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Healthy Real-Food Ranch Dressing

July 5, 2017 by Katie Wells
Ranch Dressing - Easy Recipe with All Real Food Ingredients - Kid Approved
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Why Homemade Ranch Dressing?
  • Ranch Dressing from Scratch in a Snap+−
    • Ranch Dressing Variations:
    • My Favorite Salad Dressing Recipes:
  • Easy Real-Food Ranch Dressing

One flavor that many people miss when they drop unhealthy vegetable oils is creamy, tangy ranch dressing. I know I did. I still love the taste of ranch but cringe to remember how I would put ranch dressing on almost every school lunch in high school… adding vegetable oils and processed soy to more vegetable oils and processed soy…

Now that I prefer my food to only contain ingredients I can pronounce, I needed a grown-up, upgraded, healthier ranch dressing.

This easy real-food ranch dressing recipe doesn’t taste exactly the same as the junk version, but it does have the creamy texture and same type of flavor.

If you have kids (or adults) who will eat anything with ranch dressing, try this recipe!

Why Homemade Ranch Dressing?

Why take the time to make homemade dressing? I was quite dismayed when I found out my favorite condiment had some hidden not-so-great ingredients such as:

  • Vegetable oils
  • Sugar
  • Soy
  • Xanthan gum
  • Modified food starch
  • Artificial flavors
  • Calcium disodium EDTA (as preservative)
  • MSG

(Cringe.)

I go through some extra trouble (and money) to make sure our meats and produce are from the best sources we can afford, and I don’t want to ruin them! This homemade version avoids all these unhealthy ingredients and even adds probiotics with the addition of Greek yogurt.

easy primal ranch dressingAnd honestly, the fresh flavor profile alone makes it worth it. This ranch dressing gets its characteristic zip not from “fake food” additives but from fresh herbs and spices (with all their health benefits as a bonus).

I use dill in my usual recipe, but making your own dressing also means you can mix up the flavors from time to time and find your favorite variation. Check out some of our variations and other favorite salad dressings listed below the recipe.

Ranch Dressing from Scratch in a Snap

It may sound intimidating at first to make things like condiments and dressings from scratch, but the secret is simply a little practice. Soon, it feels like no work at all to whip up a dip or sauce that can be stored in the fridge and used on a whole variety of foods throughout the week. It helps keep meals interesting and makes fresh veggies more appealing to little ones.

It helps me to keep my list of staple ingredients in a meal planner (I use this one) so I can whip up ranch dressing at any time. (And it avoids a trip to the store… always a bonus!) In fact, if I have the ingredients around, my older kids can even make this recipe on their own.

Another helpful shortcut: If you’re looking for a real-food alternative to those ranch dressing mix packets that are featured in so many recipes, check out this simple dry mix recipe that makes a great marinade, soup addition, or base for a dip.

Ranch Dressing - Easy Recipe with All Real Food Ingredients - Kid Approved

Easy Real-Food Ranch Dressing

Katie Wells
Homemade healthy ranch dressing with Greek yogurt, olive oil, and spices... and no artificial ingredients!
4.3 from 24 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Course Condiment
Servings 1 cup
Calories 108 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup plain full-fat yogurt (or Greek yogurt)
  • 1 tsp dried dill weed
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 TBSP Parmesan (optional)
  • ½ tsp salt 
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 6 TBSP olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Put all ingredients except oil in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
  • Very slowly, add the oil so that it emulsifies.
  • Use immediately, or store up to 1 week in the fridge.

Notes

Check out ranch variations and other favorite salad dressings below.

Nutrition

Serving: 2TBSPCalories: 108kcalCarbohydrates: 0.9gProtein: 1.8gFat: 11.4gSaturated Fat: 2.1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 93mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.4g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

Ranch Dressing Variations:

  • Use 2 tsp of fresh herbs like dill, mint, or basil for alternate flavors.
  • Use avocado instead of yogurt if you don’t tolerate dairy.
  • Use Italian seasoning instead of dill and double the parmesan for a Caesar-like dressing.

