Ranch dressing has always been one of my favorite condiments (after ketchup, of course). But after seeing what was actually in the salad dressings sold at the grocery store, I thought it was time to part ways. Luckily, I came up with a healthier version of ranch salad dressing, and now it’s this ranch dressing mix.
My kids and I love it in salads, but it's also great as a dried ranch seasoning for meats and vegetables. Plus, it's naturally gluten-free.
Why Use Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix?
It probably goes without saying that Hidden Valley Ranch hides a lot of unhealthy ingredients beneath that delicious ranch flavor. Think MSG, artificial flavors, and soy.
It was pretty counterintuitive to make a healthy salad and top it with junk food. I found a great alternative to regular ranch dressing (recipe here). But I also wanted an alternative to the ranch dressing mix I use on chicken, roasted vegetables, and other dishes.
I thought I could make a better real food option. This is what it turned out to be and it's great. We keep a jar in the cabinet to use on vegetables, eggs, chicken, or to make ranch dip.
I order all the ingredients in bulk and just mix them up when I need them. This way I can make other spices whenever I need them. You can find other homemade spice blend recipes here.
Things that don't change
This ranch mix and ranch dressing are part of our regular meal rotation. 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 of things have changed in the world since I was a kid, but my love of ranch dressing seems to have stayed mostly the same throughout my childhood. I’m so glad I can give my kids a healthier, tastier version these days!
ranch dressing recipe
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are probably already in your pantry. The main ingredient is dried buttermilk powder, which gives it a creamy flavor. But unlike the packaged version you get at the store, it doesn’t contain maltodextrin. And for a more tangy ranch dressing, just add a little lemon juice to the Greek yogurt.
My favorite dip is made with Greek yogurt. This adds protein and makes it tangy and creamy. If you want a more traditional ranch dressing, you can substitute 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup mayonnaise.
Top with chopped fresh dill or green onions to finish!
Where to Use Ranch Dressing Dip
Your family probably already has a list of favorite foods with ranch dressing. It makes a great dip for everything from chips to pizza. Serve it as an appetizer with vegetables or sprinkle it on a salad. This is a dry ranch dressing mix, so it’s even more versatile. Here are some delicious ways to use it!
Ranch seasoning mix recipe
Rather than using store-bought ranch seasoning, try making your own with simple ingredients found in your pantry.
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Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
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Store the dry mixture in an airtight container at room temperature until use.
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Use 2 tablespoons of the mixture per package of ranch mix seasoning called for in the recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Ranch seasoning mix recipe
Serving Size (Serving Size)
calorie 50
9 calories from fat
% Daily Value*
province 1g2%
0.4g saturated fatthree%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.05g
Monounsaturated fat 0.2g
cholesterol 7mg2%
salt 832mg36%
potassium 216mg6%
carbohydrate 7g2%
1g of fiber4%
5g sugar6%
protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 51IUOne%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
calcium 139mg14%
steel 0.5mgthree%
* Percent Daily Intake is based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
- To make ranch dip, add 2 tablespoons of ranch mix to 1 cup of Greek yogurt.
- You can make a buttermilk ranch dressing by adding water or milk to a thin ranch dipping sauce.
I never thought I would be able to (or would want to) give up ranch dressing. Now, I prefer the real food version. What I thought would be the hardest part of switching to healthy, real food has actually been one of the best parts.
What's your favorite way to use ranch dressing mix? Leave a comment below and share!
