5-Minute Ranch Dressing
Buttermilk ranch dressing from scratch only takes 5 minutes to make and is better than any store-bought dressing. It’s cool, creamy, rich, and flavorful with herbs and seasonings. Make a batch and keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks!

Some people like healthy salads, and some like salad with a decadent dressing. Friends, I am in the pro creamy salad dressing camp. I firmly believe life is short, so treating yourself is always in order, especially when eating salad. It’s all about balance. So, let’s make ranch dressing!
- I love this homemade ranch dressing because it’s not too thick or thin. It’s just right for pouring and tossing with lettuce but thick enough to serve as a dip.
- It’s made with pantry seasonings and dried herbs. I’ve tried versions with fresh herbs, scallions, and garlic, but the flavors get almost overwhelming after a day or so in the fridge. Using dried herbs and seasonings makes it all a little more mellow.
- It’s so easy to make – no chopping required. Just mix up all the ingredients. It only takes about five minutes!
- It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. This recipe makes two cups, but you can halve or double it.
- It’s ten thousand times better than shelf-stable bottled ranch. So, go ahead and retire whatever sad bottle of ranch you have in the fridge. This homemade version is so much better.
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Buttermilk
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dried dill
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried chives
- Kosher salt and black pepper
I haven’t tried it, but you could substitute low-fat yogurt and buttermilk if you want something lighter. I am partial to full-fat because tossing it all with veggies makes up for it.
I love the balance of flavors, but it is a bit dill-forward. Feel free to reduce the amount if you like it a little less dill-y. You can always add more.
How to Make Ranch Dressing
โ๏ธ Mix
Put all of the ingredients in a bowl. Whisk until smooth. That’s it!
You can serve the dressing immediately, but chilling it for a few hours is better. The flavors will mix and mingle, so it’s even more delicious.
โ๏ธ Storage
Store it in an airtight container (a mason jar works great), and it will keep for two weeks in the refrigerator. If it lasts that long – with this homemade ranch on hand, you’ll want a salad every day.
Ways to Use It
- Drizzle it over all the salads, of course!
- Serve it with mozzarella sticks, buffalo chicken wings, and fried pickles.
- Make bacon ranch chicken quesadillas.
- Serve it as a dip with lots of colorful veggies like carrots, bell peppers, broccoli florets, and celery sticks.
More Salad Dressing Recipes
5-Minute Ranch Dressing
This ranch salad dressing is super easy to make and better than any bottled dressing. It’s cool, creamy, rich, and flavorful with herbs and seasonings. Make a batch and keep it in the fridge – it will keep for two weeks!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Salad Dressings
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill (see note)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk all of the ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.
- Store in an airtight container and chill the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving it.
Notes
The prominent flavor in this dressing is dill, so if you want it a little less dill-y, reduce the amount to 1 teaspoon.
The dressing will keep in an airtight container for two weeks in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 109
- Sugar: 0.8g
- Sodium: 137.7mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1.2g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 1.3g
- Cholesterol: 7.8mg
The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.
Salad Recipe Ideas
- Roasted Sweet Potato Arugula Salad
- Taco Salad with Homemade Catalina Dressing
- Chicken Cobb Salad
- Santa Fe Salad
If you need motivation to eat more salads, cool and creamy buttermilk ranch dressing is the way to do it. Let’s face itโa plate of veggies with a delicious dressing is always going to be more appealing. The fact that it only takes 5 minutes to make? Well, that’s just a bonus.
Happy ranch-making,
This the best homemade ranch I’ve ever had. It’s just thick enough and the flavors are perfect, thank you for sharing this recipe it’s so good!