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Ranch dressing is by far the most popular dressing recipe here at Wholesome Yum, so it’s about time I show you how to make ranch seasoning. It’s perfect for those times where a dressing isn’t optimal and a dry ranch seasoning mix would work better. And also for those times when you want to be able to make ranch dressing in about a minute flat… because that’s how quickly it will come together if you have this homemade ranch seasoning recipe prepared in advance. You’re welcome. 😉
The dry ranch seasoning blend will convince you that you never need to buy the packets again! Not only does it taste so much better and avoid those questionable ingredients, but it’s so quick and easy. Try it once and I’ll bet you’ll be hooked.
I recently started experimenting with this ranch seasoning recipe when I wanted to make ranch chicken. In the end, I actually made that dish using plain ol’ ranch dressing, but the seasoning was definitely too good not to get its own place in the spotlight. So, here it is!
Ranch Seasoning Ingredients
So, what is in dry ranch seasoning? Many versions use buttermilk powder, but this homemade dry ranch seasoning mix replaces that with a mix of heavy cream powder and cream of tartar instead. This virtually eliminates any sugar content, while still giving you that creamy, tangy flavor.
Here’s the easy ranch seasoning blend – just 7 spices, plus salt and pepper:
- Heavy cream powder
- Dried parsley
- Dried dill
- Dried chives
- Cream of tartar
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
How To Make Ranch Seasoning
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, this DIY dry ranch seasoning comes together in one simple step – stir all of the ingredients together!
Store in small glass jars, so that it stays fresh.
How To Make Ranch Dressing With Ranch Seasoning Mix
This ranch seasoning blend can be used in many ways beyond just dressing, but of course you can make dressing with it! Here is the recipe for that:
- 2 tablespoons Homemade ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Sour cream
- 1/4 cup Heavy cream (or milk of choice)
That’s it! Easy, peasy. This makes about 1 3/4 cups dressing, or 14 servings of 2 tablespoons each.
Alternatively, if your only purpose for making homemade ranch seasoning is to turn it into dressing, you might want to head straight to my ranch dressing recipe instead.
Homemade Ranch Seasoning FAQs
How many carbs in ranch seasoning mix?
A teaspoon of common brands of ranch seasoning blend from the store has 2g net carbs.
While this doesn’t seem like much, the ingredients are not great. Maltodextrin (another name for sugar!) is a common first ingredient, and you’ll also find MSG, artificial flavor, and preservatives.
Why eat all those things, when you can make your own in just a couple of minutes? Each serving of this keto dry ranch seasoning has just 0.3 grams net carbs per teaspoon.
Why don’t you use buttermilk powder?
That’s a fair question, as most ranch seasoning mixes do use buttermilk powder. As mentioned above, it’s perfectly fine to use, but increases the (albeit natural) sugar in your DIY ranch seasoning recipe.
I found that swapping heavy cream powder and cream of tartar gets you the same flavor, with less carbs and sugar. But, if that’s not important to you, feel free to replace both of these with simply 1/2 cup buttermilk powder instead.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, you can! Instead of using heavy cream powder, use coconut cream powder. You’d be able to use the seasoning in recipes this way, but I have not tested making a dressing.
When should you use ranch dressing vs. ranch seasoning?
Often times, the answer is – it’s up to you! But in very general terms, ranch seasoning mix wins over ranch dressing in cases where you want a more concentrated ranch flavor and/or where you don’t want the extra liquid that a dressing would bring.
Dry Ranch Seasoning Storage Instructions
Can you make it ahead?
Yes, absolutely! Homemade ranch seasoning mix uses only shelf-stable ingredients, so you can make it ahead easily.
How to store homemade ranch seasoning blend
Store the seasoning in an airtight container for 1-2 years. Flavor will be best within a year, though.
How To Use DIY Ranch Seasoning Mix
Now that you know how to make ranch seasoning, you’ll want to use it in dips, dressings, and especially chicken recipes with ranch seasoning. Here are some recipes to get you started:
- Warm Ranch Dip – Just 10 minutes to prep this dip,
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole – This filling casserole can be made two different ways and just 7 common ingredients. It uses ranch dressing is the base, but if you’re a ranch lover, I highly recommend throwing in some extra ranch seasoning mix!
