Ditch the packet! Homemade ranch seasoning mix is so easy to make at home and great to have on hand for when you get that ranch craving!
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: When you make it yourself, you can adapt the seasoning mix so it reflects your own preferences. Plus, there’s no artificial ingredients!
How long it takes: 5 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: small jar or container
Servings: makes ½ cup
I might not be the healthiest eater in the whole world. Okay, I most definitely am not, but I do try. I try to make simple changes, because little things add up. Just like little changes can make a difference in other areas of your life, little changes in the way you eat can make a big change over time.
I now make homemade taco seasoning and it’s so much better AND it’s so easy to make! That philosophy trickled into homemade fajita seasoning (similar to taco seasoning but with a bit of brown sugar), beef stew seasoning, and mild curry powder (the secret ingredient in my copycat Panera squash soup).
I now have 18 seasoning mix recipes and I keep on adding to the list!
It seemed about time for me to add a homemade ranch seasoning mix to the list! Nearly everyone loves ranch dressing, right? This reduced fat ranch dressing is one of my favorite ways to use an abundance of fresh summer herb but I wanted to have something on hand that I could quickly mix up, something similar to the packages of ranch seasoning that you can buy.
About This Ranch Seasoning
- Skip the packet. If you take a look at the ingredients in a packet of ranch seasoning, you’ll notice lots of long words. It usually contains preservatives, and a variety of other things. I like the idea of keeping things natural, don’t you? Wherever you’d use a packet of ranch dressing mix, you can also use this mixture.
- Uses pantry ingredients. You probably have all the ingredients you need on hand in your spice cabinet, with the possible exception of dry buttermilk powder. You’ll also need dried herbs (parsley, chives, and dill), onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
What Is Buttermilk Powder?
Buttermilk powder is simply dry (dehydrated) buttermilk.Unopened, buttermilk powder is shelf-stable but once it’s opened, it should be refrigerated where it will keep for up to 2 years. Buttermilk powder usually can be located in the baking aisle. You can also get it on Amazon. It’s handy to have around for recipes that needs buttermilk, like buttermilk pancakes or herbed buttermilk biscuits.
How To Use Ranch Seasoning
It’s so versatile! You can use it to make ranch dressing, ranch dip (or jalapeño ranch), southwestern orzo salad, ranch pasta salad, and so much more! It’s a natural with any kind of potatoes: sprinkle it on baked potatoes with a little sour cream, mix with olive oil to season roast potatoes, or make the dressing and dip your french fries in it. I love the ideas for ranch dressing mix at Taste Of Home’s 38 Recipes That Start With Ranch Dressing Mix!
This recipe makes about a half cup. If you feel that it’s something you’ll use frequently, I’d encourage you to make a double batch. Store it in a jar with a tight-fitting lid or another airtight container. I usually refrigerate ranch seasoning mix. It will keep for up to year. Refer to the Use By date on the buttermilk.
Homemade Seasoning Mixes
Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix (Buttermilk)
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup dry buttermilk powder
- 3 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 ½ tablespoons dried chives
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons dill weed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients with a fork or whisk until combined. You can also put the ingredients in a small jar with a lid and shake it.
- If desired, pulse in a food processor or blender to create a more uniform mixture.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for 2 to 3 months. I use the “best by” date on my buttermilk powder as a guide.
Notes
- Makes about ½ cup.
- 3 tablespoons of homemade ranch seasoning is equivalent to one 1-ounce package store-bought ranch seasoning mix.
- Make ranch dressing: Mix ingredients as instructed above. Add 1 cup of milk and one cup of mayonnaise OR plain Greek yogurt (or a combination); whisk until blended.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
1 quick question: Why store in the refrig? I made some previously and just kept it sealed in a cool, dark place. I ran out so that’s why I was looking for a replacement.
Thanks so much,
Sharon
I keep powdered buttermilk in the fridge after opening it, and since it’s an ingredient in this recipe, I keep this in the fridge too. You could check the package of powdered buttermilk for official instructions but I know for sure that it prolongs the life of it, and we don’t go through it that quickly. I hope that helps and answers your question!
I love homemade taco seasoning! It’s so easy to whip up a big jar to have at the ready whenever it’s taco night (which is often in my house!!).