This Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix combines buttermilk powder with dried parsley, chives, dill, garlic, and onion. It is rich, tangy, ready in 5 minutes, and costs just $0.38 per serving.
My kids put ranch on almost everything, including vegetables, pizza, pasta, and chicken nuggets. Keeping a jar of this homemade ranch seasoning on hand means we never run out. Once I started making my own, I stopped buying the packets because my family likes the homemade version even better.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- Budget Friendly — $4.60 total for a big batch that replaces multiple store-bought packets
- Make a large batch and store for months
- No MSG, no preservatives, no mystery ingredients — just spices you can pronounce
- Use it as a seasoning mix, dressing base, dip mix or in any recipe that calls for ranch seasoning
- Ready in 5 minutes with 8 spices you likely already have in your pantry
After 14 years of developing recipes I know that the homemade versions of everyday pantry staples are always worth making — and this ranch seasoning mix is one of the most used recipes on the site.
If you love easy homemade seasoning mixes like this one you will also love our taco seasoning recipe, Italian seasoning recipe, and Lipton onion soup mix Recipe. They are all budget-friendly, made with simple pantry spices, and so much better than anything from a store-bought packet.
Ingredients
- Buttermilk powder — It is dried buttermilk that adds tangy, creamy flavor found in ranch dressing. Find it in the baking aisle near the powdered milk. Do not substitute with regular milk powder. The tang from buttermilk is what makes ranch taste like ranch
- Dried parsley — adds a fresh herby flavor and those signature green flecks throughout the mix. Fresh parsley cannot be used in a dry mix — always use dried
- Garlic salt — adds both garlic flavor and saltiness in one ingredient. Use garlic powder plus extra salt as a substitute if you prefer to control the sodium separately
- Onion powder — adds savory depth throughout the mix. Onion powder gives a more even consistent flavor than dried minced onion
- Dried chives — adds a mild fresh onion flavor that rounds out the herb blend beautifully. Do not skip — chives are one of the defining flavors of authentic ranch
- Dill — the herb that gives ranch its signature slightly sweet herby note. Dried dill weed gives the best result. Dried dill seed has a completely different more bitter flavor
- Salt — balances all the flavors and enhances the herbs throughout the mix. Always taste the finished dressing or dip and adjust before serving
- Black pepper — adds a subtle warmth throughout. White pepper gives a slightly different result if you prefer no visible pepper flecks
Carrie’s Tip: The buttermilk powder is the ingredient that makes this taste like real ranch — do not substitute or skip it. Find it in the baking aisle near the powdered milk at any regular grocery store. It keeps in the pantry for months and is the single ingredient that gives this mix its authentic tangy ranch flavor that dried herbs and spices alone simply cannot create.
How to Make Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
Step 1 – Whisk all the ingredients together including the garlic salt, onion powder, 3 teaspoon salt and black pepper. For easy storage, I like to use a mason jar.
Step 2 – To get a smoother texture I recommend pulsing it into a food processor to make it smooth. This mini food processor is perfect for this. Use this seasoning to top on potatoes or broccoli for a delicious side dish.
How Much Ranch Mix Equals One Packet
One store-bought Hidden Valley ranch seasoning packet equals approximately 1 tablespoon of this homemade mix. Use this as your conversion guide:
- 1 tablespoons = 1 store-bought ranch seasoning packet
- 3 tablespoons = for a bolder more pronounced ranch flavor in dips and casseroles
- 1 teaspoon = for a subtle ranch seasoning on vegetables or popcorn
Always taste and adjust the spices. Homemade seasoning mixes can vary slightly depending on the brand of each spice.
How to Make Homemade Ranch Dressing
If your family is like mine, ranch salad dressing is a pantry staple.
Step 1 – You can easily make your own buttermilk ranch dressing. Mix 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix, ½ cup milk, and ½ cup mayonnaise. Whole milk gives the richest, creamiest result. Skim or low-fat milk works too, but the dressing will be noticeably thinner and less rich.
Step 2 – Mix well and store in the fridge for about 30 minutes to allow it to thicken. If you prefer a thinner dressing, just add additional milk until you reach the desired consistency.
Don’t judge the flavor right away. Fresh-mixed ranch dressing can taste a little flat right after mixing; the full flavor develops as it chills. Give it the full 30 minutes (or longer) before deciding it needs more seasoning.
How to Make Ranch Dip
Ranch dip is essential for every vegetable tray.
