Ranch Seasoning Mix

Ranch Seasoning Mix

Herby, garlicky DIY ranch you can whisk together in minutes. Stir into sour cream for a quick dip, shake over potatoes, or use to make classic ranch dressing. Budget-friendly, customizable, and perfect for gifting.

Hands-on: 5 min Yield: ~½ cup (8 Tbsp) mix Category: Dry Mixes • Seasoning
Ranch seasoning mix in a bowl with ranch dip and veggie sticks

Ingredients

Dry Seasoning Mix

  • ¼ cup dry buttermilk powder
  • 1 Tbsp dried parsley, crumbled
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½–¾ tsp fine sea salt, to taste
  • Optional add-ins: ¼ tsp ground black pepper; 1 tsp dried chives; pinch thyme.
To store: Keep airtight in a cool, dry spot up to 6 months. If using buttermilk powder, refrigerate the jar for best flavor longevity. Shake before each use.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Mix. Whisk all ingredients in a bowl until uniform. For a finer texture, pulse a few times in a spice grinder or food processor.
  2. Jar it. Transfer to a clean, dry jar and label with the “How to Use” directions below.
Sodium note: Start with ½ tsp salt; you can always add more to taste in the final dish.

How to Use Your Mix

Ranch Dip (party-fast)

  • Stir 2 Tbsp mix into 1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt). Chill 20 minutes for flavors to bloom.

Creamy Ranch Dressing

  • Whisk 2 Tbsp mix with ½ cup mayo + ½ cup buttermilk (or milk) + 1–2 tsp lemon juice. Thin with extra buttermilk as desired.

Sheet-Pan Savory

  • Toss potatoes/veggies or chicken with oil, then sprinkle 1–2 Tbsp mix per pound before roasting.

Popcorn & Snacks

  • Toss hot popcorn with a little melted butter and 1 tsp mix per quart. Also great on fries or garlic bread.
Packet equivalent: Use ~2 tablespoons of this mix anywhere a store-bought ranch packet is called for.

Pro Tips, Variations & Swaps

  • Dairy-free: Omit buttermilk powder. For dip/dressing, use dairy-free yogurt or mayo + a squeeze of lemon for tang.
  • Extra herby: Add 1 tsp dried chives.
  • Heat: A pinch of cayenne perks it up without turning it “spicy.”
  • Low-sodium: Make the blend without salt; season final dishes to taste.
  • Make ahead: Double or triple the dry mix—handy for weeknights and gifting.

FAQ & Troubleshooting

  • Can I skip buttermilk powder? Yes—use 2 Tbsp mix + 1 tsp lemon juice in dips/dressings to add tang.
  • Clumps in the jar? Add a few grains of dry rice (tea bag style) or just shake before using.
  • Fresh herbs instead? For dressing, swap equal tablespoons fresh parsley/dill/chives and skip the powder in the jar.
  • Gluten-free? All ingredients are naturally GF; confirm labels on buttermilk powder and spices.
Yield
~½ cup (8 Tbsp) dry mix
Active Time
~5 minutes
Category
Dry Mixes · Seasoning
Gift it! Spoon the mix into a cute jar, tie with ribbon, and add an instructions tag with the dip & dressing directions.