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    Home » Condiments & Sauces

    Homemade Ranch Dressing

    Published: Mar 4, 2018 / Updated: Jan 11, 2021 / 96 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This homemade ranch dressing recipe is fast, easy to make, healthy, and tastes so much better than the store-bought variety. This recipe is made without buttermilk, so you don't have to worry about what to do with the rest!

    glass jar with homemade ranch dressing and a spoon with dressing on it

    This post was originally published on December 14, 2015. I have updated the post with new photos, more clearly written directions, and more tips/suggestions. 

    I was never a big ranch dressing person. As far as creamy dressings go, Caesar is my #1. Ranch could never compete. This ranch recipe does. It's the best ranch dressing I've ever had.

    How to make homemade ranch dressing

    Making ranch dressing is easy. Most homemade ranch recipes contain sour cream and mayo as a base. I also added:

    • Fresh parsley
    • Fresh chives
    • Dried dill
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • Lemon juice
    • Garlic
    • Fresh cracked pepper

    Add everything to a jar, give it a shake, and you've got a fast and tasty ranch dressing that's so much better than the bottled variety.

    Let it sit in the fridge for a while and you'll have a great ranch dip.

    Want to swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt? No problem, that will work too and save you some calories in this no buttermilk ranch dressing.

    Do you need buttermilk to make ranch dressing?

    No. Some homemade ranch dressings do contain buttermilk, but I decided against using the buttermilk since I had no plans on what to do with the rest, and throwing it out would be a waste.

    I wanted to see if I could come up with a ranch dressing without buttermilk that didn't seem like it was missing something, and I definitely like the results!

    mason jar of easy homemade ranch dressing with a bowl of lemons in the background

    I decided to use both fresh lemon juice and sour cream to get that tangy taste that ranch dressing needs. I used lemon juice because it adds freshness to the dressing and isn't quite as harsh as vinegar.

    Worcestershire sauce also adds a bit of saltiness and that extra je ne sais quoi that I was looking for (probably due to the anchovies in it). Chefs put anchovies into all sorts of dishes to kick up the taste, and clearly, traces of anchovies work well in ranch dressing.

    It took me a while to land on the herb combination I wanted. I prefer fresh parsley to the dried kind any day. Dried chives work fine for this dressing, but I also prefer using fresh.

    Garlic is a must since this is my recipe after all. 😛 I used one large clove. I used dried dill as it's easier to handle than fresh, and I also didn't want the dill taste to be overpowering, and I find dried dill is quite mellow. A bit of salt and a generous amount of pepper add the finishing touches to this creamy ranch dressing.

    You may also like my chipotle lime ranch dressing if you love homemade dressings and want something with a little kick!

    healthy ranch dressing inside a mason jar with lid with a bowl of lemons behind

    Have you ever made ranch salad dressing from scratch? You should definitely give it a try!

    Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions/comments about this easy ranch dressing recipe.

    This homemade ranch dressing recipe is fast, easy to make, healthy, and tastes so much better than the store-bought variety. This recipe is made without buttermilk, so you don't have to worry about what to do with the rest!

    Homemade Ranch Dressing

    An amazing easy homemade ranch salad dressing without buttermilk.
    4.61 from 28 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 7 mins
    Total Time 7 mins
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16
    Calories 110 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup mayo
    • 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
    • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped finely
    • 1-2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
    • 1 tablespoon fresh chives chopped (or 1/2 tablespoon dried chives)
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Prep ingredients. 
    • Add all ingredients to a jar and shake vigorously. Alternatively, whisk them together in a small bowl. 
    • Dressing can be used immediately or you can refrigerate it for a few hours for it to have a thicker consistency. Enjoy on salads, as a dip, or as a spread on wraps/sandwiches. Keep refrigerated and use within a few days to be safe.

    Notes

    • This makes enough dressing for a few large salads (it makes about 1.5 cups).
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 110kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 99mgPotassium: 16mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 83IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword easy ranch dressing, homemade ranch dressing
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Cajun Sausage Pasta
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    1. Yesenia says

      August 7, 2022 at 9:59 AM

      5 stars
      BEST ranch dressing EVER! I’ve had so many compliments about this dressing from kids and adults. Since I found this I no long buy it from a jar. Its incredible! Thank you for sharing!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 7, 2022 at 10:26 AM

        Aww that's so nice to hear, Yesenia! Thank you so much! Glad it's a new favorite.

