Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix (for Salad Dressing)

Flavorful, quick, and easy to make! Your family will love this homemade ranch seasoning mix so much better than the store-bought kind!

Don’t you hate when you start cooking a recipe only to find out that you’re missing a packet of ranch seasoning? With your own homemade ranch seasoning mix as a pantry staple, you’ll never have to worry about that again! This mix is flavorful and versatile, so you can use it for all sorts of recipes.

Want more delicious seasoning recipes to try out?  Try your hand at making more simple seasoning mixes. A great one is a homemade pizza seasoning that you’ll be able to use in pizza and pasta recipes. Or make your own garlic bread seasoning mix with this easy recipe.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this Homemade Cuban Seasoning recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Budget-friendly – No need to buy pricey packets; use your own homemade ranch dressing mix instead.
• Easy to make—Whipping up a large batch of this ranch dressing mix only takes five minutes.
• Versatile – Perfect for salads, chicken tenders, and more!
• Use in place of store-bought ranch seasoning mix in recipes to make dressings, dips, and ranch-based side dishes.

What Is Ranch Dressing?

Ranch dressing is a creamy, herb-infused condiment that has become a staple in American cuisine. Originally concocted in the 1950s, it’s known for its smooth, tangy flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes. 

The foundation of ranch dressing is a mix of buttermilk, mayonnaise, and sour cream, to which a blend of dried herbs and spices such as dill, parsley, garlic, onion, and black pepper is added. This combination results in a versatile and beloved dressing that enhances your favorite salad and serves as a popular homemade ranch dip for vegetables, chips, and a wide range of fried foods. 

Making your own ranch seasoning mix at home allows you to customize flavors to suit your palate. You also know exactly what’s going into your food, avoiding the preservatives and additives often found in store-bought versions.

What’s In This Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe?

• Powdered Buttermilk: The backbone of the ranch’s creamy texture and tangy flavor, powdered buttermilk adds depth and richness without the liquid content of fresh buttermilk.
• Parsley: This herb introduces a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that brightens the overall taste of the ranch mix, giving it a touch of garden freshness.
• Dill Weed: Offering a unique, aromatic taste with a hint of sweetness, dill weed complements the tanginess of the buttermilk and adds complexity to the seasoning mix.
• Onion Powder: Provides a concentrated burst of savory flavor, onion powder brings a subtle sharpness that is essential to the characteristic ranch taste.
• Minced Onion: Adds texture and a more pronounced onion kick compared to its powdered counterpart, contributing layers of flavor to the mix.
• Garlic Powder: With its pungent, earthy flavor, garlic powder is crucial for adding depth and warmth, elevating the seasoning mix to new levels of taste.
• Salt: Besides enhancing the overall flavors of the mix, salt is vital for striking the perfect balance between the herbs and spices.
• Pepper: A pinch of pepper introduces a slight heat and complexity, which nicely contrasts the creaminess and herbaceous notes of the ranch mix.
• Chives: Chives bring a mild onion-like flavor with a hint of garlic, adding a subtle sharpness and a pop of color to the mix, enhancing both its appearance and taste.

The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

Substitutions and Variations

• Add a 1/2 teaspoon of granulated garlic to this mix for an extra garlic flavor.
• Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to make a spicy ranch seasoning mix.
• If you are dairy-free, you can use a dairy-free powdered milk substitute in this recipe.
• Make a low-sodium version of ranch seasoning mix by omitting the salt or using a lower-sodium salt.

How to Make Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix (step-by-step directions)

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Ensure thorough mixing for an even blend. (Photos 1 & 2)
3. Transfer the mix to an air-tight container for storage. (Photo 3)

Recipe Tips

• Be sure to keep the lid tightly on your ranch dressing mix to keep it fresh.
• Don’t store your ranch seasoning mix in the fridge, as this will cause clumping.
• Most ranch packets contain two tablespoons, so you will need to use tablespoons of this homemade version when a recipe calls for a packet.

Storing Tips 

Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Serving Suggestions

Ranch dressing, with its creamy texture and tangy flavor, is incredibly versatile, making it a staple in many kitchens. Beyond its traditional role as a salad dressing, it serves as an excellent dip for a variety of snacks, veggie dip, tortilla chips, and wings. 

It can transform a plain baked potato into a delightful dish or be used as a topping for pizza for an unconventional yet delicious twist, or add it to crash hot potatoes for a cool combination.

Additionally, ranch dressing can be incorporated into recipes to create savory, creamy dill pasta salads or used as a marinade to tenderize and flavor meats. 

Recipe FAQs

More Seasoning Recipes You May Enjoy

• Garlic Bread Seasoning Mix
• Mediterranean Seasoning
• Italian Seasoning
• Fajita Seasoning
• Homemade Blackening Seasoning
• Check out all our homemade seasoning blends!