Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe

From salads to dips, this dry Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe is as versatile as it is tasty.

My first introduction to ranch flavor was a bag of chips that left my fingers coated in zesty powder. I loved the vibrant taste immediately—and I’ve been hooked ever since. In college, I would drench the cafeteria’s disturbingly rubbery lettuce in ranch dressing. And when I went to the local wings joint, I’d request a side of ranch dressing for my chicken. My tastes have refined over the years, but one thing has remained constant: Ranch dressing is awesome. I love this quick and easy homemade ranch dressing mix recipe for its nostalgia almost as much as its versatility.

I use this ranch dressing mix as the starting point for lots of dressings, dips, and marinades. Whatever you use it for, you’ll love its tangy, zesty, fresh flavor profile. I even put it on my burgers along with a slice of creamy cheese like Muenster. If you’re a ranch lover, too, try this homemade upgrade to a real crowd-pleaser!

Is This Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe Healthy?

This homemade ranch dressing mix is a healthier alternative to most store-bought versions. It’s a simple blend of dried herbs and spices, with no added sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavors. Garlic and onion powder offer some antioxidants, and dill weed is known for its natural anti-inflammatory properties—but keep in mind that these benefits are modest due to the small amounts you’ll use. The powdered buttermilk adds a touch of creaminess and provides a little calcium and B vitamins, but the overall nutrient content per serving is quite low.

While this recipe isn’t vegan because of the buttermilk, you can experiment with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor or try a plant-based powdered milk alternative to keep it dairy-free. Either way, making your own salad dressing mix lets you control the ingredients and sodium content, making it a smart choice for a healthier kitchen staple.

The Homegrown History Of Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing was invented in the early 1950s by Steve Henson, a Nebraska native working as a plumbing contractor in Alaska. While cooking for his work crews, Henson developed a tangy, creamy dressing using buttermilk, mayonnaise, herbs, and spices. Henson retired from plumbing and moved with his wife, Gayle, to California, where the couple opened a guest ranch in Santa Barbara County—named Hidden Valley Ranch. They served Henson’s homemade dressing to guests, who loved it so much they began requesting jars to take home. Recognizing its popularity, Henson started selling packets of the dry mix so people could make the dressing at home.

By the 1970s, Hidden Valley Ranch dressing had become so popular that the Clorox Company purchased the brand, helping to distribute it nationwide and cementing ranch’s place in American food culture. Earlier versions of buttermilk-based dressings existed in the American West, but Henson’s blend and the Hidden Valley Ranch brand made “ranch” a household name.

Serving Suggestions

This homemade ranch dressing mix recipe is endlessly versatile—so have fun with it! Try it with everything from Air-Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings to Crispy Cornflake Chicken to Deep-Fried Cauliflower to Zucchini Fries. It also adds a fresh twist to handhelds, like this yummy Bacon Sandwich, a classic BLT sandwich, or a hearty Cowboy Burger. You can even sub it in for the suggested dressing in this Beet Salad Recipe or this Crab Pasta Salad Recipe!

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