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Home » Food » By Type of Dish » Sauces, Seasonings and Condiments » BEST Ranch Dressing

BEST Ranch Dressing

August 30, 2023 by Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet · 38 Comments

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Delightfully fresh, aromatic and flavor-packed, this delicious homemade ranch dressing recipe will be your go-to from now on for a variety of meals and snacks!

ranch dressing recipe best homemade

A couple of years ago a poll revealed that 40% of all Americans claim ranch dressing as their favorite and it remains the #1 best-selling dressing in the U.S..  While I love a lot of different salad dressings, I agree that ranch is fabulous.  Especially a truly good homemade ranch dressing.

How to Make the BEST Ranch Dressing:  Key Ingredients

The challenge with homemade ranch dressing is that it too often lacks flavor or that certain “something”.  The store-bought stuff “cheats” by being packed full of additives, “natural flavors” (whatever those are), and flavor enhancers.  But homemade dressing relies on natural ingredients to do the job and in order to maximize the flavor some key elements need to be followed.

First off, most store-bought ranch dressing uses MSG which adds the umami element that most homemade ranch dressings lack.  Without that umami dimension the dressing lacks depth and complexity.

Can You Say “Umami”?  

We’re going to mitigate that problem by using a flavorful substitute:  Worcestershire sauce.  This fermented condiment is a umami powerhouse and a great ingredient to add to a lot of foods, including this dressing, to get that extra depth of flavor.

ranch dressing recipe homemade best

Fresh Herbs

The second key is using fresh herbs wherever possible.  Nothing beats fresh herbs in ranch salad dressing.  Dried herbs can be used in a pinch when fresh herbs are lacking, but the flavor will suffer.

Here’s why:  Dried herbs are a great choice for long and slow-cooked dishes where time enables the flavors to be coaxed out of the herbs.  But for non-cooked “raw” dishes (like this dressing) or dishes that are cooked only briefly, fresh herbs are always the best choice because their flavors and oils are immediately present and can penetrate the dish quickly.

So be good to yourself and use fresh herbs for your dressing and you will be duly rewarded!

That Magical Touch of Sweetness

Lastly, we’re adding a touch of cane sugar.  Food science explains that salt and sugar in combination provide a far greater taste enjoyment than either one on its own (think salted caramel, chocolate covered pretzels, and the reason salt is added to sweet baked goods).

And as the food scientists behind a University of Minnesota study observed, “Sugar plays an important role in contributing to the flavor profile of foods by interacting with other ingredients to enhance or lessen certain flavors.”

ranch dressing recipe homemade best

And here are a few ideas to put this ranch dressing to delicious use!  Simply adjust the thickness of the dressing by reducing or increasing the buttermilk.

How to Use Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is deliciously versatile.  Here are a few ways to enjoy it.

  • Leafy salads
  • Pasta salads
  • Potato salads
  • Coleslaw
  • Baked potatoes
  • Potato skins
  • Ranch pizza
  • A dip for veggies, potato chips and French fries
  • Dunk chicken in it before breading and frying
  • Sandwiches, wraps and burgers
  • Dipping chicken nuggets
  • Dipping buffalo cauliflower and broccoli tots
  • Buffalo chicken wings
  • Foil packet meals
  • Mashed potatoes
  • and more…your imagination is the limit!

Ranch Dressing Recipe

Let’s get started!

Place everything in a blender and pulse until smooth and the herbs are broken down (but do not liquify the herbs, just break down the herbs until they’re small green flecks in the dressing). Taste and add more seasonings according to preference.

combining ingredients in blender

Pour the dressing in an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before using, preferably overnight.

Will keep in the fridge for up to a week.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups of ranch dressing.

blending and pouring mixture into jar

Serve however your heart desires (see suggestions above)!

Enjoy!

ranch dressing recipe homemade best

For more phenomenal homemade dressings be sure to try our:

  • Italian Dressing
  • French Dressing
  • Blue Cheese Dressing
  • Thousand Island Dressing
  • Russian Dressing
  • Asian Salad Dressing
  • Creamy Cilantro Dressing
  • Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing
  • Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
  • Lemon Dill Mustard Dressing
ranch dressing recipe best homemade

