You’ll invent reasons to whip up a jar of this homemade ranch dressing recipe! It’s so simple but tastes like you worked hard at it!
Walk right by that salad dressing aisle! Dried herbs and spices make this ranch dressing recipe a breeze to make! Plus it’s great on EVERYTHING!
Does time ever get away from you? Well, that’s what happened with this homemade ranch dressing recipe!!! Almost two years ago we made this recipe for a Mothers Day brunch. At the time I wasn’t thinking about blogging about it. There were people to feed and I had a lot of food to make. But I try not to let an opportunity pass by, so I did jot down the ingredients.
But the ranch dressing recipe turned out to be a hit! So, I agreed to put it on the blog. And then two years shuffled by!
I have to admit that I’m one of those people who over plans. My father-in-law, Tom, always says, “If you got everything done on your to-do list, it wasn’t long enough.” Well, that’s great in theory, but sometimes you want the feeling of satisfaction of accomplishing all the things you set out to do…
But like Tom, I’m a bit of a workaholic nerd. So, I try to DO IT ALL!!!
At the end of the day… or longer… when that same item is still on your list, you have to admit that hard work is not always enough. I’m not superwoman and my ambitious mind can get me in a lot of trouble!!!! The best of intentions…yada, yada, yada! So, yeah, two years later I’m posting this homemade ranch dressing.
I’m glad I finally got around to posting the recipe because it’s so tasty and easy!!!! The flavor comes from dried ingredients, so this is the kind of thing you can whip up on a weeknight at a moment’s notice. Better yet, if you’re a meal prepper, you can portion out the dry ingredients in jars for a ready to make mix.
Either way this dressing is creamy and tangy and it’s got a secret ingredient! Should I tell you?
Oh, okay…I’ll let the cat out of the bag (;-) It’s dried romano cheese! So, to all of the fans of parmesan peppercorn dressing out there, you’re going to LOVE this recipe!!!! The romano cheese adds a smoothness to the flavor while also thickening the consistency.
But there’s more to this dressing than cheesy flavor. It’s also loaded with savory herbs and spices that make it as colorful as it is tasty! Parsley, chives, sweet bell pepper, basil, and lots of freshly cracked black pepper!!! Just thinking about it, my mouth is all drippy with excitement. I’m ashamed to admit I pour it on everything…veggies, salads, meats and I dying to try it on my friend Erika’s recipe for Quinoa, Bacon and Cabbage Salad! Seriously, I’m wondering if it’s too late for a nighttime snack!!!
Anyway, so the point to this whole story is, if you’re like me and there are way too many things on your to do list…this is one DIY recipe that you won’t need to fuss over! Check out the links below to easily order the spices.
Homemade Ranch Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons dried red bell pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried chives
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1/4 cup dried romano cheese
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup mayo
Instructions
- In a jar, combine all the spices, romano cheese and sugar.
- Add the hot water, stir and let sit a couple minutes to rehydrate the dried spices.
- Add the buttermilk and mayo and whisk together.
- Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Notes
- The best source I've found for dried romano cheese is the Spice and Tea Exchange. Their romano doesn't contain any weird ingredients and it's always fresh. You'll need roughly 1.2 ounces to make a single recipe.
- Prep your spices in jars for quick weeknight dressings. The recipe makes a little over one cup, so choose a jar with room for whisking.
Nutrition
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Michelle says
Oh my! This does sound amazing. Dried Romano cheese would definitely make it super tasty. This would taste great with so many salads and veggies. I’ll pin this recipe for later.
Vintage Kitty says
Makes you want to eat salad, right?
Anna says
This is such an easy and tasty recipe! I probably do have most of the ingredients in my pantry anyway, so really looking forward to trying it! Perfect for the salads season!
Vintage Kitty says
Is salad season arriving? Just checked the weather and we’re expecting snow on Saturday! It’s April! I’ll just have to eat salad in protest!
Erika says
Ranch dressing always feels like it would be intimidating to make. But yours looks so good, I’m going to have to finally try my hand at it!
Vintage Kitty says
I hope you give it a try. I’m a firm believer that dressings should be composed of 90% pantry items and fridge staples. That’s how I avoid buying them at the store. In this case all I have to remember is to buy is the buttermilk. I don’t know about you but one thing is all I can remember these days!!!!
Rachel says
I’ve been looking for a good homemade ranch dressing recipe. Homemade dressings are always so much more flavorful and fresh tasting than store bought. I wouldn’t mind having a large Mother’s Day salad smothered in this stuff!
Vintage Kitty says
Hi Rachel! I agree. I think the problem with most store bought ranch dressings is the acid content is too high. It’s great for preserving but ruins the creaminess.
Allison says
“Great on EVERYTHING” – you can say that again! I didn’t grow up on ranch dressing (we were more of an Italian/Russian/homemade Thousand Island family) but I quickly made up for the years I’d missed as soon as I entered college and was suddenly surrounded by ranch-loving friends. As soon as I can get my hands on some dried romano and dried bell peppers, I am so making this!
