The Best Homemade Ranch Salad Dressing tastes better than anything store-bought and only takes a few minutes to make. Ranch dressing is delicious on salads and as a dip for fresh vegetables.
We love dipping pizza in ranch and these spicy chicken bites are awesome with ranch on the side too.
There aren’t all that many recipes here on the blog that I label as “the best.” With nearly 1,500 recipes here, there are less than 20 that have truly earned that label.
I figure that everyone’s tastes are different and who knows if someone else’s opinion on the “best recipe ever” is going to match mine? These recipes though? They really are the best of the best.
And this ranch salad dressing? It is hands down the BEST Ranch Salad Dressing that I have ever tasted.
Without fail, the people who try it, have all agreed. Just scroll through the comments to see how everyone raves over it.
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Plenty of garlic, dill, and other spices make this a memorable ranch dressing. Just thin enough to pour smoothly, without becoming too liquid or watered down: the creaminess of the dressing is well balanced by the tang of the fresh lemon.
This dressing has had a permanent place in my refrigerator for almost five years now.
My kids reach for this Ranch Salad Dressing or our Homemade Ranch Dip at least once, if not twice, a day to eat with fresh vegetables.
Most nights, I set out our produce boxes and a bowl of this ranch dressing each day as I am getting ready to make dinner. The kids happily snack on vegetables for half an hour or more while we chat and cook dinner.
This is easily the most popular salad dressing I make. We have friends that insist I bring this Homemade Ranch Salad Dressing along every time we get together for a meal.
Everyone who has tasted this dressing has been convinced at first bite that they need to make it for themselves. This recipe has become not only the most popular salad dressing on this website but one of the most popular recipes overall.
After all, what’s not to love about the BEST ranch dressing you’ll ever taste?
How To Make Ranch Dressing
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream and milk until smooth.
- Add the dill, parsley, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Add the lemon and whisk again. Pour into a jar and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Salad Dressing Recipes
For more great dressing recipes to try, Honey Lime Jalapeno Vinaigrette, Creamy Poppyseed Dressing, and these Balsamic Vinaigrettes are a few more of my go-to homemade dressings.
If you love ranch but want to bump it up, Pepper Dill Ranch is packed full of crushed pepper and loaded with fresh dill, this dressing is a great addition to our usual dressings and dips for our raw vegetables.
I have this Avocado Lime Salad Dressing by Inside BruCrew Life and this Green Goddess Salad Dressing by Kalyn’s Kitchen on my future recipes to try list.
The Best Homemade Ranch Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or regular milk
- ¾ – 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon finely cracked pepper
- freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste approximately 1-3 teaspoons, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together the mayo, sour cream and milk until smooth. Add the spices and whisk until combined. Add the lemon and whisk again. Pour into a jar and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This dressing will keep nicely in the refrigerator for up to a week. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 9/15/11 – recipe notes and photographs updated 7/15/21}
Michelle says
I have made this dressing for the second time and it is THE BEST👍👍 loads of flavor and just the right amount of spices. Family Favorite for certain
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad it’s a favorite!
Destiny says
Is there a specific brand of mayonnaise that I should use for this recipe? I want to make sure that it taste really good.
Mary Younkin says
I use Best Foods, Hellmans, or Duke. I don’t think you’d go wrong with a store-brand though.
Shirley says
I’m going to go ahead and give it 5 stars when initially I was going to give 4. Only because I agree with the other poster (that I read too late) that the mixture comes out much too thin. That being said, I added a little more of everything and it came out tasty and I’m sure will thicken up more once chilled. Maybe you can add about the consistency to your notes at bottom.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the dressing, Shirley!
Coley Paskey says
Our favorite Ranch recipe!! Makes the perfect amount for our weekly salads.
Note: we never have buttermilk on hand so make our own, super easy! 1/2c milk with 1Tbsp lemon juice (fresh) mix together let sit 5min, should look like lumpy milk or clumps and thick ish.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you’re enjoying the dressing, Coley.
deb says
I halved the recipe since I’m the only one eating it. It is very thin, should it be? The taste is nice.
Mary Younkin says
Yes, it’s thin and should thicken a bit in the fridge. However, you can add a bit more mayo to it to thicken it as well.
chrisitne says
delicious – can’t imagine how I did without this. Use it for salads, coleslaw, as a dip with veggies and wings – so good.
I make it all in one, in a wide mouth mason jar – shaken not stirred, and saves washing up
Mary Younkin says
Sounds delicious, Christine. I’m glad you’re loving the salad dressing.
Erica says
I will not be making honey mustard any other way. This is definitely the best!!
Mary Younkin says
Thanks, Erica! Enjoy, and happy cooking.
Stephanie says
Hello this dressing is amazing! How long, after making it, can I store it in the refrigerator?
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like it, Stephanie. It will keep nicely for a week at least.