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Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix is a simple mixture of herbs and spices to replace the over-priced store-bought ranch dressing packets. This dressing mix is quick to toss together and keeps well for months! Make dressing, dip or even use it in place of ranch dressing packets in a specific recipe!

Ranch Dressing- Why the Mix? Why Homemade?

First things first, I am a HUGE ranch fan. Like, if loving ranch were a sport, I’d be an olympian. I love it on everything, with everything.

Chicken, sandwiches, nuggets, bread, chips…pizza.. Okay, I better stop before I destroy my laptop with all of this drool. ?

Well, lets address the first question. Why make the mix instead of just making a few cups of ranch dressing?

The answer is pretty simple. The mix stays fresh for a couple of months (if not more!) in the cupboard. It is so much easier to get everything down once, measure it out once and then scoop from the mix every time you get a hankering for ranch dressing!

Isn’t it easier to just buy a packet at the store?? Well, the answer to that question really depends on which store your going to, and if you are by yourself or not. ? Really though, I cook with ranch dressing mix as a seasoning a lot and nothing was worse when I was halfway through a recipe to realize that I didn’t have another packet of dressing!

Another reason I like to make mine from home is because I know exactly what and how much of it is going into the dressing. So much less salt!! Aaaand it tastes a zillion times better than the store bought stuff.

I have a lot recipes on my site that actually call for a ranch dressing seasoning packet. Great news! You can totally substitute this!

My Chicken Fajitas, Chicken Bacon Ranch Kabobs, and BBQ Crack Chicken Sandwiches are just a few of my recipes that include some ranch dressing mix!

How to Make your own Ranch Dressing Packet at home!

There are two portions to the ranch dressing packet; all of the different seasonings and then the powdered buttermilk.

I like to keep the two separate because the powdered buttermilk has to stay refrigerated. News to you? Yeah, I had to throw a whole can away the first time I bought it because I didn’t realize it needed to be refrigerated. So you are not alone!

You could mix everything together and keep the extra powdered buttermilk and all of the ranch dressing mix in the fridge but I prefer to combine the seasonings with the powdered buttermilk as I need it. It is all really simple, I’ll explain more below.

The herbs and spices that are used to make the ranch dressing are parsley, chopped onion, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, chives, salt and pepper.

All of the herbs and seasonings combined, you’ll end up with 1/2 cup of seasoning. This is equal to 12 dressing packets! You can store the seasonings on the shelf for a few months.

When you are in need of a ranch packet substitution, simply take 2 tsp of seasoning and combine it with 1 tbsp of dried buttermilk from the fridge. Boom, done! So easy!

Be sure to five the seasonings a good shake or stir before measuring out the 2 tsp. The salt and smaller seasonings tend to fall to the bottom of the jar. I store mine in a mason jar, but any closed jar or container would work!

If you are wanting to make homemade ranch dressing or dip, mix 2 tsp of seasonings, 1 tbsp of dried buttermilk with 2 cups of a ‘base’.

For dressing mix 2 tsp of seasonings, 1 tbsp of dried buttermilk with 1 1/2 cups mayo (or greek yogurt!) and 1/2 cup of milk.

The thickness and exact ratio of milk to mayo or greek yogurt really depends on personal preference. It will thicken a bit as it sits in the refrigerator.

For a thicker dip, mix 2 tsp of seasonings, 1 tbsp of dried buttermilk with 2 cups of sour cream or greek yogurt.

The ranch keeps well in the fridge for approx 1 week. This recipe can be halved or doubled easily!