Ranch dressing was one of my first condiment loves (after ketchup, or course), but I had to break up with the store-bought version long ago when I found out that it was hiding things from me. Mainly:
- Vegetable oils
- Sugar
- Soy
- Xanthan Gum
- Modified Food Starch
- Artificial Flavors
- Calcium Disodium EDTA as a preservative
- MSG
Seemed pretty counterintuitive to make a healthy salad and then top it with that list of junk. I found a great alternative to regular ranch dressing (here’s the recipe), but I wanted an alternative to the ranch dressing mix I often used on chicken, roasted vegetables, and other dishes.
A Better Ranch Mix
The ingredient list for that one was even more scary than the bottled ranch dressing and 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 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 we need it.
I’ve noticed that so many things in the world have changed since my childhood, but 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!
Healthy Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dried parsley
- 1 TBSP dill
- 1 TBSP garlic powder
- 1 TBSP onion powder
- ½ tsp basil optional
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in jar and shake to mix.
- Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
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I never thought I could give up ranch dressing (or thought I would want to), but I now like the real food version much better. What I thought was going to be one of the worst/toughest parts of switching to healthy, real food actually became one of the best.
What are the worst and best parts of switching to a healthier lifestyle for you?
Natural Ways to Get Better Sleep (Even If You’re a Mom!)
Best: A full night’s sleep!
Worst: Giving up cream in my coffee :/
i’m sure you could use organic heavy whipping cream on occasion….
I like to use coconut cream. I have a dairy intolerance, but want the cream in my coffee still! Coconut cream helps fill that void.
Best: Getting healthy and losing fat with only good food.
Worst: Learning how to cook all over again. Long learning curve for me!
I’ve been using organic half & half in my coffee with honey to sweeten it – I swear it brings out the flavor of the coffee so much better than what I was doing before. 🙂
Try adding 1 tablespoon Kerry gold butter and 1 tablespoon coconut oil for each 8-10 oz cup coffee. Whip in blender and enjoy frothy cup of coffee. The energy from this cup will last all morning.
Best: Feeling great and seeing how much healthier my family is.
Worst: Ruining my childhood ‘comfort foods.’ They just don’t taste good to me anymore.
Best: Feeling great and looking good.
Worst: Saying no to potatoes and oatmeal.
Not sure about why you had to give up oatmeal. I eat a delicious organic oatmeal every morning with cinnamon and organic stevia. It’s my AM staple.
Is oatmeal bad for us? Just asking because I truly don’t know why one would give it up.
No oatmeal is great!!! It is naturally gluten free, and a great fat burner. Also blends well in smoothies.
Some oatmeal contains gluten. If oatmeal is properly soaked overnight it is much more digestible. See the Warren A. Price Foundation’s recommendations on properly preparing all grains, seeds and nuts. Also, the Nourishing Traditions cookbook by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig is a valuable resource for this.
Best: feeling happy, peaceful in mind and body
Worst: passing up my mother’s cinnamon rolls
Best: Learning to love new (healthy) foods – quinoa, kefir, avocadoes
Worst: Saying no to sugar
Best: Feeling better than I have all my life, and never being hungry!
Worst: Not being able to drink chocolate milk.
You can make your own chocolate milk.
I stopped drinking store bought chocolate drinks 10 years ago, due allergy.
I mix up cocoa powder and suger can not use other sweeters.
Put a spoonful in cup to taste,add boiling water, stir well, then add a milk of choice.
Drink hot or let cool in ridge.
Best: bacon drippings!
Worst: trying to convert my husband on some things
Best: Overall feeling better
Worst: Not being able to eat out at Olive Garden. lol.
Best: fewer aches and pains
Worst: constantly hearing “oh, I could NEVER give up (insert whatever delicious thing everyone else is eating that you decided in not in your best health interest)” while you practice smiling with your jaws clenched.
Best: Being able to look good without really trying.
Worst: Having to turn down food offered by other people.