Homemade Ranch Seasoning (with Video)
I love using homemade seasoning mixes in my recipes. I can customize the mix to my own personal preferences while avoiding the crazy cost and unnecessary additives found in conventional store-bought spice mixes. Today’s Homemade Ranch Seasoning requires just seven ingredients and is incredibly versatile!
Homemade Ranch Seasoning Recipe
Growing up, the only time I ever had ranch was as a vegetable dip. Those classic grocery store veggie platters with the container of ranch dip were one of the few ways I enjoyed eating veggies for years.
Over the past few years, as I’ve experimented and come into my own as a cook, I’ve discovered so many delicious and mouth-watering uses for ranch seasoning – from my favorite Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast, to oven-baked pork chops, homemade avocado ranch salad dressing, etc.
However, I’m not a fan of store-bought ranch dressing packets. I don’t love the cost at $2 a pop, but there are also questionable ingredients like maltodextrin (the FIRST ingredient in the most popular ranch dressing packet) which is justified as a preservative but has some serious health risks, monosodium glutamine (MSG), calcium stearate (more health risks), etc. Plus, if you’re buying pre-made ranch dressing or ranch dips, they often contain sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.
While I am definitely not the mom who avoids a treat, I also really prioritize keeping a healthy microbiome and if I can avoid ingredients that pose a threat to that, I’m going to. (Both maltodextrin and calcium stearate can have adverse effects on gut health.)
Making our own homemade ranch seasoning is not only cheaper than buying the pre-made mixes, but I can feel good about serving food seasoned with this ranch mix to my family.
Personally, I like having the texture of all of the onion flakes and chives in my ranch seasoning and I just make sure to give the jar a good shake before using, but if you’d like to have a more uniform texture (which also prevents the powdered ingredients from sinking to the bottom), you can use a spice grinder to blitz this ranch mixture into a uniform texture. This ensures that every teaspoon is perfectly balanced.
Or, check out this new Finamill Electric Spice Grinder – you can store your seasoning in one of their pods and then freshly grind your ranch seasoning into your recipe at the touch of a button. The Finamill uses interchangeable pods, so you can have freshly ground pepper, salt, garlic, ranch, etc, all using the same grinder.
The best cost savings with this recipe is to purchase your spices from a bulk store, or if that’s not an option, buy the large containers of the individual spices and herbs. Buying the little containers to make this seasoning would be crazy expensive (but ironically, still cheaper than using the seasoning packets).
You can also dry your own herbs to use for this homemade seasoning!
This homemade ranch seasoning is shelf-stable for up to a year, as long as you use fresh (dried) herbs and spices when you make it and store in a cool, dry spot in your kitchen.
This seasoning is gluten-free, paleo, low-carb and vegan (as long as you omit the optional buttermilk powder) and makes a great homemade gift.
What is ranch seasoning made of? Our ranch seasoning is made with dried parsley, dried chives, garlic powder (or dehydrated garlic), onion powder (or dehydrated onion), dill weed (optional), salt and pepper. You can also use dry buttermilk if planning on using this mix to make dressing or dips. Cayenne pepper can also be added for heat, or Parmesan cheese for a cheesy twist.
How much is in a ranch seasoning packet? The average packet is about 3 Tablespoons of seasoning, so if you are swapping in this recipe for a packet, measure out 3 Tablespoons.
Check out our quick recipe video for how to make your own DIY ranch seasoning – and then don’t forget to scroll down to grab your free printable recipe:
Need some inspiration for how to use your ranch seasoning? Check out these recipes that you can use this homemade ranch seasoning in:
- Oven Baked Ranch Pork Chops
- Southwestern Steak Salad with Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing
- Easy Cheesy Tomato Pasta with Chicken from Kylee Cooks
- Instant Pot Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes from The Typical Mom
- Creamy Ranch Slow Cooker Chicken from Persnickety Plates
- Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast
- Ranch Seasoned Crackers from Savvy Mama Lifestyle
- Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole from Kylee Cooks
- Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Ranch Seasoned Pretzels
- Slow Cooker Cool Ranch Chicken from Consumer Queen
- Creamy Ranch Mashed Potatoes from Tastes of Homemade
- Beer Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip from Love on a Plate
- Cheddar Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball from Maria’s Mixing Bowl
- Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole from Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Ranch Instant Pot Chicken Wings from Maria’s Mixing Bowl
You can also use it on popcorn, homemade french fries or potatoes, chicken wings, breaded chicken tenders, to make a homemade ranch veggie dip, or on roasted veggies. The options are endless!
Homemade Ranch Seasoning Ingredients
- Dried parsley
- Dried chives
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder, optional – I use dehydrated onion in my ranch seasoning
- Dill weed, optional
- Salt – don’t use finishing or kosher salt, opt for a quality sea salt
- Black pepper
- Dry buttermilk, optional – use this to make a mix more akin to the pre-made packets and to make dressings or dips easier
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Tip: you can shake up this recipe by adding cayenne pepper for a spicier ranch, or parmesan for a cheesier ranch.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Spice Grinder
- Measuring spoons
- Mason jars, for storing – I do not recommend plastic jars as they can hold moisture and you want to keep this seasoning mix dry to preserve freshness
How to Make Ranch Seasoning
Measuring out your ingredients and mix together.
Store in a glass mason jar in a cool, dry place in your kitchen.
If you’d like a smoother, more uniform texture, measure the ingredients into a spice grinder and blitz for 20 seconds until large pieces are broken but the mix isn’t too powdery.
Pin this Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix:
Grab your free printable recipe card for our easy ranch seasoning mix:
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Homemade Ranch Seasoning
A super simple homemade ranch seasoning mix to add to your favorite dishes, or use to make homemade ranch dressing or ranch dip.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 Tablespoon dried chives
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder, optional
- 1 teaspoon dill weed, optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup dry buttermilk, optional
Instructions
- Measuring out your ingredients and mix together.
- Store in a glass mason jar in a cool, dry place in your kitchen.
- If you'd like a smoother, more uniform texture, measure the ingredients into a spice grinder and blitz for 20 seconds until large pieces are broken but the mix isn't too powdery.
Notes
To make a ranch dip, combine 1 Tablespoon of the ranch mix with 3/4 cups sour cream and 3/4 cups mayonnaise or plain greek yogurt. Adjust to personal taste. Let sit in the fridge overnight to let the flavors develop.
Recommended Products
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New Star Foodservice 42917 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons and Measuring Cups Combo, Set of 8 -
VERONES Mason Jars Canning Jars, 4 OZ Jelly Jars With Regular Lids and Bands, Ideal for Jam, Honey, Wedding Favors, Shower Favors, Baby Foods, DIY Magnetic Spice Jars, 16 PACK,Extra 16 Lids
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Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind 4.5oz Electric Coffee Grinder for Beans, Spices and More, Stainless Steel Blades, Black (80335R)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 6Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 148mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
This easy homemade ranch seasoning mix is an essential kitchen staple and makes a thoughtful homemade gift for the ranch lover in your life!
For more recipes using ranch seasoning, check out our Ranch Seasoned Pretzels or Oven Baked Ranch Pork Chops.
I was just thinking about making my own ranch dressing this weekend, so I’ll give this a try…I have all the ingredients!
Homemade ranch seasoning is infinitely yummier than the packets. The packets are always too salty for me. Your ranch mix looks loaded with flavor.
My husband and son are highly allergic to MSG so this Homemade Ranch is a life savor ! Thanks so much for such an informative post.
Thank you, Debbie – that’s such a hard one to avoid so I’m glad I could be of some help!