Homemade Ranch Seasoning Recipe

It’s simple and quick to make your ranch dressing seasoning using homemade ranch seasoning. And so much less expensive! It’s perfect for everything from party trays to casseroles to a simple veggie snack. Use it for everything from fried pickles to fried chicken, as a seasoning for popcorn, pita chips, potatoes, and so much more!

We eat a lot of ranch dressing in my house. It’s one of the few ways I can get my kids to eat vegetables.
And I don’t always have the time to run to the store for another bottle of dressing or to get the ranch seasoning packets. It’s perfect to mix in greek yogurt or in sour cream for a quick veggie dip!

And I couldn’t believe how easy it was! Finding the buttermilk powder was the hardest part of making this dry ranch seasoning recipe. Let me save you a lot of time: it’s in the baking aisle, not the spice section.

Why You’ll Love This Ranch Seasoning Blend

• Easy to make and has an amazing flavor.
• Requires simple, basic ingredients.
• So much less expensive to make your own than to always buy it!
• Not just for making dressing, this seasoning blend is so versatile in casseroles and marinades.

Homemade Ranch Seasoning Ingredients For Mix

You only need some buttermilk powder and a few common dry herbs and spices to make the best ranch seasoning blend. 

Buttermilk Powder – find this in the baking aisle.

Dried Parsley

Dried Dill Weed

Freeze Dried Chives

Garlic Powder 

Onion Powder 

Sea Salt 

Black Pepper 

Substitutions & Alterations

If you want to make a dairy free ranch seasoning recipe, check out this recipe for Vegan Ranch Seasoning Mix from my friends at Plant Power Couple. 

How To Make Ranch Seasoning

Gather your ingredients and a large glass container with an airtight lid, like a mason jar.

Measure the ingredients and layer them into your air-tight container. I used a 32-ounce Mason Jar. I will sometimes make a large batch; this allows room for mixing but also more seasoning.

Shake the container to combine the ingredients well and label with the date mixed.

Store in the air-tight container in a cool, dry area for up to 6 months. 

Tips & Tricks

• Mason jar storage is best to help control moisture and retain freshness. 
• Buttermilk is found in the baking section (I looked at four stores in the spices section before realizing this, so let me save you hours of searching).

• Add a little extra garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, or dried herbs as flavor enhancers for extra zingy dressing.
• Make sure your dried herbs aren’t expired and are still fresh for their best flavors,

How Much Ranch Seasoning Is In A Packet?

The standard Hidden Valley ranch seasoning packets contain approximately 3 Tablespoons of seasoning mix per 1-ounce package

How to Use Ranch Seasoning Mix

One of the best things about ranch salad dressing is how versatile it is. These are just a few of the easy ways my family loves to use ranch dressing beyond just a salad dressing.

• Make veggie dip – and not just carrots and celery. Try it with some fried pickles or tempura battered broccoli.
• Use it to make this amazing Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad.
• Use it to make a sauce or a marinade for grilled chicken, oven baked pork chops, or fish.

• Put it on burgers or chicken sandwiches instead of ketchup or mayo.
• Sprinkle a little on some Deviled Eggs
• It makes a great dipping sauce for chicken tenders, nuggets, french fries, onion rings.
• Sprinkle it on popcorn, baked potatoes, potato chips, pita chips, and more.

How To Store Homemade Ranch Seasoning

Store your dry ranch seasoning mix in an airtight, glass container, like a mason jar. Leave as little room for air or moisture in the jar as possible. This should help keep it from clumping.

Keep the seasoning mix in a cool, dry, and dark space like in your pantry. Store properly, ranch seasoning mix will be good for up to 6 months.

FAQs

How much ranch seasoning is in a packet?

The standard Hidden Valley ranch seasoning packets contain approximately 3 Tablespoons of seasoning mix per 1 ounce package.

Are Hidden Valley ranch packets dairy free?
No. HV ranch seasoning packets contain milk.

Who invented ranch dressing?

Ranch dressing was invented by a Nebraska plumber named Steven Henson in the late 1940s. Henson had taken a position in Alaska and wanted to create a creamy dressing that would get his crew to eat their vegetables. I wonder if he had any idea it would quickly become America’s favorite dressing and dip.

Recipes Using Ranch Seasoning

Ranch seasoning is one of those seasonings that are versatile and that kids love! Works perfectly in main dishes and side dishes. You can see my full collection of recipes made with ranch seasoning -> here.

• Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
• Healthy Ranch Dip
• Stove Top Ranch Chicken
• Oven Baked Pork Chops
• Weight Watchers Ranch Chicken
• Crockpot Ranch Chicken
• Instant Pot Ranch Chicken