        Reply
    2. Lindsay says

      June 7, 2022 at 2:32 PM

      5 stars
      I didn’t particularly like the the Worcestershire added and think it’s perfect without. Great recipe! I was always hesitant to make ranch without the buttermilk but It really isn’t necessary:)

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 7, 2022 at 2:34 PM

        Glad you enjoyed it, Lindsay! Yup, definitely easy to tweak to your personal preferences. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Peggy says

      April 22, 2022 at 4:15 PM

      5 stars
      Very good. I added some 1/2 n 1/2 just so it could be used on salad.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 22, 2022 at 5:19 PM

        Excellent!

        Reply
    4. Ev says

      August 11, 2021 at 8:30 PM

      5 stars
      This ranch dressing is excellent. Such a fresh taste and goes really well with chicken wings.

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        August 11, 2021 at 10:13 PM

        So glad you enjoyed the dressing!

        Reply
    5. Peggy Hostetler says

      July 28, 2021 at 2:37 PM

      Fabulous

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 28, 2021 at 2:40 PM

        🙂

        Reply
    6. Rhonda Provus says

      July 28, 2021 at 2:21 PM

      Can you swap the ingredient sizes of the mayo/Greek yogurt to make a healthy version?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 28, 2021 at 2:26 PM

        I think you could try that for sure. The texture may not be as smooth, and it will taste a bit more tangy, so I'd taste it before adding the lemon juice (you may need to do a little ingredient tweaking here and there).

        Reply
    7. Deb says

      April 18, 2021 at 10:30 AM

      5 stars
      We love this recipe! I have made it twice now and we use it as a dip for fries or veggies.
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 18, 2021 at 10:37 AM

        Fantastic!! I'm thrilled to hear that! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Matt says

      April 2, 2021 at 12:07 AM

      5 stars
      My wife is a picky eater, especially with ranch. She is not a fan of the store bought ranch. We had all the ingredients except chives and lemon juice, but somehow we had lime juice. We tried with pizza. I loved it, but my wife tried it and said, "you have to fix this again next time!" It is not too overpowering, and it is now a staple in our house. We will never buy store ranch again. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 2, 2021 at 8:42 AM

        I'm so happy that she likes it!! 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to review my recipe, Matt.

        Reply
    9. Sharon Kinsman says

      February 6, 2021 at 3:53 PM

      I got so tired of Buttermilk wasting in my fridge. Then I poured 1/4 c into each spot on a cupcake tin, froze it, removed them and put them all into a ziplock bag. Now I have buttermilk whenever I need it.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 6, 2021 at 4:03 PM

        Clever!

        Reply
    10. Honey says

      February 2, 2021 at 11:22 AM

      5 stars
      SO tasty 😋

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 2, 2021 at 12:20 PM

        Thank you! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Kaitlin says

      January 19, 2021 at 4:25 PM

      5 stars
      I just made this for a Cobb salad and it was amazing !! Hubby loved it as well. Win ,win for everyone.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 19, 2021 at 6:01 PM

        Fabulous!! Glad you both liked it. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Tiffany says

      January 12, 2021 at 9:42 PM

      5 stars
      The very best I have found!! Thank you 🙂

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 13, 2021 at 10:39 AM

        Aww thank you!

        Reply
    13. Christine says

      January 3, 2021 at 2:52 PM

      5 stars
      I almost can’t believe how delicious this is! I was a little worried because it’s winter here now and I didn’t have any of the ingredients fresh. However, it did not disappoint - will definitely be making again. Thank you for a tasty, quick and easy dressing!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 3, 2021 at 3:00 PM

        Fantastic!! I know... winter is sometimes so difficult for getting fresh herbs... I feel ya. So happy it worked out.

