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Here’s how to make ranch seasoning! You don’t need that store bought packet. This healthy, all natural way to make ranch dressing tastes better too.
Welcome, ranch fans. Yes, it’s one of the most popular flavor blends in the country. But what actually is it? Try this ranch seasoning! It’s the key to creating a homemade ranch dressing or dip without the store-bought packet.
That means it’s all natural, with none of the additives or preservatives. It makes for the most beautiful, real-tasting ranch dressing you’ll find. This recipe is part of our DIY Seasoning Blend Series, where we show you how to make seasoning blends from scratch!
Ingredients for ranch seasoning
Most ranch seasoning recipes are pretty similar, trying to recreate that classic Hidden Valley ranch packet. For this recipe, we wanted to go easy and classic using spices we already had on hand. All you’ll do is mix the following together, and it lasts for up to 1 year. Here’s what’s in ranch seasoning:
- Dried parsley*
- Dried dill
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried minced onion
- Salt and black pepper
The only thing you might not have on hand is dried minced onion. It’s typically easy to find in your local grocery, though it’s a bit more unique. You can also use it in our homemade Everything Bagel seasoning!
How to use it in ranch salad dressing
The most popular way to use ranch seasoning: make ranch dressing! Most recipes call for adding the seasoning to 1 cup milk and 1 cup mayonnaise. To make a fresher spin, we like to use plain yogurt with mayo! Using a little yogurt cuts back on calories and adds a tang that you’d traditionally get from buttermilk. Here’s how to make our healthy ranch dressing with this ranch seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- ½ cup plain whole milk yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
How to make ranch veggie dip
Another great way to use ranch seasoning is in ranch dip! Same theory here. Alex and I like to use Greek yogurt instead of the traditional sour cream and mayonnaise. Here’s how to make healthy ranch dip with this seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning
- 2 cups whole milk Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- A few pinches salt, to taste
- Splash of water, to bring to creamy consistency if necessary (depending on the yogurt brand)
More ways to use ranch seasoning
There are other ways you can use this ranch seasoning outside of the standard! Here are some more ideas:
- In olive oil as a dip: Sprinkle into olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and use to dip bread.
- Fries: Try with our Parmesan Truffle Fries but skip the truffle to make them ranch fries.
- Potato wedges: Add sprinkles to our Parmesan Potato Wedges. (Or Pan Fried Potatoes.)
- Sauteed veggies: Sprinkle on roasted or sauteed veggies like Sauteed Broccoli.
- Cucumber slices: Thinly slice cucumbers and add some sprinkles: it’s seriously good!
Storage information
You can store your homemade ranch seasoning in an airtight container for 6 months to 1 year. Of course, it’s best when it’s the freshest! Spices last in a cool, dry place for 8 months to 1 year. You can use this spice blend to add new life to spices that you’ve had for a while.
Dietary notes
This ranch seasoning recipe is vegetarian, gluten free, vegan, plant based, and dairy free.
Homemade Ranch Seasoning
Here’s how to make ranch seasoning! You don’t need that store bought packet. This healthy, all natural way to make ranch dressing tastes better too.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About 7 tablespoons 1x
- Category: Seasoning
- Method: Mixed
- Cuisine: Spices
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons dried parsley*
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon onion powder
- ½ tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Crush the dried parsley a bit with your fingers.
- Whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl. Transfer to an airtight container or jar. Store for 6 months to 1 year in a cool, dry place.
- To make healthy ranch dressing, mix 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning with ½ cup plain whole milk yogurt, ¼ cup mayonnaise, and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar.
Notes
*Note: Most ranch seasoning recipes call for buttermilk powder, which imitates a packet of Hidden Valley ranch dressing. We don’t commonly stock this ingredient in our pantry so did not include it in our seasoning mix. If you’d like to add it, add ½ cup buttermilk powder for this volume of spices.
More seasoning blends
Making DIY seasoning mixes at home is so easy! They taste incredible—much better than storebought—and are fun gifts, too. Try all our seasoning blends (listed by style):
- Mexican: Fajita Seasoning, Taco Seasoning
- Mediterranean: Greek Seasoning, Italian Seasoning, Herbes de Provence
- Cajun: Cajun Seasoning, Blackened Seasoning
- American: Old Bay Seasoning, Chili Seasoning, Everything Bagel Seasoning
- All Purpose: Seasoned Salt, Seafood Seasoning
I haven’t made the Ranch dressing yet, but going to try to make it!!! Thanks
This is so easy and SO GOOD – never want store bought ranch again!