically try to use them within a week or two.
My family loves this recipe. It’s so fresh and flavourful!
I’m thrilled to hear that, Susan!
I decided it was time to stop buying store bought ranch with all the bad ingredients and make it from scratch. This is the best recipe. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad you love it!
I like this recipe 😋
I’m happy to hear it, Andrea!
Great Recipe! Thanks for sharing it.
I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying the ranch!
THE BEST! And so easy!
I’m so glad you love it!
We’ve been looking for a clean ranch dressing without all of the chemicals and garbage that commercial distributers put in. I happened across this recipe and will NEVER buy another bottle of dressing again! This recipe is phenomenal…and so easy!
I’m thrilled to hear that it’s such a hit with your family!
It’s very bland to me. I followed the recipe exactly how it was written. I probably won’t make again..will try a different recipe.
The beauty of homemade dressings is how adaptable they are, you may find that additional spices make a big difference for you. Hopefully you’ll find the perfect one for your tastes!
Made this tonight. I doubled the recipe and the taste was SO good! However, even though I only used half the amount of buttermilk, before I even added any lemon juice the dressing was very thin. Not sure where I went wrong, but I’m definitely going to try again.
This isn’t an especially thick dressing, though it will thicken a bit in the fridge. If you’d like it to be a bit thicker, you can reduce the milk even further or skip it entirely for a thick dip.
Seriously good. I’ve now made this over half a dozen times for myself and friends. Delicious.
I love hearing that it’s become a favorite!
I’m from Europe and wanted to try Ranch Dressing and what should i say? It tastes fantastic! So thank you for the recipe! 🙂
Awe! I’m thrilled you’re enjoying it.