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    Home » Condiments, Sauces, & Seasonings

    Published: Apr 2, 2019 · Modified: Feb 22, 2022 by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

    Homemade Ranch Dressing Without Mayo (Keto & Low-Carb)

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    If you want a tasty ranch dressing that is low carb and has no mayonnaise, this recipe is for you.  On the flip side, if you like mayo, you will still love this recipe. The creaminess of sour cream and the tang of buttermilk makes this ranch dressing amazing.  No one, not even my mother, who will eat mayo straight off a spoon, will miss the mayonnaise.

    Ranch dressing is popular in salads and as a condiment for a reason. It is creamy, cool, herby, and tastes good with many foods. Adults love it on salads and with hot wings.  Kids love it on chips and veggies, or even straight off a plate. It also seems to be a staple for gluten-free, keto, low-carb, and diabetic diets where ranch is a dip, dressing, condiment, and way of life.  This is the best recipe for all the ways you love to eat ranch.

    ranch dressing recipe

    Ranch dressing and vegetables are a great snack for kids

    Homemade ranch dressing is easy to make and tastes superior to store-bought. No one will miss the mayo since it this recipe is perfectly creamy and tangy.  By simply substituting the mayo with full-fat sour cream, this buttermilk ranch dressing recipe is the best.  No mayo needed.

    Converting recipes into "no-mayo" versions is my kind of thing, especially when I start tinkering with making homemade salad dressings.  Ranch dressing was the first dressing I decided I needed to master and make deliciousness without mayo. I knew I wanted something creamy and tangy like ranch but is also fresh with the herbs and garlic that make ranch what it is.  And we like it garlicky in our household.  I am Italian, so garlic can be a noun, verb, adjective, and a way of life in my home.

    How to Make Homemade Ranch

    It is easy to make this recipe.  Use quality ingredients that you chop, scoop, and whisk together.

    • Whisk all ingredients together in a medium-size bowl or pourable pyrex measuring glass.
    • If you want a thinner dressing, add a TB of buttermilk at a time until it is the consistency you like. We like a thick ranch dressing especially if we want it as a dip.

    Carb & Calories in Ranch Dressing

    This recipe is a low-carb version that is keto-friendly.  The carb & calorie count for this ranch dressing is based on ⅛ of this recipe. There are 2.2 carbs & only 57 calories per serving.  For more information, the complete nutritional information per serving is in the recipe card below.

    Storing Keto Ranch Dressing

    Place the dressing in mason jars with lids that will screw on tightly or another air-tight container in the refrigerator. This lasts for about 2 weeks if stored correctly in the refrigerator.  I do not recommend freezer ranch dressing as the buttermilk and sour cream will separate as most dairy products tend to do.

    Perfect Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings with Pickled Vegetable and Homemade Ranch Dressing

    Perfect Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings with Pickled Vegetable and Homemade Ranch Dressing

    Homemade vs Store-Bought Salad Dressings

    Okay, I know what you are thinking - why would I spend time making this from scratch when there are a dozen different kinds of ranch dressing just waiting for me in the grocery store condiment aisle.  It is so fast and convenient to just buy it.  Plus, I know that dressing will last several months and I won't worry about wasting food.

    Yes, the bottled dressings out there have their pros but in my opinion, that convenience and shelf stability come at a price.  The reason it can be mass-produced and lasts a long time is the same reason why I don't like them. (spoiler alert - preservatives!)  To see all the "ingredients" in popular brands to compare, check out the list for Hidden Valley Ranch. 

    Here is why I always suggest people make homemade salad dressings:

    • Ingredient control so you can exclude anything allergic or inflammatory oils
    • Fresher ingredients = more vitamins/minerals
    • Can use organic or homegrown ingredients
    • Typically more budget-friendly
    • You can store them in your own cute jars/containers
    • Tweak it to make it your own, like more garlic
    • TASTES SO MUCH BETTER!
    • LESS SUGAR!
    • NO PRESERVATIVES / CHEMICALS!

    Do you need more convincing?  If so, just try this recipe and tell me if you are sold.

    Ranch dressing without mayo

    What to Serve with Ranch Dressing

    This ranch dressing can be used on any of your favorite salads.  If you have a recipe you love and want to change up the taste, go for it.  My BROCCOLI APPLE SALAD WITH GREEK YOGURT DRESSING (NO MAYO) is delish but sometimes I swap out that yummy dressing for this equally as yummy one too.

    This keto ranch is great for making low-carb egg, tuna, or chicken salads too.  Here are some great recipes that go well & are the best to serve with keto ranch dressing.

