Homemade Ranch Dressing

Salads aren’t a struggle for my youngest son—he’ll eat them without complaint. But when I drizzle on Homemade Ranch Dressing, the whole experience changes.

For him, it takes a salad from ho‑hum to fantastic. Creamy, tangy, and full of flavor, this dressing has become his favorite way to enjoy fresh greens. If you’re looking for more tips, check out my post on how to get kids to eat salad.

I’ve already shared my recipe for Homemade Ranch Dip, which can double as a thick dressing or be thinned to your liking. But if you don’t have ranch dip on hand and want a from‑scratch recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing, here’s how to make it.

Homemade Ranch Dressing Ingredients

• Mayonnaise – I recommend homemade mayo for the freshest flavor, but store‑bought works too.
• Sour cream – Full fat gives the dressing its rich, creamy texture.
• Milk – I use our homegrown goat milk, but any milk, buttermilk, or even water will do.
• Lemon juice – Adds brightness and a little tang.
• Ranch Mix – The seasoning blend that ties it all together with herbs and savory notes.

How to Make Homemade Ranch Dressing

1. Combine all ingredients in a glass measuring cup, jar, or dressing bottle.
2. Stir or shake until smooth.
3. Add more milk—or even water—if you’d like to thin it to your desired consistency.
4. Store in the refrigerator and enjoy whenever you need a quick, fresh dressing.

Benefits of Homemade Dressings

I absolutely love making my own salad dressings.  In fact, I love making my own everything!  Yes, it might take a few minutes more than popping open a bottle of ready-made dressing, but the benefits of homemade concoctions like this creamy ranch dressing are totally worth it.

Making your own dressings at home comes with plenty of perks:

• Save money – Skip the pricey bottles and whip up a batch with pantry staples.
• Healthier – You control the ingredients, avoiding preservatives, seed oils, and hidden sugars.
• Versatile – Adjust thickness, tang, or herbs to suit your taste or the meal.
• Easy to customize – Add fresh garlic, swap in buttermilk, or tweak the herbs for endless variations.
• Sustainable – Less packaging waste and fewer trips to the store.

Another homemade salad dressing to try: Honey Sweetened Strawberry Balsamic Salad Dressing.

Final Thoughts

Homemade Ranch Dressing is simple, versatile, and family‑approved. Whether you’re encouraging kids to enjoy more salad, topping fresh greens from the garden, or just looking for a reliable (and healthier) staple, this recipe is one you’ll want to keep close.

Homemade Ranch Dressing

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• Author: Kathleen | Roots & Boots
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 1/4 cup 1x

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Description

Creamy Homemade Ranch Dressing transforms salads from ho‑hum to fantastic—easy, fresh, and family‑approved.

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Ingredients

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• 3/4 cup mayo (homemade is best but storebought works too)
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon Ranch Mix
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

 

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Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a glass measuring cup, jar, or dressing bottle, and stir or shake to combine.
2. Add more milk or even water to thin to desired consistency.
3. Store in the refrigerator.

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