Ranch dressing is a North American classic, loved by millions for its creamy, tangy, and herby flavor. It’s a staple on salads, a go-to dip for everything from veggies to chicken strips, and sometimes even a pizza topping. It’s safe to say that ranch has become more than just a condiment—it’s a cultural phenomenon. And honestly, I’m right there with everyone else; its charms are irresistible.
But where did this obsession begin? Ranch dressing was invented in the early 1950s by Steve Henson, a plumber-turned-cowboy who created the recipe while working in Alaska. After moving to California, Steve and his wife, Gayle, opened Hidden Valley Ranch, a dude ranch where their creamy dressing became a hit. Guests loved it so much they wanted to take it home, leading the Hensons to package and sell dry seasoning packets. By the 1970s, Hidden Valley Ranch became a household name, and ranch dressing cemented its place in culinary history.
Unfortunately, the ranch dressing you find in most bottles today has strayed far from Steve’s original recipe. Over the past couple of decades, big brands have transformed what was once a fresh and flavorful dressing into something overly sweet, bland, and loaded with preservatives.
The good news? You don’t have to settle for the store-bought stuff. Scroll a little further, and you’ll find my foolproof recipe for homemade ranch dressing. I first shared it in 2010, and 14 years later, it’s still a favorite in my house. Creamy, tangy, and perfectly seasoned, it’s everything you want ranch to be—and more.
Use this recipe as a salad dressing, a dip for chicken strips and veggies, or even as the star ingredient in a cold pasta salad. My kids can’t get enough of it mixed with rotini, imitation crab, and lightly steamed broccoli. It’s easy, delicious, and guaranteed to make you fall in love with ranch all over again.
Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ tsp dried chives
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dried dill weed
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Milk to thin as needed
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise and sour cream then completely whisk in all the spices.
- Use as is for dip, or slowly add milk while constantly stirring til desired thinness is reached for salad dressing. May thicken with time, more milk can be added to "re-thin."
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to blend flavors.
Nutrition
Authentic Recipes
We guarantee that all of our recipes are authentic recipes; they're developed, cooked or prepared, and enjoyed in our home. We are not professional, or even mediocre, photographers, and occasionally create AI images when photos don't turn out. None of the recipes on this website are created or modified using AI, and they never will be.
- Greenhouse Materials - January 23, 2025
- Bacon Cheeseburger Mac - January 22, 2025
- Manure in Composting - January 22, 2025