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Best Ranch Dressing Recipe
If you’re like me, you love a good ranch dressing! But so many times anything store bought just seriously falls short. It’s lacking flavor and smooth creamy texture. And often times, there are one too many ingredients that you can’t even pronounce! If you’re looking for the best ranch dressing recipe ever, look no further! This ranch is creamy and delicious, and you know exactly what ingredients are going into it! Add it to a chicken wrap or drizzle it over a salad. Even use it as a dip… Regardless let’s make this ranch dressing!
Ingredients For The Best Ranch Dressing
Let’s start this recipe by assembling all the ingredients needed. This dressing required just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your fridge and pantry!
- Mayonnaise
- Sour Cream
- Milk
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Garlic
- Olive Oil
- Parsley
- Dill
- Salt & Pepper
The Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is part of the base for this ranch dressing recipe. In order to make the highest quality ranch dressing you can, be sure to look at the ingredient list in your mayonnaise and buy organic if possible. Or, you can even make your own mayo by following this easy fermented mayo recipe on the blog!
The Sour Cream
Sour cream is the other half of the base for this recipe. Just as with the mayonnaise, source high quality sour cream and buy organic if possible. This recipe can also be substituted with Greek yogurt for a similar (yet slightly more tangy) flavor.
The Milk
This recipe calls for regular whole milk (I prefer raw of course). However, you could easily substitute with buttermilk if you have it on hand or even whey of that’s what you have. Feel free to use a plant based milk if that’s what you have.
The Apple Cider Vinegar
The Apple Cider Vinegar in this recipe is meant to add a little bit of sourness and tanginess to the dressing. You could achieve this same goal with lemon juice or regular white vinegar although both may produce a slightly stronger flavor. Consider starting with 1/2 the quantity if substituting.
The Garlic
Using fresh garlic in this recipe is preferred. However if you only have garlic powder, a few shakes of this will result in a similar flavor.
The Olive Oil
When choosing an olive oil for any recipe, always look for cold pressed unrefined olive oil preferably in a glass bottle. Store liquid oils in an air tight bottle in a dark cool location for better oil and better creations in your kitchen!
Parsley & Dill
Parsley and Dill are the two key herbs in the recipe. These herbs can be either dried or fresh. Either way, the flavor of your dressing will be amazing!
The Salt & Pepper
Of course, I recommend using high quality sea salt. If you want to boost the flavor, opt for fresh cracked pepper instead of pre-ground.
Mixing Up Your Ranch Dressing
Now that you have all your ingredients chosen and ready to go, it’s time to mix this delicious ranch dressing! This honestly could not be more simple! All you need to do is combine all your ingredients in a mixing bowl, and whisk the dressing until it is a smooth creamy texture.
Combine your sour cream and mayo first. Although I provide exact measurements, I honestly don’t usually measure. Since you need equal parts its easy to just eyeball it. But if you’d rather measure exactly go for it!
Next add in your milk and vinegar, minced garlic and olive oil. Add in your dill and parsley and if using fresh, be sure to mince it very finely. Finally add in your salt and pepper to taste and whisk thoroughly.
Storing Your Ranch Dressing
Store your ranch dressing in an air tight container or bottle in the fridge. If using apple cider vinegar with the mother, or store bought mayo and sour cream, you can store your dressing for up to a month. If using a regular homemade mayo and a vinegar other than ACV with the mother, you’ll be better off consuming within a week or so. This is because homemade mayo (unless fermented) will spoil quickly unless a live culture ferment (such as ACV with the mother) is added into it. Read more about this in my fermented mayo recipe.
A Spicy Twist To The Best Ranch Dressing Recipe
Ranch dressing is delicious, but ranch dressing with a little bit of spice is just as delicious if not more! Here’s how to make a spicy southwest ranch dressing simply by adding in a few more ingredients.
To spice it up add in:
- 1 tsp minced jalapeno (it doesn’t take much!)
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 pinches cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/8 tsp ground mustard
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Use this spicy variation over a chicken salad topped with black beans, corn, red onion, and tomatoes for a delicious summery spicy salad!
Be sure to tag us on Instagram or Facebook if you decide to make this BEST RANCH DRESSING RECIPE! @almostheavenhomesteading
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Below, you can find some of the items I like to use in my kitchen that are not only practical but also beautiful!
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Additional Posts to Check Out:
Fermented Avocado Oil Mayo
DIY Easy Apron Sewing Tutorial
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