Farmhouse Ranch Dressing From Scratch (No Packet)
This farmhouse ranch dressing from scratch is made with simple ingredients and a blend of herbs that come together into a rich, creamy dressing you can make right in your own kitchen. It delivers the familiar flavor you love with a freshness that you can’t pour out of a bottle.
Homemade ranch is better than store bought
I fell in love with ranch dressing more than 40 years ago, and I fell in love with it all over again when I learned to make it fresh, from scratch in my own kitchen. Once you’ve had it this way, it’s hard to go back — the flavor is cleaner and just plain better.
If you like building your dressings at home, there are a few others worth keeping on hand too. A creamy salsa ranch dressing leans into the same familiar ranch-style base with a little salsa twist, and a homemade lemon oregano vinaigrette brings a lighter option to the table. When a mustard base is what’s called for, a simple honey mustard dressing is the one I always come back to.
This ranch dressing recipe is great served with a homemade grilled buffalo chicken salad, a chopped Italian hoagie salad, or a taco style wedge salad — all are simple, straightforward combinations that make this dressing shine.
Recipe ingredients
- Mayonnaise: This is the base of the dressing, so the flavor matters. A simple from scratch mayonnaise will give you a cleaner, more balanced result, but a good quality store-bought option works well here too.
- Buttermilk: This thins the dressing and adds that classic tang. Look for a standard, full-fat buttermilk in the dairy section for the best consistency and flavor.
- Dried chives: Dried chives are used here for accessibility and consistency. When fresh chives are available, they’re a clear upgrade and give a sharper, more natural onion flavor.
- Dried dill: Dried dill keeps the flavor steady and evenly distributed throughout the dressing. When fresh dill is available, it adds a brighter, more pronounced herbal finish.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
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How to make farmhouse ranch dressing from scratch
Step 1: Add the mayonnaise to a medium mixing bowl, then begin whisking in the buttermilk a little at a time. This lets you control the consistency as it comes together, stopping when the dressing is smooth and pourable but still has some body.
Step 2: Once the base is fully combined, add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk thoroughly until everything is fully dissolved into the dressing with no dry spots remaining.
Step 3: Add the dried chives and dried dill, whisking again until the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Make sure they’re fully incorporated so the flavor develops evenly as the dressing rests.
Step 4: Let the dressing rest for 10–15 minutes before serving. This gives the dried herbs time to soften and release their flavor into the base.
Step 5: After resting, give the dressing a final whisk and check the consistency. If it has thickened, loosen it with a small splash of buttermilk until it reaches the texture you prefer.
Step 6: Taste once more to confirm the balance, then serve or refrigerate until ready to use.
Top tips
- Use a bowl with room to whisk: A slightly larger bowl gives you better control as the dressing comes together.
- Whisk until the texture looks uniform: The dressing should be completely smooth with no streaks or separation before it rests.
- Pay attention to how it coats a spoon: A proper ranch dressing should cling lightly and fall in a smooth ribbon, not drip off thin or sit too heavy.
- Let it chill before serving: A short time in the refrigerator helps the flavor settle and gives the dressing a more cohesive finish.
- Keep it covered tightly: Ranch picks up other flavors easily, so sealing it well keeps the taste clean.
- Stir before each use: The dressing can settle as it sits, and a quick stir brings it back to the right consistency.
Other recipes you’ll love
If you loved this from scratch salad dressing recipe, give these other great salad dressing recipes a try too!
Easy Vegan Italian Dressing Recipe
Easy Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
Tangy Mustard Salad Dressing
Spicy Peanut Salad Dressing Recipe
Simple Dill Dressing Recipe
Simple Balsamic Mustard Dressing Recipe
Homemade Condiment Recipes You Can Make From Scratch
Farmhouse Ranch Dressing From Scratch
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
Instructions
- Whisk mayonnaise and buttermilk together in a mixing bowl until smooth and pourable.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, then whisk until fully combined.
- Add dried chives and dried dill, whisking until evenly distributed.
- Let the dressing rest for 10–15 minutes to allow the herbs to soften.
- Whisk again before serving and adjust consistency with additional buttermilk if needed.
Notes
- Allow time for flavor to develop: The dressing will taste more balanced after resting and continues to improve slightly after refrigeration.
- Use fresh herbs when available: Fresh chives and dill can be substituted for a brighter, more pronounced herb flavor.
- Stir before serving: The dressing may settle slightly as it sits, so give it a quick stir to bring it back together.
- Keep refrigerated: Store in a sealed container to maintain flavor and freshness.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
