Learn How to Make Ranch Dressing with just a few simple staple ingredients! This condiment comes together with just a quick blend for a tangy and creamy dressing that's perfect for salads or dipping.
Making your own homemade ranch ensures peace of mind since you know exactly what's going into it. Fans of ranch will love this upgraded, from-scratch dip and dressing!
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🩵 About This Recipe
Whether you need a creamy dressing for your vegetable tray or something to dip your fries in, this is the best ranch dip you can make in your own kitchen!
It combines simple ingredients and a blend of spices you'll already have in your pantry. The end result is a fantastic dip or salad dressing that you can easily customize to your liking!
If you and your family can't get enough ranch flavor, try this Black Bean Ranch Tuna Salad or make this Homemade Ranch Seasoning! And if you love homemade dressing, this Caesar Salad Dressing (No Egg) is another must-try.
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- egg - makes the dressing creamy and thick.
- Dijon mustard - gives your homemade ranch a little extra bite of flavor.
- olive oil - gives it a smooth texture and helps prevent it from separating.
- lemon juice - cuts through all the savory flavors with some acidic citrus.
- sour cream - acts as the main base for this dressing and gives it a creamy, tangy quality.
- seasonings - this ranch is made with a combo of onion powder, garlic powder, parsley flakes, dried dill, salt, and black pepper.
- milk - prevents your dressing from getting too thick.
🔪 Let's Make Ranch Dressing from Scratch!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Whip Egg
Add the egg to a blender or food processor and whip for about 15 seconds.
Add Mustard
Whip the mustard and vinegar into the egg mixture.
Season
Combine the seasonings, sour cream, and lemon juice and mix into the dressing mixture.
Stir in Milk
Gradually add the milk, stirring as you go. Stop when the dressing reaches your desired consistency.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Skip the oil emulsification by using mayo instead.
- Fresh herbs will yield the best flavor, but you can use dried herbs in a pinch as well.
- Be sure to taste your dressing before it's done and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- If you have extra dressing, use it to make this quick and easy layered BLT dip.
❔ FAQs
Most ranch dressings rely on a creamy base of mayonnaise and/or sour cream, and then add a variety of herbs and spices for more flavor. You'll often find garlic powder, onion powder, chives, parsley, and dill.
Most ranch dressings are egg-free, but this recipe calls for egg and oil which essentially creates a homemade mayonnaise. Be sure to use pasteurized eggs, which are safe to eat raw.
Light olive oil has a mild, neutral taste that won't overpower the dressing's herbs and tangy elements. For ranch dressing, light olive oil is often preferred for its subtle flavor and ability to blend well with other ingredients.
This ranch dressing tastes AMAZING as a dipping sauce for homemade baked mozzarella sticks. Give it a try!
You may also want to check out this post on 6 Simple Dressings and Sauces You Can Make for Pennies for other homemade dressings to try!
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Give your ranch an extra kick with red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or chili powder.
- Another great way to add some spice is to stir in some finely diced jalapeno peppers.
- Make the ranch even tangier by using buttermilk instead of regular milk.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
If you don't have a traditional blender, you can also use a food processor or an immersion blender!
🥡 Storage
This dressing contains eggs and dairy, so it needs to be kept cold. Store it in an airtight container - like a mason jar - in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. I don't recommend freezing it as the ingredients will separate.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this ranch dressing from scratch right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
What's the use of learning how to make ranch dressing if you've got nothing to serve it with! Serve it alongside Air Fryer French Fries, Baked Dill Fries, or these Air Fryer Zucchini Fries, or use it as a dressing for this Kale Salad.
😋 More Appetizer Recipes You'll Love
- Zucchini Cheese Bites - These nutritious appetizers are made with crescent roll dough for an easy dish.
- Black Bean Veggie Dip - Another great pairing for your raw veggies!
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls - A great option when you want something sweet and autumnal.
- Baked Brie - This elegant recipe from Taste and See includes caramelized onions and bacon!
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Homemade Ranch Dressing
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📋 Recipe Card
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 cup light olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
- In a blender, whip the egg for 15 seconds.1 egg
- Add the Dijon and the vinegar and continue to blend. Then add the oil gradually while blending until the mixture thickens.1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 cup light olive oil
- Add the remaining ingredients except for the milk. Blend until fully incorporated.1 teaspoon lemon juice, ½ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon parsley flakes, 1 teaspoon dried dill, ¾ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Add the milk slowly while stirring until you reach your desired thickness. (You may or may not use all of the milk depending on how thick you like your dressing.)¼ cup milk
Notes
- A food processor or immersion blender can be used in place of a traditional blender.
- You can substitute ½ cup of mayonnaise for the light olive oil to save some time waiting for the oil to emulsify as you blend.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, a few drops of hot sauce, or a bit of finely minced jalapeño for a spicy kick.
- Substitute some of the milk with buttermilk for a tangier, traditional ranch flavor.
- Use fresh herbs if available (like parsley or dill); about 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs equals 1 teaspoon of dried.
- Store any leftover homemade ranch dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because it contains fresh eggs and dairy, it should be kept cold at all times.
- This dressing is safe to use for up to one week if the ingredients used were fresh and it is kept refrigerated, but always check for any changes in smell or texture before using.
- Freezing is not recommended since the dressing may separate and lose its creamy texture when thawed.
Additional Serving Suggestions:
- Make this dressing on the thick side to use as a dip with fresh vegetables, chicken wings, French fries, or mozzarella sticks.
- Make this dressing a little thinner to use it as a dressing on salads.
- Use as a spread on burgers, sandwiches, or wraps for an extra layer of creamy, herby flavor.
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Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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Kristin King says
We love how simple this is to make and how fresh it tastes!