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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:
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!
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.
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers, or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂
428 Comments
Linda
0How long can you safely store your low carb keto ranch dressing?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Linda, Store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Pash
0Just made this and I can’t stop eating it, it’s that good! Will definitely be a staple in my fridge. Thank you so much.
Deb
0Great recipe which will now be my go to one. Thanks so much!
Patricia Surratt
0Awesome salad dressing or dip with no added junk! I make my own avocado mayo, and sub HWC and white wine vinegar for almond milk and lemon. So decadent, so healthy!
Melodie
0I’m not generally a fan of Ranch dressings or dips, but this recipe is excellent! I’d highly recommend it to anyone needing a Ranch dip, salad dressing, or for one of Maya’s great casserole recipes!
Ebony
0That wasn’t even five minutes and it’s DELICIOUS!!!
Brad & Sondra
0Love the ranch dressing !!!! I used greek yogurt instead of sour cream but it turned out great!
Shelley Moriarty
0Very good! I didn’t have lemon so I used 1 packet of True Lemon crystallized lemon. It was just enough.
Jacquii
0I’ve been really struggling recently with my illness and need to get back on track, so I have signed up for the whole app. Thanks for making every recipe so simple and easy to follow, unlike most. Thank you ❤️
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you so much for the kind words, Jacquii! Hope you enjoy the app!
Natasha
0I like this but I make it with 10% plain yogurt. Mostly because we always have that on hand, but no one besides me likes sour cream. Try it with fresh herbs too! Yum!
Cheri
0Hi Maya.
I just made this, and it turned out very very good. I misread the ingredients list and thought it said 1 1/2 tsp of garlic powder, and it still turned out fantastic. I made it with homemade mayo. I gave it the taste test with lettuce, and I can’t wait for dinner tonight so I can put it on my salad. Thank you for this recipe.
Sandra L.
06 / 6/ 22 Just made this last night & kept it in the refrigerator overnight to mix the flavors.. Today, my adult son & I both tried it on peppers. Both of us really like this. Usually, my son doesn’t care for Keto, but this turned out to be a game changer and a BIG winner! Like you, I didn’t like to get a carton of buttermilk just to make something, so I bought a container of the powdered buttermilk. Not a good idea either. It mixes up to be very thin and really does not even taste as well as the buttermilk in a carton. Big mistake on my part.Won’t be buying this off the shelf anymore for sure, not even the ones that are in packages; those are loaded with undesirable ingredients, one of which is soy. I detest soy and for those of you that have thyroid problems, know that soy does compromise the thyroid. Thank You so much for posting this! Wish I could rate this much higher.
Bernice
01st time making a dressing I’m doing Keto it’s hard to find a dressing that’s keto friendly and affordable. I have to say this is the best dressing I’ve ever tasted! I’m amazed at how simple it was to make. And it’s KETO!!!!! Thanks a bunch for this recipe!!
Keri DiStefano
0Absolutely delish
Nora
0This recipe is delicious my new go to won’t be purchasing this at the store anymore. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Kent Walker
0Just made this tonight. It is currently in the refrigerator setting getting all the good flavors going. But I did taste it right after I made it and it was wonderful. Tomorrow it will be even more brilliant. I found the recipe through highfalutin low-carb YouTube channel. He mentioned this recipe, and that’s how I found your site. I’ve signed up to join your Facebook site as well. Looking forward to exploring all the things that you’re sharing with the world. Thank you so much.
dennis patzer
0I needed a quick way to make a Keto salad dressing. This was perfect. Thank you
Richard Fellows
0First day on my new Keto diet. First made the mayo from your recipe – loved the immersion blender technique. Then made a half batch of the dressing. Yum! Thanks for the recipes.
Summer Fox
0This is the ranch recipe I have been looking for! I love a really tart herbaceous ranch and loathe buying buttermilk just to make ranch. I ALWAYS have sour cream and Mayo on hand. I used extra lemon instead of almond milk to thin. This will be my go-to ranch recipe.
Jay
0I cannot eat Mayo made from soybean oil. When I have tried mayos without soybean oil, the consistency is awful. Do you have a suggestion or substitute for mayonnaise?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Jay, I prefer avocado oil mayo.
Dee
0I love this recipe and I don’t substitute anything. It’s great for salads and dips.
