Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe

From salads to dips, this ranch dressing mix is as versatile as it is tasty.

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Remember Doritos Cool Ranch chips? That was my first introduction to the ranch flavor, and I’ve been hooked ever since. In college, I would drench the cafeteria’s disturbingly rubbery lettuce in ranch dressing. And when I’d go to Buffalo Wild Wings, I’d ask for a side of ranch dressing for my chicken. While my tastes have refined over the years, one thing has remained constant. Ranch dressing is awesome, which is why I’ve made this versatile ranch dressing mix.

This ranch dressing mix is the starting point for dressings, dips, and marinades. Whatever you use it for, its tangy, zesty flavor is a definite crowd-pleaser. I even put it on my burgers along with creamy cheese like Muenster. Of course, not everyone likes to mix their own dressing, and if that’s you, my peppercorn ranch dressing is also delish.

Is Ranch Dressing Mix Healthy?

I’d say that this dressing mix leans toward the healthier side. I mean, look at these ingredients. It’s a beautiful blend of herbs in spices. Both garlic and onion powder contain antioxidants, and dill weed is a natural anti-inflammatory. Even powdered buttermilk is a source of all sorts of essential nutrients like calcium, B vitamins, and more. While it’s not a vegan-friendly recipe, you could substitute the buttermilk with nutritional yeast, which has a cheese-like flavor.

making ranch vegan

My original recipe calls for buttermilk, but I must say—nutritional yeast is awesome. I’ve used it in dressing mixes before, and the flavor profile is remarkably close to buttermilk. It’s creamy and tangy while also offering its own set of health benefits. It’s rich in protein, B vitamins, and a variety of minerals. And with this recipe, in particular, the yeast complements the spices quite well. So if you’re vegan and want to try something new, nutritional yeast is a tasty and healthy alternative to buttermilk.

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons powdered buttermilk
2 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/4 teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine

Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl to create your ranch base.

Store or Use

Use the mix for your recipes or store it in the fridge in an airtight container.

Enjoy

Use your homemade mix to enhance your dishes.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

You can store this in an airtight container, but when it comes to dressing mixes, I’m a sucker for mason jars. Not for practical reasons necessarily—I just like how it looks! If stored in a cool, dry place, the ranch dressing mix will last you for about 6 months.

How do I turn this dressing mix into a Full-fledged dressing?

Depending on how flavorful you want it, combine 1 to 2 tablespoons of the dressing mix with 1 cup of mayo, plain yogurt, or buttermilk (or a plant-based alternative). Whisk until the mix is nice and smooth then let it sit for 15 minutes.

How do I turn this dressing mix into a dip?

I’d add 2 to 4 tablespoons of the mix with 1 to 1 ½ cups of sour cream or a plant-based substitute. If you like your dip on the thinner side, add a little bit of water, maybe a teaspoon at a time. Have it sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour, and then you’re ready to serve!

How do I turn this dressing into a Marinade for meat?

Combine 2 to 3 tablespoons of the dressing mix with ⅓ cup of oil (preferably extra virgin olive oil) and ¼ of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice—lime works as well. Whisk until everything blends, and pour it over your meat. Keep in mind you may need to adjust the measurements depending on how much meat you’re marinating.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile mix works well as marinade, dressing, or dip, so have fun with it. Try it as a dip with my air fryer chicken wings. It also makes a tasty dip for chicken fingers. Or swap the dressing in my beet salad for this ranch mix!