Homemade Ranch Dressing

This recipe is a healthier version of Homemade Ranch Dressing without sour cream. You can re-create the classic ranch dressing from scratch. Super easy, healthy, and tastes just like a restaurant!

homemade ranch dressing in a jar with a spoon being dipped into it

I loved ranch dressing growing up for dipping carrots into and pouring over salads. However, I can’t recall the last time I had it! Time to change that.

So how do you make ranch dressing from scratch?

I’ve been shaking up my own dressings for years now. With who knows what in the bottled products it is a fairly easy swap and I make salad dressing all the time.

Typically, I stick to vinaigrettes so I thought it would be fun to recreate a healthy homemade ranch dressing and relive my childhood a bit.

Stirrup pants, not required. 😉

homemade ranch dressing in a jar

HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING

The first thing is to assemble your own personal, homemade ranch dressing mix.

A fragrant cornucopia of spices:

  • dill
  • onion powder
  • garlic powder
  • thyme
  • sea salt
  • coarsely ground fresh black pepper.

TIP! Make sure the pepper is coarsely ground because you want the occasional hit of a big piece of peppercorn in your dressing.

spices in a white bowl on a marble slab

I also use some fresh chopped parsley because I happened to have some in the crisper but you could totally use dried parsley.

Go with whatever you have.

For the base of this dressing, we are using Greek yogurt.

TIP! Be sure to use a thick, Greek yogurt and not the regular kind of yogurt for your dressing to have the right consistency. Balkan yogurt would work also. The difference between Greek yogurt and Balkan yogurt is Balkan has lower protein and higher fat.

I add in a bit of milk for added creaminess.

milk and greek yogurt in a white bowl

Whisk it up until the mixture is nice and smooth and creamy.

a whisk stirring together greek yogurt and milk in a white mixing bowl

Doesn’t the fresh parsley look pretty? I love a good pop of colour.

freshly chopped parsley being added to a mixture of greek yogurt and milk

Add in the rest of the seasonings and give it all a really good stir.

dried seasonings being added to a greek yogurt and milk mixture in a white mixing bowl

And that is it! Simple, right? Homemade ranch dip in five easy steps.

HOW DO YOU STORE HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING?

Store it in an airtight glass jar and give it an hour or two in the fridge to set and allow the flavours to develop when it has first been made. After that keep unused portions in the sealed mason jar in the fridge for up to a week.

Homemade ranch dressing in a jar being held in a hand

This is a healthier version of what you might be used to and isn’t quite as rich as the bottled version.

TIP! If you want a creamier, richer version, you could totally use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt.

We use this dressing for dipping but also for delicious salads such as this Pulled Pork Salad and this Easy Chicken Taco Salad. So much yum!

homemade ranch dressing in a jar with a spoon being dipped into it

SERVING IDEAS FOR THIS RECIPE

I chopped up a cold chicken breast from the fridge (yesterday’s dinner was Baked Honey Mustard chicken) and tossed it in with a huge bowl of greens dressed in the ranch-y goodness.

More serving ideas:

  • as a dip for cut veggies
  • in this Ranch Chicken Taco Salad
  • stir in some adobe sauce for a spicy ranch dressing
  • as a salad dressing
Ranch dressing being spooned onto a salad

Is it cheaper to make your own ranch dressing? It really is about the same as far as cost goes, because store bought dressings can be pretty cheap, but the main idea is control of your ingredients.

homemade ranch dressing in a jar

MORE HEALTHY HOMEMADE DRESSING RECIPES:

Dill & Red Onion Dressing

Classic Vinaigrette

Honey Mustard Dressing

Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

Pomegranate + Citrus Dressing

Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing

*Originally posted February 7, 2014. Updated December 8, 2020*

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homemade ranch dressing in a jar with a spoon being dipped into it

Homemade Ranch Dressing

Sharon Rhodes
This recipe is a healthier version of Homemade Ranch Dressing without sour cream. You can re-create the classic ranch dressing from scratch.
4.34 from 18 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Refrigerate 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Salad, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 29 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk the yogurt and milk together until well combined.
  • Whisk in the parsley, followed by the remaining seasonings.
  • Transfer to a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for two hours.
  • Shake the jar well before using.
  • Keep unused portion in the fridge for up to a week.

