5 from 1 vote

Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing

ByDana DeVolkPublished: May 10, 2025

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This Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing is made with simple, fresh ingredients like fresh dill, fresh chives, and fresh parsley, and it blows any store-bought ranch dressing out of the water.

a jar of Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing on a white plate

Is there anything better than a creamy, homemade ranch dressing? I don’t think so! Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite recipes ever — Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing.

The secret is the fresh herbs and a good balance of sour cream, buttermilk, and mayonnaise.

Plus, with a little bit of fresh garlic, salt, and black pepper, every bite bursts with amazing taste.

Whether you drizzle it over a crisp green salad, use it as a perfect dip for fresh vegetables, or even dunk your pizza crust into it, this dressing will quickly become one of your best recipes.

I love pouring mine into a mason jar and keeping it ready in the fridge.

With just a few minutes of whisking and a little chill time, you’ll have Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing made right at home. Let’s dive in!

Some of our other favorite SALAD RECIPES we have on our site include: Goat Cheese Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing, Easy 5 Bean Salad Recipe with Vinaigrette Dressing, and Easy Creamy Greek Pasta Salad Recipe.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

Fresh herbs and garlic bring unbeatable, real flavor that dried mixes just can’t match.
Simple ingredients like sour cream, buttermilk, and mayonnaise make it quick to whip up without special tools.
Chilling it before serving lets all the flavors time to blend together perfectly, giving the flavor of the dressing real depth.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):

buttermilk
mayonnaise
sour cream
lemon juice
fresh chives
fresh dill
fresh Italian parsley
garlic
salt
black pepper

ingredients needed to make Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing

HOW TO MAKE Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing:

Add all ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and whisk to combine. Simple!
Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

DO I HAVE TO USE FRESH HERBS?

Fresh herbs like fresh dill, fresh parsley, and fresh chives really give this dressing the best flavor.

You can use dried herbs if you must, but fresh is always much better for a bright and zesty delicious homemade dressing.

CAN IT BE MADE AHEAD?

Yes! In fact, it tastes even better if you make it ahead of time.

Letting the homemade buttermilk ranch dressing chill in the fridge for a few hours helps the flavors come together beautifully.

I always like to let mine sit in the jar that long before I actually use it.

You might be surprised at what a difference it makes in the flavor.

Try it out and see for yourself!

a spoon dripping Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing into a jar

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ANY ADDITIONS?

Oh, there are always things you can add or tweak.

Here are a few to get you started.

Add a teaspoon of worcestershire sauce for extra savory flavor
Stir in a teaspoon of dijon mustard for a slight tang
Mix in a crumbled blue cheese for a fun twist
Add a pinch or teaspoon of onion powder for a deeper onion flavor
Stir in some chopped green onions
Spice it up with a dash of cayenne pepper
Use a teaspoon of garlic powder for a milder garlic flavor
Add chopped bacon for a smoky taste
Blend in a little plain greek yogurt for extra creaminess
Toss in a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for a fresh, tangy punch

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

Feel free! Nothing says you have to keep it exactly the way I wrote it!

Use plain white vinegar instead of lemon juice if needed
Swap plain greek yogurt for sour cream for a healthier version
Replace fresh garlic with a little garlic powder if you don’t have cloves
Use a vegan mayonnaise for a dairy-free version
Swap regular milk mixed with lemon for a quick own buttermilk substitute

a salad with Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing drizzled on top

HOW TO STORE:

ROOM TEMPERATURE: Because of the dairy, it’s not safe to leave this dressing at room temperature for long.

Always keep it cold.

REFRIGERATOR: Store your homemade salad dressings in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge.

It will stay fresh for up to a week.
Be sure to check the expiration date on your dairy ingredients!

FREEZER: This dressing doesn’t freeze well.

The texture changes too much when thawed, so it’s best enjoyed fresh from the fridge.

DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:

Use a medium bowl to make mixing easy and avoid spills.
Always chill the dressing for at least 2 hours for the best flavor.
Mince your raw garlic super fine, or use a microplane for the smoothest texture.
Taste your dressing after chilling and adjust salt and black pepper if needed.
If you like a thinner dressing, add a little more buttermilk until it’s just right.
Use it not just for salads — try it as a dip for chicken wings, french fries, or fresh vegetables!

There you have it — the easiest and tastiest Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing you’ll ever make!

You’ll create a delicious homemade dressing that’s perfect for almost everything using fresh herbs, creamy buttermilk, and a few pantry staples.

If you like this recipe, you might also like:

a fork holding up a bite of salad with Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing on it

If you’ve tried this BUTTERMILK RANCH SALAD DRESSING, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!

Learn more about the author, Dana DeVolk, on our ABOUT ME page!

Dana DeVolk

Dana is a professional Chef turned blogger, recipe developer, food photographer, cookbook author, brand ambassador, local tv personality, and more! Her passion is writing about food and posting recipes while offering tips and tricks of the trade. She lives in Florida with her Hubby and fur babies. Interested in working with Dana? Email her at dana@thissillygirlskitchen.com