Shea
0This recipe is AMAZING. You’ll never go back to store bought ranch. All of my friends ask for it and they’re not even doing keto. “Wanna come over for dinner? Got any of that keto ranch you can bring???”
Rebecca
0Absolutely love this recipe. It’s the only ranch dressing that I have eaten for the past year.
Lynda
0Made this last night. Absolutely a keeper. Could not have been easier.
Marcy Wagstaff
0Love this, finally don’t have to worry about chemicals and oils.
Tia
0The best dressing! It also makes a great veggie dip. I make this every week. Thank you!
Patricia
0Loved this recipe!
Susan Odiseos
0Trying to be dairy free, what can I use in place of the sour cream without affecting the taste too badly?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Susan, I would recommend trying a vegan sour cream if you are dairy free.
Cheri D
0Without a doubt, this is the best ranch dressing I’ve ever had. I dip celery in and get my fat that way, put it on salad and into some veggie recipes. I don’t use almond milk as I don’t care much for the taste, so I use my whipping cream. In your first cookbook you have a recipe for Salted Caramel Pecans. They are so exceptionally good that each time I take a bite I groan. Actually, I haven’t found one recipe of yours that hasn’t been absolutely wonderful, quick, and easy.
Katie Rodgers
0So good!! My whole family loved it 😊
Jan
0Made to use as veggie dip so more sour cream and less mayo. Approximately 2/3 cup of each. Skipped the almond milk. Very easy and best tasting dip ever !!!!
Gloria Guffey
0Can this be frozen I love this recipe?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Gloria, I do not recommend freezing this dressing. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Sharon
0Is the almond milk used solely for thinning? Can I just skip it if I don’t like it?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Sharon, If you don’t thin the recipe it will be more like dip and not dressing. You can’t taste the almond milk in there at all, but if you don’t want to use it, there are other options in the post above.
Marilyn Vangastel
0Absolutely the best ranch dressing I have ever tasted! I am on a no sugar/no white flour food program and salad dressing is my downfall. I will never buy salad dressing again and just love the spices and flavor. Very tasty and satisfying. I can”t thank you enough for this recipe!!!
Cheri D
0Try her others, too. Her 1000 Island, blue cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette are just a good.
SharrAnn
0How many days is this good for after it’s made? Love this dressing….
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi SharAnn, Store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Cheryl
0Excellent and so easy to make! Will never buy store bought ranch again.
Candace
0Great recipe. Nice to have all the ingredients on hand. I added less milk to use as a dip.
Catherine
0This is the absolute best ranch I’ve ever had. I don’t follow the keto diet, but I eat this ranch. It is incredible.
Barbara
0Wow! Best recipe for ranch dressing I’ve ever tried.
Iymaani
0Wow! Absolutely Delicious and easy!
Bob
0Made this a few times, usually just using Mayo in the fridge and adding seasonings & almond milk. Today? Fresh out of mayonnaise, so built from scratch.
1- really easy! NOTE- didn’t have avocado oil, tried olive. Not a fan (overpowers the other flavors). Switched to canola, tasted great.
2- today was using it as a dip. Just skipped the almond milk. Having made it with store mayo as the base, that’s too thick, needs a splash. This was just right.
Tamara
0Amazing! Love your recipes.
Cam
0Great recipe. Only thing I’d change is salt to taste. I’d was a little too salty for me.
Julie
0Fantastic recipe. Easy to make and so tasty – my family loved it more than Ranch!
Sharon A Dumas
0I don’t buy store bought ranch anymore. I love love love this recipe. I made it for my family and they loved it as well.
Christine V
0Great recipe. Super easy and fast. Also going to be a huge money saver as well as healthier for me. Thanks!
Linda
0I just made this tonight – – the first day of my keto diet. Other than using fresh dill and green onions instead of the chives I made it exactly like the recipe. It was awesome! It’s so much better than store-bought. I’ll never buy ranch in the bottle again! Something this delicious will make dieting a lot easier—THANK YOU!
Alexis Somerville
0This is the absolute best ranch dressing I have EVER had!!!!! I love it and thank you for the recipe!!!!!
Brenda
0All I can say is OMG! This recipe is awesome! I don’t think I will ever buy ranch dressing again.
Claudiad
0I didn’t have sour cream and it still tasted amazing! Thank you