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This small batch ranch dressing is creamy, flavorful, and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. It’s perfect for salads, dipping vegetables, or adding a tangy touch to your favorite dishes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Portioned: Makes just enough for a few servings—no wasted leftovers.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in minutes with simple ingredients.
- Fresh & Flavorful: Tastes better than store-bought.
- No Unwanted Additives: Made with real ingredients, no preservatives.
I love this small batch ranch dressing because it’s everything a good ranch should be—creamy, tangy, and full of flavor. It’s so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients, and the taste is far better than anything you’ll find in a bottle.
Whether I’m using it as a dip for fresh vegetables, drizzling it over a crisp salad, or even adding a little to a sandwich, it always brings the perfect balance of richness and zest.
More Small Batch Dressing Recipes:
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Poppy Seed Dressing
- Goat Cheese Dressing
- 3-2-1 Vinaigrette
- Caesar Salad Dressing
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch ranch dressing recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Mayonnaise: Use full-fat mayonnaise for the best flavor. You can also use mayonnaise in our Crab Cakes, Broccoli Salad, and Pineapple Lime Jello Salad recipes.
- Sour Cream: Regular sour cream gives the dressing a thicker consistency and richer flavor, but low-fat or fat-free versions work too. Use extra sour cream in Mini Squash Casserole, Swedish Meatballs, or Mini German Chocolate Cake.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh or bottled lemon juice both work—use what you have.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a slight tang to the dressing. White wine vinegar is a good alternative. Try apple cider vinegar in BBQ Sauce or German Potato Salad.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, dried parsley, and dried dill create a balanced flavor. Garlic powder blends smoothly, making the dressing less harsh than fresh garlic.
Note: I don’t add salt or pepper, but you can season to taste after mixing.
Ways To Customize Ranch Dressing
This ranch dressing is delicious as is, but you can easily adjust the flavor to suit your taste. Here are a few ways to change it up:
- Brighten It Up: Add a pinch of lemon zest for extra freshness.
- Make It Spicy: Stir in a dash of Sriracha, harissa paste, or chopped chipotle peppers in adobo.
- Add a Smoky Twist: Mix in a little barbecue sauce or spicy brown mustard.
- Make It Cheesy: Stir in crumbled feta, grated Parmesan, or cotija cheese.
How To Make Ranch Dressing
These photos and instructions show how to make a small batch of ranch dressing. For exact measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic powder, dried parsley, and dried dill. Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed.
- Chill: Cover or transfer to a small container and refrigerate until ready to use.
This recipe makes about 1/4 cup of ranch dressing.
Expert Tips
- Using Fresh Herbs: Replace dried herbs with 1 teaspoon of finely chopped parsley and 1/4 teaspoon of finely chopped dill. Adjust to taste for a fresher flavor.
- Adjusting Consistency: For a thinner dressing, stir in a little milk or cream until it reaches your desired consistency.
Ways To Use Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing isn’t just for salads—it’s a versatile addition to many dishes. Here are some great ways to enjoy it:
- Salad: Drizzle over fresh greens or a Cobb Salad.
- Vegetables: Use as a dip for crisp, fresh vegetables.
- Pizza: Add a creamy touch to Detroit-style pizza.
- Sandwiches & Wraps: Spread on a Southwest Wrap for extra flavor.
- Grilled or Baked Meats: Pair with roasted chicken or steak for a tangy, creamy boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Stir in a small amount of milk or cream until it reaches your desired consistency.
You can use dairy-free sour cream and mayonnaise to make a non-dairy version.
Yes, simply double or triple the ingredients while keeping the ratios the same.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this small batch ranch dressing recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Small Batch Ranch Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon dried parsley
- ⅛ teaspoon dried dill
Instructions
- Mix the Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic powder, dried parsley, and dried dill. Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed.
- Chill: Cover or transfer to a small container and refrigerate until ready to use.This recipe makes about 1/4 cup of ranch dressing.
Notes
- Using Fresh Herbs: Replace dried herbs with 1 teaspoon of finely chopped parsley and 1/4 teaspoon of finely chopped dill. Adjust to taste for a fresher flavor.
- Adjusting Consistency: For a thinner dressing, stir in a little milk or cream until it reaches your desired consistency.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Hi Joanie, is it possible to use this as a dry ranch dressing mix, using just the dry ingredients. Thank you.
No, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Great flavor. Perfect for a couple of salads or to use in other recipes.
This will be perfect. I will be making this vegan and no garlic because of allergies. My daughter might be able to have a salad now. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much for your comment! I’m so glad to hear that this recipe will work for you. It’s great that you can adapt it to be vegan and garlic-free for your daughter. I hope she enjoys her salads now!
I was so happy to find this site. I recently became an empty nester and single. Going from cooking for an army to cooking for one has been a task to say the least. Thank you so much!!
I’m so happy you found us and hope you find many new recipes you love.
Thank you so much. I live alone and you are are a blessing. 😋 I love your recipes.♥️
Thank you so much, Evelyn.
I’ve tried other homeade Ranch recipes. This one does not disappoint! It tastes amazing and it’s super easy to make. I love buttermilk so I added just a splash. I eat more salads now with this dressing. Bottle brands are really hard to eat after this.
I can’t do dairy and I so miss reach dressing. Is it possible to leave the sour cream out and increase the mayonnaise?
Definitely! Increase the amount of mayo and leave out the sour cream – you may need to tweak the other ingredients to get the taste you like.
I was looking for a small batch recipe just for reheated pizza and landed here. So good! My husband came home after I had it in the fridge for maybe 10 min. He was incredibly surprised with how much this tastes like a ranch packet and asked me to find it again and pin it right away.
I’m thrilled to hear you and your husband loved the ranch dressing! Thanks for pinning and for the great feedback!
Thank you so much for this. Ran out and had all the ingredients needed. Tastes great!
You are most welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed the dressing.
Followed the recipe, except for doubling it – perfect! Never buying ranch again. Now I also can do copies of all the Hidden Valley variations. Thank you.