One taste of this Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing and you’ll never buy it from a bottle or package again. Homemade dressing are my favorite, they taste better and take only minutes to mix up.
Now I will tell you, I’m not the biggest ranch fan out there.
I like it, but I’m not slathering it on everything in sight like some people I know!
And as we all know homemade is usually way better than store-bought, well that is CERTAINLY true today.
I LOVE this ranch dressing.
I love that it’s easy to make and has a really great fresh taste, with just a slight tanginess of buttermilk.
I have been using it on everything, see I guess it just depends which ranch dressing you are slathering, if it’s going to be slathered, it has to be homemade in my book.
THESE are the dressing bottles I use to store the dressing in.
first, you start off with making homemade mayo, I am positive this is crucial to how delicious this dressing is.
Here is my post on How to make Homemade Mayonnaise.
When you are going to make delicious ranch dressing, starting with as much freshness as you can is key.
Making mayonnaise only takes a couple of minutes and is totally worth having the ranch dressing having the freshest flavor possible.
I can’t make it all homemade what are some shortcuts?
Here are the short cut options, you can use purchased mayonnaise if necessary and dry herbs, but as I mentioned fresh is best, but sometimes we all need shortcuts depending on what we have available. You can use all sour cream, all buttermilk, or all mayo if necessary, be sure to add fresh lemon juice or vinegar so it’s tangy.
Add to the mayo fresh chopped Italian Parsley and chives along with dry buttermilk (you can use real buttermilk, but the dressing will be thinner. If you are looking for a thicker dressing/dip using the dry buttermilk will allow it to stay thick)
Next add in sour cream or Greek Yogurt, garlic (I love using Gourmet Gardens Garlic, it’s so convenient. It comes in a tube and you just squeeze out the amount you want) salt and pepper.
This dressing is thick and rich tasting and delicious!
I like dressings that are thick, like dip.
This is perfect for salads, veggies, chips and whatever else you like to slather ranch onto,
if you want it a little thinner you can add a few tablespoons of milk to the dressing.
Take a look at my Salad Dippers HERE for more fun ways to use this delicious dressing!
Take a look at the most delicious Buttermilk Ranch Chicken.
How do you make ranch dressing from scratch without buttermilk?
Instead of fresh buttermilk, you can use dry buttermilk (found in the baking aisle, this is the brand of dry buttermilk I use), or vinegar to curdle and thicken the ranch dressing. Use 2 tablespoons of vinegar to 1 cup of whole milk or sour cream, let it sit for 15 minutes, it’s will thicken and provide a tanginess that resembles buttermilk.
- 2 cups homemade mayonnaise ( you can find that recipe here)
- 1 cup sour cream or Greek Yogurt
- ¼ cup dry buttermilk
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh chopped Italian Parsley
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (I use Gourmet Gardens Garlic)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- With immersion blender after making the mayonnaise add in,
- the sour cream or yogurt, dry buttermilk, chopped chives and parsley along with garlic salt and pepper.
- Mix until smooth.
- Place in refrigerator until cold (about an hour)
cristina says
I LUV Ranch dressing too…although over the years I’ve managed to taper off on how much we use it and how often I use it for dipping (although, recently that has changed!) My mother-in-law used to make a homemade version from the Hidden Valley packets and I always thought it tasted even better than the store bought. I’m going to make yours for her this weekend along with your homemade mayo while she’s visiting from TX…thanks for sharing, Diane! 🙂
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
I’ve never made my own mayo, so I need to start there. I bet that takes this dressing over the top! 🙂
Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says
Ranch is definitely one of my favorites and this looks incredible. I have powdered buttermilk in my fridge and I’ve been wondering how to use it – I am definitely going to make this!
Loriann says
This looks delicious! I have the same emersion blender too! lol
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
Ranch has always been my favorite dressing!! I’ve got to find some dry buttermilk!!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
Sounds delicious!! I like to add a little dab of honey to my ranch plus some chopped green onion. And sometime’s some cayenne pepper 😉
Judy says
Buttermilk powder is right up there with sliced bread in greatest things ever!! I’ve used it for years, the vinegar/lemon juice in milk just is not the same.