Nutrition

Calories: 29kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 211mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 73IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg
Keyword healthy ranch dresssing, homemade ranch dressing
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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78 Comments

  1. 3 stars
    This missed the mark in my opinion. Ranch is typically made with fresh parsley, fresh dill, and fresh chives; the powered onion and garlic are fine. It needed a bit of acid so I added a teaspoon or two of vinegar and that added the punch I was looking for.

  2. 5 stars
    LIke you, I generally stick to vinaigrettes (and I haven’t purchased salad dressing in YEARS), but this is so easy, and with the swap to Greek yogurt, a lot less guilty. Don’t get me wrong, I love sour cream, but if you’re planning to use a lot of ranch in a recipe, this is a superb way to go! Cheers!

  3. 5 stars
    We’re big ranch fans in this house so having it homemade is so much better than store bought. Thanks for sharing.

  4. 5 stars
    I had planned to figure out how to make Ranch Dressing with Greek yogurt and you beat me to it! 🙂 This looks delicious and I can’t wait to try it!

  5. 5 stars
    This is my favourite ranch dressing! I love the spice level of the pepper and I love dill (I used fresh). Thanks for giving me a guilt free alternative!

  6. I was looking for a healthier ranch dressing and I’ve found it. I just love Greek yogurt with everything. It’s so good. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

    1. Thanks so much! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there is noting more empowering than making your own dressing. 😉 Enjoy the rest of your week!

  7. Would you suggest a substitute for dill or could I eliminate it altogether? I’m really not a fan. Thanks!

    1. I used 1% organic dairy milk, but any kind of milk should be fine. Just no flavoured ones, like vanilla or something. Enjoy it! 🙂

  8. I tried making this and it was WAY too peppery the first time – I ended up tossing it. The second time I added the pepper at the end to taste and it was much better. Probably ended up being about half as much.

  9. Only because I didn’t have any yogurt on hand, I used mayo instead, and it STILL turned out great! This might even be preferable for those who like a thick texture. Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Absolutely! I would sub the milk for buttermilk. Great idea! Have a great weekend, Andrea. 🙂

  10. Just made this, and it is delicious Sharon! I used non-fat plain yogurt with the addition of a little water. Yum yum! 🙂 Have a great Sunday girl!

  11. Just made this using plain, regular yogurt and without the addition of milk…excellent! Thanks for sharing the recipe – will be using this one again for sure. And I will definitely try it with the originally posted Greek yogurt next time, too.

  12. How long can this be stored up to in the fridge? Just a rough idea. Thanks and love this recipe!

    1. It would depend on the freshness of your milk and yogurt. Check the expiry date on those and that should be your guide. I hope you love it! 🙂

  13. Thanks for the heads up on this recipe….will try with the picky son…do a few push ups at 440 for me whilst I am away. Love the blog

  14. I want to try this recipe but have a dairy allergy. Can you substitute Veganaise (mayo) for the yogurt?? Thanks!

    1. Hmmm…the veganaise might have to thick of a texture to it. Is there some kind of dairy free sour cream? That would be the closest substitute.

  15. This is perfect! I love ranch for dipping cucumber, carrots, celery…oh boy I think I just may have realized I like ranch more than I thought…but I’m the same as you. I never buy it & don’t really think I remember the last time I ate it. I guess I’ll just have to try out your recipe & discover my old love for ranch again! 🙂

    1. Hey George! That one is kind of hard. I know there are great coconut yogurts but I can’t see that flavour working with this recipe. Dairy allergies can be tough … Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.

      1. Just remember that a cup of mayo is about 1500 calories, while a cup of Greek yogurt is 100 calories. There are several brands of nondairy yogurt. I personally like to make my ranch dressing with 1 c of buttermilk and 1/4 c of mayo–not as low calorie as the yogurt version, but I adore the tang of buttermilk and still get about a 1 1/2 c of dressing for about 400 calories total, or about 65 calories per serving

      1. I haven’t tried with whipping cream but I think it would work! It would definitely be a richer flavour.

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