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This Homemade Ranch Dressing recipe is fast, flavorful, and very easy! With options to use light mayo and yogurt, it is healthier than store-bought and packed with protein. It’s a refreshing way to enjoy salads, fresh veggies, and more!
It only takes a few minutes to make this flavorful Homemade Ranch Dressing recipe in your own kitchen! Chopped herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice give it a bright, fresh flavor for salads, veggies, and dips. It has the perfect pourable consistency and tastes better than any store-bought brand.
Try the dressing on our Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad, or use it as a dip with our healthy Oven-Fried Chicken Tenders and Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Wedges.
Why Make Homemade Ranch
- Super flavorful. The fresh herbs and bright lemon juice make this more flavorful than any canned or bottled option.
- Healthier than store-bought. We use quality ingredients for texture and flavor, but omit the added fat and salt found in store-bought ranch.
- Easy to make. This recipe just requires a few simple steps from start to finish.
- Can be served with lots of foods. You can serve ranch dressing with salads, fresh veggies, chicken tenders, fries, and more.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Light or Homemade Mayonnaise
- Sour Cream or Full-Fat Yogurt
- Buttermilk or Regular Milk
- Fresh Dill (or dried)
- Fresh Parsley (or dried)
- Chives (fresh or dried chives)
- Onion Powder (or grated onion)
- Garlic Powder (or minced garlic)
- Sea Salt
- Cracked Pepper
- Lemon Juice
step by step process
If using fresh herbs, finely chop them using a sharp chef’s knife. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, and seasonings. Add herbs and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir gently until fully incorporated. Transfer to an air-tight container and chill for a couple of hours before serving.
faq’s and tips
- Sour Cream or Full-Fat Yogurt: For a more protein-rich dressing use full-fat or Greek yogurt.
- Buttermilk or Regular Milk: Buttermilk will add a slight tang and thicker consistency. However, regular milk is a good substitute.
- Dill: Fresh dill adds significantly more vibrant flavor, but dried can definitely be used in a pinch.
- Parsley: Cut off the long, stalky ends and just chop the leaves. Or substitute dried.
- Sea Salt: Sea salt brings out the flavors in the dressing, but kosher salt can be used as well.
- Lemon Juice: We recommend using fresh lemon juice rather than store-bought lemon juice.
- Chop the herbs very finely for even distribution and smooth texture.
- The dressing will be thin but will thicken as it chills in the refrigerator.
Is mayonnaise really necessary?
Some people don’t prefer the flavor of mayonnaise. Luckily the combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk evens out the flavor of the mayonnaise. After a few hours in the fridge, the flavors blend to make the herbs shine. If you must skip the mayo you can replace it with cool whip or greek yogurt.
how long does homemade ranch last?
Ranch dressing lasts for up to 1 week in the fridge when stored in an air-tight container. Mix it well each time before using it.
should the dressing be runny?
When you use regular milk, the consistency will be thinner. But it will thicken when refrigerated. If you prefer a thinner dressing, add 1-2 tbsp of milk before serving.
Other healthy recipes to check out
- Healthy Ranch Chicken Salad
- Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet with Asparagus
- Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
- How to Make Homemade Hummus
- Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
- Healthy Steak Salad Recipe
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
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How to Make Homemade Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup light or homemade mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream or full-fat yogurt
- ⅓ cup buttermilk or regular milk
- 1 tbsp freshly chopped dill , (or ¾ tsp dried dill)
- 1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley, (or ¾ tsp dried parsley)
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped chives, (or 1 tsp dried chives)
- ¼ tsp onion powder, (or 1 tbsp grated onion)
- ½ tsp garlic powder, (or 1-2 garlic cloves, minced)
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
- ⅛ tsp finely cracked pepper, or to taste
- 2-3 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, adjust to taste
Instructions
- If using fresh herbs, finely chop them using a sharp chef's knife.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk and lemon juice.
- Add onion powder and garlic powder, whisk until well incorporated.
- Stir in chopped/dried herbs and season with some salt and pepper, gently mix.
- Transfer the dressing to an air-tight container and chill for a couple of hours before serving. You can keep this in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Sour Cream or Full-Fat Yogurt: For a more protein-rich dressing use full-fat or Greek yogurt.
- Mayo: For those who aren't fond of mayonnaise can use cool whip or more plain/Greek yogurt
- Buttermilk or Regular Milk: Buttermilk will add a slight tang and thicker consistency. However, regular milk is a good substitute.
- Dill: Fresh dill adds significantly more vibrant flavor, but dried can definitely be used in a pinch.
- Parsley: Cut off the long, stalky ends and just chop the leaves. Or substitute dried.
- Sea Salt: Sea salt brings out the flavors in the dressing, but kosher salt can be used as well.
- Lemon Juice: We recommend using fresh lemon juice rather than store-bought lemon juice.
- Chop the herbs very finely for even distribution and smooth texture.
- The dressing will be thin but will thicken as it chills in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
With fresh herbs…and new to dill…THIS is my favorite dressing!!! I’ve told sooo many people about it!!! I’m trying to eat more healthy; this fresh dressing makes me feel like I’m doing something good for my body!!!
Awesome!
I have tried countless homemade ranch dressing recipes and this one is what will make me stop looking. I used regular avocado oil mayonnaise, 2% Greek yogurt, and the dried herbs. Instead of making buttermilk I just added a splash of apple cider vinegar. I love it!
Sounds awesome with those substitutes. Glad you loved it