Have you tried ranch on pizza? Ranch on fries? Do you like ranch on everything? This Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix is perfect all of my ranch fanatics!
Ranch Seasoning Recipe
Ranch is one of those funny, polarizing things. People either love it or hate it.
And not just “yea, I like ranch” they are OBSESSED. I have a friend who even owns shirts and coffee mugs dedicated to her love of ranch dressing.
I, however, am not a huge fan of the dressing. Not sure why considering I like all of the individual ingredients.
Dry Ranch Mix
But the dry ranch seasoning mix is another story. I love the flavors mixed into other things. Potatoes. Fries. Chicken. Seafood. It is all good!
Have you ever read the store bought ranch dressing mix ingredients? Let me enlighten you: maltodextrin, monosodium glutamate, lactic acid, calcium stearate, etc.
Don’t have those ingredients in your pantry? Why don’t you check out my recipe for ranch mix.
What is in ranch seasoning?
- dry powdered buttermilk
- dried parsley flakes
- dried dill
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- dried onion flakes
- ground black pepper
- dried chives
- fine sea salt
You are probably familiar with all of the ingredients with the exception of maybe one. 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.
PRO TIP: Many Ranch dressings are a little chunking, but if you prefer a smoother dressing, take your dried spices for a spin in the spice grinder before you mix it with buttermilk and wet ingredients.
But then dehydrated so it has a much longer shelf life. Let’s be honest, I don’t use that much buttermilk. Maybe here and there for fried chicken, pancakes and waffles, but not on the regular.
So keeping a canister of buttermilk powder in the pantry is my solution for a last minute breakfast or batch of ranching seasoning.
Ranch dressing was invented by a man named Steve back in the 1950s while cooking for friends. The buttermilk based salad dressing went on to become the company Hidden Valley Ranch, who is credited with the original dressing.
It tastes great for seasoning on so many things. Here are my favorite ways to use dry ranch salad dressing mix:
- Blended into mashed potatoes
- Toss on French Fries or Tater Tots
- Marinade for chicken, fish or pork
- Rub for beef or steak
- Add to butter for compound butter
- Sauteing vegetables
- Grill baste with olive oil or butter
- Mix with sour cream for a potato chip dip
More seasoning mix recipes:
- Homemade Gravy Mix
- Pickling Spice
- Copycat Jiffy Cornbread Mix
- Onion Soup Mix
- Italian Seasoning
- Homemade Seasoned Salt
- Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Italian Dressing Mix
If you’re looking for more homemade sauces and condiments, check out these:
Can I substitute ranch dressing for dry ranch mix?
In most recipes, no. Because ranch dressing has more volume per seasoning. The seasoning packs more of a punch and generally recipes that call for it don’t need the extra creamy of dressing.
How do I make dry ranch mix into dressing?
Combine 2 tablespoons of seasoning with 1/2 cup of mayonnaise and 1/2 cup whole milk, whisk to combine and then store in the refrigerator. You can also use plain Greek yogurt to make it a “skinny” dressing.
How much is in a ranch seasoning packet?
Two tablespoons. This recipe makes about 1/2 cup so you won’t need the whole thing when a recipe calls for “1 packet”.
How do I store dry ranch seasoning?
In an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I use fresh herbs?
You sure can! The general conversion is 1 teaspoon of dried for every tablespoon of fresh. You can even use freshly grated onion instead of flakes if you prefer.
You can also substitute 1 tablespoons of fresh chopped scallions or chives for the dried, which are optional.
Tools for making homemade salad dressing:
Mini Food Processor– I use this thing daily! It is by far my most used kitchen appliance, it is small and I throw all the parts into the dishwasher, well except the base and cord, of course!
I love it for salad dressings so they are equally blended with no chunks of herbs and spices. Unless you are into that sort of thing, which is fine too.
Measuring Utensils– While I like to eyeball it, most folks prefer to measure. Suit yourself 🙂
Whisks– I buy whisks in multiple sizes. You never know which one you will need. If you don’t have a food processor, I recommend using a whisk.
Homemade Ranch Mix
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup dry powdered buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons dried chives , optional
Instructions
- Mix all dry ingredients together in a small container until ready to use.
- To make into dressing: Combine 2 tablespoons of seasoning with 1 cup of mayonnaise and 1 cup whole milk, whisk to combine and then store in the refrigerator.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
Is there a specific reason for using both onion powder and dried onion flakes? Just curious why it’s not just onion powder alone. Thanks!
I like the texture and flavor of both. You can use one or the other and still have a fantastic blend.
Any ideas as to why the dressing wouldn’t thicken? I measured the milk and Mayo exactly and the dressing is so thin. Flavor is great though!
Hmmm… nope. Unless you used a low fat mayo or milk?
Love the recipe.
I would like to copy the dressing for Suddenly Salad. How much would I use with 1/2 cup mayo? Thanks much!
Probably about 1 tablespoon.
This is such a great thing to have on hand! I can’t believe how often I find myself reaching for it!
Was trying to make a favorite recipe and I was out of ranch dressing. Found this and made my own. Such a lifesaver. Thanks so much!
Glad you loved it!
Notice of a typo: I can’t rate this because I haven’t made it. However, when I read the recipe, I noticed that the amounts of mayo and milk are double that which was stated above: 1 cup of each vs. 1/2 cup of each
Thank you!
Thanks for recipe. Have not tried yet. But wanted to let you all know how i make my dressings keto/low carb. Simply mix half mayo plus half full fat greek yogurt. Add spices and thin with a little water till consistency you like. Tastes great. Can also leave thicker to use for dip! Can’t wait to try this with your chipotle dressing recipe!
Let us know how you like it!