The Best Homemade Ranch: Small Batch Recipe - The Crafty Blog Stalker (2024)

by Katie Adams 45 Comments

Homemade ranch tastes better than store-bought, and this ranch recipe is delicious! A simple DIY recipe tutorial idea! A top pinned post on Pinterest!

The Best Homemade Ranch: Small Batch Recipe - The Crafty Blog Stalker (1)

Over a year ago I shared The Best Homemade Ranch Recipe. This has been and is my favorite ranch recipe. I was quickly amazed at how popular this post became. This recipe has been pinned 73,931 times! Isn't that crazy?! With the popularity of that post, I have been asked many questions and one of the biggest being if I had a smaller portion recipe. So I thought since it has been pinned that many times, that was the least I could do.

I bought all of my ingredients in bulk. I think bulk spices are so much cheaper than buying them pre-packed or bottled. I also purchased a Plastic Spice Bottle to store my Ranch mix in once it was made.

The Best Homemade Ranch: Small Batch Recipe - The Crafty Blog Stalker (2)

Printable PDF version of this recipe.

For the dry ranch mix you will need:

  • ½ TBS Black Pepper
  • 2 ½ TBS Parsley Flakes
  • 1 TBS Garlic Salt
  • ¾ tsp Kosher Salt
  • ½ TBS Garlic Powder
  • 1 ½ TBS onion powder
  • ¾ tsp Dill Weed

How to Make a Smaller Portion Best Homemade Ranch Recipe

Pour each of the ingredients directly into the Spice Bottle and then shake the container to mix. That is all there is to it!

The Best Homemade Ranch: Small Batch Recipe - The Crafty Blog Stalker (3)

I have used this dry mix in all sorts of recipes that call for dry ranch mix from the packets, but my favorite and most common use is to make Ranch Dressing.

For the smaller portion of Ranch Dressing mix:

  • 1 TBS dry mix
  • 1 cup mayo
  • 1 cup cultured low-fat buttermilk
  • ¾ cup light sour cream
  • ½ tsp lemon juice
The Best Homemade Ranch: Small Batch Recipe - The Crafty Blog Stalker (4)

To store the ranch dressing, I pour it into a Rubbermaid 2 Quart Bottle. The only difference between this recipe and the original is this recipe makes 6 Tablespoons of Dry Ranch Mix and the original makes 36 Tablespoons.

The Best Homemade Ranch: Small Batch Recipe - The Crafty Blog Stalker (5)

We go through a lot of ranch at our house and I make Ranch Dressing close to once a week to make the full portion of Ranch mix. Go to my original The Best Homemade Ranch Recipe post to see the full portion recipe.

So how much ranch does your family go through?

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Author Bio

Katie Adams

Creator at The Crafty Blog Stalker

Katie Adams, known as The Crafty Blog Stalker, inspires with her innovative DIY projects and artistic flair. Her blog offers detailed tutorials, tips, and engaging content, encouraging readers to embrace their crafty side. From simple crafts to complex creations, Katie's passion motivates followers to unleash their creativity and make unique pieces. Follow The Crafty Blog Stalker for a world of crafting inspiration and discover the joy of creating something beautiful.

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Article Info

You are here: Home Side Dishes The Best Homemade Ranch: Small Batch Recipe

Title:

The Best Homemade Ranch: Small Batch Recipe

Authors:

  • Katie Adams

Categories:

  • Side Dishes

Mentions:

Recipes

Keywords:

Homemade Ranch

Last Updated:

February 5, 2024

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Katie Adams

      Thank you so much for suggesting that. I have added a link in the post for a printable pdf. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  1. Heather May

    I LOVE making my own dressings! I make a homemade ranch that is similar only organic. People are always amazed that great ranch doesn't have to come out of a packet!!Thanks for sharing--I will try making this one next time I make it!

    Reply

  2. Paula Parrish

    Congratulations on the popularity of your post. ;o) I haven't tried making my own ranch dressing, sounds easy enough. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  3. Vanessa

    That's a lot of Pins! Congrats. You can add another one to that because I need to remember to make this. New follower too. Love your blog.

    Reply

  4. Shannon Thomas

    You can tell I grew up in the era of Beavis and Butthead, because I giggled when I saw "dill weed" in the recipe. My kiddos love ranch! I'll have to try this. Visiting from Tuesday Tea Party

    Reply

  5. Kimberly @ A Time to Freeze

    I've never thought to make homemade ranch, but what a great idea! I will definitely be pinning this! I'm also a big Winco shopper. 🙂 Stopping by from the Someday Crafts link party.

    Reply

  6. mammy2grammy

    Hi, Stopping by from Lovely Ladies Linky to say Hi. This recipe sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  7. Amber Neal

    Thank you so much for a great recipe! I shared how to make your recipe dairy free today on my blog.

    Reply

  8. Heather

    Ranch is definitely one of the main food groups at our house, too! We can never find the ones that taste as good as what you can get at restaurants and I'm not too excited about all the "junk" in commercial ranch, so I think I'll give this a try. I'll let you know if it is a hit.

