Ranch dressing is by far the most popular dressing recipe here at Wholesome Yum, so it’s about time I show you how to make ranch seasoning. It’s perfect for those times where a dressing isn’t optimal and a dry ranch seasoning mix would work better. And also for those times when you want to be able to make ranch dressing in about a minute flat… because that’s how quickly it will come together if you have this homemade ranch seasoning recipe prepared in advance. You’re welcome. 😉 The dry ranch seasoning blend will convince you that you never need to buy the packets again! Not only does it taste so much better and avoid those questionable ingredients, but it’s so quick and easy. Try it once and I’ll bet you’ll be hooked. I recently started experimenting with this ranch seasoning recipe when I wanted to make ranch chicken. In the end, I actually made that dish using plain ol’ ranch dressing, but the seasoning was definitely too good not to get its own place in the spotlight. So, here it is!
Ranch Seasoning Ingredients
So, what is in dry ranch seasoning? Many versions use buttermilk powder, but this homemade dry ranch seasoning mix replaces that with a mix of heavy cream powder and cream of tartar instead. This virtually eliminates any sugar content, while still giving you that creamy, tangy flavor. Here’s the easy ranch seasoning blend – just 7 spices, plus salt and pepper:
Heavy cream powder Dried parsley Dried dill Dried chives Cream of tartar Garlic powder Onion powder Sea salt Black pepper
How To Make Ranch Seasoning
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, this DIY dry ranch seasoning comes together in one simple step – stir all of the ingredients together! Store in small glass jars, so that it stays fresh.
How To Make Ranch Dressing With Ranch Seasoning Mix
This ranch seasoning blend can be used in many ways beyond just dressing, but of course you can make dressing with it! Here is the recipe for that:
2 tablespoons Homemade ranch seasoning mix 1 cup Mayonnaise 1/2 cup Sour cream 1/4 cup Heavy cream (or milk of choice)
That’s it! Easy, peasy. This makes about 1 3/4 cups dressing, or 14 servings of 2 tablespoons each. Alternatively, if your only purpose for making homemade ranch seasoning is to turn it into dressing, you might want to head straight to my ranch dressing recipe instead.
How many carbs in ranch seasoning mix?
A teaspoon of common brands of ranch seasoning blend from the store has 2g net carbs. While this doesn’t seem like much, the ingredients are not great. Maltodextrin (another name for sugar!) is a common first ingredient, and you’ll also find MSG, artificial flavor, and preservatives. Why eat all those things, when you can make your own in just a couple of minutes? Each serving of this keto dry ranch seasoning has just 0.3 grams net carbs per teaspoon.
Why don’t you use buttermilk powder?
That’s a fair question, as most ranch seasoning mixes do use buttermilk powder. As mentioned above, it’s perfectly fine to use, but increases the (albeit natural) sugar in your DIY ranch seasoning recipe. I found that swapping heavy cream powder and cream of tartar gets you the same flavor, with less carbs and sugar. But, if that’s not important to you, feel free to replace both of these with simply 1/2 cup buttermilk powder instead.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, you can! Instead of using heavy cream powder, use coconut cream powder. You’d be able to use the seasoning in recipes this way, but I have not tested making a dressing.
When should you use ranch dressing vs. ranch seasoning?
Often times, the answer is – it’s up to you! But in very general terms, ranch seasoning mix wins over ranch dressing in cases where you want a more concentrated ranch flavor and/or where you don’t want the extra liquid that a dressing would bring.
Dry Ranch Seasoning Storage Instructions
Can you make it ahead?
Yes, absolutely! Homemade ranch seasoning mix uses only shelf-stable ingredients, so you can make it ahead easily.
How to store homemade ranch seasoning blend
Store the seasoning in an airtight container for 1-2 years. Flavor will be best within a year, though.
How To Use DIY Ranch Seasoning Mix
Now that you know how to make ranch seasoning, you’ll want to use it in dips, dressings, and especially chicken recipes with ranch seasoning. Here are some recipes to get you started:
Warm Ranch Dip – Just 10 minutes to prep this dip, Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole – This filling casserole can be made two different ways and just 7 common ingredients. It uses ranch dressing is the base, but if you’re a ranch lover, I highly recommend throwing in some extra ranch seasoning mix! Keto Ranch Dressing – Just 5 minutes to make this dip. Use it for veggies or keto chicken fingers! Vegan Ranch Dip – You can use this seasoning to make a dairy-free version if needed. Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken – This mouthwatering spread is EASY… perfect in sandwiches, wraps, or on its own. Juicy Baked Chicken – Want to make chicken with homemade ranch seasoning? Swap out the seasoning in this easy recipe for this DIY ranch seasoning mix instead.
Small Airtight Jars – These are technically for baby food, but they are the perfect size for dry ranch seasoning… or pesto sauce. Heavy Cream Powder – A must for this dry ranch seasoning recipe. Spice Rack Organizer – I absolutely love these organizers for holding spices. You’ll never lose a spice to the back of the cabinet again.
Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too - I’d love to see it! Makes 3/4 cup.
