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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}
As another reviewer mentioned the dressing was too thin, I made it twice. Unfortunately I spilled the first batch, but a blessing in disguise. Second batch, I used 2 tablespoons of powdered buttermilk and added two tablespoons of water, instead of the 1/2 cup liquid buttermilk. Also did NOT add any additional Salt. With the slight adjustments, it came out great. Thanks!
I’m glad you were able to make it work for your tastes, Michelle.
Does anyone know the shelf like of this recipe once made? Thank you in advance
This will last in the fridge for as long as the dairy ingredients are good for.
Great simple recipe. I double the spices to our families taste! Thanks!
I’m thrilled that you like it too!
Fantastic recipe!
I left out the chives and lemon juice. It was fantastic! I’m making it again right now!
I’m so glad you are enjoying the ranch!
I didn’t have the dried chives or buttermilk. I read others’ comments about it being too thin, so I just added heavy cream a couple tablespoons at a time after mixing everything else together until I got the consistency I wanted. I used the juice of 1 full lemon. It came out excellent!
I’m so glad you like it!
Thanks for this great home made ranch dressing recipe!
As others mentioned, I used less milk since I like it thicker.
Since I happened to have some sesame seeds and asparagus powder on hand, I added that too, and it was wonderful!
I also had lemongrass powder that I used in place of the lemon juice. I put those old ingredients to very good use with this.
What a fun variation! I’m glad you like it.
Way too bland and mayo-ey. Add sugar. Add apple cider vinegar. Add oregano. Maybe dijon too.
The beauty of homemade dressings is being able to adjust them to our individual tastes.
Made this last night. It was very good. I did add more lemon juice. I think I’ll try, as you suggested, white vinegar next time.
I’m glad you like the dressing!
Yummy recipe and so easy.
For those that don’t have buttermilk on hand (not an ingredient I usually have) just make your own. It’s just milk with vinegar added to it. Let it sit for a few minutes and you’re good to go.
I’m so glad you like it!
You’re right. It’s the best. I’ve been making it for a few years and I haven’t found anyone who doesn’t love it!
Thank you!
I’m so glad you like it!
Fantastic recipe, thank you so much!!
I’m so glad you like the dressing!
This is fire
I’m so glad you like it!
This was delicious! I absolutely would make again. Super easy to do
I’m thrilled that you love the dressing!
I used fresh chives because I happened to have them, and vinegar because I forgot to buy a lemon -but this dressing was delicious and perfect!
I did not find it too runny at all like some comments said.
10/10 would make it again. Thank you for posting this recipe!
YAY! I’m so glad you like the ranch, Stacey!
Fabulous easy to make recipe! I live overseas and miss Ranch dressing – now I can make my own.
YAY! I’m thrilled you like it. Happy salad making, Mary.
I had literally been looking for this. I’ve never been a fan of the store bought ranch. Always too tangy never fresh tasting enough but I didn’t want to make something super complicated. Followed this recipe to a T and had a delicious ranch that tasted like it came straight from the back of a 5 star restaurant. If you have 5 minutes, make this. It’s worth it. Will be using this for dressing from now on.
I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the ranch!
I loved this. I like a little bit thicker so I would add less liquid next time but it tasted great! I didn’t have the chives.
I’m so glad you love the dressing, Taylor!
Add some Dill pickle juice on top of this…..and perfection!!!
I actually have a recipe for Dill Pickle Ranch Dressing too! https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/dill-pickle-ranch-dressing/ (I LOVE dill pickles!)
So delicious! I only added a splash or two of half and half. Fresh chives and fresh parsley. Juice of one small lemon and two splashes of vinegar. Fabulous!!
I’m so glad you like the dressing!