I saw on the news that World Cup tourists were getting busted at airports trying to sneak bottles of Ranch Dressing out of the States. There’s no need to smuggle! It’s easy to make and homemade is a gazillion times better – here’s the recipe!
Ranch Dressing
This is not some tale I’m making up. I really did see on the news that World Cup fans were getting stopped by airport security with gallons of ranch dressing in their carry-on. It became such a problem that the Transport Security Administration issued an official warning, reminding travellers to pack it in checked luggage or risk confiscation!
I do get it though. It’s good stuff! For those unfamiliar, Ranch is a wildly popular American creamy dressing made with buttermilk, mayonnaise, garlic, onion and herbs. Tangy, creamy, herby and a little bit savoury from dried onion and garlic, it’s used as a salad dressing, dip for vegetables, with wings, chips, pizza… basically, Americans put ranch on everything, and once you’ve tried it, you’ll understand why.
As you’d expect, it dominates the bottled dressing aisle but honestly, homemade is SO much better because you can really taste the herbs!
Ingredients in Ranch Dressing
Here’s what you need to make this. To make a really good one, get fresh parsley and chives, But for everyday home purposes, dried herbs does the job nicely!
Buttermilk – This thins the dressing to the right consistency while adding the signature tang of Ranch. It also makes the dressing lighter and fresher than using just mayonnaise and sour cream. If you’d rather not buy a whole carton just for this recipe (though having buttermilk on hand is the perfect excuse to make Choc Chip or Blueberry Muffins!), it can be substituted with a 1:2 mixture of yogurt and milk which is just about the same thickness and very similar in flavour too.
Sour cream and mayonnaise – I like to use a combination of both rather than only mayonnaise which I find too rich and greasy. Full-fat is recommended for best flavour (well actually, homemade will be the absolute best!), especially the mayonnaise as low-fat mayo tends to be sweeter, I find, which will alter the flavour of the dressing. If you prefer a version without mayonnaise, see my Mayo-free Yogurt Ranch Dressing (it’s very good!).
Fresh parsley and chives – I fiddled with various combinations of dried versus fresh herbs, and these are the two fresh herbs I like to use. Dill was the other one I played with, but I prefer the earthiness that dried rather than fresh dill brings to the dressing.
Dried herbs – The onion and garlic powder adds a savouriness to the dressing that makes it distinctly Ranch Dressing, while dill is a classic her used in Ranch. The dried dill can be substituted with fresh, but I really urge you to stick with powdered garlic and onion for this dressing, using fresh is just not the same!
Apple cider vinegar – The tiniest smidge (just 1 teaspoon), to add a hint of tang into the dressing. You can substitute with lemon juice or any other clear vinegar, we use so little it doesn’t really matter.
How to make Ranch Dressing
The making part just requires mixing everything together. The texture should be thin enough to pour (photo at top), but thick enough so it clings to anything you dunk in it (see potato wedges dunk shot below).
Then it really benefits from being aside for at least 2 hours to let all the flavours meld, before using. It is fine to use straight away, but what you’ll find is that you can taste all the ingredients separately whereas if you let it rest for a while, the flavours all sort of mingle together to become one.
It’s worth it!
As someone who saves creamy mayo-based dressings for when they’re “worth it” – I promise, Ranch is worth it! It is a Dressing that makes people want a giant serving of salad, with just enough mayo to taste indulgent though it’s actually mostly lower-calorie buttermilk and sour cream. Some recipes use double the mayo, but to me that pushes it into potato salad territory and away from (virtuous! wellness queen! Oh-we-glow!) leafy salads.
So load up your trolleys with leafy greens – you’re going to want to eat it all with this tasty dressing!! – Nagi x
PS No recipe video today, because it’s one of those simple quick-flick recipes. 🙂
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Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
1. Fresh Herb Ranch Dressing (special!)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (Note 1 for easy substitution)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise , either store-bought whole egg or homemade
- 1/2 cup sour cream , full fat
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice , or other clear vinegar
- 2 tbsp finely chopped chives , or 1 tsp dried chives
- 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley , or 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp dried dill , or 1 1/2 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder , or fresh garlic finely grated using a microplane
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together until the dressing is smooth. Leave in the fridge for 2 hours to let the flavours meld before using.
