Homemade Ranch Seasoning

Whether you want to make a creamy dressing or sauce or add a little tangy flavor to your BBQ meat, my homemade ranch dressing does it all.

Homemade ranch dressing

Skip the store-bought packets and discover the secret to ranch flavor with this homemade ranch dressing. This blend combines flavorful herbs and spices and just a touch of heat, creating that unmistakable ranch flavor everyone loves (on everything). What makes this recipe a keeper is its versatility. Mix it with buttermilk and mayonnaise for a dressing better than any restaurant, or sprinkle it directly on grilled meats for an instant flavor boost. You can also use it to enrich your grilled vegetables. Once you see how quick and easy it is to make your own ranch dressing, you’ll never go back to packets.

Ingredients for this recipe

You may find it hard to believe, but this dressing gets its burst of tangy, ranch flavor from just nine common ingredients. You probably have most of the herbs and spices needed for this rich blend, so putting it together is a breeze. Here’s what you need to make it and a little about what each ingredient brings to the table:

Coarse kosher salt it is at the heart of all great condiments. It brings out the flavors of other ingredients and the flavor of whatever you put it on.
Freshly ground black pepper it just adds a little bite and heat, which I personally think makes ranch so addictive.
Onion powder brings a bit of sweetness, as well as a depth of savory flavor.
Garlic powder works alongside onion powder for that rich, flavorful seasoning that punch ranch is known for.
Dried parsley it brings much-needed light, herbaceous notes and a pop of color to liven up your dressing.
Dried dill it’s where your dressing takes on that distinctive “ranch” flavor. When you want that bold, tangy, unmistakably ranch flavor, reach for dill.
Ground mustard it gives your dressing a subtle tanginess, with just a little sharpness to top it all off.
Whole celery seeds they may look small but they pack a lot of flavor. These seeds add earthy notes and a light bitterness for extraordinary depth of flavor.
Crushed chilli flakes kiss your topping with just enough heat to be memorable, adding some gorgeous red flecks.

White glass bowls in a circle filled with spices and herbs.

How to make ranch dressing

If you thought the ingredient list was simple, wait until you see how you make this tasty condiment. Just follow these simple steps to create a ranch blend for your dressing and sauce gobblers will thank you for:

Prepare the dressing. First, take a small bowl and add all the seasonings. The key to a perfect blend is to mix everything evenly. Use a whisk or fork to mix, to break up any lumps. Continue stirring until you have a smooth blend of herbs and spices flecked with red and green.
Use or store. Your ranch dressing is ready to use right away, so sprinkle that tangy goodness on whatever you’re cooking. If you want to get ahead of time or have some left over, simply follow the storage instructions below. That way you’ll have some fresh the next time you get a craving for ranch.

Ranch dressing spilling out of a jar onto a black surface.

Ways to Use Ranch Dressing

This ranch dressing is incredibly versatile and I love finding new ways to use it. For the classic ranch dressing everyone loves, mix 3-4 tablespoons of your own blend in place of the store-bought package. I also have a recipe for ranch dressing from scratch if you want to go beyond the dressing.

Don’t stop at the seasoning, though, because this blend tastes amazing when sprinkled on grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, or any vegetable that needs a boost of flavor. Try it as a topping for popcorn for movie night or use it as a dry rub on wings before they hit the grill. I recommend starting with 1-2 teaspoons for every pound of meat or vegetables, then adjusting to taste. I tend to season heavily at home, but the beauty of having your own seasoning is deciding how much you want.

Storage and shelf life

The worst part about ranch dressing is that it’s running out (that might be the only bad thing). Luckily for you, your ranch dressing keeps easily, so you can make some dressing or dip whenever you want. If you want to make your dressing ahead of time to have on hand (or have leftover), place it in a container glass spice jar or other airtight container. This ranch mix will stay fresh and ready to use for up to 6 months if stored this way in your panties or spice rack. After that, you may want to put together a new batch so your dressing retains that bold ranch bite.

Potato wedges on a baking sheet sprinkled with ranch dressing.

More seasoning recipes

Once you experience how easy it is to make your own condiments at home, you’ll never want to stop. The good news is that with Hey Grill Hey you don’t have to. I love knowing exactly what my family eats and I want to help you do the same. That’s why I’ve been making recipes for dressings and rubs for years. There are dozens to choose from in your recipe library, as well as in the Hey Grill Hey app. For now, here are some of my family’s favorites, so you can keep seasoning:

Ranch dressing recipe

Become a seasoned pro with this homemade ranch dressing following the recipe card below. After you clear out your first batch, don’t forget to leave a 5 star rating and tell me in the comments how you used it. You can also share your ranch-seasoned creations on Instagram AND Facebook tagging @heygrillhey. You feel like a backyard barbecue hero and we all get inspired, so it’s a win-win.

If making these toppings has got your creative juices flowing, then you need to check them out The grill team. I have an entire class dedicated to creating your own flavor combinations for dressings and sauces. From basic blends to complex creations, I’ll show you how to become a seasoning master so you can feed the people you love.

Prepare the dressing. Combine all of your ranch dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Mix everything together using a whisk or fork to make sure there are no lumps.

1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon dried parsley, ¼ teaspoon dried dill, ¼ teaspoon ground mustard, ¼ teaspoon whole celery seeds, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Use or store. Use your ranch dressing immediately on grilled vegetables, chicken and more. Store any unused seasoning in a glass spice jar for up to 6 months for best flavor.

Nutrition information is calculated automatically, so should only be used as an approximation.