Staple Corner: Ranch Dressing

Homemade Ranch Dressing

After five days of sweltering heat outside, temperatures and tempers have finally reached the simmering point right here in my kitchen - even the butter has melted down in its dish. Time for an undemanding, light meal that, most importantly, doesn't involve any cooking. A baby spinach salad with lots of fresh vegetables and goat cheese along with a nice French baguette from the market will go a long way today, even if just slicing the salad ingredients had me sweating.

This ranch dressing takes minutes to prepare and has a cool, refreshing and authentic flavor that will go well with any green salad on a summer's day. You can use it as a delicious dip for fresh cut vegetables as well.


Ranch dressingHomemade Ranch Dressing
Recipe by
Published on June 2, 2007

A fast and simple homemade ranch dressing that's cool, refreshing and has a wonderful authentic flavor

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Ingredients:
  • 4 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons rice or cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • handful of fresh chives, finely chopped
Instructions:
  • Homemade Ranch Dressing
    Mix together the oil, vinegar, sugar and marjoram in a bowl. Whisk in the buttermilk, yoghurt and mayonnaise. Stir in the green onions, garlic, parsley and chives.

  • Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight to thicken. Whisk again before serving over salad greens or vegetables.

Makes 1 1/4 cups

6 comments:

Holler said...

I love taking salad to work for lunch, But I always have balsamic and mustard dressing, so this would be a good change! Buttermilk is not always readily available here! Can you subsitute it? I seem to recall sour cream and yoghurt being mentioned. Oh, that doesn't sound right!

Lisa said...

A balsamic and mustard dressing! We do indeed seem to enjoy the same flavours. I'm going to be a pest again and ask that you post your recipe for that dressing here in comments.

Sour cream or yogurt would make a fine substitute. If you can get goat's milk yogurt, I would suggest you try that, as it has a extra tangy taste.

If I may, I might also suggest my famous Caesar salad dressing.

Holler said...

Thanks Lisa,

My dressing is roughly (again I just pour!) 2 tbsp olive oil, virgin if you have it, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 heaped tsp wholegrain mustard and a grating of black pepper. Then just whisk to emulsify.

I sometimes leave out the balsamic and add lemon juice instead.

millufe said...

Hi Lisa, your dressing looks very delicious. i want to try it, but butter milk is not sold in Japan, so, i usually use milk with lemon juice instead it. Is it ok for your ranch dressing?

Lisa said...

Millufe;

Yes, milk with a bit of lemon juice is a perfect substitution. You can also use yogurt or sour cream if you like.

Kristen said...

This does look perfect for these sweltering hot days. Thanks for sharing this recipe!