Dessert

Creamy Ranch Dressing Recipe

Bymia larkspur October 21, 2025October 21, 2025

Introduction

Ranch dressing is a creamy, tangy classic favorite that pairs perfectly with salads, veggies, and snacks. It’s easy to make at home with simple ingredients and tastes fresher than store-bought versions.

A clear glass cup with a handle is filled with a creamy white sauce speckled with small green herbs, likely dill. A spoon lifted above the cup shows the thick sauce dripping back, emphasizing its rich and smooth texture with visible herb bits. In the background, a white bowl contains fresh green herbs, slightly blurred, sitting on a white marbled surface. A white cloth with black stripes is casually placed on the right side near the cup. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ cup sour cream
½ cup mayonnaise
⅓ cup buttermilk or whole milk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dried dill
½ teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
pinch ground black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, and buttermilk until smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Add the apple cider vinegar, dried dill, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined.
Step 3: Use the dressing immediately or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.

Tips & Variations

For a thinner consistency, add a little more buttermilk or milk, one tablespoon at a time.
Use fresh herbs like dill and parsley if available, finely chopped, for a brighter flavor.
For a vegan version, substitute sour cream and mayonnaise with plant-based alternatives and use almond milk instead of buttermilk.
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for extra tanginess.

Storage

Store the ranch dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Stir well before each use. If the dressing thickens, you can thin it with a splash of milk or buttermilk.

How to Serve

A clear glass measuring cup filled with a creamy white sauce speckled with small green herbs is shown, with a spoon lifting some sauce above the cup, the sauce thick and dripping slightly. The background is a white marbled surface, with a small white bowl containing chopped green herbs and a white cloth with thin black stripes partially visible to the right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make ranch dressing without buttermilk?

Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with whole milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes before using to mimic the tanginess of buttermilk.

How long does homemade ranch dressing last?

When stored properly in the refrigerator, homemade ranch dressing lasts up to one week. Always check for any changes in smell or appearance before using.