Dilly Ranch Dressing (original) (raw)

How to make homemade Ranch Dressing from scratch loaded up with fresh dill. Rich and tangy, peppery, herbaceous, and full of the BEST flavor! Vegan-adaptable (See recipe notes).

This cool and creamy Ranch Dressing brings me back to the ’70s when my family would visit old-school salad bar restaurants in LA. This version is so much better than store-bought ranch, you’ll never want to buy it again! It is packed full of dill and has the best flavor.

Why you’ll love this Ranch Dressing!

• The flavor! Cool, creamy, and rich, this ranch dressing tastes generously herbaceous with lots fresh dill, with a hint of garlic, a lovely spike of peppercorn and a bright tanginess from a fresh lemon.
• The texture! The perfect trifecta of mayo, sour cream and buttermilk gives this best consistency. It perfectly coats lettuce leaves- and when I speak of lettuce leaves here- I mean cool, crunchy sturdier lettuces like little gems, romaine, or even head lettuce, preferably in a wedge.
• Healthier! No added flavorings or weird oils. Homemade dressing is always “less processed”.

Ranch Dressing Ingreedients

• Fresh herbs: Fresh Dill and any of the following: tarragon (gives the best flavor), fresh parsley, oregano, or fresh chives. you can use dried herbs in a pinch, but fresh is best!
• Lemon- fresh lemon juice for the best flavor!
• Garlic – fresh garlic cloves for that delcious bite!
• Mayo – homemade or store-bought or vegan mayo.
• **Sour cream – I like using probiotic sour cream like Nancy’s **or vegan sour cream. You could also use low-fat sour cream.
• Buttermilk (see notes for substituting) or substitute plain Greek yogurt
• Vinegar– white vinegar, Apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar,
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

How to make Ranch Dressing

Step one: Whisk equal amounts of sour cream, buttermilk and mayo in a bowl.

Step Two: Add fresh garlic.

Step three: Add fresh herbs, salt and black pepper.

Step four: Add lemon juice and vinegar.

Step Five: Mix it all together, adjusting salt and lemon. You want it a little salty and tangy.

Step Six: Chill the heck out of it. You want it COLD! 😉

How to store ranch dressing

1. Transfer the dressing into a sealed jar or airtight container.
2. Place the jar or container in the refrigerator.
3. Ensure the lid is tightly closed to prevent air or moisture from getting in.
4. Store the ranch dressing in the fridge for up to five days.

Remember to stir the dressing well before each use, as the ingredients may separate slightly when refrigerated. Enjoy your homemade ranch dressing!

Ranch Dressing Serving Suggestions

Ranch dressing is incredibly versatile and can be served in various ways. Here are some ideas to enjoy your homemade ranch dressing:

1. Ranch Dip for Fresh Vegetables: Serve ranch dressingalongside fresh farmers’ market vegetables such as broccoli, radishes, celery, salad turnips, cauliflower, carrots, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes.
2. Salad Dressing: Drizzle ranch dressing over your favorite salad for a creamy and flavorful dressing. It pairs well with sturdy lettuces like little gem lettuce, iceberg, and romaine.
3. Sandwich Spread: Use ranch dressing as a spread for sandwiches and wraps. It adds creaminess and a tangy flavor to turkey, chicken, or veggie sandwiches.
4. Potato Salad Dressing: Instead of traditional mayonnaise, use ranch dressing as the base for your potato salad. It brings a unique twist of flavor to the classic side dish.
5. Pasta salad Dressing. Toss with your favorite pasta and adjust salt and pepper to taste!
6. Tacos or Nachos Topping: Drizzle ranch dressing over tacos or nachos to add a creamy and cooling element. It pairs well with spicy flavors and adds a delicious contrast.
7. Baked Potato Topping: Load your baked potato with ranch dressing, bacon bits, shredded cheese, and chives for a delicious and indulgent treat. Or serve with french fries!
8. Drizzle over Pizzas, buffalo wings, etc.
9. Marinade: Use ranch dressing as a marinade for chicken, pork, or vegetables. It helps tenderize the meat while infusing it with flavor.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with different ways to serve ranch dressing. Enjoy!

More dressing recipes to savor

More Favorite Dressings

• Little Gem Salad with Dilly Ranch Dressing
• Creamy Herby Hemp Seed Dressing
• Vegan Ranch Dressing
• Creamy Pesto Dressing
• Classic Caesar Dressing
• Rainbow Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing
• French Dressing
• Creamy Gorgonzola Dressing

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Description

How to make creamy Ranch Dressing from scratch loaded up with fresh dill- this easy recipe is creamy, tangy, peppery, and full of flavor! Vegan-Adaptable, see notes!

• 1/3 cup mayo
• 1/3 cup buttermilk
• 1/3 cup sour cream– I like Nancy’s probiotic Sour cream
• 1–2 garlic cloves, finely minced (use a garlic press)
• 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tarragon
• 1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, chopped or sub chives
• 1/2 teaspoons salt, more to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh cracked peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, more to tase
• 1 teaspoon white or Apple Cider vinegar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

1. Whisk the mayo, buttermilk, and sour cream in a medium bowl until smooth.
2. Stir in the remaining ingredients- garlic, herbs, salt, peppercorns, lemon juice, and vinegar.
3. Taste- you want this slightly salty and tangy- so adjust salt and lemon juice to bump up the flavor.
4. Place in a sealed jar the fridge- and chill. You want this cold!

Notes

Ranch Dressing recipe will keep up to 5 days in the fridge.

Serve Ranch Dressing with this Little Gem Salad, Rainbow Salad, or any crisp/sturdy salad green like romaine, little gems, head lettuce (make a wedge), etc. OR serve as a dip (I’d use less buttermilk and more sour cream so it’s thicker) with farmers’ market veggies!

Vegan option: Make this CREAMY VEGAN RANCH and add 1/2 cup dill and 2 tablespoons tarragon.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
• Calories: 90
• Sugar: 0.9 g
• Sodium: 218 mg
• Fat: 9.1 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 1.6 g
• Fiber: 0.1 g
• Protein: 0.8 g
• Cholesterol: 10.6 mg

Originally Posted
March 15, 2022

Last Updated
August 16, 2023

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