Ranch Dressing
Servings 2.5 cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill optional, for additional flavor
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Mise en Place
- Peel and finely mince the garlic.
- Finely chop the parsley.
- Finely chop the fresh dill.
- Finely slice the chives.
- Juice the lemon.
- Measure the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, salt, pepper, and any optional ingredients.
Preparation
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk until smooth.
- Stir in the minced garlic, parsley, dill, chives, onion powder, and dried dill if using.
- Add the lemon juice and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
- Season with ¾ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
- Whisk until all of the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, or buttermilk to achieve your preferred flavor and consistency.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the herbs and seasonings to fully hydrate and the flavors to meld.
- Stir well before serving. If the dressing thickens during refrigeration, whisk in a small amount of buttermilk until it reaches the desired consistency.
Notes
- Fresh herbs provide a noticeably brighter and more complex flavor than dried herbs, though a small amount of dried dill reinforces the classic ranch flavor.
- Buttermilk determines the consistency. Use less for a thick sandwich spread or vegetable dip, and slightly more for a pourable salad dressing.
- Homemade ranch tastes best after resting for at least 30 minutes and is even better after several hours as the flavors continue to develop.
- Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Because it contains fresh dairy and herbs, it does not have the shelf life of commercial bottled ranch.
- Ranch dressing makes an outstanding sandwich condiment for fried chicken sandwiches, turkey clubs, roast beef sandwiches, bacon sandwiches, BLTs, buffalo chicken sandwiches, grilled vegetable sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and deli-style cold sandwiches, where its cool, creamy flavor balances spicy, smoky, and savory ingredients.