Easy 4-Ingredient Ranch Dip Recipe
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This easy ranch dip is here to turn your snack game up a notch with its creamy, dreamy goodness. Whip it up in just 5 minutes using simple ingredients, and you’ve got an appetizer that makes eating chips, crackers, or veggies feel like a whole new experience. With the perfect balance of tangy and savory, this recipe will make you feel like you’ve hit the dip jackpot.
Chips and dip are the ultimate comfort food combo. When it comes to dips, our family favorites include crack dip, feta dip, and spinach and artichoke dip. Recently, I made chicken bacon ranch casserole which was a super hit at dinner. My kids loved the dressing so much so here I am sharing my classic ranch dip recipe with you, so you can enjoy the perfect balance of creamy buttermilk, rich mayonnaise, and zesty seasonings like we do!
Ranch dip is a crowd-pleasing party appetizer for game nights, potlucks, and holiday gatherings. It’s also a quick and easy snack for movie nights, after-school bites, or afternoon cravings. I guarantee that there’s no going back to store-bought ranch sauce once you’ve tried this homemade version.
Table of Contents (click to view)
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy recipe, simple ingredients: 5 minutes and 4 ingredients are all you need to make this delicious, versatile dip.
- Incredibly creamy: The combination of buttermilk and mayo creates the perfect smooth and velvety texture that feels indulgent without the guilt.
- Classic comfort food: Enjoy the familiar, comforting taste of ranch, a timeless flavor you can enjoy year-round.
- Low-carb and keto diet-friendly: With minimal carbs and no added sugar, this dip is a great option for those watching their intake.
- Delicious with anything: Ranch dip pairs with just about anything! Enjoy it with all your favorite dippers from potato chips and raw, grilled, or roasted vegetables to French fries and chicken wings!
- Great for meal prep: Make it ahead of time, and it tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours.
How to Make Ranch Dip
Dip, dip, hooray – this easy ranch dip is ready in 5 minutes! Just whisk everything together and it’s ready to enjoy. I highly recommend that you don’t skip the chill time, though, because it allows the flavors to meld together, making the dip even richer and more flavorful. A little patience goes a long way in taking this ranch dip from delicious to phenomenal!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Ranch seasoning packets: Provides the signature tangy and slightly garlicky flavor of classic ranch. Use Hidden Valley Ranch mix to achieve that authentic flavor or the DIY ranch seasoning mix I’ve come up with and share below.
- Buttermilk: For achieving the ideal ranch-like consistency, thinning down the mixture while enhancing the overall richness. The acidity in buttermilk not only enhances flavor but also helps the ingredients blend together more smoothly for a well-rounded taste.
- Mayonnaise: I use store-bought avocado oil mayo for convenience, but you can use homemade for a more natural flavor. Simply blend together an egg yolk and a neutral-tasting oil.
- Salt
DIY Ranch Seasoning Mix
You’ll only need ⅔ of the DIY seasoning mix below. Keep the rest in an airtight container and use it for other recipes!
- Buttermilk powder
- Dried parsley
- Dried chives
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried dill
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ranch dip is perfect when you’re looking for a quick snack that doesn’t require cooking. Just mix, chill, and serve! Follow the simple steps below to get started:
Step 1: Combine all ingredients
Mix together mayonnaise, buttermilk, salt, and both seasoning packets in a bowl.
Step 2: Mix
Using a whisk or spatula, stir the ingredients together until well combined.
Step 3: Chill
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve. It’s best to set the ranch dressing in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours before serving so it can chill. Time allows the flavors to meld together and the cold dip contrasts so nicely with hot chicken wings.
Substitutions
- Buttermilk: No buttermilk? Make a homemade version by combining 1 cup of whole milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Set aside for 10 minutes to curdle gently. Add in a bit of sour cream if you want to add more tang until you reach your desired taste. Greek yogurt or sour cream also work well for a thicker dip.
- Mayonnaise: Using full-fat mayo gives the dip its classic richness, but if you prefer a lighter sour cream or Greek yogurt, or try half mayo and half plain yogurt.
- Dried parsley: Substitute with dried cilantro or use finely chopped fresh parsley (but note that fresh herbs may alter the texture).
- Dried chives: Green onions, scallions, or fresh chives are ideal substitutes.
- Dried dill: Swap with fresh dill or dried tarragon.
Expert Tips
- Chill the ingredients beforehand: Using cold buttermilk and mayonnaise is ideal for this recipe to achieve the right consistency and keeps the dip fresh for longer.
- Boost the flavor: Add smoked paprika for depth, a pinch of cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or diced jalapeños for a subtle spicy kick, or a squeeze of lemon juice for a brighter flavor.
- Use high-quality mayonnaise: Use full-fat, high-quality mayo, ideally with avocado oil and not vegetable oil.
- Adjust the consistency: Add a little extra mayonnaise to thicken the dip, or add a splash more of buttermilk to thin it out.
- Serve cold: Ranch dip is best served cold, so keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
- Use as a spread: Don’t just dip – spread it on sandwiches, wraps, or burgers for an instant flavor boost.
How to Store This Recipe
Transfer leftover ranch dip into a glass jar or an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. I don’t recommend freezing this dip. When ready to enjoy, give the dip a quick stir or shake before serving.
What to Serve with Ranch Dip
While ranch dip is classically paired with chicken wings, it’s also delicious served with above mentioned dippers. We enjoy it with flax crackers for a quick healthy snack or blackened pork chops for a flavorful lunch or dinner.
For parties, everyone enjoys it as a dipping sauce for pineapple and bacon bites. I also often serve ranch dip as part of a charcuterie board or spread alongside cheese, cold cuts, bread, and veggie sticks.
More Easy Appetizers To Try
If you make this ranch dip, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Classic Ranch Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 packets Ranch seasoning or use 2/3 of the DIY version below
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon salt
DIY Ranch Seasoning Mix
- 2 ounces buttermilk powder
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon dried chives
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place mayonnaise, buttermilk, pepper, and seasoning in a bowl.
- Stir together until well combined.
- Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- Use cold buttermilk and mayonnaise to achieve the right consistency and keep the dip fresh for longer.
- Add smoked paprika for depth, a pinch of cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or diced jalapeños for a subtle spicy kick, or a squeeze of lemon juice for a brighter flavor.
- Use full-fat, high-quality heavy mayo for the best texture.
- Add a little extra mayonnaise to thicken the dip, or add a splash more of buttermilk to thin it out.
- Ranch dip is best served cold, so keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
- Don’t just dip – spread it on sandwiches, wraps, or burgers for an instant flavor boost.
Nutrition & Macros
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information.
