Best Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe (Easy & Creamy!)

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I’m going to be honest with you—I made homemade ranch dressing just to see if I could. Not only that, I wanted to see if I could make it taste better than store-bought ranch. And to my surprise? It does. Like, significantly better.

I don’t know why I would ever go back to buying the bottled stuff.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of Hidden Valley ranch. It’s a classic for a reason. But once you taste homemade ranch made with fresh ingredients, real buttermilk, and herbs you can actually see and taste, the bottled version just feels… flat. Homemade ranch is tangier, fresher, and more potent because you can actually taste all the herbs instead of just a vague “ranch flavor.”

Plus, I’m becoming more and more conscious of what I’m putting in my body, and salad dressings are no exception. When you flip over a bottle of ranch at the store, you’ll see preservatives, stabilizers, and a bunch of ingredients that make you go “what is that?” I’m not saying store-bought ranch is evil, but when you can make your own in about 5 minutes with ingredients you recognize, why wouldn’t you?

And here’s the best part: you can adjust it to your liking. I love smoked paprika on everything, so I add a little extra to mine. I also like my ranch a bit tangier, so I add more lemon juice. You can make it exactly how you want it.

My husband and son put ranch on everything—wings, pizza, sandwiches, and other random things I don’t even understand. We’re a chicken wings family, so ranch is a staple in our house. Me? I’m a salad person. Give me a good wedge salad or chef salad with homemade ranch, and I’m happy.

It took a little adjusting the first time I made it to get it right where I wanted it, but now I keep a jar in the fridge at all times. My family goes through it fast.

Why Make Your Own Ranch Dressing

• Tastes fresher – You can actually taste the herbs
• More control – Adjust the tanginess, creaminess, and seasoning to your liking
• Saves money – Way cheaper than buying bottles every week
• No weird ingredients – You know exactly what’s in it
• Better for you – Fresh ingredients your body can recognize and digest
• Lasts a week – Make a batch and use it all week long

Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix (Optional But Recommended)

Before we get to the dressing itself, let me tell you about the ranch seasoning mix. This is a dry blend of herbs and spices that you can make ahead and store in your pantry for months. Then whenever you want ranch dressing, you just mix a couple tablespoons of the seasoning with buttermilk, mayo, and sour cream.

It’s incredibly convenient and makes whipping up ranch dressing even faster.

Ranch Seasoning Mix Ingredients:

• ½ cup dried parsley flakes
• ¼ cup dried dill weed
• ¼ cup garlic powder
• ¼ cup onion powder
• 2 tablespoons dried chives
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon paprika (I use smoked paprika)
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)

How to Make It:

Just whisk everything together in a bowl or put it all in a mason jar and shake it up. Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6-12 months.

That’s it. Now you have ranch seasoning ready whenever you need it.

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe

Now let’s make the actual dressing. This is what you came here for.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix (from above, or use store-bought if you’re in a pinch)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup mayonnaise (I use Duke’s or Hellmann’s)
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (I add a little extra because I like it tangy)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Optional add-ins:

• Extra smoked paprika (because I put it on everything)
• Fresh herbs like dill or chives if you have them
• A pinch of cayenne if you like a little heat

How to Make It:

1. Mix everything together: In a medium bowl, whisk together the ranch seasoning mix, buttermilk, mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce until it’s smooth and well combined.

2. Taste and adjust: This is where you make it yours. Want it tangier? Add more lemon juice. Want it creamier? Add more mayo or sour cream. Want more herb flavor? Add an extra ½ tablespoon of seasoning mix.

3. Refrigerate: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This is important—the flavors need time to meld together. It tastes even better after sitting overnight.

4. Stir and serve: Give it a good stir before using. It’ll thicken up a bit in the fridge, which is normal.

Storage: Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Tips for Best Homemade Ranch

Let it rest: This Buttermilk Ranch dressing recipe absolutely needs at least 30 minutes in the fridge for the dried herbs to rehydrate and the flavors to come together. Don’t skip this step.

Adjust the consistency: Too thick? Add more buttermilk. Too thin? Add more mayo or sour cream. I like mine on the thicker side for dipping.

Use quality herbs: The better your dried herbs, the better your ranch. Fresh is even better if you have it—just add 1-2 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill or chives.

Make it your own: Add smoked paprika, extra garlic powder, a pinch of cayenne, or fresh herbs. This is your ranch—make it how you like it.

Ways to Use Buttermilk Ranch

In my house, ranch gets used on pretty much everything:

• Salads – Wedge salad, chef salad, garden salad, you name it
• Chicken wings – This is the main use in our house
• Pizza – My husband and son dip their pizza in ranch (I don’t get it, but they love it)
• Veggies – Carrots, celery, bell peppers, cucumbers
• Sandwiches and wraps – Instead of mayo
• Fries and tater tots – A classic
• Tacos – Drizzle it on top
• Grilled chicken – Use it as a marinade or topping

Honestly, if you can eat it, someone in my family has probably tried putting ranch on it.

Commonly Asked Questions

Similar Recipes

If you want some recipes that go well with this Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe, you will enjoy the recipes below:

• 9 Chicken Wing Recipes
• Honey Ginger Barbecue Chicken Wings
• Chargrilled Chicken Wings Recipe
• Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
• Garlic Boneless Buffalo Wings
• Secret to Perfect and Easy Crispy Buffalo Wings (No Breading!)

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