Whether it's drizzled over a crisp salad, used as a creamy dip for veggies, or slathered on a sandwich, ranch dressing has solidified its status as a kitchen staple. With its tangy flavor and velvety texture, this versatile condiment can elevate almost any dish, making it a must-have in every household. But have you ever dipped a slice of pizza in ranch dressing? Oh my goodness, it's a game-changer!
That’s where my love for ranch dressing truly began. At Star Pizza in Houston, I tasted the best ranch dressing I'd ever encountered. I would take some home every time we visited. But when we moved away, I was left disappointed by every store-bought option I tried. Before leaving Houston, I managed to sneak a peek into the Star Pizza kitchen and noticed big tubs of sour cream and mayonnaise—clearly, the base ingredients. So, I started experimenting with recipes, but nothing hit the mark. After much trial and error, I finally perfected my own version, and now I'm excited to share it with you, along with tips on how to tweak it to suit your taste buds (or dietary needs).Why Make Your Own Ranch Dressing?
Hidden Valley does a decent job, but I'm here to tell you, fresh herbs like dill, parsley, and garlic deliver a flavor far superior to any powder. And, by the way, parsley and dill are so easy to grow; you can keep them fresh in pots right in your kitchen (just remember to water them). When you make your own dressing, you can control the flavors—whether you prefer a strong garlic kick or the mellow undertone of onion powder. With a packet, it's all or nothing. So whenever you can, go fresh—it’s worth the effort.
Ingredients Overview
My recipe calls for a few simple ingredients: whole buttermilk for that perfect tang, fresh herbs and garlic for a burst of bright flavor, real mayonnaise (because going light just doesn’t make sense to me), and full-fat sour cream to create a thick, creamy dressing.
Step-by-Step Recipe
- Mince your parsley, dill, and garlic.
- Combine the base ingredients—mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk—in a food processor.
- Add the herbs, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pulse until smooth and well-combined.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Tips for the Perfect Ranch Dressing
- Adjust the Consistency: For a thinner dressing, add a bit more buttermilk or opt for lower-fat buttermilk, which tends to be thinner.
- Customize the Flavor: Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your palate, but do it gradually. Keep some carrot sticks handy for taste-testing and snacking.
- Store Smartly: Use a squeeze bottle to store your dressing in the fridge for up to two weeks. However, be mindful of the expiration dates on your sour cream, buttermilk, and mayo—if they expire sooner, use that date instead.
My Favorite Ways to Use Homemade Ranch Dressing
- As a Dip: Perfect for broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, and even chicken wings.
- As a Salad Dressing: It pairs beautifully with basic garden salads, but my favorite is a wedge salad with bacon—swap out blue cheese for ranch, and you’re in for a treat.
- As a Topping: Bacon, chicken ranch wraps are delicious, and of course, there’s nothing like dipping your pizza crust in it.
Final Thoughts
Be adventurous in the kitchen and give homemade ranch a try! I'd love to hear how you tweak it to make it your own, so drop me a comment when you do.
Lately, I’ve been organizing my recipes online—because let’s face it, my physical recipe storage is a hot mess, and I’m tired of sifting through papers, recipe cards, and internet printouts.
Welcome to the Secret Sauce Blog where I help modern moms simplify life with tools that make life easier. We have a lot of responsibilities and it can get overwhelming. Keeping the family healthy, organized, actually eat together and tread lightly in the process takes some serious #momskills!
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