Recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing

Recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing – Ranch dressing is an American classic. Tangy, mildly flavored and perfect for everything, ranch dressing is a go-to staple in most households. This recipe for homemade ranch dressing is made with healthier ingredients and a perfectly curated blend of herbs. Plus, there is absolutely NO MSG or highly processed ingredients in this recipe.

- Table of Contents -

1. Not Your Typical “Homemade” Ranch Dressing Recipe
2. Skip the MSG and Artificial Ingredients in Ranch Packets
3. How to Make the Best Recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing
4. Recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Ingredients
5. Looking for More Clean Salad Dressing Recipes? 
6. Kitchen Favorites

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Not Your Typical “Homemade” Ranch Dressing Recipe

I’ve put “homemade” in quotes because since 1992, Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix has been America’s idea of an essential ingredient when making “Homemade” Ranch Dressing. In fact, ranch dressing is now a $1 billion annual sales industry surpassing ketchup sales and Hidden Valley is not one bit concerned about the terribly unhealthy ingredients.

But trust me, you definitely do not need the help of Hidden Ranch to make a great Ranch Dressing…

If it makes sense to do so, I honestly don’t have a thing against cutting corners to save time. But using Hidden Valley dressing packets to make “Homemade” Ranch Dressing doesn’t make sense when you read the list of ingredients below:

Ingredients: Maltodextrin, Buttermilk, Salt, Monosodium Glutamate, Garlic*, Onion*, Lactic Acid, Calcium Lactate, Citric Acid, Less than 1% of: Calcium Stearate, Artificial Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Natural Flavor

Skip the MSG and Artificial Ingredients in Ranch Packets

First of all, if you are after a recipe for homemade ranch dressing with superior flavor, there is just no way you can end up with optimal results using processed ingredients like the ones listed above. But I am most concerned about the fourth ingredient: Monosodium Glutamate (also known as MSG).

It turns out MSG is not just bad for you — it’s downright TERRIBLE.  MSG is an excitotoxin, which means it overexcites your cells to the point of damage (or even death) and can actually damage parts of the brain. It crosses the blood brain barrier and is really, really bad stuff…for all of us!

Unfortunately, MSG is still used a lot in processed foods, including most “homemade” salad dressing packets. So, be sure to look for these ingredients when picking up packaged foods.

How to Make the Best Recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing

But luckily, you can make a better tasting and highly nutritious recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing all from scratch in less than a few minutes.

It tastes just like Ranch, only way better (wink.) Although it is dairy-free, my version below owes it’s rich and creamy texture to egg-free mayo and creamy almond milk. If you just make it once, I promise you’ll never go back to buying those dressing packets ever again.

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, almond milk and lemon juice. Using a stainless steel whisk, combine ingredients for about 1 minute until well combined.
2. To the same bowl, add the dried dill, parsley, garlic powder, black pepper and sea salt. Whisk again until well combined.

3. We love using these beautiful octagon shaped canning jars to store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

Recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Ingredients

We keep it simple around here by using household staples you likely already have in the fridge, or can make easily. The base is a mixture of mayo, almond milk and lemon juice:

• 1 cup mayonnaise, try egg-free mayo
• 1/3 cup almond milk, try homemade almond milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Then, we add in this delicious herbs to add the perfect balance of ranch seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon dried dill
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Then of course, storing in a pretty jar with a canning jar lid makes it so much easier to shake up before pouring:

• Ball canning jar like this one

Looking for More Clean Salad Dressing Recipes? 

A delicious salad dressing is often all it takes to really enjoy eating your greens. And if you enjoy what you eat, you will undoubtedly eat more of it! If you liked this delicious recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing and you are looking for more healthful, clean and delicious salad dressing recipes, be sure to check out our Clean Salad Dressing category.

• Green Goddess Dressing – Even if salads aren’t your thing, my Green Goddess Dressing Recipe is guaranteed to add a punch of flavor that tastes amazing.

• Vinaigrette with Garlic – Something as simple as keeping a mason jar filled with a batch of this tart and tangy Prebiotic-Rich No-Oil Vinaigrette Recipe with Garlic in your fridge at all times is an easy and tasty way to dress your salad and boost your prebiotic intake simultaneously.

• Balsamic Vinaigrette – Whether you are into clean eating or not, chances are you will probably still enjoy a salad if it is tossed in a delicious Homemade Vinaigrette Recipe Balsamic, and loaded with the most delicious fruit and veggies! No boring salads around here. Add in our Vinaigrette Recipe Balsamic, and the flavor will be unbeatable!

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