Ranch dressing – it’s that magical sauce that makes pretty much anything taste incredible. Am I right? From my childhood years to my adult years, ranch dressing has always been a beloved favorite of mine. Let’s face it, as a kid, the only way I was going to eat veggies, was as if they were slathered in my mom’s homemade ranch dressing mix.
As an adult, I began to realize that ranch could be used in so many other ways and on so many other things. Truly, the possibilities were endless. And I found myself buying bottle after bottle of ranch.
Eventually, I rediscovered those nifty little packets of ranch dressing mix that you could mix with sour cream to make your own dressing. This was cheaper and healthier than buying the bottled form, plus I started using the ranch dressing mix to season other foods, rather than just as the flavoring for my dips and dressings. I used it on meats, and vegetables, which offered a tasty, low calorie way to give my meals an extra oomph of raunchy goodness.
One of my favorite ranch recipes that occurred during this time was my Ranch Roasted Potatoes. So easy and SO delish! I have made this recipe again and again, and continue to keep it in the rotation because the whole family adores it.
At one point, I decided to experiment and make my own ranch seasoning mix. This was really a no-brainer because I hated having to run out to the store and buy one of those little processed ranch packets every time I needed it. And all of the ingredients that I needed were almost always sitting in my spice cabinet! Plus, I loved the bonus of not having any of those weird, unpronounceable preservatives or MSG in my ranch. Plus, it takes all 5 minutes to mix and measure a few ingredients.
Using just herbs and spices, this ranch seasoning mix won’t cost you any Points, and you’ll soon find yourself making all kinds of ranch-style foods! Beyond the traditional ranch dressing and dip, you’ve got to try it on roasted vegetables, chicken fingers, popcorn, garlic toast, steaks, or chicken.
However, if you have a few extra Points to spare, try mixing in some powdered buttermilk for even more incredible flavor. You can buy this at just about any store, and it keeps for months! I hate buying a whole carton of buttermilk just for one recipe because I always end up having to pitch the unused milk, so using powdered buttermilk instead is a much easier (and cheaper!) option.
One quick note – you’ll notice that because of the different sizes and textures of the herbs and spices, keeping everything evenly mixed is hard. The finer textured ingredients – like the onion powder and garlic powder – tend to settle on the bottom of the jar. If you happen to have a spice grinder on hand, you can pulse all of the ingredients a few times in there, and that’ll do the trick. If not, just make sure to give the jar a few good shakes before using it to make sure everything is evenly combined.
Now that you know how to make your own ranch seasoning mix, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the benefits of having this incredible flavoring on hand to use in so many recipes!
Who knew it was so easy to make your own ranch seasoning mix from scratch? Perfect for making your own ranch dressing or dip!
Prep TimePrep Time 5 minutes mins
Total TimeTotal Time 5 minutes mins
ServingsServings 4 servings
CaloriesCalories 16 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Notes
- The entire recipe makes 4 servings
- The serving size is about 1 heaping tbsp
Nutrition
Calories: 16 kcal (1%)Carbohydrates: 3.7 g (1%)Protein: 0.8 g (2%)Sodium: 585 mg (25%)Potassium: 74 mg (2%)Fiber: 0.6 g (3%)Sugar: 1.1 g (1%)Calcium: 20 mg (2%)Iron: 0.5 mg (3%)
Cuisine: American Recipes
Diet: Gluten Free Recipes, Kosher Recipes, Low Calorie Recipes, Low Fat Recipes, Low Lactose Recipes, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
Category: Dressing, Sauce, Gravy and Dip Recipes
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
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FAQs
Most of the dry ranch seasoning mix ingredients are simple and likely already found in your pantry. Onion powder, onion flakes, dill, parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and dried chives give this delicious seasoning mix its flavor!
What is in Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning packet? ›
The Seasoning Packets Family
We energized the magical Ranch blend of buttermilk, garlic and onion flavors with a heavy dose of mild chilies and red peppers.