        Reply
    14. Sue says

      December 30, 2020 at 4:36 PM

      5 stars
      I made this recipe but swapped the ingredients to dairy free. It turned out very good. I can’t believe how easy was to make this. Thank you for sharing

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 31, 2020 at 10:30 AM

        So glad it worked out for you, Sue! 🙂

        Reply
    15. Amanda says

      December 28, 2020 at 7:29 PM

      5 stars
      So good and easy! I had everything on hand to make this and it didn’t disappoint. A gf was over and we used for wings dipping and she texted today saying she loved the ranch and wanted more lol. I sent her the recipe and made myself another batch 😊. Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 28, 2020 at 7:46 PM

        Wonderful!! So happy it was a hit.

        Reply
    16. Liz says

      December 27, 2020 at 3:44 PM

      1 star
      Yikes 😳 I followed the recipe exactly but the Worcestershire was over powering.

      Reply
    17. Juju says

      December 8, 2020 at 4:54 PM

      4 stars
      This is bomb! It tasted a lil mayo-y at first but after I added a touch more lemon juice it was perfect! Thank you because I hate buttermilk lol

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 8, 2020 at 9:21 PM

        I'm glad you enjoyed it haha. 🙂

        Reply
    18. Laura says

      November 9, 2020 at 10:16 AM

      1 star
      This was not good at all tasted like a bowl of mayonnaise. I kept adding more sour cream but nothing really helped. I can’t find a good ranch recipe bummer!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 9, 2020 at 10:27 AM

        I'm sorry to hear that, but I honestly don't see how that's even possible. This recipe is highly rated by many who have made it... it definitely didn't taste like a bowl of mayo to me. Are you sure that you didn't accidentally miss some ingredients?

        Reply
    19. Dawn P says

      August 8, 2020 at 5:57 PM

      5 stars
      This is the BEST ranch dressing!!!!! Look no further YUMMY!!!! Thank you for the wonderful recipe!!!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 9, 2020 at 6:28 PM

        I'm so happy you enjoyed it! 😀

        Reply
    20. Lindaleewhy says

      August 6, 2020 at 9:38 PM

      5 stars
      I love this so much!! It was so easy to make and super delicious. Super light and creamy. Please don't ever stop making these amazing recipes!! My husband mixed some sriracha and ate this with his burrito as a late night snack and the jar is now empty (I made this earlier today!)

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 7, 2020 at 8:42 AM

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Linda! Haha I love that late night snack. I will definitely keep the recipes coming. 😉

        Reply
    21. jenny says

      July 18, 2020 at 2:44 PM

      I've tried several homemade ranch recipes and didn't care for any of them. Until now! This dressing is AMAZING!!! I used to work at a bar that made anchovy based ranch and I've been wanting to recreate it for years. I added all of the ingredients (dried herbs as that's all I had on hand), a splash of milk and 3 anchovy fillets to my nutri-bullet and OMG, so good! Will definitely be making this regularly and adding in a 4th or 5th anchovy as well! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 18, 2020 at 3:14 PM

        I am so happy that you liked it!! That's awesome. I'm a big anchovy fan as well... I need to try that!

        Reply
    22. Lori says

      July 9, 2020 at 10:23 PM

      5 stars
      This is an amazing dressing! So light yet creamy and very fresh with all the herbs. Like you, I always prefer Caesar but this is definitely a nice change. Will be archiving this to make again and again. Thanks Natasha!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 10, 2020 at 8:40 AM

        I'm so glad you liked it!! You're very welcome!

        Reply
    23. Kimberley Moore says

      January 5, 2020 at 2:21 PM

      5 stars
      My family will only eat Hidden Valley Ranch - until now! Made this and my family loved it. Asked if we can make this from now on because it's better than HVR. That's a huge compliment!!!!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 5, 2020 at 2:42 PM

        Wow, that is a huge compliment!! So happy everyone loves it! ♥️♥️♥️

        Reply
    24. Lynn says

      November 21, 2019 at 4:06 PM

      5 stars
      I followed the recipe exactly. I only had dried herbs, so I guesstimated the proportions. I did add a couple of teaspoons of milk because I wanted to put it in a bottle on the table. It was fantastic. No need too look further for a ranch dressing recipe. This will be my go-to from now on.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 22, 2019 at 10:46 AM

        Wonderful! 🙂 So glad it worked out, Lynn!

