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Get It NowOf all the dressings out there, ranch is my absolute favorite. And ever since I posted this homemade ranch dressing recipe (on the 2nd anniversary of Wholesome Yum!), it has been crazy popular with readers, too. Many people have told me that it tastes like Hidden Valley Ranch. Others argue that it’s even better. After so many rave reviews, I can confidently say that this is the best ranch dressing… all with natural ingredients!
For my keto friends, you’ll be happy to know that this is a keto ranch dressing. (I even included it in my first keto cookbook.) But, it doesn’t use any specialty ingredients and “regular” would be exactly the same… it’s simply the best ranch dressing, no matter your eating lifestyle.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe
- Tangy, herby flavor
- Cool and creamy texture
- Easy to make in just 5 minutes
- Natural, common ingredients
- No sugar, corn, soy, fillers, or preservatives – much healthier than store-bought ranch!
- Tastes great on everything!

What Is In Ranch Dressing?
This section explains how to choose the best ranch dressing ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Mayonnaise – I often use homemade avocado oil mayo, but you could also use a store-bought variety.
- Sour Cream & Lemon Juice – Traditional ranch contains buttermilk (or buttermilk powder), but I don’t usually have these on hand, so this homemade ranch dressing recipe uses sour cream and lemon juice to create the same tang as store-bought buttermilk ranch dressing. You could also substitute the sour cream for plain Greek yogurt, and the lemon juice for white vinegar.
- Dried Herbs – To get that classic ranch flavor, you will need dried parsley (or fresh parsley), dried dill (or fresh dill), and dried chives (or fresh chives). If using fresh herbs, triple the amounts — just use the same measurements in tablespoons instead of teaspoons.
- Spices – Garlic powder (or 2 cloves of fresh garlic), sea salt, onion powder, and black pepper add just the right flavor. Use freshly ground black pepper if you can. You could also add paprika for a more complex flavor.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk – This helps to thin out the dressing. For a nut-free version, you can replace this with any kind of milk, such as coconut milk, hemp milk, regular dairy milk (if it fits your lifestyle), half and half, or heavy cream.
VARIATION: Want a dry ranch dressing mix?
It’s just as quick and easy to make a dry version with similar ingredients! See my homemade ranch seasoning recipe for instructions.

How To Make Ranch Dressing
This section shows how to make homemade ranch dressing, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Combine. Whisk the ranch dressing ingredients together in a medium bowl. Add almond milk last, gradually, until you reach desired consistency.

TIP: Adjust the amount of milk to get the thickness you like.
I like to make it a little thicker for a dip, or thinner for a dressing.
- Chill. This is optional, but enhances the taste if you have time. Once you’ve made the ranch dressing recipe, refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to let flavors develop.


Storage Instructions
Store homemade ranch dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. (Note that it may be thicker straight from the fridge — you can always thin it out with more milk as needed.)
I like to store this dressing in a salad dressing shaker or mason jar for easy mixing, but you could also use a glass salad dressing bottle or a plastic squeeze bottle.
Can You Freeze Ranch Dressing?
No, you can’t freeze ranch dressing recipes. The main ingredients, mayonnaise and sour cream, don’t freeze well.

