Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe | Easy Homemade Ranch

If you’ve been searching for the perfect buttermilk ranch dressing recipe, this is the one to keep on repeat. It’s creamy, tangy, packed with fresh herb flavor, and made with simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand. 

The cultured buttermilk and homemade ranch seasoning mix give it that classic ranch zip, while sour cream and mayonnaise create the rich, velvety texture everyone loves. Whether you drizzle it over salads, serve it with crispy chicken, or use it as a dip for fresh vegetables, this homemade ranch delivers big flavor with very little effort. 

Love the idea of making healthy versions of classic condiments from scratch? We do too! Check out our healthy mayonnaise recipe, easy homemade vinaigrette (that doesn’t separate),  easy BBQ sauce recipe (includes canning instructions), lacto-fermented ketchup, and this homemade mustard. 

Watch Me Make This Recipe 

What Makes This Recipe Unique?

There are probably more reasons to love this recipe than are listed below, but here are a few of the most important:

• Delicious - Have you ever wondered why the ranch dressing from restaurants tastes just a little bit better than what you can buy from the store? It's all about the quality ingredients you’ll find in this recipe.
• Versatile - This recipe is very forgiving and can be customized to what you have on hand. It goes far beyond serving with a typical garden-fresh salad, too. You can use this ranch as a dip for veggies, chicken, and pizza, a dressing for picnic salads, sandwiches, and wraps, or as a topping for baked potatoes.
• Longer Shelf-life - I don't love the preservatives used in store-bought ranch dressing, but when making it at home, the shelf life is usually pretty short (which I also don't like). That's where the cultured buttermilk comes in, as it extends the shelf life.
• Probiotic - Not only does the cultured buttermilk extend the shelf life, but all cultured dairy has beneficial bacteria in each bite! That's a ranch dressing this mom can get behind!
• Whole Food Ingredients - Just a glance at most store-bought ranch dressings will leave you feeling confused, especially when you can make it from scratch with just a few pantry staples. Knowing all the ingredients in this condiment makes me feel better that it's truly a healthy snack for my family.

Key Ingredients

For a full list of ingredients and measurements, check out the recipe card below.

• Buttermilk - Store-bought or homemade cultured buttermilk is great here. 
• Sour Cream - We love the creaminess sour cream gives the ranch dressing. Yogurt is another great option, but it will add a bit more tartness to the final dressing.
• Mayonnaise - We think this healthy mayonnaise recipe is the best! Especially because you can customize it with the type of mustard you use (we love stoneground, homemade mustard).
• Ranch Seasoning Mix - This homemade ranch seasoning mix saves time, but you can also follow the measurements for each individual seasoning listed in the recipe card.
• Lemon Juice - You'll want a little bit of bright acidity. You can use fresh lemon juice, bottled lemon juice, or the juice of preserved lemons. 

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• No Buttermilk - If you don't have buttermilk but still want the probiotic punch, you can use milk kefir (learn how to make milk kefir here). In a pinch, mix a tablespoon of lemon juice (or white vinegar) with 1 cup of milk and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to make a faux buttermilk. It won't have the live cultures, but the flavor and texture will resemble buttermilk.
• No Sour Cream - Use yogurt (we love this Instant Pot yogurt recipe) for a probiotic treat that packs a little extra protein. You can thin with milk to get the desired consistency.
• No Lemon Juice - If you don’t have lemon juice, vinegar, such as this apple scrap vinegar, works, too.
• No Mayonnaise - If you'd like to omit the mayonnaise, you can double the sour cream. Since this will make it tangier, reduce the lemon juice to one teaspoon.
• Basic Ranch - A basic ranch dressing is made with mayonnaise and sour cream, then thinned with lemon juice and a splash of milk. It's very similar to the classic buttermilk but lacks those probiotics.
• Dairy Free - If you need to avoid dairy, you can make ranch dressing with mayonnaise and any dairy-free yogurt or sour cream, lemon juice and a splash of dairy-free milk.

How to Make Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Step 1: Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Whisk until smooth and fully combined.

Step 3: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 4: For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes. Stir again before using.

Tips and Troubleshooting

• To make ranch dressing that has more of a dip consistency, combine all ingredients except the buttermilk. Then, add just enough buttermilk to thin to your desired consistency. The dip tends to thicken as it sits, so you may need to add more buttermilk before serving.
• Typical ranch dressing will only last about a week in the refrigerator. However, since this uses cultured buttermilk, it will likely last two weeks (or more) depending on storage.
• To lengthen the shelf life of your ranch dressing, don't dip food directly into the ranch. Always pour ranch onto your food, or use a clean utensil to spoon the ranch out.
• Chilling helps the seasonings bloom and blend together.

Storage Instructions

Store your homemade ranch in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. If made with cultured buttermilk, it may last a bit longer when kept cold and handled with clean utensils. Give it a stir before serving, as natural separation can happen. Do not freeze, as the texture may break once thawed.