Powdered Ranch Dressing Mix isn’t just for salads, sandwiches, and dips! You can toss your veggies in it before roasting, sprinkle it on your mashed potatoes or popcorn, mix into a dry rub or dredging flour — there are so many ways to use it in the recipes you make every day!

Ranch dressing mix is an herbaceous and tangy blend of powdered and dried seasonings that can be used to enhance the flavor in a number of recipes. Added to sauces or condiments, it makes a real difference!

My homemade ranch dressing mix is made without those chemicals and additives that you’ll find in the packages of mix in the grocery store. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated – just stored in an airtight container in your pantry. It will stay fresh for up to 6 months.

Because this is a dried mix, don’t use fresh herbs or seasonings when preparing. If you wish to exaggerate a specific flavor, add the fresh alternative when using it in a recipe instead. 

Those who just want to cut to the chase and just make the dressing can try my homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, though it does come with an optional twist: tabasco and lemon zest!

What do you mix ranch powder with?

It depends what you’re trying to make! It is often mixed with sour cream, mayonnaise, and buttermilk. 

• Ranch Dressing – Add 4 tablespoons of this blend to ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and ¾ cup buttermilk. Mix together and serve chilled, ideally after 30 minutes in the refrigerator to set. 

• Ranch Dip – Add 4 tablespoons of mix to ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and ½ cup buttermilk. Again, let refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

You can also add a couple tablespoons of ranch dressing mix to mashed potatoes, sprinkle over roasted vegetables, or include in any dredging mix for fish or chicken.

INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS 

• Buttermilk Powder – This is a worthwhile ingredient to keep around. It’s great for a plethora of recipes and lasts for a very long time. You could substitute with regular powdered milk, though it will lose that tangy flavor. 
• Garlic Powder – One possible substitute is granulated garlic, though the larger grains will add texture to any recipe that you eventually make. This might be a great option if you plan on using in a rub or to dredge a protein before frying.
• Onion Powder – Onion or celery salt could be used as substitutes in this mixture.
• Dried Parsley – Fresh and herbaceous, the closest alternatives would be oregano, cilantro, or tarragon. 
• Dried Dill – This herb has a very distinct taste. I recommend trying first, if you haven’t before, and then adding as much or as little as you would like. 
• Dried Chives – An onion with a less sharp, distinct flavor. If unavailable, you could simply use more onion powder.
• Dry Mustard – This seasoning won’t have much flavor until mixed with a liquid of some kind. If preferred, you could leave this out of the ranch dressing mix and simply use regular mustard when used in another dish.

HOW TO MAKE RANCH DRESSING MIX

1. Whisk Everything Together.  Add all of the powdered seasonings, dried herbs, and buttermilk powder to a bowl and whisk together until totally combined. 
2. Store. Keep this blend in an airtight container and store for up to 6 months in a cool, dry place.

What is ranch seasoning made of? 

The flavor of the seasoning comes from a collection of dried herbs and seasonings: garlic, onion, parsley, dill, chives, and mustard. Plus a bit of salt and pepper, of course. 

The addition of buttermilk powder helps to add tanginess as well as guarantees a creamy finish when you mix it up to make dressings or dips.

How do I make ranch dressing thicker? 

If you use this dried mixture to make dressing and aren’t satisfied with the thickness, you can add a bit (and I mean just a bit) of cornstarch to the dressing and mix it in. Repeat until the desired consistency is reached. 

Is ranch dip the same as dressing mix? 

The seasonings that you use to make dips and dressings are the same, yes. The difference lies in the liquid ingredients that you use when making one or the other. 

There are varying amounts of mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk in either, and depends entirely on the recipe.