Our Herbed Buttermilk Ranch Dressing will leave you craving its crazy good flavor! Simple to make with deep complex flavors ideal for salads, wings, pizza and any flavor combo you dream up!
This is a restaurant style Ranch Dressing, thinner than what you find on shelves in the market. Popularized by Clorox, when they made their Hidden Valley brand shelf stable for 150 days! In our opinion, it’s worth spending 10 minutes in the kitchen so you know what you’re feeding your family! Plus the fresh flavor puts it heads and tails above the gloopy alternative hanging out on a shelf for months.
If you want a thicker consistency for dipping fresh vegetables, you can achieve it by reducing the amount of buttermilk to 1/2 cup (120 ml). Please don’t use buttermilk powder or buttermilk substitute for this recipe, use real buttermilk, if you don’t have any on hand you can make a cup fast!
- Pour 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar into a liquid measuring cup.
- Add enough milk (preferably whole milk) to reach the 1-cup line.
- Stir the mixture gently.
- Let it sit at room temperature for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Afterward, the milk will have thickened slightly and curdled, resembling the consistency of buttermilk.
- Use it immediately in your recipe or store it in the refrigerator for future use.
Flavor Variations for Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
- Experiment with different herbs and spices such as dill, chives, parsley, or thyme to vary the flavor.
- Adjust the amount of garlic and onion powder to control the intensity of the savory notes.
- Incorporate different types of vinegar or citrus juice like lemon or lime for acidity and brightness.
- Customize the richness by varying the ratio of mayonnaise to sour cream or Greek yogurt.
- Add a touch of sweetness with a drizzle of honey or a pinch of sugar for a more balanced taste.
- Introduce depth of flavor with ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, mustard, or smoked paprika.
- Incorporate hot sauce or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Experiment with different types of cheese like Parmesan, Asiago, or blue cheese for a unique twist on classic ranch dressing.
Preserving Creamy Goodness: Storing Buttermilk Ranch Dressing for Extended Freshness
Here’s how to store buttermilk ranch dressing to maintain its freshness:
Refrigeration: Store buttermilk ranch dressing in the refrigerator at all times. The cold temperature helps to slow down bacterial growth and preserve the freshness of the dressing.
Airtight Container: Transfer the buttermilk ranch dressing to an airtight container for storage. Use a clean container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent air from entering and causing the dressing to spoil faster.
Shake Before Use: Before serving, give the container a good shake to mix any separated ingredients back together. This ensures that the dressing maintains its creamy texture and consistent flavor.
Check Expiration Date: Pay attention to the expiration date on the buttermilk ranch dressing bottle or container. Discard any dressing that has passed its expiration date, as it may no longer be safe to consume.
Shelf Life: When stored properly in the refrigerator, unopened buttermilk ranch dressing can last for about 1-2 months past the expiration date printed on the packaging. Once opened, it should be consumed within 1-2 weeks for the best quality.
By following these storage guidelines, you can enjoy the tangy and creamy goodness of buttermilk ranch dressing for an extended period, whether as a dip, salad dressing, or flavor enhancer for your favorite dishes.
Please Pin to Make & Share!📌
How to Make Herbed Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
- 1/3 cup (80 grams) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (120 grams) mayonnaise, sub Greek yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) fresh dill, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
- 3 Tablespoons (45 grams) fresh chopped chives, or 2 Tablespoons dried
- 2 Tablespoons (30 grams) fresh chopped parsley, or 1 Tablespoon dried
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) garlic paste
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) pink Himalayan sea salt or Kosher sea salt, finely ground
- freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a glass bowl combine the buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, white vinegar, dill, chives, parsley, garlic paste, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Stir to combine and pour into an airtight container then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Serve over your favorite salad, wings, pizza or pasta.
Notes
- Prep time is approximate.
- Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days.
- Using dried herbs will prolong the shelf life up to a week.
Creative Recipe Inspiration
Indulge in the classic combination of crisp romaine lettuce and tangy blue cheese with our Romaine Blue Cheese Salad Wedge. Crisp, refreshing, and bursting with flavor, this salad is perfect as a starter or a light meal on its own.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Italy with our Big Easy Italian Salad, a delightful fusion of antipasto and fresh salad goodness. Bursting with a medley of hearts of palm, marinated artichoke hearts, tangy cheeses, briny olives, and crisp lettuce, this salad is a feast for the senses.
Step Into My Kitchen!
Hey there, fellow food enthusiast! Welcome to Mean Green Chef, where every dish tells a story and every recipe is a labor of love. I’m thrilled to share a bit about myself and the journey that led me here, stirring pots and sprinkling spices for over three decades!
Yummy! I swear I’ll give this a try this weekend and post a picture for you. I only have to pick up some buttermilk and lucky me – I just cut some of my home grown parsley and chives.
Awesome, Nikki! Remember in a pinch you can make your own buttermilk by pouring a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice into a measuring cup and then pouring in whole milk to the 1 cup line. 10 minutes later you’ll have buttermilk! Viola’
Aw, your recipes are incredible. And the pictures are just superb! I would love your dishes in a vegan version. Maybe you will consider having a vegan category? 🙂 I would be all over it!
