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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!
Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe
Servings
Ingredients
- ½ cup buttermilk powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder or more to taste
- 4 tsp onion powder
- 2 TBSP dried parsley
- 2 tsp dried dill
- 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Keep in a covered container at room temperature until ready to use.
To use:
- Use 2 tablespoons of mix for each packet of ranch mix called for.
Nutrition
Notes
- 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 ranch dressing.
Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!
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?
How much of this mix would I use if I wanted to use it in a recipe that called for one envelope of ranch salad dressing mix?
About 3 Tablespoons. You could start with less and then adjust to taste.
Can I equally substitute “granulated” garlic onion for the “powder”?
Depending on the texture, it should work!
I don’t really ever make stuff, but this looks good. I am going to give it a shot and let you know how it turns out.
just wondering how i would use this as a substitute in a crock pot recipe. should i add the yogurt and coconut milk or just the dry ingredients? thank you.
Equal parts of cottage cheese and plain Fat Free Greek Yogurt will also work. Use 1 cup of each and put in a food process and process until smooth and mixed then add what is equal to one packet of dry ranch dressing mix. It is delicious but the store bought has unwanted ingredients. That is why I emailed you and asked for a dry seasoning mix and you gave me what you use. Thanks again.
Can u tell me the nutrtion for ranch dressing?
Any dairy free alternative to coconut milk? I loathe coconut and can taste the tiniest bit in anything. It also seems to bother Hubby’s stomach but he needs dairy free!
How many calories are in this?
I can’t believe all the unnatural ingredients dressings have. Homemade ANYTHING beats everything at the grocery store. I tend to make it with only Greek yogurt but I like the idea of using coconut milk as well. I will be giving this a try very soon! Thank you for the recipe and tips!
Thanks so much for this powdered ranch mix recipe! But I’m not clear on the mixing instructions:
To make into Ranch Dressing, mix 1 Tablespoon of this mix with 1/3 cup homemade mayo or Greek Yogurt and 1/4 cup Coconut Milk. Does that mean mayo or yogurt, and coconut milk? Or mayo, and yogurt or coconut milk?
Mayo or yogurt and add coconut milk to whichever one you choose.
Best: Having more energy, feeling “lighter”
Worst: Not being able to get my family on board
Worst: Giving up wheat and all foods containing gluten and still having allergic reactions, and dreading to know what else I love that my body now rejects….
Is there a substitute for coconut milk? My husband notices anytime I use coconut, even when I cook meat in coconut oil and use a lot of spices. He swears he can taste it and refuses to eat whatever I cooked.
Regular milk works great too 🙂
I’d like to begin eating this way but it’s overwhelming. Where should I start?
Hi Julie! I totally understand the overwhelmed feeling. Here’s a great place to start: https://wellnessmama.com/start/
Glad you’re here 🙂
What happened to the powdered Buttermilk in the Ranch dressing mix??
This is so much better than the store version! I can’t stomach that anymore. It just tastes like chemicals to me. Sharing this with my mom that is addicted to ranch….
A few questions about the recipe… on the last line, do you use the coconut milk whether you’re combining with Greek Yogurt or mayonnaise, or only with the Greek yogurt?
Is the dill leaf fresh? I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that; is it with other fresh herbs?
Thanks!
I use the coconut milk with either one to get the desired texture. Fresh or dried dill will work and I usually use dried unless fresh is growing in the garden.