Creamy Ranch Dressing
It’s an undeniable fact that homemade recipes usually don’t taste exactly the same as a store-bought version of the same food. This is most clearly the case with processed foods, which are especially hard to re-create exactly in a home kitchen. This is a good thing – do you really want your kitchen pantry stocked with ingredients like soybean oil, phosphoric acid, monosodium glutamate (MSG), disodium phosphate and the most mysterious ingredient of all, “artificial flavors”? These ingredients are only half of what you would need to make Ranch dressing that tastes exactly like it was poured from a shelf-stable bottle.
Ranch dressing is a much-loved condiment, one that many people remember fondly after they stop eating processed foods. But honestly, is the odd way that bottled Ranch dressing coats your tongue and the weird, metallic aftertaste something you really, truly miss?
If the answer is no, but you still find yourself wishing you had a creamy side to dip your chicken wings in or a rich dressing to pour on your salad, then you’re gonna love this homemade version of Ranch. Made from entirely recognizable and pronounceable ingredients, this dressing is creamy, tangy and loaded with fresh herbs and dried spices (plus a secret ingredient) that make it a dressing worthy of any chicken wing you throw at it.
There’s no way around the dairy in homemade Ranch dressing, so if you don’t tolerate milk then another type of dressing will be more your style. But if you do, then the full-fat Greek-style yogurt and cultured buttermilk in this version of Ranch will give you a healthy dose of protein and probiotic cultures every time you spoon it over a bowl of greens. Adding mayonnaise is optional – if you have some on hand and want to add a tablespoon or two you can – but this recipe doesn’t necessarily need it and homemade mayo will change the flavor a bit.
The first time you make the recipe, follow the measurements precisely before altering it. Adding more onion powder or garlic or less dried dill will tip the balance of flavors in a way that strays further from traditional Ranch dressing than you might like. And that secret ingredient? It’s tamari (or soy sauce), which heightens the savory flavor of the dressing much like the questionable MSG does.
Drizzle it over salads, use it as a dip for veggies or meat…go ahead, welcome Ranch dressing back into you life. After trying this all-natural version, you’ll never miss bottled Ranch dressing again.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup full-fat Greek-style yogurt
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cultured buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 heaping teaspoon chopped fresh chives
- 1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon tamari
- 1/8 teaspoon granulated onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 of a small garlic clove, finely minced
- optional: 1-2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Instructions:
Simply whisk together all ingredients. The flavors tend to get bolder after a few hours or overnight, so make the dressing ahead of time if possible and refrigerate.
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Posted By: Worker Bee
I’m guessing it will last as long as either the yogurt or buttermilk will, whichever has the earlier expiration date. I was wondering the same thing.
Made this last night. Sons and hubby declared it one of the best things I’ve ever made. First batch completely devoured. Thank you!!
Awesome! That looks delicious, I definatly have to give this one a shot!
Thanks!
Can anyone tell me, please, what is cultured buttermilk and where can I get it? Thanks.
You can buy cultured buttermilk in any grocery store. It’s near all the other milk products. There’s nothing exotic about it.
Actually a good discussion of the difference between cultured buttermilk and old fashioned buttermilk can be found at
http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/cheese/buttermilk.htm#old_fashioned_buttermilk
I have been making homemade ranch dressing for some time now. I don’t measure, and it comes out almost the same every time. Sour cream, lemon juice, dill, and garlic powder are the most consistent ingredients I use, with salt and pepper to taste. I have never used soy and don’t miss it. I have added chipotle or balsamic vinegar for variations. Also, I love mayo – good, nonprimal like Helman’s. However, I limit it and do not always use it. Plain yogurt works well also. The point is this – experiment with ingredients you have and make just enough for one or two days. This way you don’t waste lots of stuff if it doesn’t come out as tasty as you would like. My husband, who is totally NOT primal, even loves my homemade ranch – that is saying something! He now eats salad up to three nights a week!
awesome!!!!
Has anyone come up with a substitute for the Good Seasons Italian? I like having the cruet, but when I try my own set of spices I’m off. Any ideas?
God I love ranch but it did scare me how much i craved hidden valley before eliminating most processed foods from my diet! Now I know it’s the msg and additives that I was craving. Soooooo yucky! Can’t wait til I can have dairy again. I will be making this every week!
for the person whose daughter uses red palm oil and bacon grease…I’d luv to have the complete recipe. Thanks
I’ve never been a big fan of dill style ranch dressing, but this is really good! I’ve made it with the Greek yogurt as the recipe calls for, and also with a natural sour cream. Both are good, but I have to say I prefer it made with sour cream. So happy to have a wonderful homemade ranch recipe!
This ranch sounds awesome! Also going to try the ginger dressing another reader posted….
I do have a question: has anyone attempted a Chipotle restaurant copycat salad dressing. Their dressing is soooo good, but I hear they mostly use soybean oil (not sure about the dressing)
Thanks!
I’d also like to find a primal copycat recipe for Chipotle restaurant’s salad dressing… Anyone have any ideas?
This creamy ranch dressing is MUCH better using sour cream instead of yogurt. It is less tart, and much smoother. Thanks for the recipe! I will always use it when I want buttermilk ranch dressing.
This is the best homemade ranch! I’ve tried a lot and this one tastes even better than the store bought stuff. Since I don’t keep buttermilk on hand, I sub the same amount of heavy cream and put the vinegar called for (or lemon juice) into it and let it set while I put the rest of the ingredients together. I add more salt (personal preference) and add a little more heavy cream or water if I need it to be thinner.
I also use sour cream instead of yogurt. When I tried yogurt in the past it was much too tart.