Those little packets of ranch seasoning mix that you can get at the store are pretty versatile. You can do so much more with them than just mixing up a quick batch of ranch dressing. That flavorful mix of buttermilk and herbs can be used to coat just anything in a tangy, herby, creamy goodness. But I wanted to make my own homemade ranch seasoning so I could whip up any amount needed and so I’d know every last ingredient in the mix.
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Buttermilk Powder is a Must
Most of the ingredients in this homemade ranch seasoning mix are pantry staples, but there is one special ingredient that can not be substituted, buttermilk powder, which is basically dehydrated buttermilk. Buttermilk powder provides tangy and creamy flavors without having to add a liquid to the mix. This allows you to get that classic ranch flavor in dry form, which is perfect for things like seasoning popcorn or making a dry rub for meat.
It usually comes in a small round container and can be found in the baking aisle, usually near canned evaporated milk or dry milk. I used Saco brand Buttermilk blend (the brand that I see most often in grocery stores here in the U.S.). It looks like this:
How to Use Homemade Ranch Seasoning
I’m super excited to have finally made my own ranch seasoning because there are just so many ways to use it. Here are just a few ideas:
- Season roasted potatoes (or smashed potatoes)
- Season baked chicken wings
- Stir into mashed potatoes
- Sprinkle over popcorn
- Season roasted chicken
- Mix with butter to brush onto biscuits
- Make Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
- Season oven fries
- Make chip dip
- Make Taco Soup
- Season homemade croutons
- Sprinkle over buttered pasta (see Ranch Broccoli Pasta)
- Season roasted vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower
How to Store Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix
The recipe below is a small batch about the same as one ranch seasoning packet you’d buy in the store. If you want to scale the recipe up and save some pre-made mix you can do that. Store the ranch seasoning mix in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. It should stay good for several months, but as with any dried herb, the flavor will slowly diminish over time.
Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix
Servings 1 batch (about 3 Tbsp)Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp buttermilk powder ($0.15)
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley ($0.05)
- 1/4 tsp dried dill ($0.03)
- 1/4 tsp onion powder ($0.02)
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder ($0.02)
- 1/4 tsp lemon pepper ($0.02)
- 1/8 tsp sugar ($0.01)
- 1/8 tsp salt ($0.02)
- 1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper ($0.01)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Use immediately or store in an air-tight container until ready to use.
To Make Ranch Dressing
- Combine the ranch seasoning mix with ¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, and ¼ cup milk. Whisk until smooth.
To Make Chip Dip
- Combine the ranch seasoning mix with 1 cup sour cream and stir until smooth. Let the dip sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
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Nutrition
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Use your homemade ranch seasoning mix as a dry powder to season meat, vegetables, pasta, and more. Or, use it to whip up a batch of ranch dressing or chip dip…
Is there any vegan equivalent to this ranch dressing? I can’t have dairy so the buttermilk powder is out. It didn’t need to taste exactly like ranch for me, but I’m looking for a sub for that tang that buttermilk provides. Any ideas?
You could try adding nutritional yeast instead of buttermilk powder! As for a liquid alternative to buttermilk, you could try a vegan sour cream. :)
Haven’t eaten it yet. Hang five
I searched all over until I finally found buttermilk powder at Bulk Barn. Then I couldn’t remember what recipe I wanted it for! So thanks for putting this recipe out today! Making the homemade ranch today!
I see that the mix will keep in the fridge for a couple of months, but how long would you think ranch dressing (with this recipe) would last? A couple of weeks? As long as the earliest sell by date for any of the perishables?
It’s tough to say because there are so many variables. I usually try not to keep things like this longer than five days or so. Dry herbs and spices naturally contain yeast and mold spores that can begin to grow when introduced to moisture and food, so the combined dressing will likely not last as long as the individual ingredients on their own.
Really tasty on popcorn!
Really tasty on popcorn!
I like this to keep in the fridge to make up a quick batch at a moment’s notice. I used 7 times the quantities to make a jar full. Thank you!
What do you suggest as a replacement for the buttermilk powder to make this dairy-free?
Unfortunately, I don’t have a substitute for the buttermilk powder. That ingredient is quite unique in flavor and composition and I haven’t found anything suitable to replace it.
