Sauces & Dressings Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
The creamy, herb-flecked dressing everyone secretly loves, perfect for drizzling over salads or dunking crispy wings and fresh veggies.
Contains common allergens
In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.
Good to know
- Ready in under 30 minutes
Matched from this dish's own ingredients and timing. Browse more: 30-minute meals
Instructions
5 steps- 1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk until completely smooth.
- 2
Add the chives, dill, parsley, grated garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper, then whisk again to distribute the herbs evenly.
- 3
Stir in the lemon juice and taste; if the dressing is too thick, thin it with an additional tablespoon of buttermilk at a time until it reaches a pourable consistency.
- 4
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and the herbs bloom.
- 5
Stir before serving and store refrigerated in an airtight jar for up to 1 week.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
68/100
Works for many families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving100
Calories
1 g
Protein
1 g
Carbs
11 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
Ranch dressing was invented in the 1950s by Steve Henson at his California dude ranch, Hidden Valley, where the herb-and-buttermilk blend became so popular it spawned a national brand. The original was a dry herb mix stirred into fresh buttermilk and mayonnaise. It has since become America's most popular dressing, used as much for dipping as for salads.
Listahan note
This version goes back to the from-scratch roots, building a tangy buttermilk and mayonnaise base loaded with fresh herbs rather than a powder packet.
Technique cues
- Let the finished dressing rest at least thirty minutes so the dried and fresh herbs hydrate and the flavors bloom.
- Use real cultured buttermilk for the tang that defines ranch; milk with lemon is a poor stand-in here.
- Whisk the mayo and sour cream smooth before adding buttermilk so the dressing does not turn lumpy.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- Chop the herbs while you whisk the base, then combine and let it rest as you finish the meal.
- Make-ahead
- Make it a day ahead; ranch is at its best after the herbs have hydrated overnight.
- Leftover move
- Thin leftover dressing with a little buttermilk to make a marinade for chicken, or use it as a sandwich spread.
- Cleanup rhythm
- One bowl and a whisk; rinse before the dairy dries onto the sides.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
buttermilk
tangy base
Purpose: Cultured buttermilk gives ranch its signature tang and pourable consistency.
Handling: Whisk in gradually to reach the thickness you want.
Adaptation: Thin plain kefir or yogurt with a little milk for a similar tang.
mayonnaise
richness
Purpose: Mayo gives the dressing its creamy body and clinging texture.
Handling: Whisk smooth before thinning with buttermilk.
Adaptation: Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier dressing.
sour cream
tang and body
Purpose: Sour cream adds extra tang and a thicker, more luxurious texture.
Handling: Whisk in with the mayo.
Adaptation: More buttermilk plus a squeeze of lemon, or crème fraiche.
fresh dill and chives
signature herbs
Purpose: Fresh herbs are what separate homemade ranch from the flat taste of a packet.
Handling: Finely chop and stir in, then let the dressing rest.
Adaptation: Dried herbs work, using a third of the amount, with a longer rest.
garlic powder
savory aromatic
Purpose: Garlic and onion powder give the savory backbone classic ranch depends on.
Handling: Whisk in with the other seasonings.
Adaptation: A small amount of finely grated fresh garlic for a sharper bite.
Technique notes
- A splash of pickle brine or a dash of hot sauce gives the dressing a craveable edge.
- For a thick dip versus a pourable dressing, simply hold back some of the buttermilk.
- Tasting the next day and re-balancing the salt and acid makes a noticeable difference, since dairy mutes seasoning cold.
Ingredient swaps
- Lighter direction
- Use all Greek yogurt in place of the mayo and sour cream for a high-protein, lower-fat ranch.
- Dairy-free option
- Use vegan mayo and unsweetened plant yogurt with a squeeze of lemon for the tang.
- Lower-sodium direction
- Skip the added salt and lean on the herbs, garlic, and a little extra lemon.
Serve alongside
- Crisp romaine wedge
- Buffalo cauliflower bites
- Crudite platter
- Loaded baked potatoes
- Iced tea
- Cold lager
- Lemonade
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Keep refrigerated in a sealed jar for up to one week; shake or stir before each use as it settles.
- Do not freeze, since the dairy emulsion separates on thawing.
- Discard if the buttermilk smell turns sharp rather than tangy.
Equipment
- Whisk
- Mixing bowl
- Fine grater
- Airtight jar
Make this household-aware
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Plan it in Listahan
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