Ranch dressing – it’s that magical sauce that makes pretty much anything taste incredible. Am I right? From my childhood years to my adult years, ranch dressing has always been a beloved favorite of mine. Let’s face it, as a kid, the only way I was going to eat veggies, was as if they were slathered in my mom’s homemade ranch dressing mix.
As an adult, I began to realize that ranch could be used in so many other ways and on so many other things. Truly, the possibilities were endless. And I found myself buying bottle after bottle of ranch.
Eventually, I rediscovered those nifty little packets of ranch dressing mix that you could mix with sour cream to make your own dressing. This was cheaper and healthier than buying the bottled form, plus I started using the ranch dressing mix to season other foods, rather than just as the flavoring for my dips and dressings. I used it on meats, and vegetables, which offered a tasty, low calorie way to give my meals an extra oomph of raunchy goodness.
One of my favorite ranch recipes that occurred during this time was my Ranch Roasted Potatoes. So easy and SO delish! I have made this recipe again and again, and continue to keep it in the rotation because the whole family adores it.
At one point, I decided to experiment and make my own ranch seasoning mix. This was really a no-brainer because I hated having to run out to the store and buy one of those little processed ranch packets every time I needed it. And all of the ingredients that I needed were almost always sitting in my spice cabinet! Plus, I loved the bonus of not having any of those weird, unpronounceable preservatives or MSG in my ranch. Plus, it takes all 5 minutes to mix and measure a few ingredients.
Using just herbs and spices, this ranch seasoning mix won’t cost you any Points, and you’ll soon find yourself making all kinds of ranch-style foods! Beyond the traditional ranch dressing and dip, you’ve got to try it on roasted vegetables, chicken fingers, popcorn, garlic toast, steaks, or chicken.
However, if you have a few extra Points to spare, try mixing in some powdered buttermilk for even more incredible flavor. You can buy this at just about any store, and it keeps for months! I hate buying a whole carton of buttermilk just for one recipe because I always end up having to pitch the unused milk, so using powdered buttermilk instead is a much easier (and cheaper!) option.
One quick note – you’ll notice that because of the different sizes and textures of the herbs and spices, keeping everything evenly mixed is hard. The finer textured ingredients – like the onion powder and garlic powder – tend to settle on the bottom of the jar. If you happen to have a spice grinder on hand, you can pulse all of the ingredients a few times in there, and that’ll do the trick. If not, just make sure to give the jar a few good shakes before using it to make sure everything is evenly combined.
Now that you know how to make your own ranch seasoning mix, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the benefits of having this incredible flavoring on hand to use in so many recipes!
Who knew it was so easy to make your own ranch seasoning mix from scratch? Perfect for making your own ranch dressing or dip!
Prep TimePrep Time 5 minutes mins
Total TimeTotal Time 5 minutes mins
ServingsServings 4 servings
CaloriesCalories 16 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Notes
- The entire recipe makes 4 servings
- The serving size is about 1 heaping tbsp
Nutrition
Calories: 16 kcal (1%)Carbohydrates: 3.7 g (1%)Protein: 0.8 g (2%)Sodium: 585 mg (25%)Potassium: 74 mg (2%)Fiber: 0.6 g (3%)Sugar: 1.1 g (1%)Calcium: 20 mg (2%)Iron: 0.5 mg (3%)
Cuisine: American Recipes
Diet: Gluten Free Recipes, Kosher Recipes, Low Calorie Recipes, Low Fat Recipes, Low Lactose Recipes, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
Category: Dressing, Sauce, Gravy and Dip Recipes
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
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FAQs
Most of the dry ranch seasoning mix ingredients are simple and likely already found in your pantry. Onion powder, onion flakes, dill, parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and dried chives give this delicious seasoning mix its flavor!
Is there a difference between ranch seasoning mix and ranch dressing mix? ›
This homemade ranch seasoning mix can be used for both. The difference comes in what you combine the seasoning mix with to make either a dip or dressing. Ranch dressing is typically made with milk and mayo, while ranch dip is typically made with sour cream.
What do you add to the ranch packet? ›
Just add milk and mayonnaise. Also great to make a light or lower-calorie dressing by using light mayo instead of regular mayo.
