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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!
Video
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}
Loved it! Best ranch ever! Thank you so much!
I am lactose intolerant and can use lactose free milk but not sure What I could use in place of the sour cream. Many thanks
Hi, have you ever tried goat’s milk instead? I’m lactose intolerant as well and i fair vey well with it. I use goat’s milk In the form of cheese, butter, and milk. For this recipe I plan to use goat yogurt for sour cream and goat milk kefir for buttermilk. Can’t wait to try it!
I am using Greek yougurt only no mayo no buttermilk and white vinegar instead of lemon- Delicious!!! Low fat low carb Perfect for everything.
Very good ranch! We found it to be too thin, so the second time I made it, I reduced the milk by half and it came out perfect!
This is an excellent recipe!! I had to run out and pick up a couple of the spices, but boy was it worth it. This is the first time that I’ve ever attempted to make a ranch dressing. One taste and I knew that I had a winner!! Many thanks
Yes, way too much dill for me too. I now make it with 1/8 tsp. I prefer my dill working in the background….not center stage. : -) But I love this dressing. I’ve made is so many times!
I needed ranch veggie dip do I left out the milk and it was perfect. Great recipe. Thanks!
My family has always said that I am a ranch snob. This is by far the best I have ever tasted from a bottle or a restaurant! I make it on a weekly basis and every time I bring it to a party everyone wants the recipe! It takes me about two minutes with an emulsion blender in a mason jar and I’m done. Love love love this ranch!
Keto Ranch!! I switch out the milk for heavy cream and it’s perfect! Delicious! Thank you!
I just stir this up in a small bowl with a spoon. So simple, quick, and delicious! No need for seasoning packets, and I can identify all these natural ingredients. This is truly the Best Ranch Dressing Recipe.
How long does it last in fridge
It should be fine for up to a week, although ours rarely lasts that long.
Very easy to make. But does take a well stocked spice cabinet. Thanks 4 sharing.
Great Ranch! My family loves the taste! I added extra dill and extra chives. Thank you for the recipe!
Great recipe! I found that I like a lot of acid here, probably 2-3 tbsp of lemon and lime. I also use roasted garlic and extra dill.
My question is, is it pourable or thick and gloopy? I am so tired of homemade ranch that isn’t “dressing” but “dip”. Dressing should be pourable.
This is a dressing, so it pours nicely. I’ve linked to our dip recipe as well, but that’s for dipping, not for salads.
I followed the directions but my dressing is way too runny. Will it thicken up?
It does thicken a bit as it chills. It’s definitely a pourable dressing though, not a dip.
If you want a thicker dressing, mix the sour cream and mayo then slowly add milk till it reaches the consistency you like.
Is it ok to use fresh spices and herbs?
Absolutely. I do both.
This recipe is the best! Most ranch dressings have MSG as an ingredient and I am allergic to MSG. So I make this recipe from scratch and my family loves it! Thanks for posting this recipe.
I would love tot try this BUT I never, ever use dried parsley or chives…why could I not use fresh? Thank you for your prompt answer in advance.
Just so you know, you can ALWAYS substitute fresh herbs for dried herbs in pretty much any recipe. You’ll want to use 3x as much of the fresh herbs as is listed for dried herbs, as the dried herbs are typically more potent. I make this with fresh herbs whenever I have them in the house. It’s especially tasty with fresh dill. Enjoy!
Do you have the nutrition information posted anywhere? Thank you! Can’t wait to try this!