Hey everyone, Jason Griffith here! There are some things you just don’t realize are better homemade until you try them. And for me, that’s ranch dressing. This Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing recipe is a complete game-changer. Forget the bottled stuff—this dressing is creamy, tangy, and bursting with fresh herb flavor that you just can’t replicate. It’s perfect for everything from a simple green salad to a dipping sauce for your favorite snacks. Once you make this, you’ll never go back.
Why I Love This Recipe
What I love most about this recipe is its perfect balance of tangy and creamy, with a fresh, zesty kick. The combination of buttermilk, mayonnaise, and sour cream creates a perfect base that’s both rich and light. But the real magic is in the fresh herbs—dill, chives, and parsley—which give it a vibrant, irresistible flavor. This recipe is also incredibly easy to make, requiring just a few simple steps and a whisk. It’s a fantastic way to elevate any meal and a great staple to have in your fridge for everything from dipping vegetables to dressing a salad.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice (optional)
Swaps and Notes
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk is a must here for that classic tangy flavor. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a simple substitute by adding 1/2 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1/2 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Mayonnaise/Sour Cream: The combination of mayonnaise and sour cream creates the perfect creamy texture. You can use all mayonnaise or all sour cream, but the blend is truly the best.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs are key! While you can use dried herbs, the flavor won’t be as vibrant.
- Seasoning: You can adjust the amount of garlic and onion powder to your liking. A little extra cayenne pepper would add a nice kick.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Chop the Herbs: Finely chop the fresh chives, parsley, and dill.
- Whisk the Base: In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth and well combined.
- Add the Herbs and Seasoning: Stir in the chopped fresh herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. If you’re using it, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Chill and Serve: Whisk everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed. For best results, cover the bowl and refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Adjust Consistency: If the dressing is too thick, you can thin it out with a tablespoon or two of milk. If it’s too thin, you can add a little more mayonnaise.
- Serve: Serve the dressing chilled.
Tips for Success
- Fresh Herbs are Key: Seriously, don’t skimp on the fresh herbs! They are what make this dressing so special.
- Let it Rest: Resting the dressing in the fridge for a little while allows all the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Taste and Adjust: Before serving, give the dressing a quick taste and adjust the salt, pepper, or tanginess to your liking.
- Make a Big Batch: This recipe scales up beautifully. Make a double batch and keep it in a jar in the fridge for a week’s worth of delicious dressing.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Homemade Buttermilk Ranch is perfect for so many things! Use it as a classic salad dressing, a dip for fresh vegetables, or a dipping sauce for chicken wings, pizza, or french fries. It’s also the perfect complement to some easy cheese-stuffed chicken wontons with ranch or a light, tangy chicken salad that’s craving for no mayo in sight.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 100 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The flavor will actually get better over time as the herbs infuse the dressing.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoy easy, fresh, and savory meals, you might also like these other recipes:
- This One-Pan Breakfast Bake will make you skip
- This Cajun Chicken Sausage Gumbo is my favorite bowl of Southern comfort
- This Blueberry Lemonade is my favorite refreshing drink for sunny days
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing is a perfect example of how a few minutes of effort can create a spectacular result. It’s a simple, delicious staple that will elevate so many of your favorite foods. Give it a try, and I guarantee you’ll be making it again and again.
What’s your favorite salad dressing? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below! Be sure to follow me for more recipes that are as simple as they are delicious.
Homemade Buttermilk Ranch: The Best Salad Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 4 cups sour cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 4 teaspoons onion powder
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 4 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/2 cup milk (to mix with vinegar or lemon juice)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk, mayonnaise, and sour cream.
- Add the fresh chives, parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, mix the white vinegar or lemon juice with 1/2 cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes to sour.
- Add the soured milk to the dressing mixture and stir until well combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
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