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Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe

Ranch dressing has always been one of my first condiment loves (after ketchup, of course). After seeing what was actually in the store-bought salad dressings from the grocery store though, I knew it was time to break up. Thankfully I came up with an even healthier version of ranch salad dressing and now this ranch dressing mix.

The kids and I love it on salads, but it also makes a great dry ranch seasoning for meats and veggies. Plus it’s naturally gluten-free.

Why a Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix?

I probably don’t have to tell you that Hidden Valley Ranch is hiding a whole lot of unhealthy ingredients underneath that delicious ranch flavor. MSG, artificial flavors, and soy to name a few.

It seemed pretty counterintuitive to make a healthy salad and then top it with junk. I found a great alternative to regular ranch dressing (here’s the recipe). But I also wanted an alternative to the ranch dressing mix I use on chicken, roasted veggies, and other dishes.

I figured I could make a better real food option. This was the result and it is lovely. We keep a jar in the cabinet for use on veggies, eggs, chicken, or to make ranch dip.

I order all of the ingredients in bulk so I can whip it up whenever we need it. This way, I can also make any other spices we need any time we need them. You can find my other homemade spice blend recipes here.

Some Things Don’t Change

This ranch mix and the ranch dressing are part of our regular meal rotation. I keep the powder pre-made and always add the other ingredients to my Real Plans Shopping List so I can whip up a quick batch whenever needed.

So many things in the world have changed since my childhood, but my love of ranch dressing seems to be a consistent part of most childhoods. I just love that I can give my kids a healthier (and more delicious) version these days!

Ranch Dressing Recipe

Most of the ingredients for this you likely already have in your pantry. The main ingredient is dry buttermilk powder, which gives it that creamy tang. Unlike the store-bought packets though, it’s not cut with maltodextrin. And if you want an even tangier ranch dressing, you can add just a little fresh lemon juice to the Greek yogurt.

My favorite way to make the dip is with Greek yogurt. This makes it tangy and creamy with a boost of protein. For a more traditional ranch dressing, you could use 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup mayonnaise instead.

Try topping your dip with some fresh chopped dill or chives for the finishing touch!

What to Use Ranch Dressing Dip On

Your family likely already has a list of foods they love with ranch dressing. It makes a great dip for everything from chips to pizza. Serve it as an appetizer with veggies, or drizzle it on a salad. Since this is a dry ranch dressing mix it’s even more versatile. Here are some more delicious ways to use it!

Ranch_Dressing_Mix

Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe

Rather than using store-bought packets of ranch seasoning, make your own using simple ingredients found in your pantry.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Calories 50kcal
Author Katie Wells

Servings

6 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Keep the dry mix in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.
  • Use 2 tablespoons of mix for each seasoning packet of ranch mix called for in a recipe.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 50 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 0.4g3%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.05g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 7mg2%
Sodium 832mg36%
Potassium 216mg6%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 51IU1%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 139mg14%
Iron 0.5mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

  • To make ranch dip, add 2 tablespoons of the ranch mix to 1 cup of Greek yogurt.
  • Thin ranch dip with water or milk to make buttermilk ranch dressing.

I never thought I could give up ranch dressing (or thought I would want to). Now I love the real food version even better. What I thought was going to be one of the hardest parts of switching to healthy, real food actually became one of the best.

What are your favorite ways to use ranch dressing mix? Leave a comment and share below!

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

 This ranch dressing mix is great on beef, chicken, roasted vegetables or to make salad dressing. Made with herbs and spices not vegetable oil or additives.

Sources
Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

101 responses to “Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe”

  1. Elizabeth Rollins Avatar
    Elizabeth Rollins

    what would you suggest to mix with the homemade ranch mix that is gluten and diary free…..Would it work with soy or rice milk or a fake mayonnaise.? my nephew is dairy and gluten free….how can I do this for him?

    1. Sara Avatar

      This recipe is both gluten and dairy free as written, provided you use the mayonnaise rather than the yogurt.

  2. Barbara D. Avatar
    Barbara D.

    5 stars
    I had the same problem with the powdered Ranch mix… every time I would make a recipe with it, I would feel horrible afterward, even if I’d just made something “healthy”! I knew what to look for on the label when the symptoms popped up (low-grade fever, and feeling like all if my bones had been broken, especially in my hands): MSG, which, along with aspartame will ruin my day if I injest even a tiny amount. I found a blend at Penzey’s, but it wasn’t quite right… because I noticed that there was no white powder in the Penzey’s version, I added about 3T powdered buttermilk to an amount that would equal about two envelopes of the toxic version from Hidden Valley… Voila! Perfect “imitation” to use in my recipes that call for an envelope of Ranch dressing/dip mix powder! Of course, this works for me because I can use powdered buttermilk, and the mixture has to be refrigerated once made (like the powdered buttermilk, once opened)… I am willing to bet that organic powdered goat’s milk and some spice that will mimic the sourness of the buttermilk would work just as well. I hope this isn’t out of line with too many people’s diets; sorry if it’s not useful to anyone, but I wanted to share it as another alternative because my family finds it so yummy 😉

  3. Robin Lester Avatar
    Robin Lester

    The Best: More energy
    The worst: Not going out to eat for Pasta.

  4. Kristen Bloomquist Gorczyk Avatar
    Kristen Bloomquist Gorczyk

    The best: having energy and feeling good!
    The worst: there’s never enough room in the fridge for all those fruits and veggies.

  5. Elisa Avatar

    best:  Losing my “baby weight” quickly.
    worst:  not eating ice cream every night before bed.

  6. Stef Avatar

    The best thing about living healthy: Feeling good, looking good, eating bacon and steak!
    The worst thing about living healthy: The judgmental looks/comments from people when you try and explain what you’re doing and why… 

  7. Steph Avatar

    Best: Totally clear skin!
    Worst: Being really tired and knowing I absolutely must make a lunch to take to work the next day.

  8. Nlma Avatar

    Best: Finally knowing the truth about nutrition and the satisfaction I have after and in between meals. 
    Worst: Being burnt out of cooking when I am still learning and applying things. 

  9. Tabitha Stone Avatar
    Tabitha Stone

    Best: My kids are no longer constipated or have tummy aches.

    Worst: I’m an excellent baker! I really miss baking!

  10. Jim Avatar

    Best: Looking and feeling better at 53 yrs old than I ever have! Also, seeing my husband getting slimmer and fitter!
    Worst: Trying to defend this way of eating to others…sigh

  11. Anna Avatar

    Best:  Feeling like I am actually “tasting” my food…and it is DELICIOUS!

    Worst:  Miss my daily chocolate and soda pop

  12. Amelia Uecker Avatar
    Amelia Uecker

    Best: Curing my crippling chronic pain and neurological dysfunction.
    Worst: Being told by pitiable, overweight people drinking diet sodas and popping statins that all that grass-fed butter will ruin my figure and give me heart attacks.

  13. Fran Avatar

    Best: Celiac disease under control for the first time in my life!
    Worst: Getting the kids to understand that eating “mom’s way” is normal!

  14. sacha Avatar

    Best: Feeling and Looking good.
    Worst: giving up desserts, SOMETIMES. 

  15. Anne Avatar

    Best:  feeling fab
    Worst: restaurant servers who say “you can’t eat wheat?  There’s no wheat in that.  Just flour.”  Arggh!

    (Can you tell I’ve been eating out a lot this week?)  

  16. Sarah Avatar

    best: having a lot of energy!
    worst: feeling like everyday is a battle. 

  17. Laura Gruber Avatar
    Laura Gruber

    Best:  more energy
    worst:  walking into a bakery and seeing all the gluten filled baked goods

  18. theresa gianna Avatar
    theresa gianna

    best: feeling & looking healthy, regaining mornings, omelettes.

    worst: being mocked, interrogated, and made fun of for it.

  19. Becca Avatar

    Best: How adding good fats and eliminating bad sugars has stabalized my blood sugar and eliminated those nasty mood swings.

    Worst: Balancing politeness with healthy choices when eating at someone else’s house. 

4.34 from 53 votes (47 ratings without comment)

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