        Reply
      • Patricia says

        June 16, 2020 at 7:21 PM

        5 stars
        Absolutely delicious! It’s now my go to recipe for ranch dressing. My husband loved it too!! Thanks

        Reply
        • Natasha says

          June 16, 2020 at 8:08 PM

          Yay!! So happy to hear that! 🙂

          Reply
    25. Liliana Martinez says

      October 9, 2019 at 12:39 PM

      5 stars
      How long can I keep this in my fridge?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 9, 2019 at 3:48 PM

        Hi! I would keep it a week or so max.

        Reply
    26. Heather says

      August 19, 2019 at 8:57 AM

      How much parsley if using dried?
      Also...have made dressing using powdered buttermilk and it was great. Looking forward to trying this recipe too.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 19, 2019 at 3:25 PM

        Hi! I’d use a teaspoon or so. Hope you like the recipe. The buttermilk powder is a good idea.

        Reply
    27. Jenna Quinn says

      June 2, 2019 at 8:26 PM

      5 stars
      Wow!!! We have made homemade ranch but this is by far the most outstanding ranch dressing ever. Easy and so delicious.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 4, 2019 at 11:46 AM

        I am so happy to hear that, Jenna! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂

        Reply
    28. Mackenzie Fodness says

      March 31, 2019 at 5:15 PM

      Sub for chives ? I don’t have fresh or dried 🤷‍♀️

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 31, 2019 at 5:25 PM

        Hmm... maybe a little finely chopped onion?

        Reply
    29. Marjan says

      March 10, 2019 at 11:45 AM

      4 stars
      How about the butter milk flavor in it?! I think that's the caracteritic of the Ranch dressing verses Ceaser dressing! And also what brand of mayo do you suggest dear Natasha? Tnx

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 10, 2019 at 12:11 PM

        Hi! Well, it tastes like ranch to me and everyone I've made it for haha. The sour cream gives it a nice tanginess. It doesn't taste like Caesar (and I make a lot of homemade Caesar dressing). I use Hellman's mayo. 🙂

        Reply
    30. Pete says

      February 21, 2019 at 5:49 AM

      Hey if you wanted to use Buttermilk you could use the rest of the butter milk, add Parmesan cheese and chicken breast to the processor and make very nice nuggets to go with the ranch.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 21, 2019 at 9:09 AM

        Yes!

        Reply
    31. Mrs S says

      February 14, 2019 at 12:11 AM

      What mayo do you use? I ask because I have never tempted to make dressing from scratch. I have 3 different mayos in my fridge. I do believe it does make a difference to what you are eating it with. Ive started doing more from scrstch since my back surgery and Im really loving it! Ive stumbled upon your recipes and Ive already got several I will attempt this weekend.
      Thanks again,
      Mrs S

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 14, 2019 at 9:46 AM

        Hi Mrs. S! I use Hellman’s! ❤️ So glad you like the look of the recipes.

        Reply
    32. Og says

      February 11, 2019 at 5:34 PM

      5 stars
      Anything instead of dill???

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 11, 2019 at 7:32 PM

        You could leave it out. Or sub with your fav herb. 😊

        Reply
    33. Vera says

      October 6, 2018 at 1:03 PM

      4 stars
      I prefer to make my own Ranch Dressing because many bottled versions contain MSG. This is good, but I did add buttermilk because I love the flavor it adds to ranch dressing - (I cut down the amount of mayo to compensate).