Vintage Kitty says
I think we had a lot of Italian dressing growing up too. I’ve always been a fan of ranch, but it became an obsession when I went to a restaurant that made it from scratch. Now it’s homemade all the way!
Kristen Roberts says
This recipe for homemade ranch is AMAZING. Due to some dietary sensitivities I have to make a lot of things (dressings, soups, etc) from scratch to get around them, and often it just means cutting things (like ranch) out completely. I love your incredible knack for creating homemade versions of often store-bought items easily and without a hassle.
Vintage Kitty says
I totally understand Kristen. I used to have GERD and so many foods ended in misery. I still have trouble with preservatives and highly processed foods, which is why I make so many things from scratch. Having a pantry stocked with dried herbs and spices certainly helps make things easier at dinnertime. Especially because I spend time sourcing quality ingredients that won’t cause me troubles.
lauren says
These photos are ‘lick the screen’ worthy! Yum, I love herbs in this recipe and usually have the ingredients on hand, what a great go to! I’m totally with you btw….whipping up recipes and then not getting to sharing them for ages!
Vintage Kitty says
Oh Lauren, I have a backlog of recipes. You gotta eat, right? But getting to the photography, editing and writing can be a challenge. Glad I’m not alone!
Kat Jeter says
Ranch dressing makes everything better. I put it on pretty much everything but for some reason I’ve never made my own. I’m going to have to try this!
Vintage Kitty says
Once you make your own, you’ll never go back!
Dixya says
i always wondered how to use romano cheese and im loving all the spices used here.
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Dixya!
Marisa Franca says
First of all, let me say your shots are terrific. I want to dive into that salad and not come up for air until I’ve eaten every bit of it!! This recipe is certainly a keeper — I love ranch salad dressing. I’ll be making this soon.
Vintage Kitty says
I’m blushing! You’re so sweet Marisa! Glad I could provide you with salad inspiration.
Brynn says
I think ranch might be one of my favorite foods…especially a really good, homemade ranch. Sometimes I pick restaurants to visit based solely on their ranch dressing! I can’t wait to try this, sounds so good!
Vintage Kitty says
I have a couple restaurants I go to because they make delicious dressings too! Let’s just say, when I go to the restaurant I’m tempted to eat ranch on cheese fries instead of salad!
Marlee says
Dried Romano cheese?! Absolutely brilliant! I need to keep more Ranch Dressing fixings on hand so that I can make it any time!
Vintage Kitty says
Isn’t it? It tastes so good! I’ve been wanting to try it in baked goods or popcorn but I keep using it to make ranch dressing!
Amanda says
Oh my goodness, I would put this dressing on everything! Buttermilk ranch is one of my all time favorites, and I love that you’ve added dried romano cheese–it must add such a great flavor to the dressing!
Vintage Kitty says
Everything is better with cheese!!!! :-)
Jessica Pinney says
I’ve been searching for a good homemade ranch recipe and this one looks like it’s packed with flavor. I’ll have to give it a try next week.
Vintage Kitty says
Hope you love it Jessica!
Sara says
This looks really yummy! I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Sara!
Tatiana says
I have never tried to make my own ranch dressing before. For some reason i always thought it suppose to be a complicated process but its not! Happy to try!
Vintage Kitty says
There are all kinds of recipes for ranch dressing…even the ones using fresh herbs are quite easy. I’m not sure how the salad dressing business got so big when making dressings is so easy! Hope you love the recipe!
Patti says
As I read this recipe, I realized that I had to try it. I love ranch dressing, and this one is very special. Like you, I was imagining all of the things I could dip. Excellent recipe.
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Patti! Yes, it’s good on everything from healthy veggies to not-so-healthy fried foods!
Debbye says
OMG, your spread looks fantastic. Makes me want to come join you for dinner! This ranch looks, dreamy too! Thanks for sharing.
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Debbye! Nothing makes a salad more delish than a homemade dressing!
Sasha @ Eat Love Eat says
Oh wow this dressing sounds amazing! Everything in it sounds absolutely delicious and I want to drizzle it on all the salads!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Sasha!
Krissy Allori says
This is the best homemade dressing recipe I’ve found! So flavorful!
Vintage Kitty says
That makes me so happy Krissy!!!
Julie says
This looks fabulous! I want to dip and smother everything in it!
Vintage Kitty says
Me too! Just the reminder of this recipe makes me want cheese fries to dip!
Mallory Lanz says
My kids love ranch and homemade is always best!
Vintage Kitty says
Who doesn’t love ranch?
Jaide says
I love homemade ranch! I can’t wait to try this!
Vintage Kitty says
You will <3 it!!!!
Sarah Walker Caron says
Oh my! My ranch-loving kids would adore this!
Vintage Kitty says
I’m sure they would!
Anna says
I absolutely love the addition of Romano cheese in this dressing! So delicious and so easy to make!
Vintage Kitty says
We do too! And it really doesn’t get easier!