    Reply

  9. thegreatzambini.com

    This recipe is just what I needed in my life, and in my blog too for that matter! I hope linking to the recipe won't bother you?

    Reply

    • Katie Adams

      Not at all. Thank you!

      Reply

  10. Meredith

    What brand of mayo do you recommend with this recipe? Thanks for sharing! Excited to try!!

    Reply

    • Katie

      I am not brand loyal when it comes to Mayo. To me all mayos tastes the same. So I usually buy what is on sale. I think with all of the spices and everything that is added, any mayo will do. I hope that helps!

      Reply

    • Amanda

      I know this comment is old but since I just found this I'll throw my .02 in. I make my own mayo and it's super easy and only has 5 ingredients (pale mayo if anyone's interested) and I bet this would be fantastic to use. I also don't use sour cream so I would sub Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative. We try hard not to use any packaged, processed foods and I've discovered that most little things like ranch dressing are so easy to make! I'll definitely be making this once I get some more dill!

      Reply

  11. Alayna

    Hi- Thanks for sharing this. It looks great~

    I am wondering if I could just mix the ranch mix with plain greek yogurt instead of mayo, sour cream, and buttermilk. Do you think that would work?

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Katie

      I definitely think it would change the flavor a bit, but it wouldn't hurt to try it and see if you liked it.

      Reply

  12. SaRa

    I am wondering how long this stays good in the fridge?? Thanks!!

    Reply

    • Katie

      Go by the expiration date on the buttermilk. I think that is the safest best.

      Reply

  13. Kate Nelson

    can you tell me the calorie count in 2 TBS of dressing - it is delicious!!!!!

    Reply

    • Katie

      I am sorry but I can't. It all depends on what mayo and sour cream you use, different brands are different calorie counts.

      Reply

  14. Jenna

    thanks for this recipe, I really need to start making my own, I use ranch seasoning for so many things!

    Reply

  15. Carrie This Home

    We go through a lot more ranch at our house since our kids have discovered carrot sticks. I love being able to offer them a healthy snack option with a little ranch on the side. It makes us all happy! I'm going to pin this recipe since it would save us some money!

    Reply

  16. Missy

    I just made my second batch, I will never buy ranch again. It will now be a passed down family recipe, thanks!!

    Reply

  17. Hilary

    Oooo, I LOVE this! Especially the dry mix. I'll have to try! Going to share on my social media.

    Reply

  18. Stephanie

    The way we go through ranch at my house this is perfect!! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!

    Reply

  19. Helene

    I have been making mine with fresh garlic and onion and dill but winter is around the corner up here in the mountains and I'll be keeping this in mind!

    Reply

  20. Brittany

    My daughter LOVES ranch dressing...on everything. So we go through it pretty quickly. This looks pretty simple, so I think I might give it a try. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Katie

      I would love to hear what you think of it Brittany!

      Reply

  21. Debi @ Adorned From Above

    Looks great. Thanks for sharing with Adorned From Above's Link Party. Have a great week.
    Debi @ Adorned From Above

    Reply

  22. RaY-Ray

    Thank you SO much for sharing both Large and small batch recipes. The small batch is perfect for my family but the large is perfect for parties! We are trying to weed out preservatives , but who doesn't like a good ranch? Now we can have the best of both worlds! Making a batch as soon as I submit this for our veggie tray for dinner tonight! Can't wait ! Also, I did use the dry seasoning mix on some homemade French fries that I made for a friend....RAVE reviews about how yummy they were!!! I just mixed the dry mix into some olive oil and tossed my raw fries in them. So delicious and smelled great ! Found you on Pinterest and sooooo happy I did 🙂

    Reply

  23. lulu

    If a recipe calls for 1 packet of a ranch and I substitute your ranch recipe would I use just 1 tbsp or all 6 that this makes?

    Reply

    • Katie

      A store bought package has about 3 tbsp. Great question, thank you!

      Reply

  24. Susan Z

    Did you use the coarse or fine grind sea salt?

    Reply

    • Katie

      I used the fine.

      Reply

  25. Alisa

    I often use the Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dips Mix (the one that you just mix with sour cream)
    Is this similar to that? If I wanted to make a dip instead of dressing would I just mix this with only sour cream or do you recommend adding buttermilk as well?

    Reply

    • Katie

      I have never tried using this ranch recipe as a dip, but now I must! I should work just the same as the packaged stuff so 16 oz sour cream - or substitute that with Greek Yogurt and 2 Tablespoons of the Dry Ranch Mix.

      Reply

  26. Brittany King

    Could I substitute extra garlic powder instead of garlic salt? My son has kidney disease and I try to limit his sodium.

    Reply

    • Katie

      Yes, Brittany, I think that would be just fine.

      Reply

  27. Janet

    I got to this page from a link someone shared on a recipe,
    we don't get ranch here, but I have had it in the US and love it, my question is the shop bought ranch in the recipe looked like it may have some dried milk/Mayo or other dairy as it appeared a lot whiter than your mix, so if adding this mix to a recipe should I add some dairy.
    Are there ranch mixes there that just add liquid it looked a bit like that.
    Maybe I could make a big batch of it up and freeze dry for instant ranch.

