Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade buttermilk ranch last in the fridge? ›

How Long Does Homemade Ranch Last? Stored in a well-sealed container in the fridge (assuming you began with fresh sour cream and buttermilk) your buttermilk ranch dressing should keep for up to two weeks.

Buttermilk salad dressing is very similar to a classic ranch dressing, but just pared down a little bit. This simple mix is a blend of rich mayonnaise, tangy buttermilk, punchy garlic, herbs (here, parsley or dill), and usually a little more acid from either lemon juice or a splash of vinegar.

The Classic and Southern are the same, but the creamy ranch has buttermilk powder and some other ingredients like lactose, malic acid, and carrageenan (the latter to hold it together since buttermilk powder thins out in a weird way)... the flavor is much milder than the classic/southern because of the buttermilk powder ...

I use a mix of mayonnaise, sour cream, and a bit of buttermilk for some tang, plus garlic, and plenty of fresh herbs. I also like to add a dash of cayenne pepper for a kick, but you can add Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, or whatever you want. Ranch dressing is fun to customize!

Ranch dressing usually contains dairy products such as milk or buttermilk, which can spoil and lead to the growth of harmful bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella, or E. coli. Even if the dressing looks and smells fine, consuming expired dressing can still put you at risk of food poisoning or other health issues.

A temperature below 40°F is necessary to keep the homemade ranch in the refrigerator for its long life. The temperature must also be consistent to keep the quality of the dressing and to prevent any bacterial growth inside.

Creamy Dressings

Other dressings like blue cheese, Caesar, parmesan, or chipotle all fall under this category of dressings to avoid. Not only are they loaded with fat, but they also have high levels of sodium and very little nutritional value.

Guidelines from agricultural programs at various universities recommend consuming buttermilk within three weeks of the date stamped on the package. In the test kitchen, we've found that buttermilk won't turn truly bad (signified by mold growth) until at least three weeks after opening.

The regular seems to have more of a note of acidity, while the buttermilk is obviously meant to be more creamy. I find that the more acidic original pairs much better with most foods than the creaminess of the buttermilk, even though the buttermilk is still tangy.

Most restaurants don't buy pre packaged ranch. They buy hidden valley seasoning and mix it themselves with ingredients they already have.

Why is restaurant ranch so creamy? ›

While many restaurants use mass produced ranch mix, they often add it to a higher-quality base. This might include milk, buttermilk, sour cream, or mayonnaise. So when you notice that the ranch in a restaurant tastes better than the bottled dressing from the store, what you're really tasting is delicious, creamy fat.

Even when a restaurant does start with premade ranch, they will often fold in extra fresh herbs, and maybe even more buttermilk, to lighten and bring in some brighter flavors that can be lost in shelf-stable bottling.

Because while some restaurants do use a bottled shelf stable dressing, what you are referring to is a powdered ranch mix (typically the Hidden Valley brand) that the restaurant cooks add milk/ buttermilk and sour cream to make their dressing. I agree it is far better tasting.

The ranch packet has a fresher taste, because you add your own mayo and milk. Even though all the herbs and spices in the mix are dried, they rehydrate quickly and leave you with a product that feels homemade. This version of Hidden Valley Ranch is more flavorful than the bottled version and much, much thicker.

As long as you started with fresh milk and mayonnaise, homemade ranch can stay in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. I keep mine in a mason jar and I decided to buy plastic lids instead of the metal ones. I wash everything in the dishwasher and the metal ones tend to rust.

Homemade ranch dressing should be stored in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, and refrigerated. With proper storage, your homemade ranch will last in the fridge for up to two weeks. If the dressing begins to look discolored or develops an odor it is time to throw it out and whip up a new batch!

Homemade Ranch Dressing Expires More Quickly

To be safe, most homemade ranch recipes recommend keeping it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, but keep in mind that the shelf life could be even shorter if you make the dressing with Greek yogurt.

Cover and refrigerate. Chill 30 minutes to thicken. Stir before serving. Stays fresh 3 to 4 weeks.