Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe

Featuring sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, dill, and fresh chives, this buttermilk ranch dressing recipe comes together in just five minutes. The easiest, most flavorful homemade ranch dressing for dipping raw vegetables or drizzling over salads, and a perfect way to use up excess buttermilk left over from other recipes.

Why Make This Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe?

Not long after moving to London to attend pastry school, I discovered that ranch—my go-to dressing for everything from fresh green salads to lukewarm pizza crusts—is just…not a thing in the UK. In fact, it’s hard to even find bottled ranch dressing without visiting an international store like Partridges, or spending way too much money to place an online order. So, in the same way that I figured out how to make my own versions of other American staples like pumpkin spice and everything bagel seasoning, I quickly honed my skill at making homemade ranch dressing.

I don’t always make my own salad dressing (I am and always will be a Pizza Express House Salad Dressing devotee…) but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. And honestly, once you discover how easy it is to whisk together sour cream, mayo, buttermilk, and a few pantry herbs to make your own homemade ranch dressing, it’s hard to go back to the store-bought stuff.

Drizzle homemade buttermilk ranch dressing over salad greens, use it as a dip for pretzels or sliced raw vegetables, add it to grain bowls or sandwich wraps, or serve it alongside homemade potato wedges. This five-minute recipe is sure to satisfy any ranch craving, and it’s a great way to use up buttermilk left over from other recipes, too!

Homemade Ranch Dressing Ingredients

To make this buttermilk ranch dressing recipe, start by gathering the following ingredients:

• Sour Cream – For maximum creaminess, full-fat sour cream (soured cream in the UK) works best.
• Mayonnaise – Again, opt for full-fat mayo. Avoid “Miracle Whip” or salad dressings.
• Buttermilk – Any brand of buttermilk will work. If you’re in the US, your only option might be a big bottle—see below for some of my favorite ways to use up the leftovers.

• White Vinegar – I developed this recipe with a standard white vinegar, but feel free to tweak the flavor by substituting another vinegar, like white wine vinegar or cider vinegar, instead.
• Herbs and Spices – You’ll need finely chopped fresh chives, plus dried parsley, garlic powder, dried dill, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.

How to Make Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Making your own buttermilk ranch dressing couldn’t be easier. Simply whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, and white vinegar, add dried spices and chopped fresh chives, and dig in!

For ingredient quantities and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the recipe card below.

Ways to Use This Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe

This homemade buttermilk ranch dressing tastes great on salads, of course, but it’s good for lots of other things, too. Use it as a dip for chips and pretzels, roasted potato wedges, or veggie nuggets. Dunk crunchy raw vegetables like carrot sticks and edamame. Spread it on sandwiches and wraps, or drizzle it over a baked jacket potato.  I also love using homemade ranch to make cold pasta salads, and it’s perfect for dunking slices of homemade pizza.

More Buttermilk Recipe Ideas

While I love cooking with buttermilk, I hate that I have to buy a massive bottle when I only need a small amount.

If you’re looking for a way to use up excess buttermilk, I suggest making my buttermilk ice cream (the ideal solution, because it requires a large amount of buttermilk), my soda bread recipe with raisins and citrus, or my red velvet whoopie pies with strawberry buttercream. You can add buttermilk to smoothies and smoothie bowls, too.

Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions

To allow the flavors to develop, cover and refrigerate homemade ranch dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Store leftover ranch dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Other dip and dressing recipes you might enjoy:

Blue Cheese Dip
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Healthy Yogurt Dip
Sriracha Veggie Dip with Greek Yogurt

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

Print