Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix

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!

Bowl of dry ranch mix


 

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.

powdered buttermilk in a spoon
Dry ingredients for ranch seasoning

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.

A bowl of dry spices
Dry Ranch Mix

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.

spoon of dry powdered buttermilk
Buttermilk Powder

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.

glass bowl of ranch dressing with tomatoes
Prepared Ranch Dressing

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
Ranch dressing pouring onto a salad
Ranch dressing pouring over a salad

More seasoning mix recipes:

If you’re looking for more homemade sauces and condiments, check out these:

Ranch dressing mix for pinterest

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.

close up of ranch seasoning dry ingredients
A bowl of dry spices

Homemade Ranch Mix

4.46 from 11 votes
If you're a ranch lover, This EASY Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix is just what you need. You just can't beat homemade dressing!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

Ingredients

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!

Video

Notes

For skinny Ranch dressing, use plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. 
Dried chives are optional, you can also use 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped chives. 

Nutrition

Calories: 239 kcal, Carbohydrates: 39 g, Protein: 17 g, Fat: 3 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 28 mg, Sodium: 2561 mg, Potassium: 1015 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 24 g, Vitamin A: 206 IU, Vitamin C: 16 mg, Calcium: 578 mg, Iron: 2 mg
Calories: 239
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
Keyword: himemade ranch mix, ranch dressing, ranch seasoning
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.46 from 11 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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Questions and Reviews

  1. 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!

    1. I like the texture and flavor of both. You can use one or the other and still have a fantastic blend.

  2. 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!

  3. 5 stars
    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!

      1. 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

        1. 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!