Homemade buttermilk ranch dressing is a glorious thing in all of its rich and fatty goodness!
I love it on everything!
Made from a combo of mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, and herbs, it’s ridiculously easy to make and doesn’t compare to the bottled kind.
Making it at home means you don’t have unnecessary additives and preservatives (scary things you can’t pronounce), plus it’s cheaper and can be fine-tuned to suit your individual taste.
Thick or thin? Extra tart or super creamy?
It’s entirely up to you!
This can be used as a base recipe to add a variety of flavors to by using hot sauce, lemon, Parmesan cheese, different herbs and even blue cheese to make blue cheese dressing.
The leftover buttermilk makes an amazing marinade for chicken; fork tender it will melt in your mouth!
Poke the chicken all over with a fork and marinade overnight or for a few hours before cooking, the longer the better.
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup buttermilk, plus more if needed
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried dill or 2-3 teaspoons fresh
- sea or kosher salt and fresh pepper
- In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the mayo and sour cream, slowly whisk in buttermilk until you reach a consistency you like then mix in garlic, vinegar, parsley, chives, and dill. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- From here you can tweak it to your own individual taste by adding more sour cream, mayo, vinegar or herbs.

what a timely post! I literally made my own ranch the other day – but it was total guesswork. I came close, but not quite. Can't wait to try this one!I love ranch, but the dressings in the bottle are filled with ingredients that I can't pronounce….they scare me.
I have been experimenting in the kitchen for that perfect ranch dressing and so i've got to make your recipe. mine was not so good, so i need all the help that i can get. buon natale! roz
Gorgeous – buttermilk ranch is one of my favorites and I normally get lazy about making dressing at home but I'll have to make an exception for this!
Homemade buttermilk dressing reminds me of trips home to the US–sounds perfect right now 🙂
Buttermilk ranch dressing is my son's favorite dressing. Thanks for sharing the recipe Reeni.
this dip looks good for all kinds of food! love the dill bits!
I love the pic of the dressing Reeni. Very pretty shot. Never thought of marinating chicken in ranch dressing. Sounds delicious!
FANTASTIC! Buttermilk ranch is our fave, we put it on everything! Love the pics 😀
I've made it a few times and it does make a heckuva difference!
We so love this dressing..bookmarking your recipe..Will try definitely
Love ranch dressing for my salads. Thanks, Reeni, for sharing this speedy and delicious dressing recipe.
Mmmm, I have never made my own dressing but this looks so creamy and delicious and wonderful!
huh that is easy! yum!
Delicious, Reeni! I love in on my salad.Much better to make it from scratch.
Homemade ranch dressing is so delicious–I love to dip fries into it. Great pictures! 😉
I loooovee buttermilk ranch dressing! But your recipe for homemade dressing sounds a million times better than any bottled dressing. I'm definitely making this soon! 🙂
I could totally get on board with this dressing.
Oh, thank you! I have always wondered how to make it…now I can!
Ohh my husband would love me if I made that. This is a great recipe.
I love ranch dressing. it's good on so many things. I've never tried to make my own though. I've always been lazy and bought the bottled stuff. I like the idea of no preservative though so I may have to try this next time
Homemade buttermilk ranch is the way to go!
homemade must be better 🙂 yum!!
What a treasure-Homemade Ranch dressing, created by you, Reeni- So happy you have the "print" option, so I could print it out,and make it. You are using the most favorite, and awesome herbs, that I always have on hand.So creamy, yummy, and fresh!Thanks so much for sharing!
in honestly forget that you can actually make ranch from scratch and not from the packet! this is just lovely, i bet it's way better then the packaged kind!
i love this recipe..ranch dressing is my favorite..will try this out soon. thank you for sharing this.
One of our favorite dressings! I've been making mine for years, but yours is a bit different. We'll try this one next time! It's a good way to dip to get the vegies into the kids (and husband!)
This is great. I love home made dressings and I go gaga for creamy ones. Thanks!
wow, thanks for the recipe, sounds mouth watering with any veggies 🙂
My mouth started watering as soon as I read your title! I love ranch dressing! This looks delicious!!
Cant Imagine how good this will taste.Very nice idea to deck up ranch..loving it!
My kids and husband are addicted to Hidden Valley's Ranch – what fun this will be to surprise them with homemade! A definite "will do."
There is nothing quite like homemade ranch! (And I used to be a Hidden Valley girl too, until I discovered the homemade stuff, lol!) Your recipe looks wonderful, I'm bookmarking to try it next time I'm craving ranch! 🙂
Thanks for this recipe Reeni. I hardly ever buy bottled and usually make my own dressings. The only buttermilk ranch I've ever had is Hidden Valley…can't wait to give this a try.
ranch is a favorite in my house, I've never made it from scratch so I must try thanks!
Oh…I never tried:) it looks gorgiousCiao, Barbara
I used to eat buttermilk ranch dressing by the ton but stopped when I gave up eating processed foods. Thanks so much for posting this! Now I can have it whenever, wherever, however…
I love ranch dressing as dip and dressing for salad! Your recipe sounds really fantastic!
Ohhh, my oldest little Princess Runwild is going to adore you for sharing this recipe. She is a ranch fanatic! Thanks!
I never would have thought of making my own dressing, but its a great idea, that way you are really in charge of what goes into your food.*kisses* HH
yum! i do love some chicken tenders and ranch dressing to go with!
I've never had buttermilk dressing, but I can imagine the tart flavour in this!
This is a great recipe Reeni. I've already printed it. I don't like the store bought either.
The dressing look very delicious and healthy. would love to try it soon.
Oh my, that looks like a delicious dressing! I can very well see Mr Artichoke dipping French fries in it or adding loads, loads of dressing to his salad…
I think buying bottled dressing is such a scam! It's so easy to make your own and not add all the junk that is in the others! Buttermilk ranch is by far my fav and yours looks so rich and creamy! Pass the veggies please!
I bet that is very fresh and tasty compared to the bottled kind. You provided great tips of how to use it too!Purrs to Moon!
Tthis sauce looks very good dear. I didn't known it, thanks for sharing. Bye, have a good day
Lovely recipe Reeni! I enjoy a thick ranch with boneless chicken. Home made is the best. The whole family really enjoys it!
Reeni, this is a great recipe, I love fresh dressings and want to stay away from bottled dressings with all the starches etc. I have been picking up salad cookbooks while out thrifting to get more dressing recipes. Thanks.
I love Ranch dressing, nowadays not buying thinking of mayo in them. Looks delicious recipe. I will try .
Oh wow! I can't wait to make my own! I have a bunch of ranch fanatics in this household. Thanks for the recipe. : )
This is diet friendly, right?? I've never made my own dressing and this looks sublime! Thanks!
nothing compares to homemade dressing. nothing.
I can't stand bottled ranch dressing at all. I can't wait to try this recipe!!!
Ranch dressing is our family's all-time favorite and I would love to make a homemade one for them, excellent recipe!
very nice recipe. Has to be awesome with wings!
I'm not sure if I've evr had buttermilk dressing but it sounds fantastic because i love buttermilk!
Megan: Hidden Valley used to be my favorite too! I haven't bought a bottle in years – I kind of forgot about it.
Ooh… thank you! I love Hidden Valley but would love to make my own ranch because every once in a while, I'll try a different brand and I'm always disappointed. It would be great to make my own and just have the Hidden Valley as a backup!