Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

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Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is something I loved as a kid but could mostly live without now. When it comes to salads, I much prefer lighter dressings like vinaigrettes. However, I’ll occasionally get a craving for vegetables and ranch dressing. As much as I love other dressings, they don’t really work well for dipping vegetables. The thing is, bottled ranch dressing kind of makes me gag. It’s just so thick and gloopy, not at all what I want to dip my carrot and celery sticks in. Homemade ranch dressing, on the other hand, is everything the bottled kind isn’t – fresh, light in texture and absolutely delicious.

If you’re anything like me, you probably have all the ingredients you need for this dressing in your refrigerator. This dressing beats anything you can buy from the store because it’s made fresh when you want it. Plus, making it is as simple as tossing all the ingredients in your food processor and hitting the pulse button a few times. I loved this dressing as is, especially the bit of tang from the Dijon, but I may try adding a handful of parsley next time just to up the herby flavor. I bet the basil could be replaced with dill for a different spin, too (which I’m guessing would be fabulous with fried pickles). I’ve enjoyed having this and carrot sticks as a snack every afternoon, and it would be a wonderful addition to any crudités platter you may be serving this weekend for the Super Bowl. Even if you’re not serving vegetables, imagine how good wings would taste dipped in homemade ranch. I definitely plan on having a jar of this around (with plenty of fresh vegetables) when the baby comes so that I can snack to my heart’s content.

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

  • YIELD: 3 cups
Ingredients
  • 3 green onions white and green parts, chopped

  • ½ cup chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed

  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • 1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped

  • 2½ teaspoons kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 cup mayonnaise

  • ½ cup Greek yogurt

  • ½ cup buttermilk, well shaken

Directions
  • 1

    Place the green onions, basil, lemon juice, Dijon, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is smooth, about 15 to 20 seconds. Add the remaining ingredients and puree until smooth.

    Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors develop.

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COMMENTS: ( 13 )

13 responses to “Buttermilk Ranch Dressing”

  1. Kimiko says:

    What amazing timing you have! I’ve been planning my Superbowl menu this morning, and realized that I need to find a homemade ranch dressing recipe. I’m making buffalo wings and my boyfriend and I both hate the traditional pairing with blue cheese! This ranch dressing will be a perfect alternative.

  2. I love a good ranch dressing! Yum!

  3. This is perfect! I made a list of 12 things to do in 2012 and finding “the perfect ranch” is one my list! I have searched high and low with to no avail. I’m so excited to put this on the list! Thanks for posting the recipe. I’ll let you know when I make it!

  4. I love making my own buttermilk ranch, I have a version of it on my blog too. It’s great to see another version. I cant wait to try yours!

  5. I love Ranch & this is basically the “recipe” I use, although I never measure anymore so every time I get a different ranch, which is kind of fun! I love this photo though so just had to stop by. The whole post matches with your green background, love it!

  6. Connie says:

    Nothing like fresh home-made ranch. I cannot eat the store bought stuff now.

  7. This sounds amazing! How long will it keep for? 3 cups is a lot of dressing.

    • Courtney says:

      Abby, it does make a lot. I’m not sure how long it will keep, honestly. I shared mine with a friend and kept what I had left for just over a week.

  8. I made a half quantity last night and had it on a chicken, pumpkin and chickpea salad. Yum yum yum!! Soooo good! Thanks Courtney 🙂

  9. Julie says:

    Did you post the calories and fat amounts on this recipe? I don’t see it. Do you know, per chance?

  10. Julie says:

    Did you post the calories and fat amounts on this recipe? I don’t see it. Do you know, per chance?

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