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Homemade Herb Ranch Dressing Recipe for Fresh Flavor

Ranch dressing in a mason jar with a spoon.

The Best Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe

Homemade salad dressings made from simple, clean ingredients taste noticeably better. Skip the shelf-stable bottles next time and make this easy ranch dressing at home — it tastes very similar to Hidden Valley Ranch and works wonderfully as a salad topper, a veggie dip, or a versatile condiment for sandwiches, pizza, quesadillas, and more. This base recipe is also a great starting point for variations like dill pickle ranch or avocado-lime ranch.

Looking for More Homemade Dressings?

If you enjoy ranch, try a spicy twist like Jalapeño Ranch for a bold, creamy option.

Individual bowls of mayo, sour cream, dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried herbs, lemon juice, salt & pepper, red wine vinegar, and milk.

Key Ingredients + Substitutions

  • Mayo + sour cream – together they create a rich, creamy base. Substitute dairy-free sour cream if you need a non-dairy version.
  • Milk – use buttermilk, regular milk, or a dairy-free alternative like unsweetened almond milk; add more to thin the dressing to your preferred consistency.
  • Lemon juice – a small splash brightens the flavors; don’t skip the acidity.

How To Make Ranch Dressing

All of the ingredients in a food processor blended.
Add all ingredients to a small food processor and blend until smooth.
A spoon with ranch dressing on it hovering over a mason jar.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.

Best Ways To Serve Ranch Dressing

This creamy, herb-forward dressing is versatile and delicious in many ways:

  • Salads – drizzle over any salad; it pairs especially well with hearty chef or house salads.
  • Veggie Dip – a favorite for dipping raw vegetables.
  • Quesadillas – use as a dipping sauce for chicken-bacon or veggie quesadillas.
  • Pizza – dipping pizza crust or a slice in ranch is a simple, tasty treat.
A hand pouring a jar of ranch dressing over a chef salad.

Recipe FAQs and Tips

  • Is ranch dressing gluten-free? Yes. This homemade ranch recipe contains no gluten ingredients.
  • How should I store ranch dressing? Keep it in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, in the refrigerator for 5–7 days.

If you enjoy this dressing, please consider leaving a star rating and a short review — thank you!

A small jar of homemade ranch dressing with a spoon lifting some out.

Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe

Author: Erin Jensen
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dressing
Cuisine: American
Method: Counter Top
A flavorful, herb-packed ranch dressing you can make in minutes. Keep it handy for salads, dipping, and so many recipes.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayo
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley + 1 teaspoon
  • 1 tablespoon milk (buttermilk or unsweetened almond milk work too; add more to thin)
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried dill weed
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried chives
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Combine: Place all ingredients in a small blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
  • Adjust: Taste and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
  • Serve: Use right away or refrigerate. Flavor deepens after resting in the fridge for several hours or overnight.

Notes

  • Dairy-Free: Swap in dairy-free sour cream and unsweetened almond milk to make this dairy-free.
  • Storage: Store sealed in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Calories 69kcal

Nutrition

Calories: 69kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g
Did you make this recipe?Share a photo on Instagram and tag @thewoodenskillet.

​Other Homemade Dressings You Might Like

  • Poppy Seed Dressing
  • Honey Mustard Dressing
  • Creamy Balsamic Dressing
  • Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing
  • Greek Dressing