I’ll admit I wasn’t always a fan of store-bought ranch dressing or the prepackaged seasoning mixes. That changed when I started making my own homemade ranch seasoning and dressing mix. It’s fast, simple and far more flavorful than commercial packets.
In under five minutes you can make either a dry ranch seasoning or a complete ranch salad dressing mix. I keep both on hand: the seasoning for sprinkling on chicken, vegetables, or snacks, and the dressing mix for quick salads. Both versions use pantry staples, while the salad dressing mix includes powdered buttermilk for convenience and a richer flavor.
Ranch seasoning mix combines dried minced onion, dried parsley, salt, garlic powder, dried dill, and ground black pepper. One tablespoon of this seasoning equals one packet of store-bought ranch mix. To turn the dry mix into a classic ranch dressing, add buttermilk and mayonnaise (see recipe below).
Ranch Dressing Ingredients
Fresh buttermilk isn’t always available in my fridge, so I often add 1/2 cup powdered buttermilk to the dressing mix. Powdered buttermilk stores well in the refrigerator once opened, making it a handy ingredient to keep on hand for instant dressing.
Ranch Dressing Ingredients
I prefer a food processor for a finer, uniform texture, but whisking the ingredients together in a bowl works just as well. The finished dry mix is ready to be transformed into a fresh salad dressing whenever you need it.
Ranch Dressing Ingredients
To make classic homemade ranch dressing, combine 2 tablespoons of the mix with 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup milk, then whisk until smooth. Chill briefly for the flavors to meld, and you’ve got a creamy, homemade dressing that beats the bottled stuff.
My family loves this dressing—it’s become our go-to for salads and as a dip for vegetables and chicken.
Salad with Ranch Dressing
Homemade Ranch Dressing and Seasoning Mix
Marsha Maxwell, FoodLove.com
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Ranch salad dressing mix
- All of the above plus ½ cup powdered buttermilk
Instructions
Ranch seasoning mix
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Combine dried minced onion, dried parsley, salt, garlic powder, dried dill and black pepper in a food processor or whisk together in a small bowl.
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To make dressing from the seasoning mix, stir 1 tablespoon of mix into 1 cup buttermilk and 1 cup mayonnaise. Whisk until smooth.
Ranch salad dressing mix
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Make the ranch seasoning mix as above, then stir in ½ cup powdered buttermilk to create a shelf-stable dressing mix.
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To prepare dressing from the powdered mix, combine 2 tablespoons of the mix with 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup milk. Whisk to combine and chill briefly if desired.