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Home » Recipes » Dip, Sauce, & Custard Recipes

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe

Published: Jan 23, 2020 · Modified: Nov 8, 2024 by Emma Fajcz · As an Amazon Influencer, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Are you a fan of ranch dressing?  Even if you're not, you'll definitely like this homemade buttermilk ranch dressing!  It's packed with dried spices, fresh garlic and lemon juice, and lots of creamy tang--plus none of the preservatives you'll find in store bought versions.  Let's dig in!

This buttermilk ranch is a wonderful addition to buffalo chicken dip, and would also taste great when served with sliced bell peppers or other fresh veggies.

person holding a spoonful of buttermilk ranch
Jump to:
  • About
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Buttermilk Ranch
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serve
  • Expert Tips
  • Other Appetizers to Enjoy
  • Recipe
  • Comments

About

You might be surprised to find out that ranch was invented by Steve Henson in the 1950s when he was working in a remote part of Alaska.  Steve and his wife Gayle opened a dude ranch called Hidden Valley Ranch in California in 1954, where tourists tried this condiment and loved it. 

Eventually, it was made commercially, and grew in popularity throughout the whole United States.

Ingredients

glass bowls of ingredients for buttermilk ranch

Wondering what ingredients you need to whip up a batch of this tangy buttermilk ranch? Fortunately, it doesn't take anything fancy! Let's chat about the key ingredients.

  • Buttermilk: Of course, this is the key ingredient in buttermilk ranch! I recommend using full-fat buttermilk, but you can also make your own buttermilk if you don't have any in the fridge.
  • Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream brings a creaminess and tang to the dressing that goes well with the buttermilk and mayo.
  • Mayo: I like to use a thick, good-quality mayo like Duke's, which has a brighter, more tangy flavor than other brands of mayonnaise.
  • Garlic: Adding fresh, minced garlic makes homemade ranch amazing! The garlic and spices make this dressing 100 times better than store-bought.
  • Lemon Juice: This adds a wonderfully bright citrus punch to the dressing. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the very best flavor!

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Buttermilk Ranch

Measure out the ingredients. You'll need mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, minced garlic, buttermilk, and spices. The spices are parsley, dill, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

whisking the ranch dressing in a bowl
  1. Put all the ingredients except the buttermilk into a bowl. (image 1)
  2. Whisk until smooth, then gradually add the buttermilk to thin out the dressing. (image 2)
serving the ranch with mini peppers
  1. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings as desired, then serve with veggies. (image 3)
  2. Enjoy it as a dip or salad dressing! (image 4)

Recipe FAQs

What is ranch dressing?

It is a combination of mayo, sour cream, and spices that's used as a dip for veggies or as a salad dressing. In fact, it's the most popular dressing in the United States! In my recipe, I add buttermilk, lemon juice, and freshly minced garlic for a real zesty kick and amazing flavor.

Will ranch dressing make you fat?

It is fine to be enjoyed in moderation. A serving size of 2 tablespoons (homemade) has 137 calories, 15.7g of fat, and 1g of carbs. That's definitely a little healthier than Hidden Valley Ranch, which has 140 calories, 14g of fat, and 2g of carbs. The homemade version has no unhealthy preservatives or chemicals in it like the packet or bottled version does.

Is buttermilk dressing the same as ranch?

Buttermilk dressing is slightly different in that it doesn't contain herbs.

What is the best ranch salad dressing?

The best kind is the one you make yourself! I think that our recipe tastes 10 times better than the store bought. It's got a nice kick from the fresh garlic and lemon juice, plus a thick, creamy texture and tangy flavor.

How do you make ranch seasoning?

Making your own seasoning packet is a quick and healthier than buying store bought! Simply mix together the dried spices in the recipe (parsley, dill, onion powder, salt, and pepper) and set aside to use later. Feel free to add dried chives, garlic powder, or dried minced onion if that strikes your fancy.

