Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Skip the ranch packets and keep a jar of this homemade ranch seasoning mix in your pantry instead. Made with powdered buttermilk, herbs, and simple seasonings, it takes just a few minutes to mix together and makes homemade ranch dip or dressing incredibly easy.

This is exactly the kind of pantry staple I love making from scratch. Instead of keeping individual ranch packets on hand, I can make one larger batch, store it in a jar, and scoop out exactly what I need.

And when we want a quick ranch dip? A spoonful of the mix, sour cream, mayonnaise, and a splash of milk are all it takes.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Ranch Mix

There are some pantry staples that are absolutely worth making yourself, and ranch seasoning is one of them.

• Make it once and use it again and again. Keep the dry mix ready in your pantry instead of opening individual packets.
• You control the ingredients. No need for a long list of ingredients when simple herbs and seasonings do the job.
• Use exactly what you need. Scoop out a tablespoon or two without wasting the rest of a packet.
• It isn’t just for dressing. Use it for ranch dip, seasoning vegetables, potatoes, chicken, burgers, and more.
• It takes minutes to make. Measure, stir, and store.

Homemade Ranch Seasoning Ingredients

You’ll need:

• ½ cup powdered buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes
• 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 teaspoon dried chives
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Why Powdered Buttermilk?

Powdered buttermilk gives homemade ranch seasoning that familiar tangy ranch flavor while allowing the mix to stay dry and ready to use.

It also means you don’t need to keep fresh buttermilk around every time you want to make ranch. That’s a pantry win in my book.

How to Make Homemade Ranch Seasoning

Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and stir until they’re thoroughly combined.

Transfer the ranch seasoning to an airtight jar or container and store it in a cool, dry pantry.

That’s it.

This is one of those recipes where spending a few minutes making a jar now saves you from buying packets later.

How to Make Homemade Ranch Dip

This is the quick ranch dip I make with the seasoning mix:

• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon homemade ranch seasoning mix
• Splash of milk, as needed

Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning to a bowl. Stir until completely combined.

Add a small splash of milk and continue stirring until the ranch reaches the consistency you like.

For a thicker vegetable or chip dip, use very little milk. Add a little more if you’d like a thinner ranch.

If you have time, refrigerate the ranch before serving to give the dried herbs time to hydrate and the flavors time to come together.

Dip vs. Dressing: Adjust the Consistency

One of the best things about making ranch yourself is that you aren’t stuck with one consistency.

For a thick ranch dip, start with little to no milk and add only what you need.

For a pourable ranch dressing, gradually add additional milk until it reaches your preferred consistency.

Don’t add a large amount at once. It’s much easier to thin ranch than it is to make it thick again.

Ways to Use Homemade Ranch Seasoning

Don’t limit this mix to a bowl of ranch. Once it’s sitting in your pantry, you’ll find plenty of reasons to reach for it.

Try it:

• Mixed into homemade ranch dip
• Made into ranch dressing
• Sprinkled over roasted potatoes
• Added to roasted vegetables
• As a seasoning for chicken
• Mixed into burgers
• Sprinkled over popcorn
• Added to sour cream for a quick vegetable dip

It’s an easy way to add that familiar ranch flavor without needing a packet.

How to Store Homemade Ranch Seasoning

Store your homemade ranch seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Because this recipe contains powdered buttermilk, check the storage instructions and expiration date on the buttermilk powder you’re using and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

For the best flavor, I like to use homemade dry seasoning blends while the dried herbs are still fresh and flavorful.

Once the ranch has been prepared with sour cream, mayonnaise, and milk, keep it refrigerated in a covered container.

Tips for the Best Homemade Ranch

• Let it rest if you can. You can eat ranch immediately, but giving it some time in the refrigerator allows the dried herbs to soften and the flavors to develop.
• Add milk slowly. Start with a splash. You can always add more.
• Taste after it rests. The flavor will become more pronounced as the seasoning hydrates, so don’t immediately assume it needs more seasoning.
• Keep the dry mix handy. A small jar in the pantry makes it much easier to whip up ranch whenever you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this homemade ranch seasoning instead of a ranch packet?

This mix is designed to be used by the spoonful, so you can measure only what you need rather than opening an individual packet. Use 3 tablespoons of homemade ranch seasoning mix in place of 1 ranch packet. For recipes originally written for a packet of ranch seasoning, you may need to adjust the amount to taste depending on the recipe.

Can I make ranch dip without buttermilk?

Yes. That’s one reason I like using powdered buttermilk in the dry seasoning itself. For the quick dip, I use sour cream, mayonnaise, the homemade ranch mix, and enough regular milk to reach the consistency I want.

How do I make my ranch thicker?

Use less milk. Start with the sour cream, mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning, then add milk only as needed. For a vegetable dip, you may need very little.

Why does homemade ranch taste better after sitting?

The dried herbs need time to hydrate, and the flavors continue to blend after the ranch is mixed. Even a short rest in the refrigerator can make a difference.

Can I double the ranch seasoning recipe?

Absolutely. If your family uses ranch frequently, this is an easy recipe to scale up. Just make sure it’s stored in an airtight container.

From My Pantry to Yours

This is why I love keeping homemade seasoning mixes in my pantry. The work is done once, and after that, making something like homemade ranch takes almost no time at all.

A scoop of seasoning, sour cream, mayo, and a splash of milk—and you’re done.

Your pantry can do more.

A Few Things I Use

• Glass spice jars – airtight storage for homemade seasoning blends.
• Measuring cups – for measuring the powdered buttermilk.
• Measuring spoons – for measuring each herb and seasoning in the mix.
• Canning funnel – keeps dry mixes off the counter when filling jars.
• Organic sour cream – from Azure Standard, for making the ranch dip.

More Pantry to Plate Recipes

• Homemade Onion Soup Mix
• Homemade Burger Seasoning
• Homemade Chili Seasoning
• Homemade Poultry Seasoning
• Homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning
• Homemade Chicken Bouillon Powder
• Homemade Fajita Seasoning
• Homemade Taco Seasoning
• Homemade Italian Seasoning
• Homemade Italian Dressing Mix
• Homemade Seasoned Salt
• Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning
• 5 Homemade Seasoning Mixes to Make Instead of Buying
• Homemade Beef Bouillon Powder
• Homemade Cream of Soup Mix
• Copycat Taco Bell Mild Sauce Recipe
• 5 Grocery Store Staples You Can Stop Buying
• Browse all Pantry Staples
• Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice