Ranch lovers, this one’s for you. If you've been reaching for those little store-bought packets out of habit (no shame—we’ve all been there), it’s time for an upgrade. This homemade buttermilk dressing mix is cleaner, bolder, and honestly? Kind of a pantry power move.
After nearly two decades of creating custom seasoning blends, I can tell you—this mix is a keeper. It uses dried herbs and spices you probably already have, and it comes together in ten minutes flat. No dairy (unless you want it), no weird additives, and totally customizable depending on how tangy or garlicky you like your ranch.
Keep a jar on hand and you’ll always be just a quick stir away from salad dressing, veggie dip, or a way to make roasted potatoes taste unreasonably good. It’s the little things—like homemade ranch on demand—that make you feel like you’re winning at life.
I do want to. . . (warn?) tell you that this doesn't taste exactly like the little green ranch seasoning mix packets you get at the store.
It's hard to compete with monosodium glutamate (MSG), but I'm OK with my tongue not being tricked. I really like this version, though, and I hope you do, too.
How to make dairy-free ranch dressing mix
Another key ingredient in most ranch dressing mixes is buttermilk powder. If you want to add buttermilk powder and aren't concerned with this recipe being dairy free, go right ahead.
Just add about ¼ cup of buttermilk powder to the recipe below. You'll also need to add a little more of the ranch mix when you make ranch dressing because it won't be as potent. The buttermilk powder dilutes it some.
My recipe doesn't contain buttermilk powder and because it's made with non-dairy milk it's easily made dairy-free!
This recipe is also gluten free in case you're wondering.
Do you have to make homemade mayonnaise?
Nope.
There are healthier brands of mayonnaise popping up that aren't vegetable oil based. Using avocado oil as a base for mayo is MUCH better for you.
99% of the time I make paleo ranch dressing, I do it immediately after I make homemade avocado oil mayo.
In fact, the reason why I make homemade mayo most of the time is so I can turn it into paleo ranch.
How to make paleo ranch dressing
I like to make my dressing in a quart-size mason jar. I have a serious crush on mason jars.
I just dump some of dry mix on top of the mayonnaise and add a little milk to thin it out.
This works well if you make your mayo using a mason jar and an immersion blender. Then you don't have have to dirty up another jar to store the dressing.
What kind of milk do you use in paleo ranch dressing?
Add the milk -- either almond or coconut. I recommend unsweetened almond milk though, and, surprisingly, the Silk unsweetened vanilla flavored does just fine. (Not the Costco unsweetened vanilla. It's too strong.)
Add less milk than you think you'll need. I included the ranch dressing recipe in the notes of the seasoning mix below, but you can make it as thick or as runny as you like.
I also like to add a squeeze of lemon juice and an extra pinch of salt to brighten the flavors. It actually makes a big difference.
And whisk (or shake) like there's no tomorrow. Have you ever used a ball whisk
This dressing seriously tastes good and is super versatile. The dried herbs and spices in this mix are plenty for an awesome dressing or ranch dip.
How to make different types of ranch dressing
To mix it up, you could add some fresh herbs (extra fresh dill is AMAZING in this!) or pureed chipotle. Or cilantro, jalapeno, and tomatillo to make a mexi version. (Cafe Rio knock off? :))
Extra garlic would be nice, or BBQ sauce & bits of crispy bacon. Mmm.
I wrote a post for Pioneer Woman all about how to make different kinds of ranch dressing and turn it into something special: Elevating Ranch Dressing.
You can even use the dry mix as a spice rub or a popcorn seasoning. Or part of breading for chicken or fish!
Recipes Using Paleo Ranch Dressing
Here are a few recipes that use this homemade ranch seasoning mix that that we love from my site and my cookbooks.
Green Chile Turkey Burgers with Guac-Ranch
Buffalo Ranch Chicken & Spaghetti Squash Bake
Green Chile Chicken & Spaghetti Squash Bake
Buffalo Ranch Chicken Chowder (Big Book of Paleo Pressure Cooking)
BLT Egg Salad (Big Book of Paleo Pressure Cooking)
BBQ Ranch Chicken Bites with Roasted Sweet Potatoes (Big Book of Paleo Pressure Cooking)
Bacon Ranch Potato Salad (Big Book of Paleo Pressure Cooking)
Recipes Using Homemade Ranch Seasoning
Ranch Chicken with Broccoli & Bacon (Big Book of Paleo Slow Cooking)
Tomatillo Beef & Zucchini Taco Soup (Big Book of Paleo Pressure Cooking)
If you make one of my recipes, I'd love to see! Post it on social media and tag me at @perrysplate or #perrysplate so I can send you some love!
Paleo Dry Ranch Seasoning
Making your own paleo ranch dressing is SO easy and having a dry paleo ranch mix on hand makes it super easy without having to keep fresh herbs on hand.
Ingredients
- ½ cup dried parsley
- 6 Tablespoons freeze dried chives
- ¼ cup dried dill
- 3 Tablespoons ground mustard
- 4 teaspoons paprika
- 4 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 1 Tablespoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Shake together all ingredients in a pint-sized mason jar or another similar container. Store at room temperature. Makes about 1 ½ cups.
