Homemade Gluten Free Ranch Dressing is made with fridge and pantry staples, and is easily made vegan. A must-have recipe for ranch-lovers!
“This is the BEST ranch recipe I’ve ever tried – and I’ve tried more than I should probably admit.”
The other day I was wondering when 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 in the present day.
Because OF COURSE! Nothing rivals a Midwesterner’s love of ranch dressing!
We’ll need to edit the Wiki article to add that America’s favorite salad dressing is now super simple to make gluten free, and vegan, at home!
Watch How to Make It
Homemade Gluten Free Ranch Dressing
Like most homemade salad dressings and vegetable dips, making ranch dressing is easier that you’d ever think.
Combine fridge and spice cupboard staples – including mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, milk, herbs, and spices – into a bowl then whisk it up. Incredibly simple and so, so much better than store bought ranch dressing.
Start eating my homemade ranch dressing and the bottled stuff will start tasting like chemicals.
Make it Egg and Dairy Free aka Vegan
I make my gluten free ranch dressing vegan because 2/3 of my kids have, or have had, food allergies including eggs and milk.
To make this recipe vegan, use vegan mayonnaise (I like Hellman’s) and dairy-free milk. I use unsweetened almond milk. That’s it!
What to Dunk into Homemade Ranch Dressing
Not only is gluten free ranch dressing one of the easiest things you can whip up in just a couple of minutes at home, but I cannot TELL you how tasty it is with the following:
- Homemade fries
- Tater tots
- Pizza
- Pizza Breadsticks
- Carrots
- Snap Peas
- Sweet peppers
- Salads
- Wraps
- Chicken
- Burgers
Whisk this recipe up, stash it in the fridge, then utilize often. Let’s do it!
How to Make Gluten Free Ranch Dressing
To a medium sized bowl add the following ingredients then mix to combine:
- Mayonnaise (vegan if you need it)
- Milk (any kind, I use unsweetened almond milk)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dried parsley flakes
- Dried chives
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried dill
- Salt and pepper
I have made this recipe using everything from regular mayo to Hellman’s vegan mayo and it always turns out great.
The dressing / dip is ready to be used right away, though I find it’s best after being refrigerated for a couple hours to let the flavors meld.
That said, pour the dressing into a jar or container with a tight fitting lid 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 we do – enjoy!
More Homemade Dressing Recipes
- Thai Peanut Dressing
- Best Ever Italian Vinaigrette
- Chili Lime Dressing
- Red Wine Vinaigrette
- Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
- Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise, or vegan mayo if desired
- 6 Tablespoons milk, any kind, 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.
- Pour into a container with a tight fitting lid then store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
I just made this with homemade mayo and it turned out really runny. Any way to thicken it up at all?
Add more mayo and seasonings/spices to taste.
I enjoy your website don’t want to miss anything
Thank you, Thonda, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipes!
I need a dairy free substitute for store bought ranch seasoning packets! If I leave out the mayo, milk and vinegar, do you think this would work in place of the packet? Thanks!
Sure, I think that could work!!
First, there’s not gluten in dressings. If there’s gluten in what you think, I dont know where you come from.
Nata, there is absolutely gluten in some salad dressings. Off the top of my head, most Asian-style dressings contain soy sauce, which is made with wheat.
There is absolutely gluten and hidden gluten in many dressings. I have gluten intolerance and have been gluten free for many years. Chill person.
Hello Kristin!
This the best homemade Ranch dressing ever in my humble opinion and my husband will agree with me. Thank you, thank you! Adding the apple cider vinegar to create the tanginess of buttermilk is GENIUS on your part. I use half and half for richness and use a little more to thin the dressing out. I have been following you for a while and have enjoyed watching your babies grow up. Thank you for making GF cooking more enjoyable.
Blessings,
Elise
Oh my gosh, thank you so much for this glowing review, Elise!! I am so so glad you love this recipe! Thank you so much for cooking alongside me for many years – TIME FLIES!!
can we make this dressing with miracle whip dressing instead of helmsman
If you like the flavor of Miracle Whip that should be fine – meaning the texture will be the same!
I made a big batch of your dried Ranch dressing mix.
How much do you use instead of the individual ingredients with the milk, mayo and vinegar in this recipe.
This is delicious. I thinned with water because I didn’t have unflavored df milk on hand and used dill pickle juice in place of vinegar. Still came out excellent.
So glad this was a hit, Deborah! I sometimes use pickle juice in place of the milk also. Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
How do you make vegan homemade mayonnaise? I would love to try it with this fabulous Ranch dressing
Hi Alyson! I just did a quick google search and this recipe has really great reviews! https://jessicainthekitchen.com/vegan-mayonnaise/ I personally use Hellman’s vegan mayonnaise.
This recipe has made it possible for me to eat ranch again! I followed the recipe exactly with Hellmans vegan mayo and it turned out delicious. Thank you!
I’m so thrilled to hear that, Missy! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
I made this with homemade vegan mayo and this is probably the best vegan gluten-free dressing I’ve ever made!! Thank you for sharing!!
Ahh, thrilled to hear it, Lisa! Thank you so much for your feedback!
Love this recipe, i was concerned about the almond milk but you dont even taste it. I now can have ranch again. Thank you for another great recipe.
This is delicious!! I eat it with salad and pizza and all things I enjoy ranch with. I don’t put as much dill because personally I don’t like it much. But I don’t alter the recipe by omitting it, and I love it! Well done, thank you for this :)