Ranch dressing is one of my all-time favorite condiments (second only to ketchup, of course). But when I saw what was actually in the salad dressings I bought at the supermarket, I knew it was time to move on. Thankfully, I came up with an even healthier version of Ranch Dressing and this Ranch Dressing Mix was born.
My kids and I love it on salads, but it also works great as a dry ranch seasoning for meats and veggies — and it’s naturally gluten free.
Why Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix?
It probably goes without saying that beneath Hidden Valley Ranch’s delicious ranch flavor lies a ton of unhealthy ingredients, including MSG, artificial flavors, and soy.
It seemed like such a contradiction to make a healthy salad and then top it with junk food, so I found a great alternative to regular Ranch Dressing (recipe here), but I also wanted an alternative to Ranch Dressing Mix to use on chicken, roasted veggies, and other dishes.
I thought I could make better real food choices. This is the result and it’s so delicious. I keep a jar in my cabinet to use on veggies, eggs, chicken, or to make ranch dip.
I order all of my ingredients in bulk so I can make it whenever I need it. This way I can make other spices whenever I need them. You can find my other homemade spice blend recipes here.
Some things never change
This ranch mix and ranch dressing are part of our regular meals, and I make the powder ahead of time and always add the other ingredients to my Real Plans shopping list so I can whip it up quickly whenever I need it.
A lot has changed in the world since I was a kid, but my love of ranch dressing seems to have remained consistent throughout most of my childhood, and these days I’m happy to be able to feed my kids a healthier (and tastier) version!
Ranch Dressing Recipe
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are likely already in your pantry. The main ingredient is dried buttermilk powder, which gives it a creamy flavor, but unlike store-bought packets, it does not contain maltodextrin. If you like your ranch dressing with a bit more tartness, try adding some fresh lemon juice to your Greek yogurt.
My favorite way to make this dip is with Greek yogurt, which adds tartness, creaminess, and protein. For a more traditional ranch dressing, you can use 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup mayonnaise instead.
To finish off, try topping the dip with fresh chopped dill or chives.
Uses for Ranch Dressing Dip
Chances are, your family already has a list of dishes that go well with Ranch Dressing. It’s a great dip for everything from fries to pizza. Serve it as an appetizer with veggies or drizzle it on a salad. Because this is a dry Ranch Dressing mix, it’s even more versatile. Here are some more delicious ways to use it:
Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe
Instead of using a store-bought packet of ranch seasoning, try making your own using simple ingredients you might have in your pantry.
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Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix.
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Store the dried mix in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.
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Use 2 tablespoons of mix for each Ranch Mix seasoning packet called for in the recipe.
Nutrition facts
Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe
Amount per serving (1 serving)
calorie 50
Calories from Fat: 9
% Daily Value*
fat 1 gram2%
Saturated Fat 0.4g3%
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.05g
Monounsaturated fat 0.2g
cholesterol 7mg2%
sodium 832mg36%
potassium 216mg6%
carbohydrates 7 grams2%
Fiber 1gFour%
5g sugar6%
protein 4 grams8%
Vitamin A 51IU1%
Vitamin C 2 mg2%
calcium 139mg14%
iron 0.5 mg3%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- To make ranch dip, add 2 tablespoons of ranch mix to 1 cup Greek yogurt.
- Dilute ranch dip with water or milk to make buttermilk ranch dressing.
I never thought I’d be able to give up ranch dressing (nor did I ever want to), but now I prefer the real food version. What I thought would be one of the hardest parts of switching to healthy real food has actually turned out to be one of the most enjoyable.
What’s your favorite way to use Ranch Dressing Mix? Leave a comment and share below!