You can also add buttermilk powder to the spice mixture.  This means that you can mix the dried spices with mayo and milk instead of having to use real buttermilk.  For more details on making your own mix, check out Ali's recipe and tips.

How long does buttermilk ranch last?

It will last for about 1 week in the fridge.  Seal it tightly inside of a mason jar to retain freshness and keep out odors.

Can I freeze ranch dressing?

No, you shouldn't freeze it.  The mayo and sour cream will separate once they're thawed, giving the dressing an undesirable consistency.  It's best to make enough that you can eat within a week, and just store it tightly sealed in the fridge.

Serve

If you're looking for other appetizers to serve with this recipe, try our recipes for sloppy joe sliders, boiled peanuts, dill pickle dip, refrigerator dill pickles, and cowboy caviar.

a tray of veggies with a bowl of ranch dressing.

Expert Tips

  • Use fresh garlic and lemon juice for the best flavor.  It's the secret to great-tasting ranch!
  • Use the best quality mayo.  Our favorite is Duke's, but you can always make your own.
  • Don't have sour cream?  Substitute with an equal volume of Greek yogurt.
  • Run out of buttermilk?  Use the separated liquid from the sour cream carton, whole milk, or heavy cream instead.  You might want to add an extra dash of lemon juice for tang.
  • Adjust seasonings to taste.  This is an important step, as you might want the flavor to be more lemony or garlicky.
  • Add the buttermilk at the end.  This is just to thin it out and add extra tang.

Other Appetizers to Enjoy

  • hedgehog cheese ball on a white plate with a bowl of crackers.
    Woodland Hedgehog Cheese Ball
  • bowl of sardine salad with crackers
    Simple Sardine Salad
  • large white bowl filled with cowboy caviar
    Cowboy Caviar
  • white serving plate of fried green tomatoes with one on a piece of parchment paper.
    Fried Green Tomatoes

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Recipe

person holding a spoonful of buttermilk ranch

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe

This creamy buttermilk ranch dressing tastes way better than the packet mix version!  This recipe is super quick to make; just mix together mayo, sour cream, lemon, garlic, spices, and buttermilk.  You won’t want to go back to store bought dressing again!
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Salad Dressing
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 129kcal
Author: Brooke & Emma

Ingredients
 

  • ¾ cup Duke's mayo
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • ½ teaspoon dried dill
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
  • 2 tablespoons buttermilk
Keep your screen on while you work!

Instructions

  • Measure the mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic, and spices into a medium bowl and whisk until smooth.
  • Taste and adjust the amount of lemon, garlic, and seasonings to your personal taste.
  • Thin the dressing with the buttermilk until it is your preferred consistency.
  • Eat immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Notes

  • Fresh garlic and lemon juice is the secret to a great-tasting ranch.
  • Substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
  • Adjust seasonings to taste.
  • Add the buttermilk at the end.  This is just to thin out the dressing and add extra tang.
  • No buttermilk?  Use the separated liquid in the sour cream carton, whole milk, or heavy cream instead, along with an extra dash of lemon juice.

Nutrition

Serving: 2TablespoonsCalories: 129kcal (6%)Carbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1g (2%)Fat: 14g (22%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mg (4%)Sodium: 163mg (7%)Potassium: 36mg (1%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 83IU (2%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 18mg (2%)Iron: 1mg (6%)

Serving sizes and nutritional information are only an estimate and may vary from your results.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth

    January 23, 2020 at 8:03 pm

    5 stars
    This tangy dip is lemony and full of spices. The garlic in it is delightfully pungent.

    Reply
    • Emma

      January 23, 2020 at 8:04 pm

      I love the combination of lemon and garlic too! Thanks for commenting, Beth,

      Reply
  2. Alex

    January 23, 2020 at 8:02 pm

    5 stars
    The garlic in the ranch is delicious! The dressing tastes good on lettuce or with veggies. This dip tastes so good, it's beyond description. 😋

    Reply
    • Emma

      January 23, 2020 at 8:04 pm

      I’m glad you enjoyed it that much, Alex!

      Reply

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