A spoon is being dipped into a glass jar filled with creamy homemade ranch dressing. In the background, a blurred salad with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a halved boiled egg highlights the perfect pairing for this ranch dressing recipe.

Why you’ll love this dairy free ranch dressing

I’m pretty against bottled dressing, and ranch is one of those things that tastes so much better when you make it yourself. It’s incredibly easy to make, and you can customize it to be as thick or thin as you like.

This dairy free ranch takes just 5 minutes to make with fresh herbs and a hint of paprika. It’s creamy, tangy, and perfect for salads, dipping, or drizzling over chicken. I could drink the stuff. Okay, maybe that’s pushing it, but this stuff is seriously good.

Feel free to use dairy products if that works for you, but vegan mayo and vegan sour cream are great options to keep this dairy free.

Try it on this chicken cobb salad. I promise you’ll love it, and if you like these easy, dairy free ranch dressing, you have to try this homemade ranch dip recipe.

More salad dressing recipes: Dijon vinaigrette / basil vinaigrette / caesar vinaigrette / homemade thousand island dressing

A glass jar filled with creamy homemade ranch dressing, garnished with chopped chives, sits on a gray surface next to a metal spoon. In the background, a salad bowl with assorted vegetables and eggs invites you to try this easy ranch dressing recipe.

Ingredient notes:

  • Mayonnaise – We normally use Hellman’s canola oil mayo, but you can use your favorite brand. Vegan mayo is also a good option if you want to make this completely vegan and/or egg-free.
  • Dairy free sour cream – Our favorite brand of dairy free sour cream is Follow Your Heart, but there are plenty on the market to choose from.
  • Fresh chives – I love how the flavor of chives works in this recipe, but if you can’t find them, green onions work great.
  • Dairy free milk – You can use any kind of dairy free milk that works for you, just make sure it’s unsweetened and plain.

Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.

Melissa’s tips & tricks:

  1. Make it ahead. This ranch actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours, so it’s perfect to make ahead of time.
  2. Storage. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Use fresh ingredients to ensure it lasts longer.
  3. Customize it. Try adding a little dill, cilantro or even some chipotle pepper to make it spicy!
  4. Adjust the thickness. The recipe calls for 2-3 tablespoons of DF milk, so it’s up to you how thick you make the dressing. I prefer mine a little on the runny side for salad, but a bit thicker for a dip.
A close-up of a salad bowl with romaine lettuce, grilled chicken slices, cherry tomatoes, diced ham, hard-boiled egg wedges, and dairy free ranch dressing drizzled on top.
A mason jar of homemade ranch dressing with a spoon removing some and a salad in the background.

Frequently asked questions

How long does homemade ranch last?

This ranch dressing recipe should last for about 1 week in the refrigerator. Be sure to use fresh ingredients to ensure the dressing will last longer once it’s made.

How do you thicken ranch dressing?

If you’ve added too much milk, or your dressing simply isn’t thick enough for your liking, stir a extra spoonful or two of mayonnaise or sour cream into your ranch until you’ve reach your desired consistency.
To prevent this, I recommend starting with a lesser amount and adding more, if needed.

Does ranch dressing have eggs?

Yes. Ranch dressing is mayonnaise based, which means it contains egg. If you’re allergic to egg, or simply choose not to eat it, you can use vegan mayonnaise instead. See also: are eggs dairy?

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

Fresh herbs are really what make this dairy free ranch special, so I don’t recommend using dried. The flavor just won’t be the same. If you absolutely must use dried, use about 1 tablespoon total of dried chives and parsley combined, but the texture and taste will be different.

No. Mayonnaise is not dairy.

But, if you think it is, you are not alone. It’s common misconception that stems from the fact that mayo needs to be refrigerated, which is something we often associate with dairy. Plus, mayo is made with eggs, which are also miscategorized with dairy.

A glass jar filled with creamy homemade ranch dressing, garnished with chopped chives, sits on a gray surface next to a metal spoon. In the background, a salad bowl with assorted vegetables and eggs invites you to try this easy ranch dressing recipe.
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5 from 2 votes

Dairy Free Ranch Dressing

By: Melissa Belanger
Make creamy dairy free ranch dressing at home in just 5 minutes. This easy recipe uses fresh herbs and simple ingredients to make a homemade ranch dressing that's better than anything you can buy at the store. Perfect for salads, dipping and so much more! Makes about 2 1/4 cups.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 18 servings
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup mayonnaise, or vegan mayo for egg free
  • 1 cup dairy free sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 small bunch of fresh chives, about 1/4 cup
  • 1 small bunch of fresh parsley, about 1/4 cup
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened, plain dairy free milk

Instructions 

  • Combine all ingredients. Add the mayonnaise, vegan sour cream, lemon juice, chives, parsley, garlic, olive oil, paprika, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of dairy free milk to a blender or food processor.
  • Blend until smooth. Process until the herbs are finely chopped and the dressing is smooth and creamy, about 30-45 seconds.Adjust consistency. Taste and add the remaining tablespoon of dairy free milk if you prefer a thinner dressing. Blend again briefly to combine.
  • Chill before serving. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine. The ranch will thicken slightly as it chills.
  • Store. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Notes

  • Regular mayonnaise is dairy free (it’s egg-based). Use vegan mayo only if you want to make this completely vegan.
  • Use regular sour cream and milk if you’re not dairy free
  • Start with less dairy free milk and add more as needed – it’s easier to thin it out than to thicken it back up.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tbsp, Calories: 77kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 212mg, Fiber: 0.04g, Sugar: 0.5g, Vitamin C: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Hi! I'm Melissa.

I create easy, dairy free recipes because I know how hard living without milk can be. I believe you can live a completely satisfying life without dairy, and I want to teach you how.

Read more about me

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5 from 2 votes

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50 Comments

  1. Rachel.t says:

    What kind/ brand of milk should be used for this recipe?

    Reply
    1. Melissa Belanger says:

      You can really use any kind you want. I have used skim and whole and they both turned out fine. Onviously, one was creamier, but the skim was still great!

      Reply
  2. B Conrad says:

    Mmmmm. So good !!!! Just for personal taste I cut back the salt a little ( high blood pressure ) and added a dash of dried dill. This is a keeper 🙂

    Reply
  3. Standa says:

    5 stars
    Look so good, Melissa. Can it be put on a diet?

    Reply