Ranch dressing has been America's favorite salad dressing for decades. Sure you can pick up a bottle of it ready made, or get a packet of dried mix and mix it up with a few fresh ingredients.
But, for the absolute best taste make it yourself from scratch. The hardest part is chopping up the fresh herbs (or opening all of the jars). Keep it on hand to make at a moments notice, or pack it up in a jar for a thoughtful semi-homemade gift.
Read on to learn more about this classic California condiment.
Hidden Valley Ranch was an actual place outside of Santa Barbara, California. The owner of the guest ranch, Steven Henson, made a special creamy herb salad dressing that become so popular guests would ask to take some home. Eventually Henson started selling packets of the herb mix via mail order so it could be mixed with mayonnaise or buttermilk at home. And then it was brought into the mainstream when it was purchased by Clorox.
What started as a salad dressing is now one of America's favorite condiments. Not only is it used for dipping vegetables and chips (try it with fries!) it is also used as an ingredient to flavor everything from pork chops to broccoli soup and even Chicken Lasagna.
Ratio of Fresh to Dried Herbs
If you are going to make the dressing and eat it in a few days, fresh herbs are always best. However, dried herbs are the choice if you want to make a mix to keep on hand for making at a moments notice. Pack it in a jar and give it as a gift.
When herbs dry their flavor becomes concentrated so you will use less dried herbs to get the same flavor.
The ratio of fresh to dried herbs is 3 to 1. Hate math? It means if a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs, use 1 teaspoon of dried. Or if a recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of dried herbs, use 6 teaspoons (a.k.a 2 tablespoons) of chopped fresh herbs.
Don't stress about being too exact. This is just a general guideline. Every recipe should be tasted and seasonings adjusted before serving.
Ranch Dressing Ingredients
The basic ingredients for Ranch Dressing are:
- buttermilk, mayonnaise, yogurt, sour cream or any combination of them
- parsley
- dill
- garlic
- onion
- basil
- salt and pepper
I think the key ingredient is the dill. Without it the recipe just seems flat.
Use all fresh ingredients or use some fresh and some dried, amounts for both are listed below.
To make dried ranch dressing mix you can just use the dried herbs and mix it with mayonnaise or buttermilk. But, I like to make it with powdered buttermilk then stir it into a combo of milk, mayonnaise, and a little plain yogurt for extra tang. Full details in the recipe below.
More Copycat Recipes from #OurFamilyTable
Have you tried making copycat recipes of favorite restaurant foods in your region? Here are some favorites of ours:
Copycat Recipes for Regional Favorites
- Arepas de Queso from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Fried Perch from Art of Natrual Living
- Kentucky Hot Brown from Jen Around the World
- Mock Turtle Soup or Goetta from Creative Cynchronicity
- Molasses Cornbread from Karen's Kitchen Stories
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Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup onion, roughly chopped (or ¼ teaspoon onion powder)
- 1 clove garlic (or ½ teaspoon)
- 1 tablespoons fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 ½ teaspoon fresh basil (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or plain Green yogurt)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, add onion and garlic and pulse a few times to chop.¼ cup onion, roughly chopped, 1 clove garlic
- Add parsley, dill and basil. Pulse a few times to chop some more.1 tablespoons fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, 1 ½ teaspoon fresh basil
- Add buttermilk, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Puree until creamy and well blended. For best results, chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon salt, 1 cup buttermilk, ½ cup mayonnaise
Notes
- ½ cup buttermilk powder
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 1 teaspoon dill
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Sound fabulous? Share it!
more salad dressing recipes
Until next time, happy eating!
~Audrey
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