Creamy, tangy, herby and perfect with EVERYTHING, you KNOW resistance is futile! Not only is this recipe for restaurant ranch dressing easy, it is clinically proven to improve the flavor of any dish you serve it with (at least here in the south).
Do you ask for a side of ranch dressing with nearly everything you order at a restaurant? I hate to admit it, but I do too! Okra? Check. French fries? Yes. Any cut of fried chicken? Yep! Baked potato? Hello!
Now, this extremely addicting forever favorite, restaurant ranch dressing, is perfectly in your reach and you won’t believe how simple it is, too. Seriously, just three ingredients and a good whisk and you are on your way! No need to crack open that bottle of second rate ranch dressing! Make the REAL thing!
WHY THIS RECIPE FOR Restaurant Ranch Dressing Recipe WORKS
- Easy to use packet is ready for you to whisk it together.
- Uses ingredients you already have in your fridge
- Real mayonnaise and whole milk make it creamier!
- It’s the REAL thing!
WHAT MAKES RESTAURANT RANCH DRESSING RECIPE SO GOOD?
There’s a lot of things in that little packet that make it so good, but to start with…
- Real Mayonnaise
- Whole Milk
- Using the name brand dressing mix.
- Flavorings and Seasonings that are added to the mix packet.
WHERE CAN I BUY RESTAURANT RANCH DRESSING?
You can buy restaurant quality ranch dressing at ANY local grocery store, the thing is, you have to mix it up yourself and it is EASY to do!
Just like how you can’t buy premixed and ready coffee in a canned drink, you can’t buy fresh delicious ranch dressing. You just have to mix it up yourself. It’s EASY though, just follow the recipe card below.
Simply purchase the Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing packets and follow the recipe at the bottom of this page!
There’s even a video!
HOW LONG DOES RESTAURANT RANCH DRESSING LAST?
If you mix up a batch of this dressing and keep it in the refrigerator with a lid on it, it will last about a week to 10 days.
No worries, you will use it up long before it goes bad!
CAN I FREEZE RESTAURANT RANCH DRESSING?
No, you can’t freeze it. It has mayonnaise in it. When mayonnaise is frozen and then thawed, it separates into a yucky, unappetizing mess. Ewww. It’s gross.
WHAT TOOLS DO I NEED TO MAKE RESTAURANT RANCH DRESSING RECIPE?
You will need…
- A bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cup.
In the video (check out the recipe card below to see), I mention my baby spatula, here's a link to that. (I'm an amazon affiliate and this photo is an amazon affiliate link. It won't change your price but will share some commission. Click the photo to go through to Amazon to compare prices (Thank you!).
WHAT CAN I USE MY RANCH DRESSING ON?
Oh man, ranch dressing is good on literally everything! Try it on…
How to cook spiral ham without drying it out
Perfect Steak house baked potato
LET’S SEE HOW Restaurant Ranch Dressing Recipe IS DONE!
(There's a video down in the recipe card, check out Wendi making this dressing!)
First you want to measure out a cup of mayonnaise into a large bowl
Then you want to add a cup of whole milk
Add the packet of ranch dressing to the mixture
Then whisk well until it is all mixed together well
YA’LL BE SWEET AND HELP ME OUT, OK?
Leave me a 5 STAR 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Comment below. If you made this recipe, I would love for you to share it with me on social media or just email me at wendi(at sign)loavesanddishes.net. Reader comments are the best. I answer right back!
Ya’ll MAKE MY DAY when you leave me a comment with a 5 STAR 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 or send me an email!
Join me on social media by clicking the links at the top of the page!
THE RECIPE FOR RESTAURANT RANCH DRESSING RECIPE
How to Make Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing From Mix
Ingredients
- 1 Packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
- 1 Cup Mayonnaise
- 1 Cup Whole Milk
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together in a medium sized bowl and whisk briskly.
- Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes and mix will thicken slightly.
- Pour into the container you wish to keep the dressing in, cover tightly and refrigerate.
Notes
- You can use mayonnaise substitute if you desire, but the end results will not be the same.
- Any kind of mayonnaise will work but do not use miracle whip salad dressing as that is a different flavor.
- Substitute skim, 2% or ½ % milk if that is what you feel you need to do, but the resulting ranch dressing will not be as thick and creamy.
- If you want to add more flavor, use buttermilk instead of milk in the recipe.
- Kick up the final recipe by adding some chopped fresh chives. The color and flavor is beautiful.
- Allow the whole thing to sit in the fridge for about an hour or more to thicken.
- If the resulting recipe is thicker than you prefer, simply add more milk to the recipe to thin it.