My Favorite Salad Dressing Recipes:

  • Creamy Caesar Dressing – The real-deal Caesar dressing (I would accept nothing less!) made with pastured egg yolks for healthy fats and a creaminess that can’t be beat.
  • Zesty Italian Dressing – white wine vinegar, thyme, basil, and olive oil… nothing artificial here!
  • Tangy Greek Dressing – red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and oregano punch up the flavor in this homemade Greek dressing.
  • Sweet Asian Dressing – Coconut aminos take the place of soy in this 5-ingredient recipe with sweet honey and spicy ginger. Or try this creamy coconut ginger version!
  • And more favorite recipes here!

What’s your best recipe for a healthy salad dressing? Share below!

This healthy ranch dressing recipe is made with real food ingredients like yogurt, herbs, spices, olive oil, garlic and parmesan cheese, and is easy to make.

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Category: Condiment Recipes, Recipes

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder and CEO of Wellness Mama and Co-Founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (72 Comments)

  1. Kristen

    March 12, 2014 at 4:30 PM

    Looks good.. I am going to try it w/ homemade coconut yogurt – kids still can’t have dairy. Also, I was going try to add some baby artichokes to give it some thickness to use as a dip – either cooked myself or frozen from Trader Joes. I made artichoke pesto (with almonds and no parm cheese), it was good but I bet it would be good as a ranch.. thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Sarah

    August 24, 2013 at 12:49 PM

    This didn’t work for me. Smells great, but is the consistency of milk.

    Reply
    • Carolyn

      February 1, 2014 at 4:27 PM

      If you want it thicker, put the yogurt in a sieve, with cheesecloth if needed, and let it sit awhile to drain first.

      Reply
    • robin

      July 22, 2019 at 4:42 PM

      same for me! it went all watery for some reason. I used Balkan style yogurt and followed the recipe exactly :/ it doesn’t taste much like ranch either – store bought still tastes better unfortunately

      Reply
  3. Rachel Alexander Severns

    March 19, 2013 at 1:31 PM

    My family and I really loved this recipe!
    I am new to cultured condiments… can I put some whey in this and ferment it??

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      March 19, 2013 at 9:03 PM

      Yep…

      Reply
      • Melanie

        October 10, 2013 at 12:26 PM

        If you are using yogurt base you don’t need to ferment it – yogurt is already cultured 🙂

        Reply
  4. Kristen Leader Whirley

    January 14, 2013 at 3:58 PM

    Just made this today, so easy and so yummy-I’m pretty sure I’ll be making this weekly. Thanks!

    Reply
  5. Marjie Scheib

    October 14, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    For Paleo Mayo, I use a great recipe I found on clothesmakethegirl.com

    Reply
  6. Manny

    October 3, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    Finally Ranch dressing recipes without Mayo. Glad I found your site!

    Reply
  7. Vicki

    September 1, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    How can you make your ranch dressing Paleo friendly?

    Reply
    • Marjei Scheib

      October 14, 2011 at 2:56 PM

      Perhaps replace the yorgurt with Paleo Mayo?

      Reply
    • Erica M

      March 10, 2012 at 1:34 PM

      Use the avocado instead of the yogurt, as she mentioned

      Reply
  8. Cecilia Krueger

    August 21, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    yum! I have been making mine with mayo and was wondering what I could use instead = EVOO. So I will try yours! Thanks!

    Reply
  9. Michelle Albanese

    August 21, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    Here’s another favorite:
    1/2 c Olive Oil
    1/4 c raw apple cider vinegar
    2 tsp Bragg’s aminos
    2 garlic cloves minced
    1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
    Juice of 1 lemon
    2 Tbsp raw Honey (I keep bees so this is my own)
    1-1/2 tsp thyme
    salt, pepper to taste

    Reply
  10. Michelle Albanese

    August 21, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    This is my Ranch~ 
    1 Cup Yogurt (I usually use Greek or my homemade)
    1/4 C Olive Oil
    Juice of 2 lemons
    2 tsp. dill or basil
    2 tsp. dijon mustard
    2 teaspoons Braggs aminos
    garlic to taste 

    Reply
    • Lorraine

      August 10, 2014 at 6:10 AM

      5 stars
      YUM. Thank you everyone. Just what I needed 😉 🙂

      Reply
    • daisy

      May 11, 2016 at 10:30 AM

      Just made this version of healthy ranch with the Caesar option since I’m out of dill. Delicious! Dill is on my grocery list so I can try that next week! Thank you!

      Reply
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