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Ever find yourself craving that creamy, herby goodness of Ranch Dressing but don’t want to whip up a huge batch? Well, you’re in luck! This Small Batch Ranch Dressing Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s perfect for those times when you just want enough dressing for a couple of salads. The best part? It’s super easy to make and tastes way better than anything you’d find in a bottle at the store. Fresh, flavorful, and free from additives – this homemade ranch is a real treat!
Looking for more small batch dressing options? Give our rich, tangy Blue Cheese Dressing a go, or the sweet Poppy Seed Dressing for a lighter touch. Creamy, savory Goat Cheese Dressing is a unique treat, our simple 3-2-1 vinaigrette is always a winner, and the classic Caesar Salad Dressing is perfect for heartier salads. For an interesting twist, the fruity Blueberry Vinaigrette we use on our Avocado Salad is a refreshing choice. Each dressing adds a special flair to your salads!
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe
- Perfect Quantity: Ideal for a few servings, so you won’t have leftovers cluttering your fridge.
- Quick to Make: In just minutes, you’ll have a delicious dressing ready to go.
- Fresh and Flavorful: Homemade ranch simply tastes fresher and better than store-bought versions.
- No Additives: Enjoy a pure, natural ranch dressing without any chemicals.
- Versatile Use: Great as a salad dressing, veggie dip, or a drizzle on pizza.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch ranch dressing recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Mayonnaise: Choose full-fat mayonnaise for the best flavor in your ranch dressing. My personal favorite is Duke’s brand, known for its creamy texture and taste. Mayonnaise is a kitchen staple and we love using it in many recipes like Crab Cakes, Broccoli Salad, and in a vintage Pineapple Lime Jello Salad.
- Sour Cream: Regular sour cream is my go-to for its thicker consistency and richer flavor. However, you can use low-fat or fat-free versions if you prefer a lighter dressing. Consider using leftover sour cream in a Mini Squash Casserole, Swedish Meatballs, or a Mini German Chocolate Cake!
- Lemon Juice: Both freshly squeezed and bottled lemon juice work well, so use what you have on hand.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a fantastic flavor to the dressing, but white wine vinegar is a great alternative if you want to switch things up. Consider using leftover vinegar in a small batch of BBQ Sauce or German Potato Salad.
- Seasonings: I recommend garlic powder, dried parsley, and dried dill for this recipe. While fresh garlic is great in many dishes, garlic powder is less intense and ensures a smoother dressing consistency.
Note: I don’t add salt or pepper to this recipe, but feel free to season your ranch dressing to taste after trying it.
What To Add To Ranch Dressing
This ranch dressing is fantastic on its own, but there are times when you might want to add a little extra flair to it. As a foundational recipe, it’s incredibly versatile and can be enhanced with various additions. Whether you’re looking to add a bit of zest, some heat, or a unique twist, here are some easy ways to elevate your ranch dressing:
- Zest it Up: Consider adding a bit more of the existing ingredients and throw in a pinch of lemon zest for a fresh twist.
- Spice it Up: For a spicy kick, mix in a dash of Sriracha, a bit of Moroccan harissa paste, or some diced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
- BBQ Style: Stir in some barbecue sauce or spicy brown mustard for a smoky, tangy flavor.
- Cheesy Delight: Mix in some crumbled feta, grated Parmesan, or cotija cheese for a cheesy variation.
These simple additions can turn your basic ranch dressing into something extraordinary. Experiment and find your favorite combination!
How To Make Ranch Dressing
These photos and instructions help you visualize how to make this small batch ranch dressing recipe. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- 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 you feel it necessary.
- Cover or pour into a small container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
This small batch ranch dressing recipe will yield about 1/4 cup.
Expert Tips
- Fresh Herbs: Swap dried herbs with 1 teaspoon of finely chopped parsley and 1/4 teaspoon of finely chopped dill. Adjust the quantity to suit your taste for a fresher herb flavor.
- Consistency Adjustments: This dressing’s thickness suits both dips and salads. For a thinner consistency ideal for salads, simply stir in a bit of milk or cream.
What To Serve With Ranch Dressing
Before exploring these suggestions, remember, ranch isn’t just for salads. It’s a versatile dressing that can add a zesty touch to many dishes.
- Salad: Drizzle over your favorite greens or a Cobb Salad.
- Veggies: Perfect as a dip for fresh, crunchy vegetables.
- Pizza: Try it as a flavorful topping on your next Detroit-style pizza.
- Sandwiches: Use it as a spread on a Southwest Wrap for an extra flavor kick.
- Grilled or Baked Meats: A great complement to roasted chicken or steak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ideally, use within 3-4 days.
The original recipe creates a thicker dressing, ideal for spooning over salads. For a more pourable consistency, simply mix in some milk or cream to thin it out.
Absolutely! Feel free to double the ingredients listed in this small batch ranch dressing recipe if you need a larger quantity.
Use vegan mayo and sour cream.
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:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
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
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic powder, dried parsley, and dried dill. Whisk them together thoroughly. After mixing, taste the mixture and add a pinch of salt if you think it's needed.
- Cover or pour into a small container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Notes
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.
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.