Ranch isn’t just a dressing. It’s a staple. This homemade buttermilk version brings that same nostalgic, down-home flavor we all grew up on, but fresher and creamier. Once you try it, you’ll never reach for the bottle again.
I’ve made and eaten more versions of ranch than I can count. Some were too bland, some too herby, and plenty that just missed the mark. This is the recipe that was better than them all. It’s the one I made over and over again until it was exactly right.
When you’re making ranch from scratch, it needs to be worth it and this one always is. It’s creamy, tangy, and hits all the right notes without being overpowering. No shortcuts, no weird ingredients, just a homemade dressing that actually tastes like the ranch we all grew up loving, only better.
It’s been tested on everything from salads to chicken tenders and it never sticks around long!
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
There are a few differences between regular ranch and buttermilk ranch. Those being taste, texture, and ingredients.
When it comes to taste, buttermilk ranch will have a stronger, tangier flavor than typical ranch thanks to the buttermilk. You can think of the taste being similar to that of plain yogurt.
The texture can also be different when you’re comparing buttermilk ranch to regular ranch. Buttermilk ranch is thinner and smoother, while regular ranch since it’s made primarily of mayo/sour cream, is thicker and isn’t as smooth.
As far as ingredients go, the biggest difference between the two is the type of milk. Regular ranch uses a combination of regular milk with sour cream and mayonnaise. Buttermilk ranch foregoes the sour cream and relies on a base of buttermilk and sour cream OR mayonnaise, not both.
Homemade Buttermilk Dressing Ingredients
- dill
- chives
- parsley
- garlic
- cayenne pepper
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- buttermilk
- sour cream (Greek yogurt or mayo can be substituted)
How to Make Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Detailed instructions and measurements are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Add all of your ingredients to a blender and pulse until mixed through.
- Enjoy with your favorite meal!
Buttermilk Dressing Tips
- The fresh herbs in this recipe will make the ranch turn green. If you really don’t want that, you can chop your herbs separately and mix it all by hand.
- Depending on your preference and what you have on hand, sour cream, Greek yogurt, and mayo all work great in this recipe. Try each one to see which you like best!
- It is completely fine to use dried herbs. In fact, you may prefer the taste with dried herbs.
How to Store Homemade Buttermilk Dressing
Store your ranch dressing in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. Because it’s made with fresh ingredients like buttermilk and mayonnaise, it needs to stay cold and should not be left out at room temperature for extended periods. When stored properly, it will stay fresh for up to one week.
Be sure to give it a good stir or shake before using, as some separation is natural.
How long does Buttermilk Ranch last?
Homemade buttermilk ranch dressing will last up to 7 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Since it’s made without preservatives, it won’t last as long as the store-bought kind. If you notice any sour smell, change in texture, or discoloration, it’s best to toss it and make a fresh batch.
Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing FAQs
Yes. If you just don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can do the alternative of making your own buttermilk with vinegar and regular milk, or you can just use plain milk on it’s own if you prefer the taste.
Absolutely! These two are mostly interchangeable. Your very picky eaters may notice a slight difference, but I’ve used both and love both.
If you like a thicker ranch dressing or want to use it as a vegetable dip, go with minimal buttermilk. Only add enough to thin it to the consistency you want.
You can make this buttermilk dressing thicker by adding more sour cream (or mayo) and less buttermilk.
Buttermilk will not make the ranch thicker. It is actually the opposite and buttermilk ranch tends to be thinner.
Ranch and buttermilk ranch are the same with a few minor differences in taste, texture, and ingredients. Buttermilk ranch will be a bit tangier, thinner, and contains buttermilk rather than regular milk.
How to use Homemade Buttermilk Dressing
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Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup fresh dill or 1 1/2 tablespoon dried
- 1/4 cup fresh chives or 1 tablespoon dried
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/3 cup sour cream Greek yogurt or mayo can be substituted
Instructions
- Add all of your ingredients to a blender and pulse until mixed through.
- Enjoy with your favorite meal!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
