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This homemade ranch dressing recipe is creamy, tangy, and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. It comes together in minutes and gives you a fresh, flavorful option for salads, dips, wraps, wings, and more.
I love making ranch dressing at home because I can make it exactly how I want it. I can keep it thick for dipping, thin it out for salads, and make it with my Ranch Seasoning Recipe instead of a packet. I especially like serving it with Buffalo Wings, Honey Garlic Wings, Sweet Chili Wings, and BLT Avocado Salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to make: You only need a few ingredients and a bowl (or blender cup).
- Creamy and full of flavor: Mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, and ranch seasoning give it that classic ranch taste.
- Easy to adjust: Keep it thick for dipping or thin it out for salads.
- Useful all week: This is one of those recipes that is nice to keep in the fridge for quick meals and snacks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This ranch dressing recipe uses a short list of simple ingredients. Grab the exact measurements in the recipe card below.
- Mayonnaise: Gives the dressing its rich, creamy base.
- Sour cream: Adds tang and helps give ranch its classic flavor.
- Lemon juice: Brightens everything up and balances the richness.
- Ranch seasoning: This is where the herby ranch flavor comes from. You can use your favorite ranch seasoning, or make it with my Ranch Seasoning Recipe if you want a homemade option.
How to Make Ranch Dressing
This homemade ranch dressing comes together in just a few minutes.
Mix the ingredients
Add the mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, and ranch seasoning to a small bowl or jar.
Stir until smooth
Whisk or stir until the dressing is smooth and well mixed.
Chill before serving
For the best flavor, let the dressing chill before serving so the herbs and seasonings have a little time to blend together.
What Is Ranch Dressing Made Of?
Ranch dressing is usually made with a creamy base, herbs, garlic, onion, and a little acid to brighten it up. In this version, the ranch flavor comes from my Ranch Seasoning Recipe, which keeps things simple and gives you one seasoning blend you can use in more than one recipe.
How to Make Ranch Dressing Taste Better
A few small choices can make homemade ranch dressing even better.
Start with a ranch seasoning you like
The seasoning does a lot of the work here. I like using my Ranch Seasoning Recipe, but any ranch seasoning you enjoy can work.
Chill it before serving
A little time in the fridge helps the flavor come together and softens the dried herbs.
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Adjust the texture for how you plan to use it
Keep it thicker for dipping and thinner for salads, bowls, or tacos.
How to Thin Ranch Dressing
As written, this ranch is creamy and a little thicker than bottled ranch. If you want a thinner ranch dressing for salads, stir in buttermilk or another unsweetened milk 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches the consistency you like.
How to Make Ranch Dressing Thicker
For a thicker ranch dressing, use the recipe as written and chill it before serving. If you accidentally thin it out too much, stir in a little more sour cream to thicken it back up. You can also add more ranch seasoning to taste.
Easy Ways to Use Ranch Dressing
This is one of those dressings that is nice to keep in the fridge because it works with all kinds of meals and snacks.
Drizzle it over salads and bowls
This is an easy choice for salads like BLT Avocado Salad, and it also works well in bowls like Buffalo Chicken Bowls. You can also spoon a little over Buffalo Chicken Tacos when you want something cool and creamy on top.
Serve it as a dip
Use it for raw vegetables, wings, and snack boards. I especially like it with Buffalo Wings, Honey Garlic Wings, Sweet Chili Wings, and Spicy Dry Rub Wings.
Add it to sandwiches and wraps
Use this ranch dressing as a creamy spread inside sandwiches and wraps when you want something cool and tangy. I especially like it in Buffalo Chicken Wrap as an easy alternative to Blue Cheese Dressing.
How Long Does Homemade Ranch Dressing Last?
Store homemade ranch dressing in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It may thicken a little in the fridge, so give it a quick stir before serving.
Recipes That Go Well with Ranch DrRecipes That Go Well with Ranch Dressing
If you are making a jar of ranch dressing, here are a few easy ways to use it next:
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- BLT Avocado Salad
- Buffalo Wings
- Honey Garlic Wings
- Sweet Chili Wings
- Spicy Dry Rub Wings
- Slow Cooker Wings
- Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
- BLT Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Bowls
- Buffalo Chicken Wrap
- Buffalo Chicken Tacos
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. My Ranch Seasoning Recipe works well here and gives the dressing its classic ranch flavor.
Homemade ranch dressing tastes fresher, and you can adjust the texture based on how you want to use it.
Yes. Keep it as written for a thicker dressing, or stir in buttermilk or another unsweetened milk to thin it out.
Yes. This recipe works well as both a dressing and a dip. For thicker dip-style versions, you might also like Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip or Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip
More Homemade Dressings to Make Next
If you like making homemade dressings, try Blue Cheese Dressing, Caesar Dressing, or Balsamic Dressing next.
Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe
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Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Sour Cream
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tbsp Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix, click for my recipe
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients for the dressing to a small bowl or airtight container
- Mix until they are all incorporated and smooth.
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Recipe Notes
- Use a good ranch seasoning: my Homemade Ranch Seasoning Recipe gives this dressing the best flavor.
- Chill before serving: A short rest in the fridge helps the flavors blend and the dressing thicken a little.
- Thin it out slowly: For a pourable dressing, stir in milk or cream 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches the texture you like.
- Keep it thick for dipping: Use the recipe as written when you want a thicker ranch for wings, veggies, or wraps.
- Stir before serving: The dressing can settle a bit in the fridge, so give it a quick stir before using.
- Store it cold: Keep homemade ranch dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within 5 days.
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into Spoonacular API, a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used.
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