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Skip the store-bought ranch packets in favor of this easy homemade Ranch Dressing mix. As a classically-trained chef, I love breaking down convenience products into recipes you can make yourself without the unnecessary fillers, gums, and preservatives.
Meggan’s notes
This easy homemade ranch dressing mix is made with just powdered buttermilk and spices. You can whisk it up in a minute or less and make just what you need (this recipe makes the equivalent of one store-bought packet).
Speaking of ingredients you don’t need, you don’t really need the buttermilk powder. I’ve discovered through extensive recipe testing that all of my favorite ranch mix recipes, including veggie pizza, taco soup, and cucumber sandwiches, taste better without the dried buttermilk. I use just the spices.
Use ranch dressing powder to make salad dressings, dips, marinades, and more. It’s great on roasts like Mississippi pot roast and is a key ingredient in recipes like veggie pizza, buffalo chicken dip, and taco soup. You’ll love the clean flavor and peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what’s in your mix.
Ranch Seasoning Recipe Ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
- Powdered buttermilk: Leave this out if you prefer ranch flavor without the cheesiness of buttermilk powder. For veggie pizza, taco soup, and even ranch-based dips like beer cheese dip, I always omit the dried buttermilk and add just the spices.
- Salt: I usually leave it out of my blend and add it to individual recipes according to what tastes the best.
- Parsley
- Minced onion
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dill weed
How to make Ranch Powder
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered buttermilk, dried parsley, dried minced onion, garlic powder, onion powder, and dill weed. Use immediately or store covered in the refrigerator.
Homemade Ranch Seasoning Dip
- Yield: This recipe makes ¼ cup dry ranch dressing mix or the equivalent of 1 store-bought packet.
- To make salad dressing from the mix: Whisk together 1 cup milk, 1 cup mayonnaise, and the full recipe of dry ranch mix. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to chill and blend flavors.
- To make ranch dip from the mix: Whisk together 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream and the full recipe of dry ranch mix. Cover and refrigerate for 60 minutes to thicken and blend flavors.
- Recipes that use ranch dressing mix: Try this ranch mix in Veggie Pizza, Vegetable Tortilla Roll Ups, Taco Soup, Cucumber Sandwiches, Beer Cheese Dip, and Ranch Oyster Crackers.
How to store Ranch Dressing Mix
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator or freezer indefinitely.
Put your ranch dressing mix to use
Stews and Soups
Taco Soup Recipe With Ranch Seasoning
Appetizer Recipes
Cucumber Sandwiches
Appetizer Recipes
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Dinner Recipes
Mississippi Pot Roast
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Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons powdered buttermilk (see note 1)
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
- salt optional (see note 2)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered buttermilk, dried parsley, dried minced onion, garlic powder, onion powder, and dill weed, and salt. Use immediately or store covered in the refrigerator.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Powdered buttermilk: Leave this out if you prefer ranch flavor without the cheesiness of buttermilk powder.
- Salt: I usually leave it out of my blend and add it to individual recipes according to what tastes the best.
- Yield: This recipe makes ¼ cup dry ranch dressing mix or the equivalent of 1 store-bought packet.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator or freezer indefinitely.
Is there an alteration to make the dip mix instead of the dressing mix?
Hi Spring, I don’t know for sure but I compared the ingredient labels of the dressing packet vs. the dip packet and the main difference I see is powdered buttermilk. So my best guess is that to make the dip, you would leave out the powdered buttermilk and keep everything else. The dip packet is supposed to be mixed with 16 ounces sour cream. You’d have to see if my recipe also works with that amount. It probably does, but if it doesn’t, maybe be prepared to double the mix if necessary? I hope this helps. It’s all a guess but probably isn’t too far off (I hope). Good luck! -Meggan
What aisle would you find the powdered buttermilk?
Hi Kelly! It should be in the baking aisle at your grocery store, by the evaporated milk and regular dry milk. I will also link it on the recipe card in case buying it online is easier! 😀 -Meggan
I was wondering if you can make this without black pepper I just found out im allergic. Also I read recipe for dressing can you make that withoit lemon juice as im also allergic to lemons. Also id you know of a great italian dressing without black pepper that would be much appreciated. Thanks
Hi Karin, you can definitely omit black pepper anytime. If you want to omit the lemon juice, you could substitute lime juice or white vinegar (or any kind of vinegar, really). I love this recipe for Italian dressing, just leave the black pepper out (you really don’t need it): https://cash-surge.live/the-best-homemade-italian-dressing/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> If you need anything else, just let me know! Thanks! -Meggan
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I work as a rn for hospice care and I’m always looking for quick and easy dinners to fix for my clients! Thank you tons this is a very easy and simple recipe that will go over great!
You’re welcome Kacey, I hope you like the recipe if you try it! Take care. -Meggan
Could you leave out the powdered buttermilk? If so, what would you have to substitute?
I’d like to know this too. I don’t want to make dressing, I want it to add to Greek yogurt for veggie dip. I’m out of the bulk HVR mix and thought I’d make my own. The last time I tried this, I wasn’t able to find powered buttermilk at my local walmart.
No pepper in the bulk recipe?
Typo! Should be 1 1/4 tsp. Pepper for bulk. Sorry about that. A pinch is defined as 1/8 so 1/8*10=1 tsp. + 1/4 tsp. I do a lot of culinary math in culinary school. Thank you and sorry!
I’m certainly going to try theses rollups but wanted to say thanks for the ranch dressing recipe also. I’ve been making my own mixes and dressings for a while now also such as taco, chipotle and tarter sauce so i appreciate seeing another one i can add to my list.
Hi Sheri, you are SO WELCOME! Thank you for the lovely, kind comment. It’s so great when you can make these spice blends on your own. I have a cajun seasoning blend on the blog too if that sounds like something you’d enjoy! Take care and thanks again.
What do you use for liquid in the Ranch Dressing?
Hi Jeri, I have never experimented with turning this into salad dressing. I prefer to just make ranch salad dressing from scratch with buttermilk. Here’s my recipe if you want to see it: https://cash-surge.live/homemade-buttermilk-ranch-dressing/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
But, if I were going to make this into dressing, I’d add 1 cup of buttermilk and 1 cup of mayonnaise because that’s what you add to Hidden Valley Ranch’s packet to make salad dressing. Thanks!
Now I need to go hunt that powdered buttermilk down. I can think of so many uses! Thanks Meggan.
Do it, Kevin! It’s really useful for baking too. Thank you so much!