      FYI: You can freeze buttermilk if you have leftovers that you don't know what to do with. Use buttermilk to make pancakes, marinade for fried chicken, cornbread and a whole lot more.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 7, 2018 at 6:58 PM

        Thanks for the tip, Vera! 🙂

        Reply
    34. sheena mackenzie says

      June 15, 2018 at 4:55 AM

      Being British I have never had Ranch Dressing. Made this today, and will definitely make again what a fantastic taste!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 15, 2018 at 8:38 PM

        Oh that's so great to hear! Pleased you enjoyed it. 🙂

        Reply
    35. Leslie Gonzales says

      May 5, 2018 at 2:18 AM

      Hi. How long is the shelf life of our ranch dressing? Thanks

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 5, 2018 at 9:39 AM

        Hi! I wouldn’t keep it any longer than a week. I usually err on the side of caution and use it up before then. Hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    36. Michele @ Bacon Fatte says

      March 21, 2018 at 11:34 AM

      5 stars
      I'll definitely be keeping this dressing on-hand for my salads this summer... Sounds delish!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 21, 2018 at 11:49 AM

        Thank you!! I hope you enjoy it. ❤️

        Reply
    37. Lindsay Cotter says

      March 6, 2018 at 7:41 PM

      This homemade ranch dressing sounds perfect! So easy to make at home... no need for store-bought with all those extra add-ins!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 7, 2018 at 9:26 AM

        Exactly! Thanks, Lindsay! 🙂

        Reply
    38. Jennifer Farley says

      March 6, 2018 at 9:08 AM

      So easy! I am definitely going to make this to have on hand for lunchtime salads.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 6, 2018 at 9:29 AM

        Thanks, Jennifer! Hope you like it! 🙂

        Reply
    39. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      March 5, 2018 at 2:06 PM

      5 stars
      Ranch dressing is one of my favorites Natasha. Bet your homemade version is way better than store-bought. I'll be trying this for sure!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 5, 2018 at 7:15 PM

        Thank you!! I hope you like it! 🙂

        Reply
    40. Leigh Ann says

      March 5, 2018 at 12:43 PM

      Homemade ranch is the way to go! Can't wait to try out your recipe!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 5, 2018 at 12:59 PM

        Thanks so much! Let me know if you make it.

        Reply
    41. Matt Robinson says

      March 5, 2018 at 12:41 PM

      I'm all about homemade lately, this looks awesome!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 5, 2018 at 1:00 PM

        Thanks, Matt!!

        Reply
    42. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says

      March 5, 2018 at 11:23 AM

      Homemade ranch is the best!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 5, 2018 at 1:00 PM

        Agreed!

        Reply
    43. Chutney says

      November 20, 2017 at 5:04 PM

      I love this dressing! This is the second time I've made it and it gets better the longer it sits. This is my new go-to dressing recipe and it even doubles well as a vegetable dip. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 20, 2017 at 5:07 PM

        Excellent! So happy you like it. 🙂

        Reply
    44. Lorna says

      November 17, 2017 at 6:02 AM

      Thanks so much for this recipe! Made it today and love it. Do you have the nutrition values for it? Tia 😊

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 17, 2017 at 9:26 AM

        You’re welcome! So glad you liked it. Sorry, I don’t have nutrition values, but you could try plugging in the exact ingredients you used into one of those free online calculators to get a better idea (but I’m not sure how accurate some of the calculators are - one of the reasons why I don’t include this info in most of my recipes).

        Reply
    45. Anna Wright says

      January 20, 2017 at 10:20 PM

      Lovely salad dressing. It would be my all time favorite. Thanks!!!

      Reply
    46. Doreen Harrower says

      January 22, 2016 at 4:17 AM

      This looks lovely will defiantly be trying it . By chance do you have a recipe for dry ranch dressing to use as a rub . Thank you

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 22, 2016 at 6:42 AM

        Thanks Doreen! Sorry, I don't have a recipe for a dry ranch dressing at this time.

        Reply
    47. Tracy | Baking Mischief says

      December 14, 2015 at 8:36 PM

      Caesar used to be my favorite go to dressing too, and then I got a particularly fishy-tasting batch and now I swear I taste the anchovy paste in it every time I eat it!

      I will definitely try this ranch. I love that it only uses ingredients that I always keep on hand.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 14, 2015 at 9:16 PM

        Let me know if you like it! Aw that sucks re: the caesar... I hope you'll be able to enjoy it again!

        Reply
    48. Tania @ COOKTORIA says

      December 14, 2015 at 3:48 PM

      Ranch is one of my favorite salad dressings, so I will definitely try your recipe, Natasha! ❤

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 14, 2015 at 3:59 PM

        Thanks, hope you like it!!

        Reply

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