Homemade Dry Buttermilk Ranch Mix – A Family Favorite
Dry Buttermilk Ranch Mix for Dressing, Dip, and Seasoning
Whether it is used to make ranch dressing, stirred into a dip, sprinkled over a pizza crust, added to a marinade, or used to season dinner, this dry buttermilk ranch mix is so nice to have ready-to-go.
My husband has one choice when it comes to salad dressing: ranch. At the moment, my kids are following in his footsteps, so we go through quite a bit of it. I also like to use ranch seasoning when I cook so this mix has become a family favorite.
This version combines dry buttermilk powder with dill, parsley, oregano, garlic, onion, and several other pantry spices. Mix one batch and you have homemade ranch seasoning ready whenever you need it.
Why I Keep Homemade Ranch Seasoning in the Pantry
It can become dressing for salads, dip for vegetables, seasoning for chicken or burgers, or a flavorful addition to potatoes, casseroles, popcorn, and homemade snacks. Because the blend is dry, you can measure out only what you need and use it differently each time.
Making your own mix also allows you to adjust the flavor. Add a little more dill, reduce the salt, increase the garlic, or add fresh herbs. The goal is to create a useful blend that tastes right to your family.
Why You’ll Love This Dry Ranch Mix
This homemade ranch seasoning mix is:
- Made with pantry ingredients
- Quick and easy to combine
- Useful in more than ranch dressing
- Easy to adjust to your family’s preferences
- Convenient for weeknight cooking
- Simple to measure in small amounts
- Easy to store in a Mason jar or airtight container
- Made with no chemicals like individual seasoning packets
This is also a good example of how a thoughtfully stocked pantry can make everyday cooking easier.
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Ingredients
- Dry Buttermilk Powder
- Dried Dill
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Dried Parsley
- Dried Oregano
- Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Celery Seed
- Paprika
Directions
- Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix together.
- Store in an airtight container
What Does Buttermilk Powder Do?
Dry buttermilk powder gives the seasoning its tangy, creamy flavor without requiring fresh buttermilk in the dry blend.
The powder can clump if exposed to moisture, so always measure it with a clean, completely dry spoon.
Airtight Container Storage Options
Possible Adjustments
- Reducing the salt for a lower-sodium blend
- Adding dried chives or even basil
- Increasing the dill for a stronger dill flavor
- Grinding the herbs for a finer, more packet-like consistency
- Adding chipotle powder for a chipotle-ranch
Keep notes when you make adjustments so you can recreate the version your family prefers.
Dry Buttermilk Ranch Mix
Whether it's used as a marinade, a pizza crust topping, for dressing, or dips, this dry buttermilk ranch mix is a helpful seasoning to have on hand in the pantry
Ingredients
- 1.5 c dry buttermilk powder
- 2 T Dill
- 1.5 T onion powder
- 1.5 T garlic powder
- 1.5 T dried parsley
- 1.5 T dried oregano
- 1 T salt
- 1/2 T ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp celery seed
- 1/4 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Put it in a bowl and mix together
- Store in airtight container
How to Use Homemade Ranch Seasoning
The benefit of keeping this mixture on hand is that it can be used as more than a dressing mix.
Make Ranch Dressing
Combine:
- 1/8 c dry buttermilk ranch mix
- 3/4 c mayonnaise
- 1/2 c sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/8 to 1 c milk or half-and-half, start with 1/8 cup and add until your desired consistency
Whisk until smooth, then (try to) refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes so the dried herbs can soften and the flavors can develop. Easier said than done. Just know that flavors will develop more than when you first taste it.
Make Ranch Dip
Combine:
- 1/8 c dry buttermilk ranch mix
- 1.5 c sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Mix thoroughly, then refrigerate before serving so the herbs can rehydrate and the flavor can develop.
Serve it with fresh vegetables, crackers, or anything else your family likes to dip in ranch.
Season Chicken or Burgers
Sprinkle the ranch mix over chicken before roasting, grilling, or pan-cooking. It can also be mixed into ground beef, chicken, or turkey before shaping burger patties.
Because the seasoning contains salt, begin with a small quantity. You can always add more seasoning to the finished food, but you cannot remove it once it has been mixed into the meat.
Season Pizza Crust
Brush the outer edge of the pizza dough lightly with olive oil or melted butter after it comes out of the oven, then sprinkle a small amount of ranch seasoning over the crust.
Make a Ranch Marinade
Combine the ranch mix with oil and an acid such as vinegar or lemon juice. You can also use mayonnaise or yogurt depending on what you’re trying to make.
More Ways to Use Dry Ranch Seasoning
Try adding a small amount to:
- Roasted potatoes
- Mashed potatoes
- Potato wedges or fries
- Popcorn
- Oyster crackers
- Pretzels
- Roasted chickpeas
- Scrambled eggs
- Macaroni and cheese
- Chicken casseroles
- Pasta salad
- Potato salad
- Chicken salad
- Bread dough
- Breadsticks
- Roasted vegetables
- Homemade snack mixes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ranch Seasoning the Same as Ranch Dressing Mix?
If they are made with similar ingredients, yes.
Does Dry Ranch Mix Need to Be Refrigerated?
That depends on the dry buttermilk powder used in the recipe. Read the storage directions on the package. If the manufacturer instructs you to refrigerate the powder after opening, refrigerate the finished seasoning blend as well.
Why Is My Ranch Mix Clumping?
Buttermilk powder absorbs moisture. Clumping may happen if the container is not airtight, a damp spoon is used, or the jar is opened near steam.
Small dry clumps can sometimes be broken apart, but discard the mixture if you think moisture has entered or if it develops an unusual smell, appearance, or texture.
Can I Leave Out the Buttermilk Powder?
You can make an herb and spice blend without it by substituting dry milk powder, but it will not have the same tangy flavor and will have a bit thinner result in dressings and dips.
Can I Use Fresh Herbs?
Not in a mix intended for dry storage. Fresh herbs contain moisture and would make the mixture perishable.
Use dried herbs in the seasoning jar. Fresh herbs can be added later when preparing dressing or dip.
Can I Grind the Ranch Seasoning?
If you’d like to, sure.
Can I Double the Recipe?
Yes.
No matter how you use it, I know your family will enjoy having this dry buttermilk ranch mix on the shelf. Please let me know how you end up using and liking it!
