Ranch Dressing

Homemade ranch dressing of mayonnaise and buttermilk with fresh chives, parsley, onion and garlic, paprika, salt and pepper. Makes about 2 cups.

Naturally gluten-freeVegetarianMake-ahead

Contains: milk, egg. Based on the ingredients as written; check package labels, which can change.

From the recipe book of Sandra Mills, a Le Cordon Bleu-trained cook in our family.

Jar of herb-flecked ranch dressing beside fresh vegetables
  • Prep 10 min
  • Total 10 min
  • Yield About 2 cups

Updated

Jump to: Ingredients | Instructions | Tips | Questions | Print recipe

Homemade ranch tastes fresher and brighter than bottled, and this one from Sandra Mills's recipe book takes about five minutes. Equal parts mayonnaise and buttermilk make a dressing that is creamy but pourable.

Fresh chives and parsley give it the classic herb flavor, with onion powder, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper. Use it on salads, as a dip for vegetables and wings, or drizzled over grilled chicken.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
  • 2 teaspoons minced parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

New to an ingredient? See Buttermilk in our kitchen glossary.

Instructions

  1. Mix. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise and buttermilk until smooth.
  2. Season. Stir in the chives, parsley, onion powder, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper.
  3. Refrigerate. Cover and refrigerate. The flavor is best after it has chilled for a while.

Gluten-freeVegetarian

Tips

  • For a thicker dip, use less buttermilk.
  • Fresh garlic gives a sharper flavor than garlic powder.
  • Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a little fresh dill for variety.

Questions about this recipe

How long does homemade ranch dressing last?
Covered in the refrigerator, homemade ranch keeps for about a week.
Can I make ranch without buttermilk?
You can stir 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar into 1 cup of milk and let it stand 5 minutes as a substitute.
Is ranch dressing good as a dip?
Yes. For a thicker dip, cut the buttermilk to about 1/2 cup.

More salad dressing recipes

All salad dressing recipes | All recipes | Cooking guide and safe temperatures