If you like ranch, you are going to LOVE this super simple Chipotle Ranch Dressing recipe! Perfect as a salad dressing, marinade, or dipping sauce!
History of Ranch
Where did the whole ranch phenomenon start? Ranch dressing was created by Steve Henson as his signature buttermilk dressing. He made it for friends and family until later in life he purchased a ranch with his wife, Gayle.
They started calling it the dressing of the Ranch and then mass marketed. Hidden Valley Ranch is the name of their ranch and the rest is history. Homemade chipotle ranch dressing is like regular ranch’s zesty cousin.
What You’ll Need
These simple chipotle ranch dressing ingredients are a bit lengthy, but all pretty standard. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Dry powdered buttermilk – Dry powdered buttermilk is just like any other dry powdered milk. It is made from actual buttermilk, which is the liquid left behind after churning to milk butter, but fermented so it is a little funky.
- Dried herbs – I used a combination of dried parsley flakes, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder. dried onion flakes, ground black pepper, dried chives and fine sea salt. These can all be found in either your spice cabinet or local grocery store.
- milk
- Mayonnaise – I like using mayonnaise for added flavor and a thicker dressing, but you can use plain yogurt to make your creamy chipotle ranch dressing if you’d like.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – Chipotle chiles are dried, smoked jalapeños that are reconstituted when put into adobo sauce. Adobo is a spicy, slightly sweet red sauce. The flavors together are pretty intense so it doesn’t take a lot paint them in a recipe. I generally don’t use one or two, but a whole can has up to 6. They can keep in the fridge for a week or so.
Let’s Make It
This creamy chipotle ranch dressing could not be simpler to make.
- Combine ingredients. Combine all ingredients in a small food processor and pulse until smooth.
- Chill in the refrigerator. For best results, refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
5S Philosophy 👩🏻
- Salt – Dry ranch seasoning already has salt in it. I would do a taste test before deciding to add more.
- Seasonings – Take the natural flavor up a notch by adding fresh dill, fresh garlic or fresh lime juice. You can also add half of an avocado, if you wish. A nice way to sneak in some extra veggies! Add a spicy kick to your homemade chipotle ranch dressing by adding some smoky chipotle peppers or chipotle sauce.
- Swaps – To make this a skinny or light version, substitute 1/2 cup skim milk for whole milk and 1 cup plain Greek yogurt.
- Senses – Creamy, smoky, and perfectly zesty—this chipotle ranch dressing is a flavor explosion in every bite. The rich, velvety texture coats your spoon, while the smoky heat of chipotle peppers mingles with cool, tangy buttermilk and fragrant herbs.
Perfect Pairings
Ranch dressing might be one of the most popular salad dressings in all America. It is no wonder why people started to create one-offs to only amplify it’s delicious flavor.
Chipotle ranch is just one of them! Made popular by pairing with a Southwest Chicken Salad, chipotle ranch dressing can be used for so many other things than just your favorite salads:
- Corn on the cob
- Baked potatoes
- Grilled/roasted vegetables
- Pizza dipping sauce
- French fries and tater tots
- As sandwich spread
- For buffalo wings
- On burgers and hot dogs
- Burrito bowls
- Taco salads
- Sweet potato fries
- Black bean burgers
- Veggie burger
- Fish tacos
- Dip for fresh veggies
- As a marinade for chicken or pork
- Dip for carrots or celery
- Buffalo Chicken Nachos
- Burritos
- Shrimp Taco Recipe
Storage and Freezing
How to Store
It is stored best in an airtight container- either plastic or a mason jar with a tight lid. Since it is homemade and doesn’t have any preservatives other than salt, a natural preservative, it only last about a week.
You can make a large batch of the dry ranch seasoning and then make fresh dressing every night though. I doubt it will last a whole week since it is so good!
Can I Freeze Chipotle Ranch Dressing?
Unfortunately, I do not recommend freezing this recipe. Cream based sauces do not thaw well.
More Homemade Dressings
If you know me, you know how much I love homemade sauces and dressings. Here are some of my favorites.
Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce , minced
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small food processor and pulse until smooth.
- For best results, refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I love this so much! The flavor of the chipotle is perfect! Thank you!
Easy to make and quite yummy on my salad!
This was delightful! Ate it on salad and a chicken sandwich.
Excellent! I was going through a lot of the bottled version of this. Thank you for this recipe! I’ll be making it from now on. Do you sub the yogurt for the mayo in the skinny version?
Sure do! And glad you love it!
This is soooo good and will be my go to recipe. I used buttermilk. For wasabi dressing eliminate chipotles and use 1 Tbsp wasabi powder.
Awesome and thank YOU for taking the time to come back and let us know. It means a lot.
This will be perfect for my salad this weekend!
I love dipping veggies into this! It is so good!
I used the skinny version. It is delicious. I take a can of chipotle peppers and sauce and put it in the blender. I freeze it in ice cube trays. I just took a cube out and added it to the other ingredients. I wish the nutritional
values were included for the skinny version. thanks for the recipe. It is a winner. I like it for a spread on tortillas when I make chicken wraps.
Looks so good! I know my family would go nuts over this.
This is my new favorite dressing for my salads!