Is there a difference between ranch seasoning mix and ranch dressing mix? ›
This homemade ranch seasoning mix can be used for both. The difference comes in what you combine the seasoning mix with to make either a dip or dressing. Ranch dressing is typically made with milk and mayo, while ranch dip is typically made with sour cream.
What can I substitute for ranch seasoning? ›
Mix parsley, seasoned salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme together in a small bowl.
What is garden ranch spice? ›
Ranch seasoning is one of the most versatile spice mixes you can stash in the pantry. It's nothing more than a simple blend of dried herbs (dried dill, parsley, and chives), spices (garlic powder, onion powder, dried onion flakes), salt, and pepper.
What do you add to the ranch packet? ›
Instructions. Mix 1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup mayo, and 1 Hidden Valley Ranch Packet in a mixing bowl. Serve with anything!
Why is there no Hidden Valley Ranch in stores? ›
Clorox, Hidden Valley's parent company, is dealing with a cyberattack that has affected the dressing's production. So stores for months have had trouble stocking what some people call America's favorite dressing. Other mayonnaise-based dressing brands are available, including at fast food restaurants.
How long does homemade ranch last? ›
Stored in a well-sealed container in the fridge (assuming you began with fresh sour cream and buttermilk) your buttermilk ranch dressing should keep for up to two weeks. Help it stay fresh by not dipping anything directly into the container that you're storing it in—for example, a half-bitten carrot.
How much ranch is in a seasoning packet? ›
There are 2 tablespoons of ranch seasoning in one packet of ranch seasoning mix. So if a recipe calls for a packet of ranch seasoning all you have to do is measure out 2 tablespoons and add it into the recipe instead of using the packet.
Why does homemade ranch taste different? ›
Scratch ranch relies on fresh herbs and aromatics, which bring bite and those pops of grassy flavor that dried or powdered versions never can, so you get an eating experience that is elevated. Usually, ranch recipes will contain fresh buttermilk, and sometimes sour cream as well, for a tang that is really balanced.
Homemade wins here. The two dressings are roughly equivalent in terms of fat content, but store-bought ranch is the prototypical processed food, with an ingredients list that includes modified corn starch, monosodium glutamate, sodium lactate, polysorbate 60, et cetera.
Is it cheaper to buy or make ranch? ›
You'll never go back to the bottled stuff again! A bottle of Kraft Ranch Dressing from the grocery store costs about $3.49. However, for the same serving size, you can make it at home for only $2.33! The recipe makes 32 servings which comes out to only $0.07 per serving!
What gives ranch The ranch flavor? ›
What makes ranch ranch? It's a combination of creaminess (from buttermilk, sour cream, sometimes mayonnaise) and herbaceousness (often parsley, thyme, dill), plus a long pull of allium (onion and garlic) and a shot of black pepper.
What are the green flakes in ranch? ›
ingredients
- 1 teaspoon salt.
- 4 teaspoons garlic powder.
- 4 teaspoons black pepper.
- 4 teaspoons sugar.
- 4 teaspoons paprika.
- 4 teaspoons parsley flakes.
- 1 cup minced dried onion.
Store. Store the dry ranch dressing mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months.
Is ranch just garlic and herb dip? ›
What are the ingredients in ranch dressing? I use a mix of mayonnaise, sour cream, and a bit of buttermilk for some tang, plus garlic, and plenty of fresh herbs. I also like to add a dash of cayenne pepper for a kick, but you can add Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, or whatever you want.
What gives ranch its signature flavor? ›
According to the New York Times, ranch dressing gets its signature taste from three distinct, yet equally important elements: Creaminess, herbs, and allium (that is, onions and garlic).
Where does ranch seasoning come from? ›
The original ranch® dressing seasoning was created in the 1950s as a delicious, take-home gift for visitors to the real-life Hidden Valley Ranch in California. As its popularity grew in the 1960s, the ranch owners began selling it through local retailers in the Santa Barbara area.
Why is MSG in ranch dressing? ›
Sometimes MSG in ranch dressing does make it taste so much better, but it doesn't need to have that to taste good. Not only is not healthy for you, but you can easily make it taste good without it.
