DIY: From-scratch Ranch Seasoning Mix
We grew up in the 80’s, which means that we grew up eating A LOT of stuff that included a packet of ranch seasoning mix. The most common one was the basic veggie dip, which was simply a packet of the seasoning mix stirred into a 16-ounce container of sour cream. This was (and a lot of times, still is) the de facto veggie dip to go along with a platter of cut-up veggies for a party or get-together. Our personal favorite has always been the veggie pizza appetizer, which is crescent rolls from a can pressed into a sheet pan and baked, then topped with the sour cream/seasoning mixture and chopped vegetable and shredded cheddar. What can we say? We're a sucker for nostalgic food. Earlier this year, one of our husband’s best friends came over for the afternoon with his wife and their two daughters. We weren’t doing lunch or dinner, but we wanted to have some stuff to munch on, especially stuff that a 3-year-old would like. We settled on a bowl of pretzels, some Rice Krispie treats, mac and cheese on the stove, and a platter of fresh vegetables with ranch dip. We used the ranch seasoning packet and sour cream, but a part of us felt guilty serving it to a 3-year-old after we looked at the back of the packet. It has MSG, as well as some other not-so-great sounding ingredients. Bleh. After that, we decided that we needed to find a from-scratch alternative to that seasoning packet so that we could continue to enjoy ranch-flavored things without the crappy ingredients. Mission accomplished. 
This seasoning mix is exceptionally straightforward to mix with ingredients you should be able to find at your local grocery store. The primary ingredient is dried buttermilk powder, which our grocery store stocks in the baking aisle on the top shelf near the baking powder and cornstarch. If you can’t find it at yours, it is also available to order from King Arthur Flour.
A speedy buzz in the food processor or blender, and you’ll have your from-scratch mix all ready to go. It will keep in the fridge for months, and you could even store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. We have included information below in the recipe on how to use this to make the classic veggie dip, as well as a speedy ranch dressing. We've kept a container of this in the fridge for the last couple of months and we've used it for both speedy ranch dressing and dip. We usually stir some of it into a container of plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a little bit of a healthier snack option with cut-up carrots, red peppers and cucumbers.
We're beyond thrilled that we now have a from-scratch way of making one of our favorite seasoning packets.
If you grew up on those ranch packets, you have to make yourself a batch of this and keep it on hand!
One year ago: Thai Peanut Cabbage Slaw
Two years ago: Ginger-Peach Granola Squares and Apple Pie Ice Cream
Three years ago: Garden Zucchini Pizza Casserole
Four years ago: Monkey Bread and Cowboy Cookies
Five years ago: Lemon-Limoncello Cupcakes
Six years ago: Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Seven years ago: Black Bean Burgers
DIY: From-scratch Ranch Seasoning Mix
Yield: 1 cup Love all those recipes that call for a packet of Hidden Valley ranch seasoning mix, but wish you could eliminate the packaged food? Now you can!- 1 cup (120 g) dried buttermilk powder
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley, divided
- 2 teaspoons dried dill, divided
- 2½ teaspoons (2.5 teaspoons) garlic powder
- 2¼ teaspoons (2.25 teaspoons) kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) paprika
- ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) cayenne pepper
- Place the buttermilk, 1 tablespoon of the parsley, 1 teaspoon of the dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, dried minced onion, salt, sugar, black pepper, paprika and cayenne in a food processor or blender. Process until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed, about 15 seconds. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container or glass jar, add in the remaining 1 tablespoon dried parsley and 1 teaspoon dried dill and whisk to combine.
- Store the mixture in the refrigerator for up to 3 months, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Notes
Note: 3 tablespoons of this mix is equivalent to a 1-ounce packet of ranch seasoning mix. To Make Sour Cream Veggie Dip: Stir 3 tablespoons of the from-scratch mix into 2 cups of sour cream (or Greek yogurt). To Make Ranch Dressing: Whisk together 3 tablespoons of the from-scratch mix with 1 cup of mayonnaise and 1 cup of buttermilk until smooth. You could use more or less buttermilk depending on how you like the consistency of your dressing. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Nutritional values are based on the whole recipe
- Yield: 1 cup
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Total: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup ( 120 g ) dried buttermilk powder
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley, divided
- 2 teaspoons dried dill, divided
- 2½ teaspoons ( 2.5 teaspoons ) garlic powder
- 2¼ teaspoons ( 2.25 teaspoons ) kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ( 0.5 teaspoon ) ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ( 0.5 teaspoon ) paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ( 0.25 teaspoon ) cayenne pepper
Method
- Place the buttermilk, 1 tablespoon of the parsley, 1 teaspoon of the dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, dried minced onion, salt, sugar, black pepper, paprika and cayenne in a food processor or blender. Process until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed, about 15 seconds. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container or glass jar, add in the remaining 1 tablespoon dried parsley and 1 teaspoon dried dill and whisk to combine.
- Store the mixture in the refrigerator for up to 3 months, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
