You can make your own ranch dressing at home with just a quick mix of herbs you probably already have in your spice cabinet. And if that’s not tasty enough, we’re stepping it up a healthy notch and making Kefir Ranch Dressing, full of probiotics and tangy deliciousness!
There are some American products we just can’t get over here in Europe that I usually load my luggage up with when visiting the homeland. The TSA agent I encountered on my last trip back from America was definitely giving me the judge-eyes as I fed my carry-on (a 12-pack of mason jars and many bags of Nestle chocolate chips) through the conveyor belt.
If he had only seen my checked luggage – filled to the 50 lb limit with Frank’s Red Hot sauce, my favorite Aveeno lotion, maple syrup, and Ranch dressing – his judge-eyes would have rolled back in his head.
But with my stash of American products beginning to run low, I’ve had to start either a) learning how to live a life without them or b) learning to make them. In the case of ranch dressing, we went with option b.
How to make healthy kefir ranch dressing
Homemade ranch dressing is actually incredibly easy. It took a bit of trial-and-error to get the proportions of herbs just right, but I’m sharing the secret with you today! And the other secret? (that you probably figured out from the name of this recipe…) This ranch dressing is made with probiotic-filled kefir!
Our kefir salad dressing replaces the sour cream that you’ll usually find in ranch with creamy, tangy kefir (which, by the way, you can also make really easily!) If you don’t have kefir on hand, plain Greek yogurt also works wonders in this ranch recipe.
Ranch Seasonings
What gives ranch that distinct flavor? It’s all in the seasonings! We’ll use a combination of dried parsley, dill, chives (what are chives, anyways?), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper!
These same seasonings can be used with a number of different bases. While we’re using probiotic-packed kefir here, you could also use silken tofu to make a vegan ranch dressing!
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk kefir 120 mL
- ½ cup mayonnaise 120 g
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp dried chives
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl until evenly mixed. Cover and let flavors blend in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.
Maria H. says
Wow, it is so creamy and good. It only took a couple of minutes to make. Thanks for the ideas on some fun things to do with my new homemade kefir!
Sarah says
Happy to hear it! Enjoy! 😀
Lee says
Wow holy smokes that’s good. Never buy popular ranch mix ever again.
Cynthia says
That ranch dressing was fantastic!
Zell says
I used milk and kefir starter. I think three days passed. Now it is all starters. No milk. Toss and start over or what?
Sarah Bond says
Sounds like it may have just over fermented! 3 days is a little long for kefir, but if there’s no mold then it should be safe to drink. Then strain out the grains and make a new batch!
Olga says
Thank you, I’m going to make tomorrow, how long will it last in the fridge?
Sarah Bond says
About 5 to 7 days!
Anna Rose says
So good!
George says
I love that you are adapting, learning to make good tasty food in your new environment. Years ago my family and I lived in Central Mexico. Of all things, we missed grits and cornmeal. We were surrounded by corn but the local folk didn’t care to have either of these items. It was such a huge break through when we figured out how to make both, using locally produced corn. We went from rationing to indulging in these items!
chuck atkinson says
added a 1/3 cup spicy guac. Fans loved it. keeper
Susan says
I didn’t have all of the spices/herbs. So I used a package of the buttermilk ranch dressing. I used the Kroger and Mayo. Next time I will have the herbs and use Kroger and Greek yogurt.
Wendy says
I’m loving the idea of using kefir in a dressing. I was wondering if there is something I can use instead of mayonnaise.
Sarah Bond says
A full fat greek yogurt or sour cream could work!
robin says
I make my own kefir and mayo. So easy and healthy. I was looking for a ranch dressing recipe that uses kefir and I came across yours. It’s excellent!! I use my immersion stick to blend it all together in a jiffy. Thanks for sharing your recipe:)