Buttermilk Ranch Dip

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Homemade buttermilk ranch dip is the perfect thing to dunk your favorite baked chicken, raw veggies, or crispy potatoes in. Whisk it together in less than 5 minutes for a tasty condiment for dinner tonight.

A bowl of ranch dip with fresh chives on top sits next to a pile of fried chicken.

Buttermilk ranch dip is the secret behind so many foods my kids were hesitant to try when they were little.

New kind of veggie? Dunk it in the ranch.

New chicken recipe? Dunk it in the ranch.

We still love using buttermilk ranch for a salad dressing or dip for so many dinners but I feel much better about serving it when it is made from scratch.

Why This is the Best Recipe

You could just buy a bottle of ranch dressing at the store but I believe that this is the best homemade ranch dip recipe because:

  1. From Scratch: When you make it homemade, you know exactly what you're adding to the recipe.
  2. Perfect Texture: You can make this dip as thick or as pourable as you want just by adjusting the ratio of mayo to buttermilk.
  3. Fresh Flavor: With a mix of dried seasonings and fresh chives, you cannot beat a freshly made batch of homemade ranch. You'll never buy the bottles again.

Ingredients

The ingredients to make ranch dip are on the counter.

This simple recipe uses just a handful of easy ingredients:

  • Buttermilk: If you don't have buttermilk, just use my easy buttermilk substitution in the notes below.
  • Sour Cream: I used light sour cream but you could use fat-free or full-fat sour cream as you prefer.
  • Mayonnaise: You can use a regular mayo or a lighter mayo made with olive oil.
  • Minced Garlic
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Dried Dill: I used dried dill out of convenience but you could substitute fresh dill if you have an herb garden.
  • Dried Parsley: I used dried parsley for ease, but you could also substitute fresh for this if you have it.
  • Onion Powder
  • Lemon
  • Fresh Chives: This is the one herb I strongly recommend using fresh. Fresh chives have a flavor that cannot be beat. If you don't have them handy, dried chives could work in a pinch. A bit of green onion would be another acceptable substitute but would add a much stronger flavor.

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Easy Buttermilk Substitute

If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can substitute 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or white vinegar.

Stir the milk and lemon juice or vinegar together and let sit for 5 minutes before using in the recipe.

Mix the Dip Together

I like to start by whisking together the herbs and seasonings with the mayo, buttermilk, and sour cream.

The ingredients for the ranch dip are in a mixing bowl ready to be stirred together.

Then I add the chopped fresh chives and lemon juice and whisk a little more gently so I don't totally crush the chives.

Fresh chives have been chopped and are about to be whisked into the dip.

Make Ahead Tips

You'll definitely want to prep the ranch dip in advance so you can chill it for one hour before using.

This lets the flavors mingle and helps the dip to taste even better.

You can store the ranch dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

I don't recommend you freeze the dip, the texture will become quite runny and off when it thaws.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken tenders are served on a platter with a cup of ranch dip.

You can use this thick homemade buttermilk ranch dip with your favorite baked chicken.

I recommend pairing it with my buttermilk fried chicken that's baked in the oven.

If you don't want a breaded chicken, I suggest seasoning a batch of chicken tenderloins with my easy chicken wing dry rub seasoning and then broil them or pop them in the air fryer.

You could also use the ranch dip with a raw veggie platter for dunking, add it to a platter of crispy breakfast potatoes, or serve it with my warm fresh baked pretzels.

Of course this ranch dip also works as a ranch salad dressing. If you want to thin it out a little, just add a splash more buttermilk. Be sure to taste and adjust the seasonings before drizzling over your lettuce or stirring into this BLT pasta salad.

More Easy Dip Recipes

If you enjoy homemade dips for dunking, I think you will also love these easy recipes:

More Buttermilk Recipes

Looking for ways to use up the leftover buttermilk after making your ranch dip? Don't miss these family favorite recipes:

๐Ÿ“– Recipe

A bowl of ranch dip with fresh chives on top sits next to a pile of fried chicken.

Buttermilk Ranch Dip

Please Rate this Recipe
Thick and creamy homemade buttermilk ranch dip is the perfect condiment to add to family dinner. Dunk baked chicken, raw veggies, soft pretzels, and so much more in this tangy dressing.
TOTAL TIME 5 minutes
PREP TIME 5 minutes
YIELD 1.5 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dill
  • 1/2 teaspoon parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • 1/4 cup chopped chives

Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk them together.
  • Chill for 1 hour before using so the flavors can mingle.
COURSEDips
CUISINEAmerican

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A photo collage shows the ranch dip in a cup next to fried chicken tenders and a photo of the ranch dip in a mixing bowl being whisked together.

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