Homemade Ranch Dressing - Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

How long will homemade ranch dressing keep in the refrigerator? ›

Stored in a well-sealed container in the fridge (assuming you began with fresh sour cream and buttermilk) your buttermilk ranch dressing should keep for up to two weeks. Help it stay fresh by not dipping anything directly into the container that you're storing it in—for example, a half-bitten carrot.

Directions. In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth. Whisk in thyme, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

“But the particular flavor of traditional ranch can only be achieved with the dry versions of all those aromatics: garlic and onion powder, dried herbs, powdered pepper and buttermilk.” That's because fresh ingredients were rare in Alaska at the time.

Scratch ranch relies on fresh herbs and aromatics, which bring bite and those pops of grassy flavor that dried or powdered versions never can, so you get an eating experience that is elevated. Usually, ranch recipes will contain fresh buttermilk, and sometimes sour cream as well, for a tang that is really balanced.

Ranch normally has a pleasant smell, so if it develops any kind of foul odor, it's likely past its prime. If you can't determine its quality from its texture or smell, you can also taste the dressing to see if it still tastes high quality.

Who Invented Ranch? Around 1950, Steve Henson unknowingly made history when he whipped up a unique mixture of dry herbs and buttermilk. Originally a plumber, Steve came up with the concoction while working briefly in Anchorage as a construction worker and part-time cook for his crew.

Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl until well-combined. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Because while some restaurants do use a bottled shelf stable dressing, what you are referring to is a powdered ranch mix (typically the Hidden Valley brand) that the restaurant cooks add milk/ buttermilk and sour cream to make their dressing.

Ranch Dressing: is typically used when topping salads. The consistency of the dressing is usually thin and runny. Ranch Dip: Ranch Dip is mainly used for dipping things like chips, celery, carrots etc. Ranch dip is a way heartier than ranch dressing which is why it's made more for dipping than dressing/topping.

Is there a difference between ranch and ranch dressing? ›

Ranch dressing is a creamy, tangy, and herb-infused dressing commonly used as a topping for salads, as a dip for vegetables, or as a condiment for various dishes. What is ranch dip? Ranch dip is a thicker, more concentrated version of ranch dressing, specifically designed for dipping purposes.

Ranch has been the best-selling salad dressing in the United States since 1992, when it overtook Italian dressing. It is also popular in the United States and Canada as a dip, and as a flavoring for potato chips and other foods.

It was invented by a plumber

Steve Henson was working as a plumber when he first created this winning salad dressing. While cooking for his construction crew in Anchorage, Alaska, he played around with a buttermilk dressing recipe until he found the perfect combination of garlic, onion and fresh herbs.

One of my favorite ranch boosts is adding something spicy. Squirt in some Sriracha or Mexican-style hot sauce, or add a spoonful of Moroccan harissa paste, wing or Buffalo sauce, or some diced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

However, when it comes to ranch dressing, there's another creamy ingredient that steals the show — buttermilk. Whether to accompany buffalo wings, a classic Cobb salad, or chicken tenders, it's one of the most common requests.

Well, the answer is pretty cut and dry, at least according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Per the USDA, an open bottle of ranch dressing can last up to two months in the refrigerator, which is good news for those who tend to keep bottles in their fridge for extended periods.

Cover and refrigerate. Chill 30 minutes to thicken. Stir before serving. Stays fresh 3 to 4 weeks.

Once you pop the cap off, the dressing must be refrigerated to maintain its quality and remain safe to eat. Meanwhile, homemade ranch dressing has a shorter life, and should be used within two weeks.

How Long Does Homemade Salad Dressing Last in the Fridge? Every dressing has a different shelf life, based on the ingredients. We recommend consuming dressings and sauces within 3-4 days to be safe.