BEST Ranch Dressing

Kimberly Killebrew
Delightfully fresh, fragrant and flavor-packed, this delicious homemade ranch dressing will be your go-to from now on for a variety of meals and snacks!
Print Recipe
5 from 15 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Chill Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course condiment, Sauce
Cuisine American
Servings 24 servings
Calories 46 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • **We strongly recommend using fresh herbs for maximum flavor**
  • 1/2 cup quality mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (full fat)
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk* (*use less if you want a thicker dressing or dip)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill weed (or 2 teaspoons dried dill weed)
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley (or 3 teaspoons dried parsley)
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives (or 2 teaspoons dried chives)
  • 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons finely minced fresh garlic
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon cane sugar (see blog post for explanation)
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Instructions
 

  • Place everything in a blender and pulse until smooth and the herbs are broken down (but do not liquify the herbs, just break down the herbs until they're small green flecks in the dressing). Taste and add more seasonings according to preference.
    Pour the dressing in an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before using, preferably overnight.
    Will keep in the fridge for up to a week.
    Makes about 1 1/2 cups of ranch dressing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 46kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 188mg | Potassium: 19mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Keyword Ranch Dressing
Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet

Originally published on The Daring Gourmet July 8, 2019

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38 Comments →

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38 Responses

  1. Chef Mimi says

    September 17, 2023 at 8:45 am

    I am going to try this! I love ranch but won’t buy bottled dressings.

    Reply
  2. Barbara Nugent says

    July 7, 2022 at 2:02 am

    Here in Tailand we can’t always find American products. This was EZ to make and will become a staple in our Chiang Mai home.

    Reply
    • Kimberly Killebrew says

      July 7, 2022 at 7:51 pm

      I’m happy to hear that, Barbara, thank you so much!

      Reply
  3. Janie says

    October 7, 2021 at 7:11 am

    I loved this recipe but felt the Worcestershire sauce was too overpowering.

    Reply
  4. Mare says

    March 21, 2021 at 3:25 am

    Looking forward to making this and the other dressing recipes, like the Asian dressing one- love that dressing!!!!! They look delicious!

    Reply
  5. Mare says

    March 21, 2021 at 3:22 am

    TO Make buttermilk simply mix 1 cup whole milk (not from dry) and 1 tsp. lemon juice (can use bottled too but fresh is better) or white vinegar- let stand for 10 minutes- it is just soured milk- has nothing to do with Butter despite its’ name, LOL. Keeps for about a week.

    Reply
  6. Jacque Hooper says

    July 23, 2019 at 12:50 pm

    I never knew this recipe was so easy! I love that I can make this at home instead of buying from the store!

    Reply
  7. Sara Welch says

    July 23, 2019 at 10:06 am

    What a great recipe! So easy and flavorful too! Love that I can make this from home versus using a store bought version!

    Reply
  8. Catalina says

    July 23, 2019 at 5:34 am

    I love ranch dressing. So glad to make it at home now!

    Reply
  9. Vik says

    July 22, 2019 at 11:09 pm

    This ranch sounds utterly fantastic! Having salad for lunch so I think I’ll try this

    Reply
  10. Dorothy Reinhold says

    July 22, 2019 at 6:16 pm

    My crew wants ranch on everything. Homemade always tastes SO much better. I am excited to try your blend.

    Reply
  11. Demeter says

    July 22, 2019 at 3:25 pm

    Homemade versions are always so much better than store bought! Glad you cracked the code for that missing something.

    Reply
  12. Chris says

    July 11, 2019 at 1:43 am

    Thanks for posting this. Living in England I haven’t a clue what it is, you don’t see a lot of it here, yet we hear it everywhere in US popular culture. Just wondered where is got its name? I’m guessing from ranchers but the idea of big beefy cowpokes tossing salad to accompany a 16oz T bone doesn’t seem right!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      July 11, 2019 at 9:45 am

      Haha, that’s so true, Chris!! What equally doesn’t seem right is that ranch dressing was in fact invented in ice-capped Alaska by a plumber! :)

      Reply
  13. SUZANNE says

    July 10, 2019 at 1:01 pm

    So, can you share with us the directions/recipe for how to make your own buttermilk? Would love to give it a try.

    Thanks,
    Suzanne

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      July 10, 2019 at 1:14 pm

      That’s something I still have to experiment with myself. Once I’ve got it mastered I’ll publish a tutorial :)

      Reply
  14. Patricia says

    July 9, 2019 at 11:34 pm

    In the Chicago area, it’s available at Pete’s Market stores, altho hm buttermilk sounds even more fabulous. I must try making it sometime! Thank you ~

    Reply
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kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Welcome!  I’m Kimberly and I share delicious originals, revitalized classics and authentic dishes from around the world.  Come travel the world through your taste buds!

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