Notes
To Make Paleo Ranch Dressing
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Paleo Dry Ranch Seasoning
- 1 cup paleo-friendly mayonnaise
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk, plus more if necessary
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Whisk together all ingredients. Taste, and add a little more lemon juice or a couple pinches of salt, if necessary. Or add a little more almond milk if you'd like it looser.
Store in an air-tight container in the fridge. Keeps for about 10 days. Makes about 1 ½ cups.
This post may contain affiliate links. Any purchases made by using these links won't cost you any extra and helps keep my content free. These links may be Amazon links as I am part of the Amazon Associate Program.
Kirsten's Cooking says
Thank you so much for posting this!
A few months ago I made the Pioneer Woman's Drip Beef sandwiches - and used the Good Seasons Italian packet. The sandwiches were delicious, but my husband and I are very sensitive to MSG. When we woke up the next morning, all of the tell-tale signs were there. I raced to my kitchen, checked the ingredients and didn't understand - it wasn't listed!
Your link cleared up the sneaky ways that manufacturers are hiding MSG and other additives.
Anyway, I really appreciate having this mix to make the drip beef with!
Also, I've used my food processor to make mayonnaise before, and it's amazing how quickly it thickens - plus your arm probably wouldn't get as tired!
Thanks again
Melissa @IWasBornToCook says
I love that this uses all dried ingredients. So easy to keep and store. Looks delicious!
Jolene - EverydayFoodie says
I am so glad that this uses dry ingredients!!! I always have extra buttermilk on hand after making bread, so this is a perfect use for it! Thanks!
Kalyn says
Sounds good, will definitely try this.
Natalie @ Perrys' Plate says
Kirsten - Wow, it sounds like you guys need to be extra careful! I'm glad the article was useful to you. I really like (most of) Dr. Mercola's articles.
You could even substitute more Italian seasonings in to make it taste more like Italian dressing. I'll have to try it in my food processor... I didn't even think about that!
Joanne says
I see many salads with this in my future. Many. As soon as I get up the nerve to make that mayo.
souperior says
What a lovely sounding storecupboard standby! I love buttermilk dressing but it's not very common here in the UK - I'm now searching online to try and find a source of dried buttermilk powder (which I didn't even know existed!)
Jodi says
This looks great. I actually made some Cafe Rio knockoff stuff last night (with cilantro, lime and salsa verde) to go on my fish tacos. This mix will come in handy to have around. What brand of powdered buttermilk do you use that does not need to be refrigerated?
Karly says
I am now craving a big ol' salad covered in this yummy dressing! Topped with crispy bacon, of course.
Christina says
I'm loving how frequently you're posting these days! AND I get to see you on TK!
We've been looking for a natural ranch dressing for a loooonnnng time. Thanks a million for this!
Natalie @ Perrys' Plate says
Jodi - I bought my buttermilk powder in the bulk section of a grocery store. I can't remember if it was Winco or the store in Berkeley I loved going to.
Karly - Welcome back!! After all of that cruise food, I'm sure salads sound really great right now. I remember hitting that frozen yogurt machine every time we walked past it. Shameless...
Christina - I love it, too! That's what happens when you move to a new place and have zero social life for a while. :) My life is about to get really hectic, so I think my posts will scale back a bit.
Arianna says
Thanks for posting this recipe. I admit I have been waiting for it since you teased about in in the Roasted Layered Salad post. I have been on the quest for a good homemade ranch sans the MSG. This California girl and family LOVE ranch dressing. I will be giving this a try asap.
Natalie @ Perrys' Plate says
Arianna - Let me know how you like it (and even if you don't!) My kids adore it and they eat a lot more veggies now!
Bella says
Do you have to use buttermilk powder? Can't use just regular buttermilk?(actually milk with vinegar added. I live in the middle east!)
Laurie {Simply Scratch} says
Love this Natalie! Mostly because sometimes I don't wanna chop all those fresh herbs and garlic... this is easy and perfect!
sharon eaton says
Greetings!
Would someone break this recipe down to a one serving recipe? I am only making it for me.
Natalie Perry says
Hi Sharon! When you say one serving, do you mean enough dry mix to make about 3 Tablespoons of dressing for one side salad? It would be impossible to measure out all those ingredients at such a small scale. Maybe try making 1/2 or 1/3 of the recipe and then you'll have a little extra in case you like it. And it wouldn't be too much of a waste if you don't. Best of luck!
Kelly says
Hi,
Do you have the original recipe with the powdered buttermilk. I absolutely love the original and had it bookmarked for years. .
Thanks
Natalie Perry says
I do! Can you send me a note at perrysplate@gmail.com so I can email you the recipe?
Kelly says
Hi Natalie,
I sent you an email about getting the original recipe a few months ago. Is it possible to still get it?
Thanks
Gwen says
Why did I wait years to make this?! I'd contented myself with a natural-ish storebought dressing, but this takes ranch to the next level. Thanks as always! :)
Gwen says
(More emphasis on the ish than the natural part of that well-marketed storebought dressing.)
Jenn says
I love to make my own salad dressings from scratch, LOL... when I have the time. This recipe looks so much tastier then the one I have. Thanks for your trail and error and sharing your hard work.
Jenn says
Trial and error... not trail. ugh.