Combine 1 tablespoons of ranch seasoning mix with 1 cup sour cream. For a tangier dip, stir in 2-3 teaspoons of lemon juice. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving for the best flavor. For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for some or all of the sour cream.
How to Use Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix
Ranch Dressing
Combine 1 tablespoon of the mix with ½ cup mayonnaise and ½ cup buttermilk. Whisk until smooth and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Ranch Dip
Combine 1 tablespoon of the mix with 1 cup sour cream. Stir until smooth and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. See our full Homemade Ranch Dip recipe for complete instructions.
Ranch Seasoned Chicken
Sprinkle 1–2 teaspoons directly onto chicken breasts or thighs before baking grilling or air frying for instant bold ranch flavor.
Ranch Pasta Salad
Stir 1 tablespoon into your pasta salad dressing for a creamy tangy ranch-flavored pasta salad that is always a crowd favorite.
Ranch Roasted Vegetables
Toss vegetables with olive oil and 1–2 teaspoons of the mix before roasting for the most flavorful roasted vegetables your family has ever had.
Crack Chicken
Use in any crack chicken recipe in place of the store-bought packet. See our Crockpot Crack Potato Soup and Crack Chicken Sliders recipes.
Ranch Popcorn
Sprinkle ½ teaspoon over freshly popped buttered popcorn for a bold savory snack the kids absolutely love.
Tips for Success
- Whisk thoroughly. The buttermilk powder is finer than the dried herbs and can settle to the bottom. Whisk well before using each time to make sure every spoonful has an even mix of all the ingredients
- Make a big batch. This mix keeps for up to 3 months at room temperature. Doubling or tripling the recipe means you always have it on hand and never need to run to the store for a packet again
- Label with the date. Homemade spice mixes all look similar after a few weeks. Always label the jar with the date made and the contents so you know exactly what you have and when to refresh it
- Taste and adjust. Every brand of each individual spice has slightly different potency. Always taste the finished dressing or dip before serving and adjust salt, pepper or herbs to your preference
Variations and Substitutions
- Add ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika for a smoky ranch variation that is incredible on chicken
- Add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne for a spicy ranch mix with a kick of heat
- Reduce the garlic salt and add garlic powder plus extra salt separately for a lower sodium version with more control
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried mustard powder for extra depth and tang
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried lemon zest for a bright citrusy ranch that pairs beautifully with seafood and salads
- If you are looking for a dairy-free option, omit the buttermilk powder and use the remaining seasonings as a ranch-style blend. It will still be flavorful, but it will not have the same creamy, tangy flavor as traditional ranch seasoning.
Storage Instructions
Pantry
- Store in an airtight container or mason jar at room temperature for up to 3 months. Keep away from heat and moisture for the longest shelf life
Refrigerator
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. The cold and dark environment significantly extends the shelf life of the dried herbs
Made Into Dressing or Dip
- Once combined with wet ingredients refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. The flavor actually improves after 30 minutes of chilling as the herbs fully hydrate
Frequently Asked Questions
One tablespoon of this homemade mix equals approximately one store-bought Hidden Valley ranch seasoning packet.
Look in the baking aisle near the powdered milk at any regular grocery store. It is widely available and keeps in the pantry for months once opened.
Yes. Combine 1 tablespoon of the mix with ½ cup mayonnaise and ½ cup buttermilk, whisk until smooth, and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
Yes. Combine 1 tablespoon of the mix with 1 cup sour cream, stir until smooth, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving for the best most developed flavor.
Yes. Use the same amount of garlic powder and add an extra ¼ teaspoon of salt to compensate for the saltiness the garlic salt would have contributed.
This homemade ranch seasoning has the same tangy, herby flavor but lets you control the ingredients and seasoning level. It is also usually more budget friendly per batch.
Yes. Just leave out the buttermilk powder and use the remaining ingredients as a ranch style seasoning blend.
More Homemade Seasoning Mixes
If you make it, leave a star rating and a comment below — I love hearing what you used it in first and whether your family could tell the difference from the packet!
Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk powder
- 4 tablespoons dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons garlic salt
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 4 teaspoons dried chives
- 2 teaspoons dill
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl or mason jar, combine buttermilk powder, dried parsley, garlic salt, onion powder, dried chives, dill, salt, and pepper.
- Stir or shake the mixture together until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
- Store in an airtight container. I used a mason jar.
- To get a smoother texture I recommend pulsing it into a food processor to make it smooth.
So easy to make! And it’s so Yummy! ?