Prep your pantry and make your own delicious & versatile homemade ranch seasoning mix in minutes! This easy recipe uses pantry staples and lets you customize the flavor to your liking. Perfect for dips, dressings, and more!
Who doesn't love a good ranch dip? That creamy, tangy flavor elevates everything from a plate of elegant veggie crudités to a basket of crispy fries. But let's be honest, those store-bought ranch dressing packets are full of unappetizing and unpronounceable ingredients.
Keep reading for our simple recipe and some exciting variations to take your homemade ranch seasoning to the next level!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Real Ingredients: Skip the artificial flavors and fillers of store-bought packets! This homemade ranch seasoning mix recipe uses real herbs and spices that deliver a bright and authentic ranch flavor.
- Customizable: This recipe allows you to adjust the seasoning levels to your preference. Want extra garlic or add a hot kick? Go for it!
- Cost-Effective: Making your own homemade ranch seasoning mix is significantly cheaper than buying packets. Plus, a single batch can last for months, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Versatile: This homemade ranch seasoning mix isn't just for dips and dressings! Use it as a dry rub for meats, sprinkle it on popcorn for a savory snack, pasta salad, or add it to roasted vegetables for a flavor boost. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients
- Dry Buttermilk - Gives the recipe a creamy texture and tangy flavor. You can usually find it in the baking aisle (next to the evaporated milk) at your local grocery store.
- Garlic & Onion powder - you can substitute granulated if needed.
- Dried parsley, chives, dill & tarragon - Choose dehydrated or freeze dried herbs to avoid a clumpy mixture.
- Salt - I prefer Redmond's Real Salt, sea salt, Celtic salt or Himalayan salt.
- Sugar - You have to use white sugar for this recipe, you can not substitute it with honey or brown sugar.
- Cracked Black Pepper - It is best to use freshly ground black pepper, but you can substitute white pepper.
- Mustard Powder - It creates a sharp flavor in the dip when mixed with other spices.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together and blend well. You can do this by hand or in a food processor or spice grinder.
- Use 2 tablespoons of homemade ranch seasoning to replace one seasoning packet.
How to Make Ranch Dressing
Combine 2 tablespoons of your homemade ranch seasoning mix with 1 cup of buttermilk, ½ cup of mayonnaise, and ¼ cup of sour cream in a jar with a lid. Shake vigorously until well combined and emulsified. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. I also like to add a teaspoon of white vinegar and a sprinkle of fresh ground black pepper to really make it tangy!
Serving Suggestions for Ranch Seasoning Mix
You can use your own homemade ranch dressing mix the same way that you would the store-bought packets of dry ranch seasoning mix.
- Ranch Dip - Mix two tablespoon of homemade seasoning with one 16oz container of sour cream and enjoy it with chips or homemade chicken taquitos or on air fryer chicken breasts or baked chicken tenders. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Use more ranch seasoning mix for a stronger flavor, or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra tanginess.
- Protein Packed Ranch Dip: My new obsession is sneaking cottage cheese into everything. In a food processor or wide-mouthed mason jar with immersion blender, combine 1 cup cottage cheese, 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix and blend until smooth. My husband likes it when I add a few tablespoons of mayo to make it silkier, but the kids prefer it without.
- Marinade or Meat Rub - You can use it as seasoning for cooking a roast in the crockpot or instant pot pork loin. Simply sprinkle it over the meat to season and prepare as usual.
- Ranch Pumpkin Seeds - This tastes exceptionally good on roasted pumpkin seeds. You will add it to the seeds the same time you add the salt, just before roasting them.
Storage
- Transfer the ranch seasoning mix to an airtight container.
- Store this seasoning mix in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cupboard. Avoid storing it near heat or direct sunlight.
- Use within 3 months.
Top Tips
- The amount of liquid you use will affect the consistency of your dip or dressing. Start with less liquid and add more if you prefer a thinner consistency.
- Allow your ranch dip or dressing to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and develop for the best taste.
- The beauty of homemade seasoning is the ability to personalize it! Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick, or some fresh chopped herbs like chives or dill for extra depth of flavor.
FAQ
Buttermilk powder can sometimes clump, but here are 3 ways to prevent this. Pick the method that works best for you:
1. Whisk your dry ingredients together vigorously before storing to break up any clumps.
2. Sift your dry ingredients before mixing to help ensure a smooth and even blend.
3. Grind your spices in a mortar and pestle for a super fine and clump-free seasoning mix.
When stored properly in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, your homemade ranch seasoning mix can stay fresh for up to 3 months.
Simply omit the buttermilk powder or substitute an equal amount of vegan milk powder. Use a vegan alternative like cashew cream or vegan yogurt for dipping sauce applications. The tanginess won't be the same, so add a tiny amount of apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast or lemon juice when reconstituting.
Recipe
Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix
Equipment
- mason jar or airtight container
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup dry buttermilk powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 4 teaspoons dill dried or freeze dried
- 2 teaspoons parsley dried or freeze dried
- 3 teaspoons chives dried or freeze dried
- 2 teaspoons salt sea salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon tarragon dried or freeze dried
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together and blend well. You can do this by hand or in a food processor or spice grinder.
- Use 2 tablespoons of homemade ranch seasoning to replace one seasoning packet.
Notes
- Transfer the ranch seasoning mix to an airtight container. Use within 3 months.
Nutrition
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Melissa
So easy! I made a batch and have used it for grilled chicken seasoning, ranch seasoned roasted new potatoes, chip dip and ranch dressing! Definitely a keeper!
Aaron
I put two tablespoons on a roast and it was awesome!