Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix
Posts may contain affiliate links, meaning that I may earn a commission if you use a link provided.
An easy homemade ranch seasoning mix for making salad dressing, ranch dip, or to replace a packet of ranch seasoning in recipes.
Lately, I’ve come to enjoy making homemade seasoning mixes like homemade chili seasoning, homemade apple pie spice, and this dry ranch mix. I love that I can control the ingredients and adjust them to my family’s preferences.
When you find out how quick and easy it is to make homemade ranch dressing mix, you may never go back to store-bought ranch seasoning packets!
Easy Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe
It’s super simple, ready in just 5 minutes, and it’s perfect for making dressing, ranch dip, dry rub, or adding to lots of your favorite foods to make them ranch-style. You can use this mix in any recipe that calls for ranch seasoning mixes, so it’s great to keep on hand.
The best part is you probably have all the ingredients in your spice cabinet to make dry ranch seasoning mix right now except, perhaps, the buttermilk powder. But if you’ve never used dry buttermilk powder before, I highly recommend you get some. You know all those times you buy fresh buttermilk for a single recipe and forget to use the rest before it spoils? You can avoid that altogether by keeping this powder on hand, which lasts for months.
Ingredients for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Dry Buttermilk Powder — Powdered buttermilk (buttermilk in powdered form) is the base for the recipe. It acts as a thickener and gives it a tangy flavor, which is essential for any ranch recipe. You can find it in the baking aisle at most local grocery stores.
- Dried Parsley — A pantry staple! It adds color and a subtle grassy, earthy flavor to the ranch seasoning mix.
- Onion Powder and Garlic Powder — In ranch seasoning, garlic powder and onion powder are often used because they add savory, umami flavor without the moisture of fresh garlic and onions.
- Dried Dill Weed — Dried dill weed is used in ranch seasoning mix because it adds a sharp, unique flavor that’s a little tangy, a little grassy, and a little bitter. It’s a flavor you really can’t get from any other herb.
- Freeze-Dried Chives — Chives have a very mild oniony-garlic flavor, so they’re perfect for ranch seasoning.
- Salt and Pepper — To bring out the other flavors and add a little complexity.
Equipment Needed
Ranch lovers, here’s what you’ll need to make your own homemade ranch seasoning:
- measuring spoons and measuring cups
- small mixing bowl
- whisk
- airtight container for storage (an 8-ounce mason jar works well)
How to Make Your Own Ranch Seasoning
This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
Step 1: Mix all of the ingredients in a small bowl, using a whisk to combine them well.
Step 2: Pour the combined seasoning mixture into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
You can use this seasoning blend to make your own ranch dressing or homemade ranch dip, of course. But one of my favorite ways to use it is in place of store-bought seasoning packets in great recipes such as Alabama fire crackers, 3 ingredient crock pot pork chops, and buffalo chicken cheese balls.
How to Make Ranch Dressing
Combine 3 Tablespoons of ranch seasoning with 1 cup of mayonnaise and 1 cup of milk. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
How to Make Ranch Dip
Combine 3 Tablespoons with 16 ounces of sour cream OR 8 ounces of sour cream and 8 ounces of mayonnaise) and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Storing DIY Ranch Seasoning
To store this seasoning blend, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Tips for the Best Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix
- Ingredients can settle over time. Always give your container a good shake before using the mix to redistribute everything evenly.
- Adjust the amounts of the herbs and spices to suit your taste. Love garlic? Go ahead and add a bit more! Not a fan of dill? Use less.
- Make sure to store the mix in the fridge if not using immediately. Even though it’s dried, exposure to heat and light can degrade the flavors.
- Label your container with the date it was made so you’ll know when to use it before.
- If you find that the heavier ingredients sink to the bottom, you can add this mix to a food processor to more evenly distribute the herbs and spices.
Additions and Variations
Make it spicy. Love a spicy ranch mix? Add a little cayenne to the mix to up the heat factor.
Add smoky flavor. A pinch or two of smoked paprika can give this mix some smoky flair that would be great for BBQ recipes.
Get cheesy. Sprinkle in some parmesan cheese for a cheesy ranch flavor. Note that this would reduce the shelf life significantly, and you’d probably need to use it within a week or less.
Pile on the herbs. Add other dried herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme for a more complex flavor profile.
Homemade Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix FAQ
While recipes may vary slightly, most contain buttermilk powder, dried parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, dried dill weed, freeze-dried chives, salt, and black pepper. Store-bought versions also contain additives, which is why it’s a great idea to make your own — plus, it’s really easy.
There are 3 tablespoons in the 1-ounce Hidden Valley Ranch packets.
This seasoning mix is a 1:1 replacement for store-bought packets. If the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon from a packet, use 1 tablespoon of this homemade ranch seasoning substitute. If the recipe calls for 1 envelope or packet, use 3 tablespoons of this mix.
Refrigerating ranch seasoning mix extends the shelf life and helps preserve the flavors. Also, once opened, buttermilk powder needs to be refrigerated. That means that seasoning mixes that use buttermilk powder should also be kept in the fridge.
If you’re going to make a ranch mix that you’ll use right away (or at least within a couple of days), then yes. Keep in mind that you need about three times the amount of fresh herbs as compared to dried ones (per Martha Stewart).
Recipes That Use Ranch Seasoning Mix
Here are a couple of my favorite dinner recipes to make with this homemade ranch seasoning recipe:
- 4 Ingredient Oven Baked Pork Chops — a family favorite that’s delicious over noodles or with a big pile of mashed potatoes.
- Mississippi Pork Roast — tastes even better than the beef roast by the same name and is so easy to make.
- Garlic Ranch Pretzels — a perfectly seasoned snack that’s great for parties, game day, or movie nights at home.
Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup dry buttermilk powder
- 2 Tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 ½ Tablespoons onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons dried dill weed
- 2 teaspoons freeze-dried chives
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk to combine all of the ingredients.
- Transfer into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Notes
- The recipe makes about ¾ cup total (12 Tablespoons)
- Use 1 to 1 as a replacement for dry ranch seasoning.
- To Replace Store-Bought Ranch Packets: Use 3 Tablespoons in place of a one-ounce packet of ranch mix.
- To Make Ranch Dressing: Mix 3 Tablespoons with 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup milk. Refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
- To Make Ranch Dip: Mix 3 Tablespoons with 16 ounces sour cream and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. A combo of 8 ounces of sour cream and 8 ounces of mayonnaise is great too.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share it with me on Instagram @crayonsandcravings and follow on Pinterest @crayonsandcravings for even more!
