Easy Dairy Free Ranch Recipe
Recipe Snapshot
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
METHOD: No cook
OTHER TOOLS: Mason jar or glass storage container
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 9
Going dairy-free doesn’t mean you have to miss out on creamy, delicious ranch dressing! This easy dairy-free ranch recipe is such a tasty substitute. Add it to salads, tacos, bowls, or as a dipping sauce for veggies and snacks!
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- Dairy-free friends, you don’t have to skip the dips and dressings! This recipe is creamy and tangy and gives that classic ranch flavor without any dairy.
- Easy dairy-free ranch is made with simple ingredients that you can quickly throw together at home. You don’t need to hunt down products at specialty food stores to make a delicious alternative.
- This recipe is customizable with fresh or dried herbs and your choice of dairy-free milk. Also, it’s easy to adjust the mix to customize the texture to use it as a dressing, dip, or marinade.
- Dairy-free ranch is a perfect addition to meal plans with dietary restrictions, such as paleo or Whole30.
- You don’t even need a blender! This takes just a few minutes to mix up, and it stores in the fridge for up to 7 days. Perfect for your weekly meal prep!
Ingredients Needed
- Avocado oil mayo – This is such a great dairy-free alternative, and in fact, many people even prefer it to the “regular” version because it’s just that smooth and creamy! This makes an excellent base and is a healthier choice, containing natural, beneficial fats.
- Dairy-free milk – Choose your preferred dairy-free, unsweetened milk to thin the dressing to the right consistency.
- Olive oil – Olive oil adds a rich element, making the ranch extra smooth. It’s another healthy fat as well!
- Lemon juice – Lemon juice gives the ranch such a fresh taste. The acidity is a nice balance to the fat from the mayo and olive oil.
- Fresh chopped dill – If you can find fresh dill, it’s so worth it! You can’t beat the freshness and herby signature flavor. Chop it up very finely with a sharp knife.
- Dried parsley – Parsley adds complexity to the herbal flavors, and it’s easy to grab from your pantry.
- Garlic powder and onion powder – Add this pair of spices to add savory depth.
- Salt – Bring all the flavors together with salt, and be sure to adjust to taste before serving.
How To Make Homemade Dairy-Free Ranch
- Whisk or blend all ingredients together until smooth.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Pro Tips
- After mixing up the dip, let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (preferably 1-2 hours) to allow the flavors to develop.
- Shake or stir well before each use, especially if stored in the fridge for more than a day.
- Use a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid for easy storage and shaking.
- Taste and adjust salt and herbs to your preference before serving.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Make a few ingredient adjustments based on what you have on hand. It’s easy to customize flavors and consistency to go with your meal.
- Lemon Juice vs. Vinegar – Lemon juice adds brightness and a fresh flavor, and apple cider vinegar offers more tang. Either works well for the dressing, depending on your taste.
- Dried vs. Fresh Dill – In a perfect world, we’d use fresh herbs for everything! If you have fresh dill available, definitely add it to your homemade dressing since it gives a brighter, herbaceous flavor. However, for the times you don’t have fresh dill, simply use dried dill, but about ⅓ the amount of fresh since it is more concentrated.
- Add a splash more unsweetened dairy-free milk to thin the ranch and achieve dressing-like consistency for salads.
- For a vegan option, use vegan mayo (like Chosen Foods or Sir Kensington’s). Ensure the milk is plant-based and unsweetened, such as almond, oat, cashew, soy, etc.
Best Store-Bought Dairy-Free Ranch
- Primal Kitchen Ranch (Dairy-Free & Paleo) – This one has clean ingredients and is avocado oil-based.
- Tessemae’s Organic Creamy Ranch – This is Whole30-approved, flavorful, and has a thinner consistency.
- Follow Your Heart Vegan Ranch – Try this for a creamy, traditional-style ranch that is widely available.
Best Ways To Use Dairy-Free Ranch
Truly, there are no rules about what you can serve with ranch – it can enhance just about anything!
Drizzle thinned dressing over green salads or grain bowls, or make a thicker dip for sliced raw veggies, Air Fryer Waffle Fries, or Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings. Elevate your wraps and sandwiches with a layer of ranch, or even add a side to burgers fresh off the grill!
This recipe is also a super-delicious base for ranch-flavored pasta salads or to mix into mashed potatoes or potato salad. If you can believe it, it also works as a marinade for grilled chicken or tofu. You’ll be amazed at what you can do with it!
How To Best Store Homemade Dairy-Free Ranch
Store homemade ranch in a mason jar or an airtight glass container in the refrigerator. When properly sealed, it should keep well for 5-7 days. Also, be sure to always use clean utensils when scooping or pouring out ranch to avoid contamination that might spoil it.
Do not freeze leftover ranch since it may cause the texture to break and become grainy.
Easy Dairy Free Ranch Recipe
Equipment
- mason jar or storage container
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup avocado oil mayo
- 2 tablespoons dairy-free milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Whisk or blend all ingredients together until smooth
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week
Notes
- Store ranch in a sealed jar or airtight glass container in the fridge for 5–7 days, and use clean utensils to prevent any spoilage.
- Let the dip chill for at least 30 minutes (up to 1-2 hours preferred) to let the flavor deepen.
- Shake or stir before each serving.