- Always mix it well or shake well before using so that the ingredients get a remix and any settling is shaken up.
- Ranch dressing is literally wonderful on everything! Use it on pizza, eggs, meats, veggies, breads, everything.
Nutrition
A VERSE TO SHARE
A river flows about 300 yards from my house. I can't see it. Sometimes, after a big rain, I can hear the creek that runs behind my house which feeds into the big river.
Over the years I have noticed that sometimes the river has very little water and the rocks on the bottom are poking up through the surface.
At times, I have seen the river so full that it is nearly coming over the road and is many feet deep.
I'll admit that I've been scared for the river during each of these extremes.
At all times of the year that river flows on heading towards the ocean, never ceasing.
I feel like that river sometimes, strong, angry and rushing into the next things or weak and small where every part of my inner thoughts are poking through my skin.
I'm thankful that no matter my own condition, God is there, giving me a framework to lean on.
I'll just add one thing to this. This is a POWERFUL passage that has great meaning to us today. I recommend that you read starting at Isaiah 58:1 and continue on down the page.
Isaiah 58:11
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Tiffany says
I can’t wait to make this!!! I would buy bottled ranch hoping that I would find the one that tasted like the restaurants (no success). Thank you
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Tiffany, You'll be shocked at how good this tastes and how much better than bottled ranch. Best wishes!
Wendy says
I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out awfully watery. Is that how it's supposed to be? I prefer it slightly thicker.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Wendy, Oftentimes, it is runny at first and after it has set in the fridge for a little bit it thickens up. Give it a bit and see. I have had to water mine back down with some milk after a day or so!
Wendy Pachla says
@Wendi Spraker, nope it remains watery even after I made a second batch using less milk. I'm thinking buttermilk or even sour cream would work better.
Wendi Spraker says
Hmmmm.... I just don't know what is going on?
Julie says
Awesome recipe and great host you are sharing with all of us.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Julie, Thanks!
Iesha says
Perfect! Exactly what I was looking for!
Wendi Spraker says
Great!
Ava says
I have a question. Mine taste super good but it’s still really watery even after I let it sit out... any tips?
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Ava, when I've done this in the past, it was because I accidentally measured too much milk into the recipe. Could that be it? Also, make sure that it is stirred VERY well, if some of that powdery mix is left unmixed, it will definitely be runny.
Ava says
Ok thank you
Gary Henry says
I tried your recipe for the Ranch Dressing and found it to be 5 *****. Thank uou
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Gary! Thank you for coming back and leaving a comment!
Amy Dodds says
This recipe is perfect! Thank you!!!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Amy, Thank you!!
Tammy says
I been making this Ranch recipe over 30 years. It is the best and it goes on everything. My whole family Loves it.
Wendi Spraker says
Wonderful! Thanks for leaving a comment. That's exactly how restaurants do it!
MamaDi says
Seriously? These are instructions for following the directions on a package of ranch....Ok...I guess there are people out there who need it. But I think it’s ridiculous that this is one of the top hits that show up when searching for “restaurant style ranch dressing recipe”.
Wendi Spraker says
Sorry you are disappointed, but many people don't know how restaurants make the ranch dressing they love. This is how. PLUS, with the advent of verbal home assistants, many folks are looking for verbal directions for how to do things. In addition, some people want to see the instructions as they are making their grocery list so that they know what else they will need to pick up at the grocery. So, see? That's why this works. If it isn't what you are looking for, there are a lot more choices out there. If you are looking for a homemade ranch dressing where you do it all from scratch, then I recommend checking out the results when you google that phrase. This recipe doesn't even show up in that search because it isn't homemade from scratch. Good luck looking.
jc says
love it.
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks jc!
Bill says
Trash salt - I love ranch from sports bars and this is wayyyyyyy saltier and doesn’t have the same taste
Wendi Spraker says
Bill, Thanks for leaving a comment. You didn't add salt to this recipe did you? I hope not. The recipe doesn't call for any extra so I'm not sure why you are saying to trash the salt? Sorry the taste wasn't for you.
Wendi Spraker says
second test for aggregate rating.
Wendi Spraker says
testing.
Mari Miller says
LOVED the recipe, but instead of using the Hidden Valley (it's loaded with MSG, gives hubby migraines). I'll just find what spices are in ranch dressing and add these. Thanks for your wonderful recipes.
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks Mari. You are right it does have MSG (that’s probably why folks think it tastes so good) and if you are sensitive then you’ll get a headache.
Mona says
I've made this with buttermilk replacing the whole milk...yummy!
Wendi Spraker says
Sounds wonderful Mona. 🙂