Homemade spicy ranch dressing recipe (without buttermilk)

Homemade spicy ranch dressing is rich, creamy, and versatile. With a few simple ingredients and just five minutes, you can make a batch

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We absolutely adore this homemade spicy ranch dressing in our house. It’s so versatile! We love to drizzle it over salads or use it as a dipping sauce for veggies and fries. In addition, savory potato waffles are simply amazing when served with this flavorful garlic dip on the side.

This recipe is incredibly easy to make with just a handful of simple ingredients. To prepare, simply mix all the ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy. In fact, it’s so effortless that you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it before!

Making spicy ranch dressing from scratch is definitely worth it. Homemade sauce not only tastes much better than store-bought, but it’s also cheaper and healthier. A homemade spicy ranch doesn’t contain a long list of incomprehensible ingredients, preservatives, and artificial flavors.

There are two options when it comes to the consistency of the sauce:

Blend all of the ingredients together using a blender or food processor until they become smooth and creamy.
Alternatively, if you prefer a chunkier texture, you can opt for my personal favorite option and stop blending while there are still visible pieces of greens in the sauce. This method allows small pieces of dill, parsley, and green onions to remain in the sauce, adding a special charm to the overall flavor.

Useful tips

This homemade spicy ranch dressing recipe is incredibly easy to follow, so you can’t go wrong with it. Allow me to provide you with some helpful tips and suggestions to customize the sauce and make it perfect for your taste:

You can replace Greek yogurt with regular non-sweet yogurt. To add a personal touch, homemade yogurt is also a great option. However, keep in mind that the texture may be slightly more liquid than Greek yogurt, which can actually work well if you plan on using it as a salad dressing.
Mayo is an important ingredient as it helps to achieve the ideal consistency.
Both lemon and lime juice can be used in this recipe to add acidic notes and balance the flavors.
Fresh garlic is the best option, but if unavailable, you can use 1/4 tsp garlic powder as a substitute for one medium garlic clove. Note that the flavor will be milder and less pungent when using garlic powder.
Make it spicier. Add a pinch of dry ground paprika, crushed chili, or cayenne pepper for some extra heat. Smoked paprika and jalapeno are also great additions to enhance the flavor.
A pinch of onion powder will add interesting flavor notes to the dish.

Ingredients

3Tbsp sour cream (or creme fraiche)
2Tbsp mayo
150g (5oz) thick Greek yogurt (or regular non-sweet yogurt)
1Tbsp olive oil
1Tbsp lemon juice
2Tbsp chopped fresh chives and parsley (or dill)
1 large garlic clove
salt and pepper, to taste
1 pinch smoked paprika

How to make homemade spicy ranch dressing

In a mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, yogurt, and mayo

Add one minced garlic clove, followed by the oil and lemon juice, to the mixture

Add the chopped parsley (or dill) and chives

Blend all of the ingredients together until smooth and creamy using an immersion blender or a food processor. Then, add the smoked paprika and stir to incorporate. Finally, taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your liking

How to serve it

This spicy ranch dressing is incredibly versatile and can be served in many different ways.

Here are some suggestions. Serve it as:

A dipping sauce. The ranch pairs perfectly with fries or baked potatoes.
A salad dressing. It’s fantastic on salads. I love to drizzle it over a fresh cucumber and tomato salad.
A spread on your burgers or sandwiches.

This spicy ranch dressing is a great addition to any snack platter. It pairs well with chips, crackers, croutons, and breadsticks.

Additionally, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of foods, such as:

chicken nuggets
chicken wings
onion rings
baked zucchini sticks
crudité (aka fresh vegetables). Chopped raw carrots, bell peppers, celery, cucumbers, and any other veggies you like are amazing with this homemade spicy ranch dip. Words can’t describe this heavenly combination, it is a must-try!

I also love serving it with Ukrainian potato zrazy and corn fritters. The combination is simply divine.

FAQ

How to store spicy ranch dressing?

Store it in the fridge in an airtight container or a mason jar for up to 1 week. The next day, the sauce will taste even better. Stir it before serving.

Can I freeze this garlic dip?

This sauce is not recommended for freezing as the texture tends to change once it’s thawed, becoming thin and watery.

Can I use this dressing as a marinade?

Yes, you can use it as a marinade for chicken, beef, or pork. Simply coat the meat and refrigerate for 30 minutes before cooking.

It’s impossible not to love this homemade spicy ranch dressing. This classic recipe is a hit all year round. Whether you serve it as a salad dressing or dipping sauce, it’s always delicious.

Tried this recipe? Please leave a comment with Star Ratings ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below. I will really appreciate it.
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