To make it vegan, or dairy free, omit the buttermilk powder and use apple cider beggar when making your dips (with vegan versions of Mayo, sour cream, etc.) marinades and such. It will give it the.
What about a little bit of nutritional yeast? I would experiment with not using the full amount of buttermilk, but I bet it would taste ok since it has a bit of a cheese/ rich flavor? Would probably be fine with sour cream and milk alternative. Maybe see what they make vegan ranch recipes with?
Just what I’ve been looking for, thank you!
Buttermilk powder? Never heard of it! Where would a person buy this product?
It’s in most grocery stores, typically on the baking aisle. Look near the normal powdered milk. It’s perfect to keep on hand for anything buttermilk related! Keeps forever.
It’s simply dried making it shelf stable. It’s great in baked goods and homemade dips. You can often find it at places with bulk spices if you want just a little.
Buttermilk powder will change once opened.l lost a whole container and was really mad at myself..Refrigerate or throw your money away like l did
You can find more information about buttermilk powder, including what it is, why it’s used in this recipe, where to find it in the grocery store, and a link to a common brand in the blog post above the recipe. :)
You could swap buttermilk for the regular milk in the ranch dressing recipe. That may work for you.
On the package of buttermilk powder, it takes 4 Tablespoons of buttermilk powder to 1 cup of water. So, because BB recipe calls for 2 Tablespoons powder but only 1/4 cup of regular milk it may be missing a little bit of tartness. It should be fine.
I’m curious why so many Ranch dressing recipes contain dill. The store bought version doesn’t seem to have that flavor at all, but almost every Ranch dressing I’ve found online contains dill.
Thank you for sharing this recipe. It looks like a great way to have Ranch powder ready to go for whenever you need it.
Marla, lol, I’m a little wondering this myself… not a fan of dill and wonder how it affects the taste or if a substitute herb could be used instead.
It’s possible that the dill flavor is just very subtle in the bottled versions, so you don’t notice it. And it’s likely lumped into “spices” or “natural flavors” on the ingredient list. If you’re not a fan of dill you can definitely leave it out of this recipe and still have a really tasty mix. :)
Where would I find buttermilk powder in the supermarket? This pasta dish sounds amazing, & I’d love to try it.
It’s usually in the baking aisle near the canned milk and dry milk. :)
For some reason I bought a can of that buttermilk powder pre-pandemic and still haven’t opened it. Will definitely make this and Beth if you have any other recipes to use up this stuff would like to see them. I wonder if you could make a homemade bisquik blend….
I will definitely be making more recipes with the ranch seasoning! I have so many ideas. :) I’ve often thought about a homemade baking mix, but ultimately I decided that I don’t think it’s possible. What makes those baking mixes unique is that they have shelf-stable fat already worked into the flour. That requires some chemistry magic that I can’t accomplish at home. 🙃
Oh, I’ve been looking for a good ranch recipe. I wish there was a way to save these recipes, like a login and recipe box or something. I find really good recipes on here then I forget months later.
We do have that. :) Just click the “favorites” button either on the top of the blog post or in the recipe card (just under the thumbnail photo) and you’ll be prompted to log in or create an account. I hope that helps!
Are you new to the Internet? There are a billion ways to do this. If you don’t want to save them here as Beth has helpfully suggested, you could save them to a Pinterest board. You could post it on Facebook and save the post. You could email it to yourself. You could copy the recipe and paste it into a word or google doc and save it like that. You could take a photo of it. You could screenshot it. YOU COULD WRITE IT DOWN ON PAPER WITH A PEN.
Maybe she is new to the internet. While I’m not new to the internet, some of your suggestions, I do not know how to do.💁♀️ Because, I have not had a need to do them.
There wasn’t any reason to be so rude. Budget Bytes is a happy place. Let’s keep it that way!
I LOVE THIS! I’ve been using the packets for years, feeling guilty about all the extraneous ingredients and the high cost. Yay! Thanks, Beth!
Okay, now I see the dressing instructions.
Love the idea of using buttermilk powder. How much mayo, sour cream, yogurt, milk, water, etc. would you add to this to make salad dressing?