Creamy Restaurant Style Ranch Dressing (No Sour Cream)

If you love a rich and savory dressing but find yourself out of sour cream, this recipe is the solution. By combining heavy whipping cream and buttermilk with classic herbs, you can create a dip that rivals your favorite steakhouse version. It takes only minutes to whisk together and tastes so much fresher than the bottled variety.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• No Sour Cream Needed: If you are out of sour cream or simply prefer not to use it, this recipe uses heavy whipping cream to achieve that rich texture you want.
• Ready in 10 Minutes: This dressing comes together in minutes with just a bowl and a whisk, making it great for busy weeknights when you need a quick side or dip.
• Restaurant Quality at Home: You can skip the bottled stuff. This homemade version is thick, creamy, and packed with fresh flavor that rivals your favorite steakhouse ranch.
• Versatile: Because it is nice and thick, it works double-duty as a salad dressing or a hearty dip for pizza, wings, and fresh veggies.

The Ingredients for the Ranch Dressing

• Mayonnaise This provides the sturdy, creamy base for the dressing. Using a full-fat variety will give you the best texture and flavor.
• Heavy Whipping Cream This is the secret to getting a thick, restaurant-style consistency without using sour cream. It adds a rich mouthfeel that regular milk just cannot match.
• Buttermilk Ranch isn't ranch without that signature tang. Buttermilk cuts through the richness of the mayo and cream to balance the dressing.
• Tip: If you do not have buttermilk, you can make your own! Just add a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Dried Dill, Garlic Powder, and Onion Powder These dried herbs and spices pack a concentrated punch of flavor. They are pantry staples that make this recipe easy to whip up at a moment's notice.
• Worcestershire Sauce A small splash of this adds a savory depth (often called umami) that rounds out the flavors so the dressing doesn't taste flat.
• Salt and Pepper Essential for waking up all the other flavors. Freshly cracked black pepper adds a nice little kick that pairs well with the creamy base.

How to Make the Ranch Dressing

1. Combine the Seasonings: In a medium mixing bowl, add 1 cup of mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon of dried dill, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon of sea salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper.
2. Whisk the Base: Whisk these ingredients together first to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the mayonnaise.
3. Add the Dairy: Slowly pour in ¼ cup of buttermilk and ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream while continuing to whisk.
4. Emulsify: Keep whisking until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and uniform.
5. Adjust Consistency (Optional): If the dressing is too thick for your preference, whisk in an extra splash of buttermilk or regular milk until it reaches your desired pourability.
6. Chill and Serve: For the best flavor and thick texture, let the dressing sit in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to one week.

We also use this buttermilk ranch recipe on my two ingredient turkey burger. I am sure you will find many uses for the ranch dressing.

Use the ranch dressing as a sauce for my buffalo meatballs!

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