Where are my ranch lovers at?! (Hands raised and waving wildly here.)
The other day I was wondering when and where and why and how ranch dressing became a “thing” so I turned to the most trusted source on the internet – Wikipedia – to find out. That’s a joke, but actually…I did start there. Anyway, the story begins with an Alaskan dude ranch in the 50s, and concludes with a University of Iowa student (<<< DYING!) in the present day.
I’ll need to edit the Wiki article to add that America’s favorite salad dressing is not only super simple to make at home, but it’s gluten-free and easily made vegan (ie no dairy or eggs), too!
I have to admit that I’ve become a bit of a ranch snob over the past couple of years. Like many people, my ranch obsession began in college (hello O.P. breadsticks + ranch dream team!) and it’s not an exaggeration to say that I ate ranch almost every single day my freshman year. I mean, we used to dunk our damn dining hall lasagna into big bowls of ranch dressing. WHYYY?
Today the ranch obsession is still strong (I mean, not lasagna strong,) but I opt for ranch dressing options with a cleaner ingredient list – which I realize is an incredibly millennial thing to say, though I am technically a Xennial, thank you very much. All that to say, what’s a ranch lover with high standards to do?
MAKE HER OWN!
What to dunk into Homemade Ranch Dressing:
Homemade ranch dressing is one of the easiest things you can whip up in just a couple of minutes at home, and I cannot TELL you how tasty it is with the following:
- Homemade fries
- Tater tots
- Pizza
- Carrots
- Snap Peas
- Sweet peppers
- Salads
- Wraps
- Chicken
- Burgers
- And fine…LASAGNA!
All you need is mayonnaise (more on vegan mayo options below,) apple cider vinegar, milk (any kind, I use almond milk,) and dried herbs and spices. Whisk it up, stash in the fridge, utilize often. Let’s do it!
How to Make Homemade Ranch Dressing:
All you need is one bowl to make Homemade Ranch Dressing! Fill it up with 1 cup mayonnaise, 6 Tablespoons milk (any kind, I use unsweetened almond milk,) 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes, 1 teaspoon each dried chives, garlic powder, and onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried dill, plus salt and pepper to taste, then whisk to combine.
I have made this recipe using everything from regular mayo to Hellman’s vegan mayo, and have also made this ranch with Earth Balance Vegan Mayonnaise.
FYI: I have not tested this recipe with Greek yogurt or sour cream or anything other then vegan mayo.
That’s all she wrote! Pour the dressing into a jar with a tight fitting lid, or container, then keep in the refrigerator for all your ranch-related needs for 1-2 weeks. I hope you love this tasty homemade ranch dressing recipe as much I as I have lately! Enjoy!
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Homemade Ranch Dressing (GF + Vegan-Friendly)
Description
Homemade Ranch Dressing is made with fridge and pantry staples, gluten-free, and easily made vegan, too! This recipe is a must-have for ranch-lovers!
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise (I use vegan mayo)
- 6 Tablespoons milk (I use unsweetened almond milk)
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- salt and pepper
Directions
- Add all ingredients into a bowl then whisk until smooth. Add more milk to thin dressing out if desired. Store in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Video
I know an even simpler recipe:
4 cloves of garlic
3 green onions
2 tbsps lemon juice
1 pinch of Celtic sea salt
1 cup homemade Mayo or Mayo of choice
Yeeessss!!!! Thank you. I also ranched it up so much in college but now try to eat cleaner and dairy and gluten are not my friends. :)
Oh good, I’m glad I’m not alone, AND that this recipe might work for ya! ;)
Where did you buy the Hellman’s Vegan Mayo? Dying to find it!
In August I found out I am sensitive to gluten, dairy, eggs,…(there’s more) & your blog is a lifesaver!!!
Never mind! Found it at Target!
Oh good! That’s exactly where I found it too! ;)
Great ranch recipe!
And, too funny ranch video of University of Iowa student. LOL
We’ve been using Just Mayo, which is also eggless and gluten free. If you want to clean up your recipe even more (the mayos have preservatives and natural flavors and and) you could try making your own aquafaba mayo. https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2016/03/easy-vegan-mayo-aquafaba-recipe-vegan-experience.html
I can’t wait to make this! i’m obsessed with Tessamae’s Ranch after having several years of no ranch in my life, which was just too sad. excited to try to make it at home :)
I’ve been trying homemade Ranch recipes for weeks. This is by far the easiest and tastiest. So, so good.
This is the best homemade ranch I’ve ever had. I love it! I used vegenaise and unsweetened almond milk. It turned out delicious! It was so nice to not have to chop fresh herbs or use an immersion blender like other recipes I’ve tried. Thank you for the recipe!
You had me at Xennial, lol.
Girl! This ranch is the Bomb.com! I had original, not unsweetened, coconut milk (allergic to almond) and it still is delicious. Thank you! I love ranch and I’ve been searching for a recipe without dairy for over a year. I’m eating it with veggies now. Can’t wait to make a salad tonight. :)
Woo Hoo! I just found your recipe by accident and it’s my new ranch dressing! So yummy! Thanks so much for sharing!
Yay! So glad you found your way over – enjoy!! :)
My daughter can’t have onion or garlic, would it be ok without it or any subs you can think to replace it?
Hi Cherie! Can she have shallots? I might add a Tablespoon of minced shallot if so. If not, I might just add a bit more herbs to flavor it up! :)
Sir Kensington’s is my favorite!! My Hy-Vee’s all carry it, and Natural Grocers too. It’s in the refrigerated section vs on the shelf!
Any chance you think Greek Yogurt could be substituted for the mayo?
I personally don’t enjoy the flavor when swapping mayo for Greek yogurt (too tangy) but if you try it I might omit the vinegar.
I am SO CURIOUS as to WHERE in Iowa❤️ you are located!
I just made this and I will make this anytime I want Ranch Dressing!
This is the BEST ranch recipe I’ve ever tried – and I’ve tried more than I should probably admit.
Tater tots
Thank you so much. Newly diagnosed Hashimoto’s disease and I think this is going to be a huge help.
Love this. I use my homemade mayo and cashew milk to make it Whole 30 compliant (gluten, dairy, sugar, soy free)
I have been gluten, dairy and egg free for a year and your recipes have been a life saver. This ranch is so good I make it at least 1-2 a month.
I was GF/DF/EF while my daughter was nursing and it was incredibly tough – I’m glad to hear you’ve found a recipe to work with your dietary restrictions!
Have you ever done the math to figure out large batch measurements? I like to keep dry ranch mix on hand to use for seasoning roasted veggies, some meats, and other recipes that call for the dry mix. I’d like to make a huge batch to keep in the cupboard!