- Use as a dressing or dip for everything from wings to chips, veggie sticks or even bread!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
More Salad Dressings that will make you want to eat your greens!
Life of Jaffle
I am 99% sure I very recently commented how well behaved Mr Jaffle has been lately.
I take it back.
I also have to acknowledge the Instagram community who immediately jumped to his defence when I shared those photos – everything from “It wasn’t him” and “Clearly the flip flops exploded” to “The flip flops had it coming” and “He was framed!” 😆
Dear Nagi, thank you so much for the ranch dressing recipe We will have it tonight and I am sure it is true Nagi style!
Jaffle soumds like the perfect successor for Dozer, whom I adored, but I know he is resting in peace. With our dogs we had many shoes ruined, but that is what dogs enjoy! Sending love from South Africa and thank you for all your wonderful recipes…! xxxx
Thank you Claudia! I hope you love the ranch 🙂 And yes, shoes apparently just exist for puppies to enjoy…. 😂 – N x
And just a reminder that you can wear shoes from different pairs. I.e., why should your feet match????
Oh my! I’ve heard of self exploding flip flops before. I’m so glad Jaffle wasn’t hurt 😉. Big hugs to the sweet boy.
Thanks for the ranch recipe Nagi, it sounds delicious and perfect for all the salads we enjoy throughout the year.
😂 Clearly a case of spontaneous flip flop combustion! Hope you love the ranch Deb – N x
HA,HA. Jaffel srikes again. Love that BOY. He is so cute, just like DOZER. You know you love Him.XXXXXXXXXXXXX
With all my heart. Even when he destroys my things 😂 – N x
Oy!
We live in Australia! They are NOT flip flops! They are thongs!
And while I am having a whinge, how about some recipes for those of us with ulcerative colitis?
Since I have been battling it, I still love your recipes, but sadly a lot of the time I can’t tolerate the ingredients.
Just curious whether you think Nagi (who as far as I know, is neither medical professional nor nutritionist) should develop recipes specifically addressed to suit *every* health condition or just yours?
Tell me, did you have to work on being such a snarky little miss, or are you just naturally gifted?
To Tim (& to anyone else who I may have offended with my thoughtlessly snarky comment), please accept my apology; my response was unnecessarily rude. I was overly hasty & unkind & feel quite ashamed. A person very close to me has a similar disease & I know how frustrating it is to not be able to eat the foods you enjoy. I wish you all the best.
Apology accepted, and thank you for your kind words. I do take your point about Nagi’s qualifications. I love to cook, and I absolutely love Thai food, especially with chilli. Unfortunately it is off limits for me now, and that is very frustrating.
I have been fortunate in that I have only recently contracted the disease in my seventies. I have done some research, and it is much more prevalent than I realised. Many people contract it at an early age. They certainly have my sympathies.
Cheers and best wishes to you!
Timbo
I’m from California and have always known them as zories. Apparently they come from the Japanese shoe called zori and were brought over after ww2 by returning military personnel. I now live in the UK and they are known as flip-flops. I still call them zories…
Leslie, I had a good chuckle at your mention of Zories. I was born in San Jose and have lived here for 73 years. As a child I lived in Zories 24/7. However, when ever I mention them to anyone, I can see a giant question mark over their heads. So thanks for validating my memories!
Lynne, thank you so much for replying to my comment. It’s so nice to hear from someone who actually knows what zories are! I’m now almost 80 and you start wondering if your memories have any credibility at all! Thx for taking the time to write.
Ha! I KNEW someone would pull me up on the flip flops 😂 But you KNOW what the rest of the world thinks of when we say “thongs”!!!! Sorry to hear about the ulcerative colitis Tim – I know that must make choosing recipes tricky. – N x
What would you suggest for lactose intolerants? Yoghurt and water mix instead of buttermilk works (greek yoghurt is low lactose) but lactose free sour cream is… Honestly kinda naff. Any ideas?