- Keto Ranch Dressing – Just 5 minutes to make this dip. Use it for veggies or keto chicken fingers!
- Vegan Ranch Dip – You can use this seasoning to make a dairy-free version if needed.
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken – This mouthwatering spread is EASY… perfect in sandwiches, wraps, or on its own.
- Juicy Baked Chicken – Want to make chicken with homemade ranch seasoning? Swap out the seasoning in this easy recipe for this DIY ranch seasoning mix instead.
Tools To Make Ranch Seasoning Powder
Tap the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.
- Small Airtight Jars – These are technically for baby food, but they are the perfect size for dry ranch seasoning… or pesto sauce.
- Heavy Cream Powder – A must for this dry ranch seasoning recipe.
- Spice Rack Organizer – I absolutely love these organizers for holding spices. You’ll never lose a spice to the back of the cabinet again.
Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe
Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe
Once you see how to make ranch seasoning mix, you'll put it on everything! This homemade ranch seasoning recipe takes just a few minutes and tastes better than the packets.
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Stir all ingredients together. Store in an airtight jar.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 tsp
Makes 3/4 cup.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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23 Comments
Jennifer Oliver
0Can I use Instant Nonfat Dry Milk instead of heavy cream powder?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Jennifer, Yes, that should work.
Carrie
0Dear Wholesome Yum, I used to love to make Mississippi Pot Roast and it called for a packet of ranch dressing, a packet of Au Ju, a stick of butter, and 8 pepperoncini peppers. Would it be reasonable for carbs to use this seasoning and how much equals one ranch packet? Also what could I use for Au Ju as beef broth doesn’t cut it….
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Carrie, I’m not exactly sure how much is in a packet, but this makes 36 1 tsp servings. I am not sure about the carbs in an Au Ju packet but feel free to use it.
Jean Ann Guyer
0How much of this will equal 1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Jean Ann, I’m not exactly sure how much is in a packet but this makes 36 1 tsp servings.
Nicole Headlee
0Can this ranch seasoning mix be used just like the store bought ranch packets in using it as a dip you mix with sour cream? If so, what would be the amount of ranch mix seasoning to sour cream?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Nicole, Yes you can!
Patricia Bopst
0Is there a recipe for heavy cream powder?
The rest sounds wonderful.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Patricia, Unfortunately I’m not aware of a way to make it yourself, but it’s available here.
Brenda Bean
0How do you make dressing with this? I used buttermilk powder.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Brenda, You can find those instructions right in the post.
Lynda Pedersen
0Wow this is delicious! I made it to use with your chicken ranch recipe which was excellent. I have also used as a dip for your zucchini fries as well as dressing for my salads. Will definitely be making this on a regular basis.
Mary Scott
0Hi Wholesome Yum, As I live in North Queensland Australia, I have a problem obtaining “Heavy Cream Powder” I was wondering could I use Whey Powder (or is this not the same)
I have a a great success with your recipes, I think your site is Great
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Mary, I am sorry, but using whey protein is not the same thing as heavy cream powder. You can use powdered milk if that is available to you, but it will change the nutrition.
Elaine
0Thank you! I’ve been looking for a good Ranch Mix for YEARS, even before I went keto almost 6 years ago. You’ve nailed it! And I had bought some heavy cream powder last December, not even sure what I would use it for, so I was all set to make it. I had already discovered and loved your Ranch Dressing recipe. But this is so much easier and better! Especially since I only make a quarter of the Ranch Dressing recipe at a time.
Julie Murphy
0What would you use if you can’t find dried cream?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Julie, Heavy Cream Powder is available here. You can also use buttermilk powder, but it will be higher in carbs.
Dannii
0You can’t beat homemade dressing and this looks amazing. So easy too.
Mary
0I had no idea this was so easy to make! Love to get rid of unnecessary sugar!
Anita
0Ranch is one of my favorite seasoning mix to buy, and now I can’t make it myself and I know what I’m putting in them. 🙂
Erica Schwarz
0Oh my gosh I LOVE this. I backpack, and dehydrate my own dinners to bring and seasoning on the trail can be challenging. Making a batch of this now since I already have all the ingredients. Going to try on roasted chickpeas too.
Beth
0This looks so delicious and perfect for making dips! I can’t wait to use this!