Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup dry buttermilk powder
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 2  teaspoons dried dill
• 1 teaspoon dried chives
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1/2 – 1 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients together until well combined.

For the smoothest dressing, blend all the ingredients in a food processor until a fine, even powder forms. If you have a spice or coffee grinder, you can grind the herbs and spices first, then mix them with the buttermilk powder. Either method creates a finer seasoning that dissolves more smoothly when making ranch dressing.

2. Store in an airtight jar or container in a cool, dry place.

Storage Tip: For the longest shelf life, store the mix in a clean canning jar. Using a jar-top vacuum sealer to remove the air helps preserve freshness and flavor much longer than simply screwing on the lid. Keep the jar in a cool, dry pantry.

Makes about 1¼ cups of dry mix.

Turn into Ranch Dressing

To make one batch of ranch dressing, combine:

• 3-5 tablespoons ranch dressing mix

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 1/2 cup milk (or buttermilk for a richer flavor)

Whisk until smooth, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving so the herbs have time to rehydrate and the flavors blend. 

Taste and adjust as needed.

There are lots of ways to make homemade ranch! 

Mix and match mayonnaise, sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, milk, or buttermilk to suit your taste or make a lighter dressing. As a general guide, keep the ratio around:

• 1 to 1½ cups base ingredient(s)
• 3 to 5 tablespoons ranch dressing mix

Then simply adjust until you reach your preferred thickness and flavor.

Garden-to-Table Bonus

If you grow your own herbs, this recipe is even more rewarding. Homegrown parsley, dill, and chives can be dried and used in place of store-bought herbs, giving your ranch mix incredible flavor while putting your garden harvest to good use. It’s one of those little things that make homemade food feel extra special.

A Family Favorite

This ranch mix came from my late aunt, and it’s one of those recipes over & over because it just works. It has shown up at countless family dinners, cookouts, and holiday gatherings over the years. 

Every time I make a fresh batch, it brings back good memories while saving me a trip to the grocery store. I use just the mix in multiple recipes for soups, chicken mains, or even marinades. The hardest part is finding the buttermilk powder. Most grocery stores don’t carry it, or only stock it seasonally. I ended up ordering mine from Amazon, and one container lasts through quite a few batches of ranch mix. Seal that container well, too!

Making your own ranch mix also lets you control the ingredients, skip unnecessary additives, and always have a fresh batch ready whenever you need it. Once you start keeping a jar in the 

Pantry, you’ll probably find yourself reaching for it more often than the store-bought packets.

Small Steps. Meaningful Rewards.

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