This dairy-free ranch dressing is made with a few simple ingredients that you likely already have on hand in your pantry – your favorite mayonnaise, dried spices, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. It’s made without milk or any dairy, and it can be whipped up in just 5 minutes! It makes the best dip or salad dressing and is a wholesome, tasty dairy-free alternative to an all-time favorite recipe. A vegan version is also easy to make by opting for an egg-free mayo!
Our favorite 5-minute homemade ranch
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Ranch dressing and I are best friends forever.
Like FOR-EV-ER.
I’ll eat it with every salad and dip all the things in it because it is:
- Freaking delicious
- Super easy to make
- So creamy
- Versatile
- Wholesome!
I would go as far as saying that it’s made of magic. You can make a suuuper simple meal, top it with this amazing ranch dressing, and it tastes INCREDIBLE.
Maybe that’s why there’s shirts for sale on the internet that say ranch dressing is a blessing?!
And honestly I have to agree. (Although I’m not sure I’m ready to buy the shirt).
A creamy, garlicky, herb flecked dressing that is super easy to make, versatile, and nourishing? COUNT ME IN.
This recipe is made with just a few pantry ingredients and a few fresh ingredients. Mayonnaise, dried spices (garlic powder and onion powder!), lemon juice, salt, pepper, and of course – fresh herbs!
I’ve tested and made this dressing with both fresh herbs and the dried versions and while either work, fresh is incomparably the best.
The reason it’s so quick and easy? All you have to do is measure out your ingredients, add them to a bowl, and whisk together to combine.
So today we’re going over all the easy-breezy details to make the best ranch that also happens to be dairy free, paleo friendly, and Whole30 compatible. I’ll teach you how to make it from scratch, and give you some extra tips on how to get the most out of it!
🌿 Love the sound of this dairy free salad dressing? Be sure to take a peek at our recipes for Herby Green Goddess Dressing, 10-Minute Creamy Cilantro Ranch, 5-Minute Lemon Garlic Tahini Dressing, and our Dairy Free Caesar Salad Dressing! We LOVE a good homemade sauce!!
How to make this homemade ranch
How to make thick vs thin ranch dressing
One of the best things about this recipe (besides how quick it is to make!), is that you can control how thick or thin it is.
To make thin or drizzle-able ranch dressing all you need to do is add a little more water. Probably somewhere between 2-3 tablespoons.
And to make thick, extra creamy ranch that’s perfect for dipping veggies or chicken wings just add a little less water. Somewhere around 1-2 tablespoons.
Also – different mayonnaise will have different thickness, so the best way to find the consistency that is right for you is to start with a small amount of water and add a little more at a time until it’s perfect for what you’re using it for!
Serving suggestions
This ranch would be delicious as a:
- Dressing for you favorite green salad
- Dip for fresh cut veggies
- Dipping sauce for chicken wings or homemade french fries
- Topping to drizzle over roasted vegetables or protein
If you enjoyed this ranch dressing we’d love it if you would take a moment to rate and review it below! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 It’s also a great place to get your questions answered, and helpful for other readers if you share any modifications you made to the recipe.
Thank you for sharing your kitchen with NK. We’re so grateful you’re here!
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5-Minute Dairy Free Ranch Dressing with Fresh Herbs
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Description
This dairy-free ranch dressing is made with a few simple ingredients that you likely already have on hand in your pantry – your favorite mayonnaise, dried spices, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. It’s made without milk or any dairy, and it can be whipped up in just 5 minutes! It makes the best dip or salad dressing and is a wholesome, tasty dairy-free alternative to an all-time favorite recipe. A vegan version is also easy to make by opting for an egg-free mayo!
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise (homemade or store bought both work)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs – dill, parsley, and chives are all excellent options or substitute with 1 tablespoon of any of the same dried herbs
- 1–3 tablespoons of water to thin, more or less as needed
Instructions
- Add everything except water to a bowl. In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and herbs.
- Thin with water. Thin with 1-2 tablespoons water until desired consistency is reached. You can always add more so I recommend starting with less and adding more as needed.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve or store in the refrigerator until ready to use!
Notes
This ranch dressing should keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: dressing
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: American
Sherri says
Super easy and excellent tasting. I used halfayo and half plain Greek yogurt
Definitely making again
Diane says
Easy to make and ready to serve right away.
Devon says
Kim not vegan but I am dairy free and this recipe is great! I whipped it up to eat with wings and I was so impressed. Usually I buy vegan ranch to have with salads or wings but they never cut it, but this one was fantastic and quick. Thank you!
Nyssa Tanner says
Hooray! That’s a huge compliment 🙂 I’m so glad that you loved it, and happy cooking! – Nyssa
Miss Me says
Absolutely delicious and so simple to make! I will definitely be making this over and over again!
Nyssa Tanner says
Hooray! There’s nothing like an easy back pocket salad dressing for homemade dinners, so glad you enjoyed. Happy cooking! – Nyssa
Mary M. says
I wanted a lettuce wedge salad and had no ranch dressing. I also had no milk. Every other “easy ranch dressing recipe without milk” called for buttermilk or almond milk or some other milk. If I didn’t have regular milk, chances are pretty high that I’m not going to have any “gourmet” milks. This dairy free recipe was the last on the Google list. It had all true pantry ingredients, five minutes prep and it’s excellent!
Nyssa Tanner says
Hooray! So glad that this recipe fit what you were looking for. Now I’m craving a wedge salad 😉
Plaga says
This is the best ranch recipe in the universe! I’m from the Midwest and trust me when I say, I know ranch!! This is a dip absolutely everything on ranch!! So easy and so delicious!
Nyssa Tanner says
Haha yeah girl! We don’t mess around with ranch dressing highest compliment coming from a fellow Midwesterner !
Brynn Brown says
This ranch dressing was so easy to make! I already had everything at the house to prepare it and am loving it! I used dried herbs and then threw in some green onion. It is definitely going fast around here, because we are using it for so many things. Mainly a delicious veggie dip.. My fave with carrots!