Learn how to make homemade buttermilk ranch dressing that’s bright and fresh with just a few simple ingredients. I’ll also share our MUST-HAVE dairy products that transform this ranch dressing to one that’s better than store-bought or a restaurant! Serve on a salad or use as a dip with a veggie platter, chips or french fries.
Let’s tackle making a homemade kitchen staple made from dried herbs – made even better with the addition of fresh herbs like fresh dill and chives (when in season). This ranch (that’s WAY better than Hidden Valley Ranch) is a game changer for getting veggies gobbled up by little ones. It may just make you want to eat more veggies, too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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 dairy!
- Versatile – I’ll be sharing how to make a cultured buttermilk ranch dressing recipe, but there are so many variations that you can use, depending on what dairy products you have at home.
- Long 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 it also adds 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.
Must-Have Ingredients for This Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe
Ranch Seasoning Mix
Do yourself a favor and mix up a large batch of this DIY ranch seasoning mix to keep on your pantry shelf. It will last up to six months, and you’ll have quick and easy ranch dressing at your fingertips anytime you need it.
For the exact measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Dried Parsley Flakes – If you grow parsley, you can dehydrate herbs or freeze dry herbs. Alternatively, you can buy parsley flakes from Azure Standard.
- Dried Dill Weed – Dill is one of my favorite herbs to grow in the garden. Not only do we love it for making homemade pickles, but it’s a must-have herb for ranch dressing. Buy dried dill from Azure Standard here.
- Dried Chives – I love using dried chives along with fresh chives. They’re one of the first herbs to come back each spring, making them a great addition to ranch dressing. Buy dried chives from Azure Standard here.
- Onion Powder – We make our own homemade onion powder, but you can also buy onion powder from Azure Standard here.
- Granulated Garlic – Garlic is a must-have flavor for the classic garlicky ranch dressing. We love to make homemade garlic granules and homemade garlic and herb seasoning, but you can also buy granulated garlic from Azure Standard here.
- Sea Salt – You know how much we love our Redmond Real Salt! We use it for everything on the homestead (including our animals!). Use coupon code “HF15” to get 15% off at checkout!
I like quadrupling the dry ranch seasoning recipe and storing it in a large Mason jar. Don’t forget to date and label your jar so you always know what it is and if it’s still good!
Ranch Base Options
There are so many options when it comes to making homemade ranch dressing. The recipe below uses sour cream and cultured buttermilk. However, you can make homemade ranch dressing using any number of dairy (and non-dairy) combinations.
Here are some of our favorites:
- Classic Buttermilk – Made with equal parts mayonnaise (we like using our homemade lacto-fermented mayonnaise), sour cream, and buttermilk.
- High-Protein – Use homemade yogurt (or Greek yogurt for higher protein) for a probiotic treat that packs a little extra protein. You can thin with milk to get the desired consistency.
- 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.
As you can see, you can get pretty creative in making your homemade ranch dressing with whatever ingredients you already have on hand.
If you want to keep an endless supply of buttermilk, then follow the simple directions below for making homemade cultured buttermilk.
How to Make Cultured Buttermilk
You can buy cultured buttermilk from the grocery store, but if you’d like an endless supply, simply add 1/4 cup buttermilk to 1 quart of raw or regular milk and leave it on the counter to culture for about 24 hours. Add a lid and store it in the refrigerator.
To store extras, you can pour the buttermilk into ice cube trays and transfer them to a zip-top bag to store in the freezer for about six months. Furthermore, you can freeze dry buttermilk so it’s shelf-stable!
To make a faux buttermilk (without the live cultures), mix a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with 1 cup of milk and let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes.
How to Make Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Now that you’ve made your homemade ranch seasoning and procured some cultured buttermilk, we’re ready to make this buttermilk ranch dressing recipe.
Ingredients & Supplies Needed
Exact ingredient measurements and tips for the best ranch are listed in the recipe card below.
- Buttermilk – Store-bought or homemade cultured buttermilk is great here (see tip above on how to make 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.
- 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 homemade mayonnaise is best! Especially because you can customize it with the type of mustard used (we love stoneground).
- Ranch Seasoning Mix – You can find the ranch seasoning recipe on the recipe card below. Make a quadruple batch and store it in the pantry for up to six months.
- Lemon Juice – You’ll want a little bit of bright acidity. If you don’t have a lemon, apple cider vinegar works, too.
Step-by-Step Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning mix and lemon juice.
- Stir well until all ingredients are incorporated and the ranch seasonings are spread evenly throughout.
- Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Add fresh chives (optional) and stir to combine.
- For best results, cover the ranch dressing and refrigerate for an hour so flavors can meld together.
Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a star ⭐ rating and your comments in the recipe card below. Then snap a photo and tag us on social media @homesteadingfamily so we can see your homemade buttermilk ranch dressing recipe!
Tips for the Best Ranch Dressing
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
More Homemade Salad Dressings & Condiments
- Homemade Vinaigrette (that doesn’t separate!)
- Homemade Mayonnaise (lacto-fermented)
- Homemade Ketchup (lacto-fermented)
- Preserving Herbs in Salt
- Fermented Sriracha Recipe
- Homemade Garlic Salt
- DIY Onion Powder
- Easy Homemade Celery Salt
- DIY Non-Stick Cooking Spray
- Homemade Butter
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Whisk or Spoon
Ingredients
For the Dry Ranch Seasoning
- 1/3 cup dried parsley
- 2 Tablespoons dried dill weed
- 4 teaspoons dried chives
- 5 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 4 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
For the Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe
- 1/3 cup cultured buttermilk
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise mayonnaise recipe here
- 1 Tablespoon dry ranch seasoning be sure it's stirred well
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon fresh chives optional
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning mix and lemon juice.
- Stir well until all ingredients are incorporated and the ranch seasonings are spread evenly throughout.
- Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Add fresh chives (optional) and stir to combine.
- For best results, cover the ranch dressing and refrigerate for an hour so flavors can meld together.
Notes
Tips for the Best Ranch Dressing
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