I’d use lactose-free Greek yoghurt in place of the sour cream too! It will be a little tangier and lighter but should still be delicious 🙂 – N x
Annette, Thank You for being so selfless and helping train a guide dog puppy. It would break my heart to give the pup up, but the cause is so great. You are a real hero!
Saw the stories of tourists smuggling ranch dressing home and felt embarrassed that that was the best the US had to offer! I am not a big fan, but I am sure yours is better than bottled. Poor Jaffle looks confused. Like he had no idea what happened to your sandal. Love the comments about his innocence! Reminds me of the guy on line who does doggy court and finds all the dogs innocent.
😂 I know, of ALL the wonderful things America has to offer!! And yes, I think the jury has already acquitted Jaffle unanimously. – N x
Yummy, just made this. You never fail me Nagi! Thank you ♥️
That was quick!! Glad you enjoyed it Claire. I had it on salads for a week straight leading up to sharing the recipe!! 🙂
It was perfect timing, I was preparing a salad for dinner when your email came in with the ranch dressing recipe. It was perfect, we will be having it all week also ❤️😘
i think the flip flop suddenly found its way into Mr Jaffles mouth and he tried to spit it out and it wouldnt budge so had to chew to dislodge the offending matter lol
Ahhhh yes! Another excellent theory!!
Can I sub the sour cream for yogurt or philly cream for cooking. Can’t have sour cream or cream
Yogurt would be best! – N x
My favourite dressing! Agree with the blue cheese! Thank you Nagi! More pics of Jaffle please! 🥰
I LOVE blue cheese dressing and sauce!!! I must share it one day soon 🙂 – N x
Recipe – YUUUUUMMMM!!!!!!!!!
Jaffle – it was all he could find that would give the image of rose petals for you – right colour, 10/10 for ingenuity ?????
😂😂 Rose petals! I’m sure that was EXACTLY what he was going for Mandy!! – N x
What a sorry & apologetic little face. (Flip flops definitely had it coming!) Will be making your Ranch recipe and wanted to share I occasionally I add crumbled bleu cheese to ranch dressing. Have you tried it? Yummy!
Just had a thought, Maybe Jaffle is a chewer and needs a collection of his own toys which are rubber and not at all easy to destroy, or maybe it’s a phase which he’ll definitely grow out of. He’s a beautiful dog!!!!!!! We love seeing photos of him, just the same as we all loved Dozer.
I live alone and can’t always use a whole container of buttermilk. On Amazon I found powdered buttermilk. You just reconstitute the amount you need, when you need it. It works just fine in all Ranch recipes and has a fairly long shelf life.
Jaffle says – I found it like that mum …….Just like minding grand-dog Pachi on Tuesday she ‘found’ my Pilates socks half eaten – apparently she blamed red dog Tommy ……it happens in the dog world apparently..😉💛🧡
You just gave me the biggest laugh of the day (week actually) Jaffle is telling you to stop working soooo hard and cuddle him 24 -7 I think the thong deconstruction was him talking to you. He’s a very smart doggy. Non compliance means more wickedness, so look out Nagi!
Oh Nagi he is only a pup and look at those eyes..
I love your Ranch dressing almost as much as Blue Vein which I first tried in the USA many years ago
Love your recipes
Nagi
Thanks for brightening my day.
I’ve written to you before about my gorgeous Guide Dog Labrador puppy, Luckie, who I’ve had in my home since he was 8 weeks, for 16 months.
Well, we took him back to Guide Dogs HQ on Monday to start the next part of his career and hopefully if he passes, he will become a Guide Dog in 5 months.
I am heartbroken he has left us and I’ve shed many tears as you and I did for darling Dozer.
I did mention previously that like you, I am also a OneMeal volunteer. Thank you for your HUGE contribution.
I’m sorry I can’t send you a photo of Luckie down at Bayview where we took him for a last swim and romp.
Oh yes, the recipe. I haven’t tried it yet but it takes me back some 50 years when I was a Qantas Hostie, we always bought home the Ranch Dressing packets to make up the dressing.
I’m sure yours will bring back many memories.
Annette
Annette, Thank You for being so selfless and helping train a guide dog puppy. It would break my heart to give the pup up, but the cause is so great. You are a real hero!