Best Ways To Use Homemade Ranch Dressing
You’ll want to put this stuff everything! Whether you’re using it as a dip, condiment, or casserole enhancer, this homemade version of ranch will quickly become your go-to. Here are some ideas:
- Salad – Ranch is a staple for all kinds of salad recipes. It goes particularly well ona BLT salad, hearty chef salad, or probably the most popular option, cobb salad.
- Dip – This easy, creamy ranch dressing recipe also works well as a dip for veggies such as carrots, celery, broccoli, or cauliflower. Fresh ones are always good, but it’s also delicious with fried zucchini or zesty buffalo cauliflower. You can also mix it into an excellent crack dip, or dunk zucchini chips or kale chips in it.
- Wings – Serve this dish with air fryer chicken wings, crispy garlic parmesan wings, zesty lemon pepper wings, or baked buffalo chicken wings.
- Casseroles – Use it in chicken bacon ranch casserole, or try it in other casseroles like spaghetti squash casserole.
- Soups – This dressing is even delicious in soups. Mix it into taco soup or drizzle on top of buffalo chicken soup.
- Chicken – Use it in cheesy bacon ranch chicken, spicy buffalo chicken salad, or as a dip for bacon wrapped chicken tenders.
- Pizza – Drizzle it on chicken crust pizza, or make a BBQ chicken pizza using your favorite BBQ sauce and drizzle ranch on top.
More Easy Homemade Dressings
Tired of store-bought dressings with fake ingredients? If you like this easy ranch dressing recipe, you’ll love these, too:
Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe
Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe (The BEST)
Make the BEST homemade ranch dressing recipe in just 5 minutes, with common ingredients. Use it as a salad dressing or dip!
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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Whisk all ingredients together. Add the almond milk last, gradually, until you reach desired consistency (possibly less for a thick dip or more for a thinner dressing).
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Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors develop. Store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
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422 Comments
Amy
1I can’t wait to make this and have it available for my ranch needs. I love how simple it is.
rebecca alms
0This recipe is so good. You’ll never buy ranch again. I make it regularly. At least once a week. Everyone will ask for your amazing dressing. My kids are away in college and when I see them they ask for dressing to take home. I’m not exaggerating.
Pam
0I actually hate store-bought ranch dressing, so I wasn’t going to try this one. However, I did make it and not only do I LOVE it, but so does my whole family. It is fantastic for salad, wings, and veggies and dip. Thanks for the wonderful recipe.
Trishia Mackey
0Delicious recipe, my husband has allegeries and it often times is somewhat difficult to find him foods that he can eat. HE LOVES THIS RANCH DRESSING AND WILL NOT EAT ANY OTHER RANCH DRESSING!
shauna
0Thanks Maya for all your amazing recipes, I am dairy free unfortunately but am finding it super easy to sub non dairy ingredients into your recipes. Your directions are easy to follow and straight forward, thank you I will be back for more!
Charity
0This is similar to other ones I’ve tried. I always find 1 cup of mayonnaise makes it taste too mayo-ee. I changed the proportions to 1/2 cup mayo, 1 cup sour cream (less fat too) and then add a touch more lemon juice for those light tangy notes.
W
0I’m not big on salt so I only added 1/8 tsp salt to this recipe. I used fresh chives one time and added about 1+ tbsp – finely chopped. Another time I doubled the recipe and added 2 cloves of garlic – minced, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp herbs from provence.
I like to play with recipes and Maya’s is really good. I just thought I would share some options to add.
Melissa
0Just made this dressing…and its so delicious. It was so easy and I plan on using it in the crack dip recipe. I kept mine a little thicker.
Dawn
0Is the serving size tbls or what?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Dawn, The serving size is 2 tbsp.
Dorothy Sanchez
0Can I use Ranch Dressing mix instead of the liquid ranch dressing??
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Dorothy, I am not sure which recipe you are asking about.
rebecca alms
0No mix needed. Just dried herbs spices.
Rose
0This ranch dressing was creamy and delicious! I love it drizzled on salads and my kids use it as a dip for their veggies.
Rebecca
0I’m not sure why, but I’d never tried to make homemade ranch dressing before today. I had all the ingredients in my kitchen so I decided to give it a try. I was so surprised by how easy it is! The best part is I can make only as much as we need for that day so nothing goes to waste because we’ve forgotten about that bottle of ranch dressing that got shoved into the back of the refrigerator. 🙂 Thank you for a great recipe! No need to buy the bottled stuff ever again!
Shay L.
0My kids won’t touch store-bought ranch dressing but they LOVE this version! I put it in little condiment cups in their lunchboxes with carrots, cucumber, and pepper sticks.
Lindsey
0I never thought to use milk alternatives in ranch dressing. Before this recipe, I just put it in the “you can’t have that” column! So thank you for making my salads (and carrot sticks) taste exciting again! I’ll be keeping this on hand forever.
Elizabeth S
0IDK why I have never made homemade ranch before because this was so good! Dare I say better than store bought! I used plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream (I never have any hand). Will make again!
Veronica
0Overall, super yummy! Unfortunately, I did end up adding a lot more of each seasoning to counterbalance the mayonnaise taste, even after letting the flavors absorb. But will make again!
Georgy
0Terrific recipe, and superior to anything store bought. Took me all of 5 minutes to mix it together in a large mason jar (suggest 16 ounce or larger sized jar). I used fresh chives from the garden, because they were available, but the rest of the herbs were dried. So glad I found this great recipe. Thank you!
Monique
0OMGoodness!!! YES!!!!!!! Better than Hidden Valley packet ranch! You have nailed so many recipes down to the exact ratios to make them taste very Non-Keto! Bravo! 👏👏👏👍👍👍
J L
0What can I substitute almond milk with? I can only buy a quart way to much for my house.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi, Any other milk would work in this recipe.
Karen
0What would happen if you left out the sour cream?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Karen, I have never tried that but let me know your results if you do.
Joanne
0This is now mine and my sister’s ‘go to’ ranch dressing! So fresh and tasty! Whipped this up again today – ready for Super Bowl – Go Birds!
Bob
0Delicious thank you!! I added bell pepper infused olive oil and parmesea cheese and it was amazing!
Jessica
0My teen is very picky but actually preferred this over his usual ranch dressing! It taste great and I love knowing what is in it. I will continue to make this as it is a winner in my household!!
Robyn
0How do I make keto ranch dressing?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Robyn, You can find the instructions in the post.
Linda C
0I’m looking forward to trying this homemade ranch keto dressing!! Looks so yummy!!