• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Prepare + Nourish logo
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Condiments » Ranch Dressing Recipe - Using Fresh and Dried Herbs

    Ranch Dressing Recipe - Using Fresh and Dried Herbs

    Oct 22, 2015 · 11 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Ranch dressing is a type of  dressing or dip made out of a blend of herbs and spices in a mayonnaise and buttermilk emulsion, but you knew that already of course.  It's great as a salad dressing, or a veggie (or pizza) dip and even as a marinade for meat.  That is if it doesn't contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) and disodium phosphate.

    History of Ranch Dressing

    Over 50 years ago, Steve Henson and his wife made the trek west from Nebraska to California, eventually settling on a sprawling 120-acre farm complete with streams and waterfalls just outside Santa Barbara.  It was there that the original Ranch dressing was created and poured into jars for Henson's guests to take home after an evening of dining and partying.  Before long, the demand for this ranch dressing was such that the Hensons couldn't keep up with production and hired outside help including using a mail-order approach.

    The name of the Henson's dude ranch was none other than Hidden Valley.

    We loved Hidden Valley's Ranch dressing and for years that is the only ranch I would buy (shaking my head).  But I'm convinced that the formula Henson used in his original ranch is no longer used.  I'm certain that the creamy probiotic-rich buttermilk has been haphazardly replaced with the nonfat version from dairy cows fed GMO feed.  And the spices used...yeah...they account for only less than 1% per the label.  That flavor that is associated with 'ranch' comes from the ingredients you really can't pronounce.  Would you like some modified food starch with your salad?

    I suppose organic versions are slightly better but you still have to read ingredients.  I avoid anything with 'lowfat' or 'nonfat' plastered or made with soybean or canola oil.

    Better yet...make your own.  With a fraction of the cost, this is the most economical and nutritious way to enjoy your salad or any other food without worrying about funny ingredients.  If you are feeling really ambitious, make the ranch dressing with homemade mayonnaise and homemade yogurt.

    Ranch using dried herbs

    Making ranch using dried herbs is pretty forgiving.  I usually just eye-ball everything and no need to measure.  You can use either the recipe in this post or the one below calling for chives.

    Combine all dried ingredients in a jar.  Makes about ½ cup of dried mix. To make ranch dressing: in a small bowl, combine ⅓ cup of each: buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream. Add 2 tablespoons of the dried ranch mix. Stir well. Adjust for salt. If using as a salad dressing, add water a teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. It's best to keep ranch as thick as possible if using it as dip.

    This mix is great to have always have on hand because it's easy to whip up in 5 minutes.  And it's shelf-stable so no need to keep the dried mix refrigerated.  When mixed, it's good for up to a week before the buttermilk starts separating.

    Ranch using fresh herbs

    Using fresh herbs, I've discovered is best as more of a dip rather than a salad dressing.  Fresh herbs give substantially more flavor then their dried counterparts so I prefer this method for veggie dips.

    Chop fresh dill, fresh parsley, and fresh green onions or chives.  In a small bowl, combine ½ cup of sour cream, ½ cup of yogurt, and ¼ cup mayonnaise. Add all herbs and 1 fresh minced garlic clove OR 1 ½ teaspoon of dried garlic powder.  Again, the fresh garlic will give a more intense flavor than if you were to use the garlic powder.  Add onion powder, salt and pepper and combine well.

    This salad dressing is kept in the refrigerator for up to a week if using garlic powder, and 3-4 days if using fresh garlic.

    Ranch Dressing – 2 Ways (Fresh and Dried Herbs)

    Anya @ Prepare & Nourish
    Love your ranch, hate the MSG? This recipe is for you.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Total Time 20 mins

    Ingredients
      

    Ranch using dried herbs:

    • 2 T dried dill weed
    • 2 T dried parsley
    • 1 ½ T minced garlic
    • 1 T minced onion
    • 1 T chives
    • 1 t garlic powder
    • 1 t real salt
    • ½ t black pepper
    • ⅓ cup sour cream
    • ⅓ cup full-fat yogurt make your own
    • ⅓ cup mayonnaise make your own

    Ranch using fresh herbs:

    • 2 T fresh dill finely chopped
    • 2 T fresh parsley finely chopped
    • 2 T fresh chives or green onions finely chopped
    • 1 T dried onion powder
    • ½ t real salt
    • ¼ t black pepper
    • 1 fresh garlic clove minced OR 1 ½t dried garlic powder
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • ½ cup buttermilk or yogurt
    • ¼ cup mayonnaise

    Instructions
     

    Ranch using dried herbs:

    • Combine all dried ingredients in a jar. Makes about ½ cup of dried mix.
    • To make ranch dressing: in a small bowl, combine buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream.
    • Add 2 tablespoons of the dried ranch mix. Stir well. Adjust for salt.
    • If using as a salad dressing, add water a teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. It's best to keep ranch as thick as possible if using it as dip.

    Ranch using fresh herbs

    • Chop fresh dill, fresh parsley, and fresh green onions or chives.
    • In a small bowl, combine sour cream, yogurt, and mayonnaise.
    • Add all herbs and either the fresh minced garlic clove OR dried garlic powder.
    • Add onion powder, salt and pepper and combine well.

