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This cool, creamy, and delicious Ranch Dressing recipe is prepared with creamy yogurt and a variety of seasonings.
And don’t forget to check out my homemade Italian salad dressing and avocado dressing for more tasty options!
Friends, it’s time to skip the store-bought variety and know exactly what you’re getting with this easy homemade Ranch dressing! With the help of yogurt, this Ranch dressing recipe is lighter and healthier but just as delicious. And if you love appetizer food that needs dipping, this recipe is a must-have. Any food under the sun wants to be dipped in Ranch, ya know? It’s a universal thing!
This dressing has been my go-to for about eight years. I hardly ever buy it from the store. Everyone who tries it falls in love and asks for the recipe. My kids grab this ranch salad dressing to enjoy it with… get this… fresh vegetables!! Like carrots, broccoli, and snap peas.
Why I Love This Ranch Dressing Recipe
Healthier Option: Made with yogurt, this dressing is lighter and more nutritious than the store-bought version.
Easy to Make: With just a handful of ingredients, you might already have everything you need to make it.
Versatile: Perfect for salads, dips, and pinwheel sandwiches, this dressing is incredibly versatile.
What You’ll Need
For this ranch dressing recipe, you’ll need a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
- Plain Yogurt: Adds creaminess and a tangy flavor. Substitute sour cream for a thicker texture, especially if you want to serve it as a dip.
- Lite Sour Cream: Contributes to the creamy texture while keeping it light. Full-fat sour cream or crème fraîche can be used for a richer taste.
- Buttermilk: Add less or more of the buttermilk to adjust the dressing to your desired consistency.
- Seasonings: For that signature ranch flavor, you’ll need garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill weed, dried chives, salt, and pepper.
- Lemon juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
How To Make Ranch Dressing
This homemade ranch dressing comes together quickly with yogurt, sour cream, and a variety of seasonings to create the perfect, creamy homemade ranch.
- Place the yogurt and sour cream in a mixing bowl. Add the seasonings to the mix and stir until thoroughly combined. Mix in the lemon juice.
- Transfer to airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
Recipe Tips
- Adjust Thickness: To thicken the dressing, add more sour cream. To thin it out, add more buttermilk or a teaspoon of olive oil or lemon juice until you reach the desired consistency.
- Flavor Adjustment: Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste. Add more garlic powder or dill if you like a stronger flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade ranch dressing adds a creamy, cool touch to a variety of dishes. Spread it on sandwiches or egg white wraps for an extra layer of flavor. Drizzle over your favorite green salad. Serve with fresh veggies, chicken tenders, or sweet potato wedges. Include it on a platter with various dips and sauces, like roasted garlic aioli, and finger foods for dipping.
You could also use the ranch to make these delicious Ranch chicken fajita bowls or my Ranch chicken and rice.
Proper Storage
Transfer the dressing to a jar with a lid or an airtight container and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve it. It will stay fresh for about 7 to 10 days.
More Homemade Salad Dressings
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Ranch Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried dill weed
- ½ teaspoon dried chives
- 1 to 3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Place yogurt, sour cream, and buttermilk in a mixing bowl. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, dill, chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper; whisk and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Taste it and adjust the seasonings to your liking. If you want a thinner consistency, add more buttermilk; add more sour cream for a thicker consistency.
- Transfer to a jar or an airtight container; cover and refrigerate.
- Use it within 7 to 10 days.
Notes
- I like to add more buttermilk when serving it as a dressing for salads, but I will add more sour cream or plain yogurt if serving it as a dip.
- Store the Ranch dressing covered and keep it in the fridge for up to 10 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
I thought whole milk yogurt was a substitute for sour cream? Will this work without sour cream?
Hi!
Actually, no. Most homemade ranch dressings are made with mayo and sour cream together, but I opted for yogurt because it provides a healthier base than mayo, and the sour cream adds just the right amount of extra tang to the dressing. If you prefer to use only yogurt, it will still be delicious, just slightly less tangy and thick.
Which yogurt did you use in this recipe?
I always (and for just about everything) use nonfat plain yogurt from Dannon. 😀