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Homemade Ranch Dressing

This recipe guides you through making a classic homemade ranch dressing, featuring fresh herbs, garlic, and a creamy base of mayonnaise and sour cream. It's simple to prepare and requires chilling for optimal flavor development. The buttermilk content can be adjusted to achieve your desired consistency, making it a versatile condiment for salads, dips, or as a flavorful accompaniment to various dishes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Calories 904.8 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef's knife
  • 1 Mixing Bowl Medium size
  • 1 Whisk or fork
  • 1 Measuring Spoons and Cups

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup real mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup Italian flat-leaf parsley leaves minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Dash hot sauce
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup buttermilk as needed for desired consistency

Instructions
 

  • Mince the garlic with a knife and then sprinkle on the salt and mash it into a paste with a fork.
  • In a bowl, combine the garlic paste, mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, dill, chives, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, vinegar, paprika, cayenne and hot sauce. Add the buttermilk to desired consistency and mix to combine, tasting frequently and adjusting seasonings as needed. Chill for a couple of hours before serving, thinning with more buttermilk if needed.

Notes

The key to a superior ranch dressing lies in the freshness of the herbs and the proper preparation of the garlic. Mashing the minced garlic with salt into a paste helps fully release its flavor and ensures it disperses smoothly without raw chunks. Always use fresh herbs (parsley, dill, chives); dried alternatives will significantly alter the flavor profile. Mince them finely for even distribution. The chilling period is crucial – it allows the flavors to meld and deepen, transforming a simple mix into a complex, balanced dressing. Taste before chilling and again before serving, adjusting salt, pepper, or tang (vinegar/buttermilk) as needed. Buttermilk is essential for the classic tang and pourable consistency. Add it gradually to achieve your preferred thickness. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of onion powder or a tiny touch of finely grated shallot.