Ranch Dressing Mix (Ranch Seasoning)

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This homemade ranch dressing mix is easy to make in 5 minutes with dried herbs and spices. Skip store-bought packets with artificial ingredients and use this homemade ranch seasoning recipe instead!

two glass jars of Ranch Dressing Mix


I used to use store-bought ranch packets often, until I read the ingredient label and was disappointed.

As soon as I realized that my favorite ranch seasoning contained MSG, maltodextrin, guar gum (thickener), calcium stearate (a calcium soap), artificial flavorings and soy, I created my own homemade ranch seasoning.

This ranch dressing mix recipe is made with real ingredients like organic dried spices, fine sea salt and organic buttermilk powder (optional, but recommended). No additives, fillers, or flavor enhancers here!

And we put ranch on everything – pizza (like this BBQ chicken pizza), salads, chicken nuggets, etc. So we make this often.

Ranch Dressing Mix as dressing on a green salad

Ranch Dressing Mix: Ingredients & Substitutions

overhead view of the ingredients in this Ranch Dressing Mix recipe
  • Dried herbs. This recipe calls for, what I think is, the perfect ratio of dried herbs (parsley, dill and chives). Feel free to change it up to suit your own tastes.
  • Garlic powder. dried minced garlic or garlic granules work well too.
  • Onion powder. dried onion flakes are a good substitute for onion powder.
  • Buttermilk powder. Be sure to use a variety that is just one ingredient, buttermilk. I prefer this organic buttermilk powder.
glass jar of Ranch Dressing Mix with a wooden spoon inside

How to Make Ranch Seasoning

There are two ways to make this recipe: with or without buttermilk powder. We’ll walk through how to to make the dry ranch seasoning mix – and how to use the mix to make dressing or ranch dip!

Make the Dry Ranch Dressing Mix

For both methods (with or without buttermilk powder), begin by pulsing all the ingredients (dried herbs, salt etc.) except the buttermilk powder, in the contianer of a high-powered blender (Vitamix).

How to Make Ranch Seasoning - spices and herbs in a vitamix blender before blending

You don’t want to create a fine powder (you do not want it to be the texture of flour), you just want to break the dried herbs into small pieces.

How to Make Ranch Seasoning - spices and herbs in a vitamix blender after blending

Then, transfer the mixture to a glass jar.

Ranch Dressing Mix in a glass jar

If desired, add the buttermilk powder and stir or shake until the mixture is homogenous (uniform throughout).

two photos showing How to Make Ranch Seasoning in a glass jar - adding buttermilk powder

Make Ranch Dressing with the Mix

To make dressing with the mix, combine ½ cup mayonnaise and ¾ cup buttermilk and whisk to combine. For a thicker dressing/dip use ½ cup mayo and ½ cup buttermilk. You can do this in either a large glass jar, or in a medium bowl.

Then, add either 1 TBS of the mix without the buttermilk powder,

two photos showing how to make dressing using Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix

or 1 ½ TBS mix WITH the buttermilk powder.

two photos showing how to make dressing using Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix

Transfer to a large glass jar with a lid and chill for 1 hour before using on your favorite salad.

a glass jar of ranch dressing made with Ranch Dressing Mix

Serve

Use it as a dressing on your favorite salads, a dip for veggies or even a marinade for chicken! I love to use it on this taco salad and BBQ chicken salad!

And, I’m someone who has to eat homemade pizza dipped in ranch!

ranch dressing being drizzled on top of a salad

Store

Store the dry ranch dressing mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months. Be sure to make a note of the expiration dates on the herbs and spices used in the recipe and use on or before those dates.

Store the ranch dressing made with the mix in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Again, make a note of the expiration date of the buttermilk and mayonnaise and use on or before those dates.

a bottle of ranch dressing made with this Ranch Dressing Mix recipe

Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe FAQs

What is ranch seasoning made of?

This ranch seasoning is made with organic dried herbs and spices. No artificial flavors, fillers, thickeners, etc.

Can I use regular milk to make the dressing?

No. The dressing will be too thin if you use regular milk. I highly suggest using buttermilk. If you are just using it for a marinade for chicken, then regular milk works fine.

Can I use this ranch seasoning to make a dip instead of dressing?

Yes, just use ½ cup buttermilk instead of ¾ cup to make the mixture.

ranch dressing on a green salad

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Homemade Ranch Dressing mix (Ranch Seasoning)

Laura
This homemade ranch dressing mix is easy to make in 5 minutes with dried herbs and spices. Skip store-bought packets with artificial ingredients and use this homemade ranch seasoning recipe instead!
5 from 3 votes
Course condiment, dressing, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 28 (1 TBS) Servings
Calories 19
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

Make the Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix:

  • Pulse all ingredients except the buttermilk powder in a blender.
  • Transfer the mixture to a glass jar, add the buttermilk powder (if using) and stir or shake until the mixture is homogenous (uniform throughout).
  • Store in a glass jar at room temperature until ready use.

Make Ranch Dressing/Dip:

  • Combine ½ cup mayonnaise and ¾ cup buttermilk in a large glass jar with a lid and whisk until smooth.
  • Then, add either 1 TBS ranch dressing mix without buttermilk powder, or 1 ½ TBS ranch dressing mix with buttermilk powder.
  • Secure the lid and shake to combine.
  • Chill for 1 hour before using on your favorite salad or as a dip for veggies.

Video

Notes

1 ½ TBS mix equals a 0.4 oz packet.
Ingredient Substitutions
  • Dried herbs. This recipe calls for, what I think is, the perfect ratio of dried herbs (parsley, dill and chives). Feel free to change it up to suit your own tastes.
  • Garlic powder. dried minced garlic or garlic granules work well too.
  • Onion powder. dried onion flakes are a good substitute for onion powder.
  • Buttermilk powder. Be sure to use a variety that is just one ingredient, buttermilk. I prefer this organic buttermilk powder.
Store
Store the dry ranch dressing mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months. Be sure to make a note of the expiration dates on the herbs and spices used in the recipe and use on or before those dates.
Store the ranch dressing made with the mix in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Again, make a note of the expiration date of the buttermilk and mayonnaise and use on or before those dates.

Nutrition

Calories: 19kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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7 Comments

  1. I agree about mayo being healthy! Im sorry I wasn’t clear~ just wanting an alternative to the popular name brand more unhealthy one. Do you have a link or name of the Paleo one ? Thank you in advance! 🙂

    1. I use a paleo mayonnaise, or you can make your own. It’s a myth that mayonnaise is unhealthy if you pick a good quality mayo the ingredients are olive oil and eggs!

  2. So a little confused… do I use the Buttermilk Powder instead of actual Buttermilk? Or I can make the dried mixture with or without the The Powder and when mixing I add Liquid Buttermilk & Mayo regardless.

    1. Either way you use buttermilk & mayo to make the dressing – whether you use the buttermilk powder in the dry mix or not.