There's something about ranch dressing that Americans and Canadians seem to really enjoy. Anything ranch flavored we tend to go nuts over! lol
If you're like me and you enjoy having ranch on everything AND you like to save a few bucks wherever you can, making your own ranch dressing mix at home is a great idea!
Purchasing those little packets of ranch mix from the store can seem like such a waste of money, especially when you can make it at home for much cheaper.
All the ingredients to make a homemade ranch mix can most likely already be found on your spice rack and cost mere pennies. 🙂
The main ingredient that creates that delicious zing of ranch dressing is buttermilk powder. This isn't as difficult to find as you might think and although I wasn't able to purchase it at a regular grocery store, I had no issues finding it a local bulk food store.
The buttermilk powder wasn't too expensive and the amount used to make 1 batch of the mix only cost about $1.75!
Ranch dressing mix is so simple to make, it's ridiculous!
It's pretty much foolproof, really.
All you have to do is combine all the ingredients (but reserve and set aside some of the dried parsley and the chives) in a food processor until well combined and it's a fine powdery texture. Once it's been processed I spoon everything into a mason jar and drop in the reserved parsley and chives, then shake up the jar. I like to leave some large pieces of the dried herbs in the mix since it looks so nice once it's made to serve. 🙂
I like to leave some large pieces of the dried herbs in the mix since it looks so nice once it's made to serve. 🙂
For use as a salad dressing, I mix 3 tbsps of the mix with some milk and mayonnaise (see recipe below).
When mixed with mayonnaise and sour cream (or Greek yogurt), this ranch mix can also be used to make a really tasty dip to go with veggies or chips!
I love having this mix on hand for when I need to make a quick salad dressing or to use in some of my other recipes.
Here's a few more ideas on what you can use ranch dressing mix for:
- popcorn seasoning
- seasoning potato wedges
- flavoring for a roast
- use in a casserole
- flavoring meatloaf
I'm sure there are lots of other things that you can use ranch dressing mix for, just experiment and see what you like! 🙂
Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
Yield: Makes about 1 cup of mix
Category: Homemade Mixes
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 3/4 cup powdered buttermilk
- 2 1/2 tbsps dried parsley flakes
- 1 1/4 tsp dill weed
- 1 1/2 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 tsp dried chives
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 2 tsps sugar
Instructions
- Set aside 1 1/2 tbsps of the parsley flakes and all of the chives.
- Process the rest of the ingredients in a food processor until fine.
- Remove the ingredients from the food processor and put into an airtight container.
- Add the Parsley flakes and chives that were set aside and shake the container so that everything is mixed.
Notes
How to use Ranch Dressing mix:
About 3 Tbsps of the mix is equal to 1 pack of store bought
To make Ranch Salad Dressing:
Combine 3 Tbsps of ranch dressing mix with 1 cup of mayonnaise and 3/4 cup of milk. You can adjust the amount of milk depending on how thick you like your dressing. Put in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes before using so the flavors develop. This should keep in the fridge for about 1 week.
To make Ranch Dip:
Combine 3 Tbsps of the ranch dressing with 1 cup of mayonnaise and 1 cup of sour cream. Put in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes before using so the flavors develop. This should keep in the fridge for about 1 week.
Besides using this mix for making a salad dressing or a dip, what kinds of recipes would you try ranch dressing mix with?
I'd love to hear from you so please feel free to leave a comment in the comment section below! 🙂