This simple Ranch Seasoning Packet recipe requires only 5 minutes of your time, making a homemade version of commercial ranch packets – ideal as a base for homemade dips, dressings, or flavoring your meals and other recipes.
Homemade ranch seasoning is made with fresh herbs and ingredients without all those unnecessary added sugars or artificial preservatives that you’ll most likely find in commercial ranch seasoning packets. It’s why you’ll also find me making my own Au Jus Seasoning Mix, Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix, and Italian Seasoning Substitute.
Easily double or triple your ranch seasoning depending on your needs, and rest assured that it’s shelf stable enough to be stored for quite some time too! If you love the flavor of ranch seasoning in your food, use this everyday condiment in Ranch Pinwheels, Mississippi Pot Roast, or Chicken Bacon Layered Salad.
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What Are The Benefits Of Making Your Own Ranch Seasoning?
Like most homemade seasoning, this make-from-scratch ranch seasoning is a much healthier option for you and your family when it comes to flavoring foods, adding fragrance, and making your own condiments.
Most store-bought seasonings contain added fats, sugars, salt, and artificial preservatives all with the aim of extending their shelf life for increased product profits which makes total sense for the brand selling it but not for those of us who desire fresh and healthy ingredients when preparing food at home for our loved ones.
Making your own ranch seasoning gives you greater control over what ingredients you use and the quantities. While it may have a reduced shelf life compared to the commercial variety, sparing 5 minutes to make a new batch of your own seasoning is really not taxing at all and definitely worth it!
Apart from the health benefits, you’ll most likely save a few bucks in the process too!
Ingredients:
- Dry buttermilk powder – for the creamy base
- Dried parsley and dried dill – Use dried herbs or freeze-dried herbs.
- Dried chives – Finely chopped fresh chives can also be used, but you may need more than the quantity called for as dried chives are more potent.
- Garlic powder and Onion Powder – this helps create the “ranch” flavors
- Sea salt and ground pepper – enhances flavors
For a full list of ingredients and their measurements, 📋 please view my printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Substitutions and Variations
- Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried herbs in this ranch mix, but you will need to increase the quantity as dried herbs are stronger in flavor. I typically use 2-3x the dried amount.
- Add this ranch dry mix with other ingredients, such as olive oil or a cup of mayonnaise to make homemade ranch dip or a delicious ranch salad dressing that can be enjoyed alongside various family recipes.
🔪 Instructions:
PREP: Before combining the ingredients, check that the buttermilk powder is not clumped. If it is, stir it through a fine mesh sieve to break up any clumps.
Step 1: Add all of the ranch salad dressing mix ingredients in a side dish bowl or small mixing bowl.
Step 2: Combine well.
Step 3: Use this ranch seasoning mix just as it is in various recipes to add ranch flavor or make a zesty dip with simple ingredients – follow this Easy Homemade Ranch Dip Recipe. For ranch dip, combine with a 16 oz. tub of sour cream.
SERVE: Enjoy the dip with crackers, chips, and fresh sliced veggies, or add instant flavor to a quick salad and other recipes by incorporating this pantry staple. A ranch seasoning packet is also a common ingredient in other meals like our Buffalo Chicken Pasta Casserole and Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole.
Recipe Tips for Copycat Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning Ingredients:
- Buttermilk powder can be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. It usually sits by the dried milk powder, or evaporated milk. Otherwise, you can purchase it online.
- If you don’t have access to buttermilk powder for this ranch seasoning mix and wish to use the seasoning to make a dip or dressing, simply add in buttermilk when making your dip/dressing. Buttermilk or buttermilk powder can also be replaced with whole milk for making dressing (and be sure to add in a little extra lemon juice too). Buttermilk can also be made from scratch by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of whole milk if you want to go this route.
- How much ranch seasoning is in a packet – From the quantities listed in this ranch seasoning, you will end up with 1 oz. of ranch seasoning mix, which is equivalent to a store-bought packet like the Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning packet. Go ahead and increase the quantities of the ingredients listed in my recipe if you require more seasoning for your meals and recipes.
Fun Fact
Ranch seasoning was originally invented by a plumber from Alaska named Steve Henson in the 1950s! Henson and his wife opened up a guest ranch in California called Hidden Valley Ranch, where they served the seasoning with salads and other dishes. The seasoning became so popular among guests that Henson eventually started packaging and selling it, and Hidden Valley Ranch became a multi-million dollar business. – Hidden Valley Ranch
Recipe FAQs
The answer to this really depends on two things: how fresh your ingredients are and how frequently you use ranch seasoning in your foods and recipes.
The fresher the herbs and ingredients used, the longer your ranch seasoning will last. In fact, this seasoning mix could last as long as 1 year when stored in an airtight container in a humid-free environment.
I suggest that you start off by making this seasoning as per the quantities listed in my recipe, making a note of when you made it, and then seeing how long it lasts. You may find that you need to make a double batch next time or require less depending on your own needs and uses for it.
If you’re in the mood to make your own ranch dressing for salads, buddha bowls, or other meals, simply add 1 ounce of ranch seasoning with ½ cup of sour cream, ½ cup of mayonnaise, and a squeeze of lemon. Next, whisk in 2% milk or whole milk (small amounts at a time) until the desired consistency is achieved.
After making use of your freshly made ranch dressing, if you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
There are an unlimited amount of ways that you can make use of your homemade ranch seasoning. Here are just a few ideas, although I’m sure you’re going to come up with many more as you start experimenting with it at home:
Add it to ground meat such as beef, chicken, and turkey for great seasoning in burger patties;
Mix it into your homemade mashed potatoes or creamy potato salad;
Add sour cream, milk, mayonnaise, and some lemon juice to this ranch seasoning to create a delicious ranch dressing for leafy or pasta salads; to drizzle over buddha bowls or grilled meats; or as a dip for crackers, tortilla chips, and sliced veggies;
Make a compound butter by adding this simple ranch seasoning to unsalted butter;
Add it to breadcrumbs or flour for coating fried foods; or
Add it to your slow cooker beef stews and soups.
Recipes Using Ranch Seasoning / Dressing
If you tried this Ranch Seasoning Packet Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the 📝 comments below.
Ranch Seasoning Packet Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅛ cup buttermilk powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dry dill
- ¼ teaspoon dried chives or ½ teaspoon finely chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- If buttermilk powder is clumped, stir through a fine mesh sieve to eliminate clumps.
- Combine all ingredients in a small dish and stir to combine.
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Notes
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- Recipe equates to 1 oz. total – the same as a standard packet of ranch seasoning mix you purchase at the store.
- Buttermilk powder can be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. It usually sits by the dried milk powder, or evaporated milk. Otherwise, you can purchase it online.
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- If you don’t have access to buttermilk powder for this ranch seasoning mix and wish to use the seasoning to make a dip or dressing, simply add in buttermilk when making your dip/dressing. Buttermilk or buttermilk powder can also be replaced with whole milk for making dressing (and be sure to add in a little extra lemon juice too). Buttermilk can also be made from scratch by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of whole milk if you want to go this route.
Nutrition
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