Here's my recipe for the best homemade ranch dressing you'll ever have, in less than 2 minutes! It can also be made using ANY MILK you want! So this can be completely dairy free if you want. It works with soy, almond, coconut milk... you name it!
No mix packet, just real ingredients perfectly blended to create an authentic ranch dressing that you'll make over and over again!
They say Ranch Dressing was invented when Southerners realized we couldn't fry lettuce... A funny story for sure, but whatever the real reason, Ranch Dressing is a classic!
About 14 years ago, I found out that my chronic congestion was due to a processed dairy allergy. I was terribly upset about all the foods I would have to give up. That is, until I realized that I could replace my favorite dairy based products with better tasting, homemade versions.
Homemade Ranch Dressing with Dairy Free Options
After 14 years of making this ranch dressing for every family event, every holiday, and every party, it has been perfected into the most amazing ranch you'll ever have.
Recently I've been obsessed with snacking on sun-warmed tomatoes and carrots from our garden dipped into this delicious dressing!
It also makes an amazing dip for chips, potato wedges (don't get me started on how much of that combo I could eat!), and of course a salad!
You can also substitute in any milk you'd like for a delicious dairy free ranch dressing. It's doesn't have to be animal milk... I've made this recipe with coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, raw milk, and more!
My favorite summer salad with homemade ranch:
This is an easy salad to whip up, especially if you have a summer garden! We love our fresh veggies with homemade ranch all year, but they are even more delicious still warm from the garden!
- Thin sliced romaine lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Dried figs
- Grilled chicken
- Cucumbers
- Pecans from the backyard
- and a generous helping of this homemade ranch dressing!
I bet you have everything you need to whip this up right now. So grab your favorite milk and give it a try!
2 Minute Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise (we use homemade)
- 1/2 cup milk, any type of milk works
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (we use homemade)
- 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Dressing Jar like this one or this one
Instructions
- Place mayo in a medium bowl
- Add milk and lemon juice and whisk until smooth
- Add spices and stir until well combined
- Pour into a Dressing Jar and store in the refrigerator.
- Will keep for up to 4 weeks.
Notes
Homemade Ranch Dressing FAQ
How long does this ranch dressing keep for in the fridge?
It keeps for about 1 month in the fridge, so don't make a mega huge batch if you won't use it during that time.
Can I use this dressing right away?
Absolutely! However, though this dressing is amazing right away, if you have a chance to let it sit in the fridge for a few hours, or preferably overnight, then it's even better!
My dressing is a little runny, what happened?
This is normal! If your dressing is needed right away, add a bit more mayo until the right thickness is reached. If you are able to let it set up in the fridge for several hours or overnight, it will thicken normally.
My dressing is too thick!
Not to worry! Just add a bit more milk (a teaspoon at a time) until you hit that perfect thickness!
Can I use any type of mayonnaise?
Yes! Just like the milk, any type of mayonnaise can be substituted in this recipe. I've had readers tell me they used vegan mayo and almond milk and this was still the best ranch dressing ever!
Can I add other flavors?
Of course! If you like chipotle ranch, or jalepaneo ranch, feel free to add whatever additional flavors you'd like to this recipe!
This is the perfect base for all your ranch dressing needs!
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER
Ashley says
This saved me! I forgot to buy ranch for our chicken tender salads at the store. Found this recipe, I used olive oil mayo and had to substitute basil for parsley but it’s amazing and my whole family loved it too. Thanks!
Victoria says
Yay! I love it, Ashley! I bet the basil was sooo good! Enjoy!
Jen says
This was so salty! I followed the directions exactly and nobody that tasted it could eat it. I ended up trying to repair it by adding double the mayonnaise, more dill and more garlic powder and STILL it was too salty for anyone to eat.
Victoria says
Hi Jen! Sorry to hear that.
We love it as is, as do many others who have made it. Usually we make it about once a month, and more than that during the summer when we are eating a ton of garden veggies.
Thanks for your feedback!
Victoria says
I just got to thinking, did you add a 1/2 tsp of salt, or a 1/2 tbsp? That would definitely make it very salty! The 1/2 tsp measurement of salt is very faint, and I usually end up adding more after the initial measurement based on our tastes.
Hopefully that was the issue!
Tammy Ross says
Jen did you use the garlic with salt? Because the Recipe calls for garlic powder. Maybe that’s where you got the extra salt?
Just trying to help.
LIndsay says
Just made this, as I can’t find a good ranch dressing in South America, And this is now my fav dressing! It turned out perfectly!
Victoria says
Oh yay, Lindsay! I’m so glad! Thanks for letting me know!
Ellie says
So easy and delicious! I love how simple the ingredients are… I already had everything I needed! Thanks so much. I’ll come back to this recipe again and again!
Victoria says
Yay, Ellie! I’m so glad! <3
Erika says
THANK YOU!! I recently had to go fully dairy free and I love ranch. It goes so well with plenty of American foods and of course a house salad. I recommend this to everyone and anyone. I personally used Duke’s mayo and oatly oat milk. Don’t skip out on fresh dill if you have access to it! Worried about the salt? Just go a little at a time but for me it was perfect.
Victoria says
Thank you Erika!! I’m so glad you loved it!!