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This easy jalapeño ranch recipe has bold Mexican-inspired flavors with everyday seasonings, lime, and cilantro! It’s so versatile and makes a fabulous dressing, dip, or sauce.
You may also like my Creamy Avocado Sauce or Green Goddess Dressing next.
Why you’ll love it
This jalapeno sauce/dip has all sorts of tasty uses. Dress up your favorite salad greens, dip vegetables in it, top some Fish Tacos with it, or even dunk your leftover pizza into it. Pair it with fries. Anything goes! It’s creamy, zesty, and fresh all at once with a nice kick.
I made sure to perfectly balance the creaminess, herb-y flavor, and spice in every drizzle of this jalapeno ranch dressing! There’s also no preservatives or ingredients you can’t pronounce, and the freshness is unmatched. It’s way better than from a jar or bottle.
What you’ll need
- Sour cream and mayo – the rich, smooth base to make that tangy ranch taste
- Lime juice – for a punch of citrusy freshness
- Jalapeño peppers – for a satisfying kick. They’re not too spicy as far as the hot pepper scale goes.
- Worcestershire sauce – my go-to way to infuse an extra dimension of flavor
- Cilantro – it’s a fresh staple in southern/Mexican-style cooking
- Seasoning – my trio has onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika for savory goodness (and salt & pepper)
Helpful tips
- While jalapeno peppers aren’t crazy hot, it’s a good idea to wear gloves when prepping them.
- Some peppers are spicier than others, so if you’re unsure about the heat level, start with one pepper, taste the dressing, and add more if needed.
How to make jalapeño ranch
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Toss everything into the food processor. Process until combined well. Give it a taste, and adjust to suit your tastes. You can serve it right away or chill it for a thicker consistency.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- Here’s my food processor. When handling jalapenos, wear disposable nitrile gloves.
- If you’re making it for a salad, use this tried-and-true salad spinner.
- Store it in one of these mason jars.
Substitutions and variations
- Try my similar Chipotle Lime Ranch Dressing if you prefer adobo peppers.
- You could use a can of mild green chilies instead if you want a more mellow version of this dressing.
- Use a couple of fresh garlic cloves for a punchier garlic flavor.
What to serve with jalapeno ranch
- Make a really big salad! Use green leaf lettuce or spring mix, your favorite veggies, etc. You could even toss in pepitas and tortilla strips for a crunch or add in some cotija cheese. It’ll be the tastiest salad alongside my Santa Fe Chicken Skillet or Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas.
- It’s great as a sauce on tacos and burritos. I also like it with leftover pizza or my super simple Pepperoni Naan Pizza! Delicious.
- Add it to your veggie/crudites platter for a dip.
Leftovers and storage
- Store leftovers of this sauce/dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days. Keep in mind that the cilantro may lose some of its vibrant color over time.
- Making your salad ahead of time? I’d wait to add the dressing and keep it separate for freshness.
More sauce and dip recipes
If you made this homemade jalapeno ranch, please leave a star rating and review below! Is mine the best version you’ve tried? You can also tag me on Instagram.
Jalapeno Ranch
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayo
- Juice from 1/2 lime
- 1-2 jalapeno peppers chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup (lightly packed) cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the bowl of a food processor. Process on high until smooth. Taste and adjust if needed.
- Serve immediately or chill for an hour (or longer) prior to serving. It'll be more of a thicker dip consistency the colder it is.
Notes
- If you’re worried about the spice level, add 1 pepper to start.
- The recipe makes about a cup of dressing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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