Ranch dressing has always been one of my first condiment loves (after ketchup, of course). After seeing what was actually in the store-bought salad dressings from the grocery store though, I knew it was time to break up. Thankfully I came up with an even healthier version of ranch salad dressing and now this ranch dressing mix.
The kids and I love it on salads, but it also makes a great dry ranch seasoning for meats and veggies. Plus it’s naturally gluten-free.
Why a Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix?
I probably don’t have to tell you that Hidden Valley Ranch is hiding a whole lot of unhealthy ingredients underneath that delicious ranch flavor. MSG, artificial flavors, and soy to name a few.
It seemed pretty counterintuitive to make a healthy salad and then top it with junk. I found a great alternative to regular ranch dressing (here’s the recipe). But I also wanted an alternative to the ranch dressing mix I use on chicken, roasted veggies, and other dishes.
I figured I could make a better real food option. This was the result and it is lovely. We keep a jar in the cabinet for use on veggies, eggs, chicken, or to make ranch dip.
I order all of the ingredients in bulk so I can whip it up whenever we need it. This way, I can also make any other spices we need any time we need them. You can find my other homemade spice blend recipes here.
Some Things Don’t Change
This ranch mix and the ranch dressing are part of our regular meal rotation. I keep the powder pre-made and always add the other ingredients to my Real Plans Shopping List so I can whip up a quick batch whenever needed.
So many things in the world have changed since my childhood, but my love of ranch dressing seems to be a consistent part of most childhoods. I just love that I can give my kids a healthier (and more delicious) version these days!
Ranch Dressing Recipe
Most of the ingredients for this you likely already have in your pantry. The main ingredient is dry buttermilk powder, which gives it that creamy tang. Unlike the store-bought packets though, it’s not cut with maltodextrin. And if you want an even tangier ranch dressing, you can add just a little fresh lemon juice to the Greek yogurt.
My favorite way to make the dip is with Greek yogurt. This makes it tangy and creamy with a boost of protein. For a more traditional ranch dressing, you could use 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup mayonnaise instead.
Try topping your dip with some fresh chopped dill or chives for the finishing touch!
What to Use Ranch Dressing Dip On
-
Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl.
-
Keep the dry mix in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.
-
Use 2 tablespoons of mix for each seasoning packet of ranch mix called for in a recipe.
- To make ranch dip, add 2 tablespoons of the ranch mix to 1 cup of Greek yogurt.
- Thin ranch dip with water or milk to make buttermilk ranch dressing.
I never thought I could give up ranch dressing (or thought I would want to). Now I love the real food version even better. What I thought was going to be one of the hardest parts of switching to healthy, real food actually became one of the best.
What are your favorite ways to use ranch dressing mix? Leave a comment and share below!