    Reply

    • Katie

      Hi Janet! No ranch where you live? WHAT!! LOL!

      To make the ranch dressing from the mix, the recipe does call for buttermilk and sour cream which are all dairy products, as well as mayo and lemon juice. I have never worked with Powdered mayo but I assume it would work fine. Buttermilk is a much thicker and creamier product than regular milk, and is what helps give the ranch that thick creamy texture. I suggest experimenting and finding what works best. Sorry I'm not more help with this one.

      Reply

      • KAtie

        I have been living in New Zealand for the past 4 years and have found the ranch sold here not nearly as good as in the US, so I thought I would try your recipe. THIS IS THE BEST RANCH BOTH MY FIANCE AND I HAVE EVER TASTED!!!! (even though I didn't have buttermilk and used regular milk to make the dressing instead). I also couldn't find Garlic salt here so used garlic powder plus a bit extra salt. This is seriously so good!!! Thank you so much! I'm never buying store bought ranch again, even when we move back to the states!

        Reply

        • Katie

          Thank you so much Katie!! I am so glad that you like it and you made it work for what you had available.

          Reply

  28. Cathie

    What kind of mayo do you use to make the dressing? I tried miracle whip. My husband hates it and refuses to eat.

    Reply

    • Katie

      Miracle Whip and Mayo are actually different and have a completely different taste. Try the recipe made with mayonnaise. I usually use the generic brand and it tastes great!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

The Best Homemade Ranch: Small Batch Recipe - The Crafty Blog Stalker (2024)

FAQs

What thickens homemade ranch? ›

To thicken the dressing you can add a teaspoon of cornstarch. Just be just you whisk it in really well and refrigerate for a few hours before it's ready to serve. The dressing will thicken up as it sits.

How to make ranch dressing Martha Stewart? ›

Directions. In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth. Whisk in thyme, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Does homemade ranch taste better? ›

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.

How do you make poor Richard's ranch? ›

His recipe calls for 9 tablespoons of buttermilk with 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard, 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot, 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill, and fresh-ground black pepper to taste.

How do restaurants make ranch so good? ›

The secret that many restaurants have up their sleeves is seasoning mix. Well-known brands make dry counterparts to their bottled ranch that encapsulate all the flavors, including powdered buttermilk, with none of the additives and oils.

Is making your own ranch cheaper? ›

Make your own homemade ranch dressing mix, using just a few basic ingredients, for much cheaper than the store-bought packets! Plus, there's no artificial fillers, chemicals, preservatives or extra sugars!

What can I add to ranch to make it taste better? ›

Keep tasting as you go, adding more salt, if needed… Or more chives. Or more parsley, or more dill…or you could go out on a limb and add any or all of the following: white vinegar, black pepper, cayenne pepper, a dash of Worcestershire, paprika, fresh oregano, or Tabasco.

What is the ranch dressing that restaurants use? ›

I work in a restaurant and the ranch we serve is hidden valley ranch. Although, you can buy it in the bottle or you can buy the package and make it yourself, the two taste a lot different. We actually make it fresh with the package (it's so much better that way) and you can do that at home.

Why does pizza place ranch taste better? ›

While many restaurants use mass produced ranch mix, they often add it to a higher-quality base. This might include milk, buttermilk, sour cream, or mayonnaise. So when you notice that the ranch in a restaurant tastes better than the bottled dressing from the store, what you're really tasting is delicious, creamy fat.

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.

What makes Hidden Valley Ranch taste better? ›

The ranch packet has a fresher taste, because you add your own mayo and milk. Even though all the herbs and spices in the mix are dried, they rehydrate quickly and leave you with a product that feels homemade. This version of Hidden Valley Ranch is more flavorful than the bottled version and much, much thicker.

What is the most expensive ranch dressing in the world? ›

This bottle's no joke. It's covered in 75 carats' worth of jewels, making it valued at $35,000. You could almost buy three brand-new Nissan Versas for that. But Hidden Valley knows you can't put a price tag on love, be it the holy matrimony kind or the condiment-you-drizzle-on-everything variety.

What is the black in ranch? ›

Traditionally the blackened ranch dip is made by combining ranch dressing (made with mayonnaise and sour cream) with onion, garlic, black pepper, white pepper, and blackening seasoning. This lightened-up version replaces most of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.

What ranch does Dairy Queen use? ›

favorite eats, like the Chicken Strip Basket.

What can I use to thicken homemade salad dressing? ›

Use yogurt or sour cream: These dairy products have a similar texture to mayonnaise and can be used to thicken salad dressing. You can use plain yogurt or sour cream, or try flavored varieties for added flavor. Use avocado: Avocado is a creamy, rich fruit that can be used to thicken salad dressing.

How do you thicken homemade condiments? ›

The most readily available sauce-thickener is flour. For a too-thin sauce, try adding a slurry (equal parts flour and water, whisked together) or beurre manie (equal parts softened butter and flour, kneaded together to form a paste)—both are ideal thickeners for rich and creamy sauces, such as steak sauce recipes.

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