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Spice blend · American · traditional

Ranch Seasoning.

Dill, parsley, and chive against garlic and onion. The dry mix behind dressing and dip.

Type
Spice blend
Base
Herbs + allium
Use
Dry or dressing
Time
5 min
Yield
4 tbsp
Quick answer

To make ranch seasoning, whisk together dried dill, parsley, and chives with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use the dry mix to season, or stir it into buttermilk and mayonnaise for a fresh ranch dressing in minutes.

What it is

What is ranch seasoning?

Ranch seasoning is the herb-and-allium blend that defines ranch flavor: dill leading, parsley and chive behind it, all set against garlic and onion. As a dry mix it seasons potatoes, chicken, and popcorn; stirred into buttermilk and mayonnaise, it becomes the dressing and dip everyone recognizes.

The packaged mix is full of buttermilk powder, anti-caking agents, and a long ingredient list. Made at home it is just dried herbs and spices you already have, which means you control the salt and can keep it dairy-free until you choose to make the dressing.

The recipe

What goes in ranch seasoning?

1 tbsp
Dill
×
1 tbsp
Parsley
×
+
Garlic, onion

The three herbs lead in roughly equal measure, with garlic and onion powder just behind. To turn the dry blend into dressing, whisk about one tablespoon into half a cup each of buttermilk and mayonnaise.

Method

How do you make ranch seasoning?

  1. Measure the herbs and spices into a small jar.
  2. Seal and shake until evenly combined.
  3. Use as a dry seasoning, or whisk into buttermilk and mayonnaise for dressing.
  4. Store the dry mix airtight, away from light and heat.
From mix to dressing Whisk one tablespoon of the blend into half a cup each of buttermilk and mayonnaise. Rest it ten minutes and you have ranch dressing.
Cook's notes

What should you know before making ranch seasoning?

History

Where did ranch seasoning come from?

Ranch flavor originated at a California dude ranch in the 1950s, where a buttermilk-and-herb dressing was served to guests and later sold as a seasoning packet. The from-scratch blend simply reassembles the dill, allium, and herb profile that made it famous.

Uses

What can you use ranch seasoning on?

Ranch dressing
Whisked into buttermilk and mayonnaise.
Ranch dip
Mixed into sour cream for a thicker dip.
Ranch potatoes
Tossed dry over potatoes before roasting.
FAQ

Common questions.

How do you make ranch seasoning from scratch?

Whisk together dried dill, parsley, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use it dry, or stir into buttermilk and mayonnaise for dressing.

How do I turn ranch seasoning into dressing?

Whisk about one tablespoon of the dry blend into half a cup each of buttermilk and mayonnaise, then rest it for ten minutes so the herbs bloom.

Is homemade ranch seasoning dairy-free?

The dry blend is. It only becomes dairy-based when you make dressing with buttermilk and mayonnaise, so you can keep the mix dairy-free until then.

What can I use ranch seasoning on?

Dressing and dip, plus roasted potatoes, chicken, popcorn, and crackers. The dry blend seasons far more than salad.

How long does ranch seasoning keep?

The dry mix keeps about six months in an airtight jar. Dressing made with it should be used within a few days and kept refrigerated.

Kyle Schulgen Founder, Speakeater
Builder of Speakeater, the cooking app that reads your fridge. Writes the recipe reference pages by hand, anchored in public-domain culinary sources.
Last updated: 2026-05-29

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