Why does homemade ranch taste better? ›
Scratch ranch relies on fresh herbs and aromatics, which bring bite and those pops of grassy flavor that dried or powdered versions never can, so you get an eating experience that is elevated. Usually, ranch recipes will contain fresh buttermilk, and sometimes sour cream as well, for a tang that is really balanced.
What gives ranch dressing its distinctive flavor? ›
“But the particular flavor of traditional ranch can only be achieved with the dry versions of all those aromatics: garlic and onion powder, dried herbs, powdered pepper and buttermilk.” That's because fresh ingredients were rare in Alaska at the time. So Henson had to make due with what was available—and he sure did.
Is homemade ranch better? ›
Homemade wins here. The two dressings are roughly equivalent in terms of fat content, but store-bought ranch is the prototypical processed food, with an ingredients list that includes modified corn starch, monosodium glutamate, sodium lactate, polysorbate 60, et cetera.
How long does homemade ranch last? ›
Stored in a well-sealed container in the fridge (assuming you began with fresh sour cream and buttermilk) your buttermilk ranch dressing should keep for up to two weeks. Help it stay fresh by not dipping anything directly into the container that you're storing it in—for example, a half-bitten carrot.
What is the difference between ranch and creamy ranch? ›
The Classic and Southern are the same, but the creamy ranch has buttermilk powder and some other ingredients like lactose, malic acid, and carrageenan (the latter to hold it together since buttermilk powder thins out in a weird way)... the flavor is much milder than the classic/southern because of the buttermilk powder ...
What ranch mix do restaurants use? ›
Most restaurants don't buy pre packaged ranch. They buy hidden valley seasoning and mix it themselves with ingredients they already have.
Why does Hidden Valley Ranch taste different? ›
The ranch packet has a fresher taste, because you add your own mayo and milk. Even though all the herbs and spices in the mix are dried, they rehydrate quickly and leave you with a product that feels homemade. This version of Hidden Valley Ranch is more flavorful than the bottled version and much, much thicker.
Once the package has been opened, the mix should be used within 3 months for optimal flavor and quality. Freezing ranch dressing mix isn't recommended as it doesn't extend the overall shelf life, also, the mix texture could become clumpy or less palatable.
How do restaurants make ranch so good? ›
Originally Answered: Why does ranch dressing taste so much better in a restaurant than at home? Freshness. They mix it up every day or two, from the seasoning mix, buttermilk, and mayonnaise, and go through it very fast. Have you ever made the dressing yourself?
Why is restaurant ranch so creamy? ›
While many restaurants use mass produced ranch mix, they often add it to a higher-quality base. This might include milk, buttermilk, sour cream, or mayonnaise. So when you notice that the ranch in a restaurant tastes better than the bottled dressing from the store, what you're really tasting is delicious, creamy fat.
How do you make ranch packets taste better? ›
The list of Hidden Valley seasoning mix packets is plentiful, so be sure to look for the one proclaiming to be the buttermilk receipt. From there, get creative. Add some heat with cayenne, throw in some fresh herbs, or take your homemade ranch dressing up a notch by adding lavender.
Is ranch just garlic and herb dip? ›
With buttermilk and sour cream, loads of garlic and a few pinches of parsley, dill and chives this is creamy dip perfection. A good ranch combines the cooling flavours of sour cream and buttermilk with garlic and herbs.
Does ranch seasoning have gluten or dairy? ›
We energized the magical Ranch blend of buttermilk, garlic and onion flavors with a heavy dose of mild chilies and red peppers. It's undeniable decadence in one dry mix packet, ready for you to make all the delectable dishes you crave. Added bonus: It's gluten free.
Where does ranch seasoning come from? ›
The original ranch® dressing seasoning was created in the 1950s as a delicious, take-home gift for visitors to the real-life Hidden Valley Ranch in California. As its popularity grew in the 1960s, the ranch owners began selling it through local retailers in the Santa Barbara area.
Why does ranch taste like mayo? ›
Yes. Mayonnaise plays a significant part in creating that distinctive ranch flavor, and it also lends body to the dressing.
