Creamy Light Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Elevate your salads and snacks with this Creamy Light Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, a healthier alternative to store-bought versions that are often laden with sodium and preservatives. This delightful homemade dressing is not only versatile—ideal for crisp salads, fresh vegetable dips, and as a delectable sauce for baked potatoes, grilled fish, poultry, or meats—but also allows you to customize the flavors to suit your palate. With just a few simple dry ingredients, you can create a flavorful base that makes up to 8 cups of creamy dressing. Make extra batches of the dry mix, store them in charming jars, and gift them along with the recipe to friends and family during the holidays. They’ll appreciate the chance to whip up their own delicious ranch dressing at home!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
dried parsley
1/4 cup (none)
dried onion flakes
3 tablespoons (none)
dried chives
2 teaspoons (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (none)
ground celery seed
1/2 teaspoon (none)
fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
fat-free mayonnaise
1/4 cup (none)
buttermilk
3/4 cup (none)
Instructions
1
To prepare the dry mix, combine dried parsley, dried onion flakes, dried chives, salt, garlic powder, ground celery seed, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Stir the ingredients well to ensure even distribution.
2
Transfer the dry mix into an airtight container and store it in a cool, dry place for future use.
3
To make the dressing, take 1 tablespoon of the prepared dry mix and combine it with 1/4 cup of fat-free mayonnaise and 3/4 cup of buttermilk in a mixing bowl.
4
Using a wire whisk, mix the ingredients thoroughly until the dressing is creamy and well-blended.
5
Store the finished dressing in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator, where it will keep fresh for about a week.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Light Buttermilk Ranch Dressing?
It is a healthier, homemade alternative to store-bought ranch dressing that is often high in sodium and preservatives.
What are the primary dry ingredients for the ranch mix?
The dry mix consists of dried parsley, dried onion flakes, dried chives, salt, garlic powder, ground celery seed, and fresh ground black pepper.
How do I prepare the dry ranch mix?
To prepare the mix, combine the dried herbs and spices in a mixing bowl and stir well to ensure even distribution.
How should I store the dry ranch mix?
Transfer the dry mix into an airtight container and store it in a cool, dry place for future use.
What wet ingredients are needed to make the liquid dressing?
You will need fat-free mayonnaise and buttermilk to complete the dressing.
What is the ratio of dry mix to wet ingredients for one batch?
Combine 1 tablespoon of the dry mix with 1/4 cup of fat-free mayonnaise and 3/4 cup of buttermilk.
What is the best way to mix the dressing?
Use a wire whisk to mix the ingredients thoroughly until the dressing is creamy and well-blended.
How long does the prepared ranch dressing stay fresh?
The finished dressing will keep fresh for about a week when stored in the refrigerator.
How should the finished dressing be stored?
Store the liquid dressing in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
Is this recipe healthier than store-bought ranch?
Yes, it is lower in sodium and avoids the preservatives often found in commercial versions.
Can I use this ranch dressing as a dip?
Absolutely, it is ideal for use as a fresh vegetable dip.
What types of meat pair well with this dressing?
It works as a delectable sauce for grilled fish, poultry, or various meats.
Can I use this dressing on baked potatoes?
Yes, it is highly recommended as a flavorful topping for baked potatoes.
How much dressing can I make with the dry mix base?
The total dry ingredients provide enough base to make up to 8 cups of creamy dressing.
Can the dry mix be given as a gift?
Yes, you can store extra batches in jars and gift them along with the recipe during the holidays.
Does the recipe use celery seed?
Yes, the mix includes 1/2 teaspoon of ground celery seed.
What kind of onion is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of dried onion flakes.
How much dried parsley is required?
You will need 1/4 cup of dried parsley for the dry mix.
Is there black pepper in the recipe?
Yes, it includes 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
What type of mayonnaise should I use?
The recipe specifies using fat-free mayonnaise to keep the dressing light.
Can I customize the flavor of this dressing?
Yes, the recipe allows you to customize the flavors to suit your specific palate.
How many chives are needed for the mix?
The recipe requires 2 teaspoons of dried chives.
Does this recipe include garlic?
Yes, it uses 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
What amount of salt is in the dry mix?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of salt for the entire dry mix base.
Does this dressing contain preservatives?
No, this homemade version is free from the preservatives typically found in store-bought dressings.
Is this dressing suitable for salads?
Yes, it is versatile and ideal for use on crisp salads.
Do I need a blender for this recipe?
No, a wire whisk is sufficient to mix the ingredients into a creamy consistency.
Can I make large batches of the dry ingredients?
Yes, making extra batches of the dry mix is encouraged for future use and gifting.
How much buttermilk is used per single batch of dressing?
Each batch of dressing uses 3/4 cup of buttermilk.
Is this dressing considered versatile?
Yes, it functions as a salad dressing, a vegetable dip, and a sauce for various cooked proteins and vegetables.