I will absolutely consider having a Vegan category, Anna! 🙂 I have many dishes that fall into this realm just haven’t gotten many up at this point, will start rotating them in. Thank you for asking 🙂
You have done it again, another stunning looking recipe. I love the tweaks you can make from this base ranch dressing.
Thanks so much, Angela, glad that you like the tips for creating different flavors too! 🙂
I make my own buttermilk all the time. So easy! Thanks for this recipe. I’ve been purchasing ranch dressing and hate that it’s full of junk like soybean oil. 🙁
Now you can make your own Ranch dressing too, Laura! 🙂 Thanks so much for checking out our recipe!
This looks so good and something I’m definitely going to try. Never thought of making my own!
I promise you’ll love your own far more than any store bought you’ve ever had, Laura! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by today!
I LOVE homemade ranch dressing! This looks to die for!
Thanks, Joanne! 🙂
I love Ranch and this looks so good! I like the variations you suggest. Your pictures are lovely, too!
Thanks so much, Stacey! We really appreciate you stopping by to check out our recipe 🙂
Always looking to find some new things that can be made at home instead of store bought! This is perfect, thanks
Glad we could show you another way to create a fresh option, Haley! 🙂
Bottle this up and sell it! I’ll be your first customer!
Lol, Jen! Much appreciated, but it’s super easy to make so get yourself in the kitchen! 😛
Wow! You did it again such beautiful pictures my mouth waters I can taste it already. I know this would be delicious! This is my go to site for yummy food!
Awww, thank you so much, Karie! Love that we are your go to site for yummy food, you made my day! 🤗
YUM!!!! Our family prides itself on being “ranch dressing connoisseurs” and this one looks delicious! Will def pin it for future use.
I always make my own dressings, and this one looks amazing. I don’t think it gets better than buttermilk. After all these years, I never knew how to make it until I read this post!
Thanks so much, Ramae! My dad used to drink buttermilk lol not one of his habits I picked up but he loved it too. I use it for so many things and it’s nice to be able to whip up just the right amount when needed. 🤗
OMG, now all I can think about is having that salad in your picture. It looks outstanding! The recipe seems easy to follow too. Another great addition to the recipe library!
Ohhh thanks so much, Leigh Ann! It’s super easy to make, I promise 🤗
I love this recipe. Every time I look it up, my mouth waters!
Yeah, I’m doing my job, Tricia! Thanks so much for being a part of our kitchen 🤗
Oh, Angela, please come and cook me dinner!
Lol, Jen! I’ve been cooking privately and in family kitchens for years so this could be arranged 🤗
I make my own mayonnaise and use it to make my dressing. I love this recipe!! Yours looks so much tastier than mine!!
Thanks so much, Kymberly! I’m sure yours is ultra tasty too, try ours next time to change it up a bit and see what you think 🤗
You are an amazing chef. Your recipes are amazing. I look forward to new ones each week.
Awesome, I am so glad that you like our recipes, Heather! Thank you so much for the wonderful compliments we are so happy that you’re a part of our kitchen! 🤗
YUM YUM YUM!! I love ranch. This looks great!
Ranch dressing is the bomb 💥 it tastes great with so many dishes! Thanks, Allyson 🙂
I have made this as is. It’s the best ranch dressing I’ve ever had. My husband who doesn’t like ranch insists I make it daily. It’s so easy that I can make it every day in just a few minutes. It also has ingredients that I always have around.
Now that’s a review!💥 Thank you so much, I’m so happy that your husband enjoys our ranch dressing!💥 Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, Pauline 😀
This looks so good! Once again, you’ve made me want to lick my screen! I’m such a sucker when it comes to great sauces and dressings!
Lol, please make your own and avoid electric shock, Kendra! Thanks so much 🤗
OKKKKKAAAY! YUMMMMMM! This is delish! 🙂
Thanks, Emily, so glad that you like it!! 🙂
I am sure this is wonderful. It’s in my recipe box now.
Glad to hear Karla, thanks for letting us know! 🙂
The pictures in this are really fabulous,and this looks really good!
Thanks so much, Nicole! 🙂
Your recipes are always amazing! I love a good dressing and will have to make this one soon. And thanks for the buttermilk recipe. I don’t use buttermilk much and having to get a carton for just a bit… Making it seem more feasible for me 🙂
Much appreciated, Lina! Making buttermilk is sooooo easy and it’s nice that you can make it in the amount that you need without much waste. 🙂
I am so excited for this recipe!!! I much prefer homemade dressing over most store bought preparations. I can’t wait to make this.
Great, Jennifer! I love the freshness and the fact there are no stabilizers or preservatives. Please be sure to share your results! 🙂
yum! this looks really good on the salad photo, too! will definitely need to try this, I’m a fan of homemade ranch vs. the store bought!
I agree, Katie, homemade wins hands down! Thanks so much for visiting 🙂