    Notes

    Ranch Dried Mix: This mix is great to have on hand as it's easy to whip up a jar of ranch dressing in 5 minutes. And it's shelf-stable so no need to keep the dried mix refrigerated. When mixed, it's good for up to a week before the buttermilk starts separating.
    Ranch Fresh Herbs: This salad dressing is kept in the refrigerator for up to a week if using garlic powder, and 3-4 days if using fresh garlic (garlic goes rancid after a few days)
     
    Note: If using yogurt instead of buttermilk, add 2-3 tablespoons of water to thin out the dressing a little bit.
    Nutrition Information
    The information shown is an estimate provided for your convenience by an online calculator. It should not be considered as a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our complete Nutritional Information Disclaimer.
    ©Prepare and Nourish • Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated but please do NOT screenshot or copy/paste complete recipes to websites or social media.
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Mention @prepareandnourish and be sure to tag #prepareandnourish!

     

    This post has been shared on Real Food Fridays | Savoring Saturdays| Simply Natural Saturdays |

    Related posts:

    Simple House Salad Dressing - Paleo, Low Carb, Whole30 - Tangy, creamy, full of flavor, this house dressing is a staple in our real food kitchen. Easily whip this up in 2 minutes with only 4 healthy ingredients. #whole30 #saladdressingSimple House Salad Dressing (Paleo, Whole30, Low Carb) Caesar salad dressing in a weck jarHealthy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe Combined spicy mayo in a bowlHow to Make Sriracha Mayo (5-minute Spicy Mayo Recipe) Homemade French Onion Dip -This Homemade French Onion Dip calls for only 8 ingredients (7 are pantry items) and can be whipped up in 5 minutes. It's a naturally low-carb appetizer - just dig in with your favorite veggies and enjoy a healthy snack. #lowcarb #healthydip #frenchonionHomemade French Onion Dip
    « Spinach and Sardine Breakfast Salad with Hollandaise Sauce
    Sorrel and Potato Soup »
    • Facebook
    • Email

    About Anya

    Sharing wholesome recipes using seasonal ingredients and simplified methods since 2014. My hope is you'll feel right at home in this online kitchen, where you'll find real food recipes for real families.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marla says

      October 23, 2015 at 8:34 am

      Hi Anya,
      I love all the healthy herbs and spices you have added in your ingredients - sounds delicious. It is so much healthier than the store bought version that is loaded with additives and chemicals. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted!

      Reply
    2. Bethany says

      October 23, 2015 at 1:31 pm

      Homemade dressings are the best! This looks great!

      Reply
    3. Raia says

      October 27, 2015 at 3:36 pm

      I love homemade ranch! I can never seem to get the herbs right, so I'm going to have to try this out. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing it at Savoring Saturdays, Anya! Hope to see you back this weekend!

      Reply
    4. Marla says

      October 29, 2015 at 9:15 am

      Hi Anya,
      Just a note to let you know that I have chosen your post as one of my features for this weeks Real Food Fridays blog hop that goes live every Thursday @ 7pm EST. Thank you for sharing and being part of Real Food Fridays mission to make this world a little bit healthier each week.

      Reply
      • Anya says

        October 29, 2015 at 2:24 pm

        Thank you Marla. I am so honored! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Andrea Wyckoff says

      October 31, 2015 at 1:21 pm

      I love ranch dressing! And it's been way too long since I made some at home! Thanks for sharing your recipe, it looks perfect!

      Andrea

      Reply
    6. Valerie says

      January 08, 2020 at 7:44 am

      Question! The instructions call for adding buttermilk along with the mayo and sour cream, but the ingredients list yogurt and no buttermilk. Do you have a preference? Are the two interchangeable? I assume either would lend that characteristic 'tang' we associate with ranch dressing. Thoughts?

      Reply
      • Anya says

        January 09, 2020 at 1:12 pm

        Hi Valerie,
        You are correct! They are interchangeable in this recipe. The biggest difference is that buttermilk is much thinner thank yogurt. I personally prefer buttermilk for this recipe but if using yogurt - I would recommend thinning it out with a few tablespoons of water. Thanks for catching that! I will add the notes.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there!

    Anya at a farm

    Welcome to Prepare + Nourish!

    I'm Anya and it is my joy to share wholesome recipes using seasonal ingredients and simplified methods. My hope is you'll feel right at home in this online kitchen, where you'll find real food recipes for real families.

    More about me →

    Looking for something?

    Trending Recipes

    • Easy Coconut Flour Banana Muffins Recipe
    • Chicken Potato Bake
    • Honey Citrus Mint Tea Recipe
    • Best Taco Meat Recipe
    • Gluten-Free French Crêpes Recipe (with Cassava Flour)
    • How to Make and Freeze Hash Browns
    • Home
    • About Me
    • Healthy Basics
    • Natural Living
    • Recipes
    • Policies

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About Me

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms of Use

    Newsletter

    Sign up for emails and updates!

    Social

    Instagram

    Facebook

    Pinterest

    Youtube

    Copyright © 2021 Prepare + Nourish

    • Save
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook