Homemade Small Batch Restaurant Ranch Dressing Recipe

Ranch dressing with its tangy, creamy allure has become a staple in small batch restaurant kitchens across the country.

This homemade small batch restaurant ranch dressing recipe captures the essence of that irresistible condiment you love from your favorite eateries.

Bold herbs and rich dairy blend seamlessly to create a dressing that outshines any store-bought version.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in this surprisingly simple recipe.

Each dollop promises a burst of flavor that will enhance salads, dip vegetables, or drizzle over your favorite dishes.

The magic lies in the perfect balance of zesty spices and smooth, velvety texture.

You’ll fall in love with this restaurant-quality ranch that brings professional flavor right to your kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 230 kcal

Servings: 3

Ranch Dressing Ingredients for Small Batches

• Mayonnaise: Creates a rich, smooth foundation that gives the ranch dressing its luxurious texture and classic tangy flavor.
• Sour Cream: Adds a delightful tang and extra creaminess, enhancing the overall richness of the dressing.
• Buttermilk: Provides a subtle acidic note and helps achieve the perfect pourable consistency.

• Dried Dill, Dried Parsley, Dried Chives: Deliver a garden-fresh herbaceous profile that makes this ranch dressing taste authentically homemade and vibrant.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Infuse deep, savory undertones that elevate the dressing's complexity and add irresistible depth of flavor.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Perfectly balance and brighten all the ingredients, creating a harmonious and well-rounded ranch dressing that sings with flavor.

Gear to Get That Restaurant-Style Ranch

• Medium Bowl: Perfect for mixing all ingredients smoothly and easily.
• Whisk: Essential for blending mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk into a creamy base.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add dried herbs and spices for balanced flavor.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures precise liquid measurements for consistent dressing texture.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping sides of bowl and ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
• Airtight Container: Ideal for storing ranch dressing in refrigerator and keeping it fresh.

How to Whisk Up Restaurant Ranch in Minutes

Ranch Dressing Basics

• Creamy Foundation Blend mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk into a silky smooth mixture that forms the perfect base for your homemade dressing.
• Flavor Explosion Sprinkle in dried herbs like dill, parsley, and chives, along with garlic and onion powders to create a bold taste profile that'll make your taste buds dance.
• Texture Magic Tweak the consistency by adding more buttermilk for a lighter feel or extra mayo for a thicker sauce. Trust your palate and adjust until it feels just right.
• Flavor Fusion Tuck the dressing into the refrigerator for a quick 30-minute chill. This magical resting time allows all the incredible flavors to mingle and become best friends.
• Dip and Devour Drizzle over crisp salads, use as a dunk for crunchy veggies, or spread on your favorite sandwich. Your homemade ranch is ready to steal the show at any meal.

Mix-Ins for Customizing Your Ranch Dressing

• Flavor Boosting Tricks: Swap fresh herbs for dried ones to elevate the ranch's brightness and intensity. Fresh chives, dill, and parsley will create a more vibrant, garden-fresh taste profile.
• Texture Magic: Want ultra-smooth ranch? Use an immersion blender or food processor to whip the ingredients into a silky, perfectly blended dressing that coats every bite beautifully.
• Spice Adventure: Kick up the heat by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce for those who love a zesty ranch experience. Experiment with different pepper types to find your perfect spice level.
• Storage Wisdom: This homemade ranch stays fresh in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days when refrigerated. Pro tip: Give it a quick stir before serving to redistribute the herbs and spices that may have settled.
• Dairy-Free Hack: Create a lighter version by substituting Greek yogurt for sour cream and using a dairy-free mayonnaise alternative. The result? A guilt-free ranch that doesn't compromise on flavor.

Ideas for Serving Ranch Beyond Salad

• Fresh Salad Companion: Drizzle this homemade ranch over crisp mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices for a refreshing lunch that bursts with flavor.
• Veggie Dipping Delight: Create a colorful veggie platter with raw carrots, bell peppers, celery, and broccoli florets, using the creamy ranch as a irresistible dipping sauce.
• Grill-Side Condiment: Pair this ranch with grilled chicken, burgers, or as a zesty spread for sandwiches and wraps, adding a tangy kick to your favorite BBQ dishes.
• Appetizer Enhancer: Transform classic appetizers like chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, or crispy potato wedges by serving them alongside this creamy, herb-packed ranch dressing.

Keep Your Ranch Creamy Until You Need It

• Flavor Fusion Fridge Strategy: Refrigerate the ranch dressing in an airtight container to maintain its creamy texture and vibrant taste. The dressing stays fresh for 5-7 days when stored properly in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
• Smart Portion Planning: Prepare small batches to ensure maximum freshness and flavor intensity. Smaller quantities prevent flavor degradation and guarantee a zesty, just-made taste every time you serve.
• Ingredient Separation Technique: Keep dried herbs and seasonings in a separate sealed container if making the base ahead of time. Mix ingredients just before serving to prevent moisture from dulling the herb's crisp flavors and maintaining optimal texture.
• Quick Revive Method: If the dressing thickens during refrigeration, simply whisk in a tiny splash of buttermilk to restore its original smooth consistency. Gentle stirring helps redistribute herbs and restore the dressing's vibrant character without compromising its delicate flavor profile.

Creamy Batch Restaurant Ranch Dressing Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Small batch restaurant ranch dressing unleashes classic American condiment magic in your kitchen. Creamy, herbal notes and tangy buttermilk create perfect balance you’ll want to drizzle on everything.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) sour cream
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) buttermilk
• 1 tsp dried dill
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp dried chives
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Assemble a medium mixing bowl and all ingredients to craft a restaurant-worthy ranch dressing with vibrant flavor profiles.
2. Blending Base: Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk together until the mixture transforms into a seamless, velvety emulsion with zero visible clumps or inconsistencies.
3. Seasoning Integration: Incorporate dried dill, dried parsley, dried chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper into the creamy foundation, ensuring comprehensive and uniform distribution of herbs and spices throughout the mixture.
4. Flavor Calibration: Evaluate the dressing’s taste and texture, making nuanced adjustments by adding buttermilk for a lighter consistency or increasing mayonnaise and sour cream to create a more robust and luxurious mouthfeel.
5. Infusion and Chilling: Seal the dressing in a container and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the aromatic herbs and spices to harmonize and intensify their complex flavor dimensions.
6. Serving: Stir the chilled dressing briefly and present as a versatile companion to crisp vegetables, a salad enhancer, or an irresistible dipping sauce for an array of appetizers.

Notes

• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes to allow herbs and spices to blend and develop a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Customize Consistency: Easily adjust the thickness by adding buttermilk for a lighter texture or extra mayonnaise and sour cream for a richer, creamier dressing.
• Perfect Seasoning Technique: Whisk ingredients thoroughly and taste-test to ensure even distribution of herbs and balanced flavor intensity.
• Storage Tip: Keep the ranch dressing in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 5-7 days, maintaining its fresh and zesty character.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg