Store-bought ranch packets are convenient, but homemade ranch seasoning gives you a fresher, more balanced flavor and control over the salt. Tangy buttermilk powder is blended with garlic, onion, dill, parsley, and chives, while mustard powder and a little tarragon fill out the flavor without overpowering the familiar ranch taste.
The whole seasoning mix takes only a few minutes to prepare and is useful far beyond salad dressing. Keep it ready for seasoning chicken, roasted potatoes, vegetables, dips, popcorn, or any recipe that calls for a packet of ranch seasoning. Once you have a jar on hand, you may find yourself reaching for it more often than expected.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup powdered buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1½ teaspoons dried dill
- 1 to 1½ teaspoons dried chives
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried tarragon, optional
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon mustard powder
Instructions
- Combine the seasonings: Add the buttermilk powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs, salt, sugar, black pepper, and mustard powder to a medium bowl.
- Whisk thoroughly: Mix until the herbs are evenly distributed, pressing any small lumps of buttermilk powder against the side of the bowl to break them apart.
- Transfer to a jar: Spoon the ranch seasoning into a clean, completely dry jar and close it tightly. Shake the jar before each use and store it according to the directions on the buttermilk powder package.
Where to Buy Buttermilk Powder
Look in the baking aisle near powdered milk, evaporated milk, and other shelf-stable dairy products. It may be labeled buttermilk powder, dry buttermilk powder, or cultured buttermilk blend.
Walmart currently carries Saco Cultured Buttermilk Blend, while Hoosier Hill Farm Buttermilk Powder is available through Amazon. Saco also provides Amazon and Instacart buying options on its official website. Be careful not to purchase ordinary powdered milk or buttermilk pancake mix, as neither is the same ingredient.
Tips for the Best Homemade Ranch Seasoning
- Break up any lumps: Buttermilk powder tends to clump. Press the lumps against the bowl with your whisk or sift the powder before adding the remaining ingredients.
- Adjust the chives: Use 1 teaspoon for a milder blend or the full 1½ teaspoons for a stronger herb flavor.
- Don’t overdo the tarragon: Half a teaspoon adds depth without making the seasoning taste strongly of licorice. You can leave it out, but the ranch will taste slightly less rounded.
- Shake before measuring: The powdered ingredients settle beneath the herbs during storage, so stir or shake the jar before each use.
- Give dips and dressings time: After mixing the seasoning with sour cream, mayonnaise, or buttermilk, refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This softens the dried herbs and brings the flavors together.
Ways to Use Ranch Seasoning
Use this homemade ranch seasoning on chicken, roasted potatoes, French fries, vegetables, burgers, popcorn, or crackers. It can also be stirred into sour cream for a quick dip or used anywhere a recipe calls for dry ranch seasoning.
How to Store It
Transfer the seasoning to a clean, completely dry jar with a tight-fitting lid. Never measure it with a damp spoon or hold the open jar over a steaming pan, as moisture can make the powder clump and spoil more quickly.
Storage instructions vary between brands. Saco Cultured Buttermilk Blend is labeled for refrigeration after opening, while Hoosier Hill Farm recommends keeping its powder in a cool, dry place without refrigeration. Follow the directions printed on the buttermilk powder you purchase. Use the seasoning by the earliest best-by date among its ingredients.
