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Home Recipes by Type Salads Salad Dressings & Toppings

Healthy Ranch Dressing Recipe

4.35
/5
10 mins
13 Comments
Jump to Recipe
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 05/23/2014Updated: 06/14/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

The great taste of ranch dressing without the guilt! You'll love this reduced fat ranch dressing recipe. Get the recipe on RachelCooks.com!

The great taste of ranch dressing without the guilt! You’ll love this healthy ranch dressing recipe.

Ranch dressing in a small glass pitcher.

Ranch dressing is such a classic. Everyone’s favorite, right? On tables at weddings — ranch, Italian. Served on the side of chicken tenders, ranch. Ever dip your French fries in ranch? How ’bout your breadsticks and pizza crust? Ever poured it on top of a baked potato? Oh yeah…and it’s pretty good on salad too.

Ranch dressing in clear glass pitcher, with chopped parsley scattered around.

The only thing better than ranch dressing is buttermilk ranch.

The only thing better than buttermilk ranch is homemade buttermilk ranch.

The only thing better than homemade buttermilk ranch is reduced fat homemade buttermilk ranch dressing.

The only thing better than reduced fat homemade buttermilk ranch dressing is a reduced fat homemade buttermilk ranch dressing recipe that still tastes amazing.

(PS: Can we talk about how many disgusting reduced-fat ranch dressings are out there? Eww.)

Front view of salad on blue plate topped with ranch dressing.

I teamed up with United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) to bring you this delicious ranch dressing recipe. I use plain Greek yogurt in addition to the buttermilk that really makes this recipe what it is. I also add just a bit of mayonnaise (I use the kind made with olive oil) to give the dressing a really smooth, rich taste without tons of added calories.

Add to that plenty of herbs (both fresh and dried) and a good dose of garlic, salt, and pepper for the ranch dressing you know and love!

If you haven’t tried my popular homemade dill vegetable dip, I’d encourage you to give that a try, too. It’s a healthier version like the ranch dressing, made with Greek yogurt and mayo. The vegetable dip is a staple at my house. 

Salad with ranch dressing, with fork, and pitcher of dressing in background.

I’ve given you all some salad tips in the past, and while ranch is a versatile dressing, I feel it is best suited to a “traditional” greens and vegetables salad. Homemade croutons highly recommended.

Keep on reading for my recommendations for a perfect salad dressed with ranch. Of course this isn’t an exhaustive list, but it should get the wheels turning a bit. You’ll notice fruit isn’t on the list because I don’t think it goes well with the garlicky, herby flavor of the ranch.

Base (choose one or a mixture)

mixed greens
baby kale
baby spinach
iceberg lettuce (not my fave but for some people it’s the only way to go)
romaine
leaf lettuce (red or green)
cabbage

Vegetables (the more the better)

tomatoes
cucumbers
celery
broccoli
cauliflower
jicama
roasted beets
corn
radishes
bell peppers
peas

Proteins (if you desire to have it as a main course)

grilled chicken breast, sliced
grilled steak slices
canned beans (drained and rinsed)
hard boiled egg

Extras (choose just 1-2 or you’re not eating something healthy anymore)

grated sharp cheddar cheese
bacon pieces
croutons (bonus points for homemade croutons)
sunflower seeds
avocado slices

Salad on a blue plate.

Pictured above is my super simple salad, using ingredients I had in the house: Spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers and croutons, topped with a drizzle of ranch dressing. Doesn’t it look delicious? I also might have dipped some cheesy breadsticks in this dressing too.

Craving more? Here are some great salad ideas! 

More salad dressing recipes

Need more salad inspiration? Try:

  • Fresh Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing
  • Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
  • Creamy Italian Dressing or Italian Dressing (vinaigrette)
  • Catalina Dressing (similar to French dressing, perfect for taco salads)
  • Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
  • Tangy Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
  • Cilantro Lime Dressing
  • Clementine Dressing

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Small clear glass pitcher of ranch dressing with salad in background.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Healthy Ranch Dressing

4.35 from 20 votes
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
8 servings
Print Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
This recipe for healthy ranch dressing has the classic taste of everyone's favorite dressing without the guilt (with two great variations).

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh chives
  • ¼ teaspoon dried dill
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, more to taste

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients in a jar and shake until well combined. May also use a whisk to combine. Refrigerate in covered container for up to a week.

Notes

With Dried Herbs Instead of Fresh
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise made with olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried chives
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon dried dill
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
Garlic Ranch Dressing
Use fresh garlic (1 clove garlic, minced) instead of garlic powder.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2tablespoons, Calories: 43kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 194mg, Potassium: 47mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 89IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
Did You Make This?Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @RachelCooksBlog. I love seeing what you made!
Share A Photo! Tag on Insta Rate It

Disclosure: I am thrilled to be in an ongoing partnership with United Dairy Industry of Michigan.  I have been compensated by UDIM for my time to develop this recipe. All opinions are as always, my own. Find out more about why Milk Means More on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest

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  1. Jane E Cary says

    June 5, 2019 at 2:09 pm

    This dressing is so delicious and so easy to make. I bought an 3 oz of plain Greek yogurt instead of a large container which I wouldn’t use
    use up and I use garlic paste in a tube which I found in the produce department of the grocery store instead of cutting up garlic which is messy and smelly. I used fresh dill which made it more flavorful.
    Hubby liked it and enjoyed it even more knowing it was low cal.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      June 6, 2019 at 1:33 pm

      Smart grocery store moves! I’m so glad you liked the dressing! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!

      Reply
  2. sasha says

    March 6, 2018 at 6:52 am

    Any suggestions for a person that is on a low carb diet and also a diabetic. Im looking for recipes for both

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      March 6, 2018 at 7:37 pm

      This seems like it would be a great recipe for you to try!

      Reply
  3. Betsy says

    February 25, 2017 at 11:40 am

    I love Ranch dressing, it’s like one of my biggest weaknesses, so when I found this recipe I saved it, and just forgot about it, but finally I found it again. And I just made and ate some of this dressing. It is amazing. I just need to find a better way to cut my garlic up smaller, even smallish large chucks is a bit too much to handle. Still amazing!!! Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      February 25, 2017 at 9:26 pm

      So glad you like it! You could try grinding it into a paste with the salt –use the side of the knife and rub the salt into the garlic until it forms a paste.

      Reply
  4. Maggie says

    June 10, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it. Bring on the big, crispy salad!

    Reply
  5. Carol at Wild Goose Tea says

    May 24, 2014 at 10:32 pm

    I eat a lot of salad. I like salad. So this works out, doesn’t it. Lol.
    I would love to have a tasty, skinny buttermilk ranch dressing!!!!!
    Hip Hip Hooray!!!!

    Reply
  6. Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

    May 23, 2014 at 6:49 pm

    I love homemade dressings! Ranch is my favorite and this lighter version looks fabulous! Love the new look, Rachel!

    Reply
  7. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says

    May 23, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    Ok I want this right now!! And obviously Rich wouldn’t eat it either. ;-) LOL PS: I love our selfie!

    Reply
  8. denise says

    May 23, 2014 at 9:26 am

    wow, this sounds really good

    Reply
  9. Erin | The Law Student's Wife says

    May 23, 2014 at 9:07 am

    Some of my favorite peeps all in one place! Love this idea Rachel. Now I can have one of my fave dressings without feeling like I’m negating the entire point of having a salad!

    Reply
  10. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says

    May 23, 2014 at 6:55 am

    Confession: I am TOTALLY guilty of buying reduced fat Ranch because I LOVE it. But, I know I really should be making my own! SO you just saved my life.
    Pinned! Happy weekend lady! :)

    Reply

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