    How to Make Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Wings (Secret Step Included)
    Fall-off-the-bone buffalo chicken wings will please any crowd. The cooking liquid secret adds so much flavor. These spicy wings are keto-approved, low-carb, & diabetic-friendly.
    Check out this recipe
    plated buffalo wings topped with ranch dressing
    Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks
    There is no better way to cook frozen fish sticks than the air fryer. The best hot & crispy fish sticks are ready in minutes.
    Check out this recipe
    Air Fryer Frozen Fish Sticks recipe card plated fish sticks with a small bowl of ketchup
    Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
    Homemade deep-fried sweet potato fries are a quick and easy family favorite recipe. This fantastic method to deep fry & season them makes the best appetizer or side dish.
    Check out this recipe
    Deep Fried Sweet Potato Fries featured overhead of plate of fries and dipping sauce
    Keto Fat Head Rolls
    Homemade soft keto rolls using almond flour are not just low carb (4 net carbs each!) but will please any appetite. They are sturdy enough for use as bread for sandwiches, buns for hamburgers, and great plain.
    Check out this recipe
    Keto Fat Head Rolls plated

    PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

    Homemade Ranch Dressing without Mayo PIN

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    homemade keto ranch dressing in a glass cup with celery and carrots to dip

    Homemade Ranch Dressing without Mayo (Keto & Low-Carb)

    Angela
    This ranch dressing is so delicious, no one will know it is made without mayo. It is cool, creamy, and herby just like a true ranch dressing should be. With no added sugar, it is keto-friendly and low carb.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8

    Ingredients
      

    • ¾ C buttermilk
    • ¾ C full-fat sour cream
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
    • 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
    • 1 teaspoon fresh chives
    • 1 teaspoon each dried onion, dill, & parsley
    • salt & pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Whisk all ingredients together in a medium-size bowl or pourable pyrex measuring glass. Store in mason jars or another sealable container in the refrigerator.
    • If you want a thinner dressing, add a TB of buttermilk at a time until it is the consistency you like. We like a thick ranch dressing especially if we want it as a dip.
    • This lasts for about 2 weeks if stored correctly in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    Nutrition Facts
    Servings: 8
    Amount per serving  
    Calories 57
    % Daily Value*
    Total Fat 4.8g 6%
    Saturated Fat 2.9g 15%
    Cholesterol 10mg 3%
    Sodium 36mg 2%
    Total Carbohydrate 2.2g 1%
    Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
    Total Sugars 1.2g  
    Protein 1.5g  
    Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
    Calcium 53mg 4%
    Iron 0mg 0%
    Potassium 70mg 1%
    *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
    Keyword easy, gluten-free, grain-free, salad, vegetarian

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Caroline says

      April 02, 2019 at 7:08 am

      Love the punny wit behind this post. Even I "Queen of Mayo" will make this soon! The ranch discussion reminded me of the waiting room scene from This Is Us!! lol

      Reply
      • Angela says

        April 04, 2019 at 9:19 pm

        Thank you, let me know how you like ranch dressing without mayo. I hope you enjoy it. Yes, what goes with ranch - everything (except ...)

        Reply
    2. Erika says

      June 20, 2019 at 4:57 pm

      I love homemade ranch. This looks great!

      Reply
    3. Morgan says

      June 20, 2019 at 7:44 pm

      Ranch is one of my all time favorite dressings! This looks soo good!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        June 21, 2019 at 4:54 pm

        Ranch dressing is so easy to make and tastes far superior when made homemade. I hope you try this recipe.

        Reply
    4. Jennifer says

      June 21, 2019 at 5:28 am

      I love being able to control the quality of the food my family eats. This dressing sounds wonderful!

      Reply
    5. Pauline says

      June 21, 2019 at 11:16 pm

      I tried this last night. I cook from scratch but havent made dressings from scratch until recently. I didn't even miss the mayo.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        June 23, 2019 at 2:35 pm

        Great to hear you made this. Thank you for coming back to let me know. It has so much flavor and creaminess without the mayo.

        Reply
    6. Kim says

      June 22, 2019 at 11:03 pm

      That is so easy! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        June 23, 2019 at 2:39 pm

        You are welcome.

        Reply
    7. Jennifer Forward says

      May 04, 2020 at 9:14 pm

      This looks SO yummy!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        May 04, 2020 at 9:42 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    8. Nisha says

      September 10, 2020 at 12:07 pm

      Thanks for sharing this recipe , would love to try this out!

      Reply
    9. Dr Webb says

      July 02, 2021 at 8:39 pm

      5 stars
      I have been making this recipe for a year and just wanted to finally say thank you. I make a double batch since we eat this a lot at our house and it is so good every time.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        July 02, 2021 at 8:41 pm

        Thank you for the note. I am glad this from scratch ranch dressing recipe is a staple in your home.

        Reply
    10. Tisha says

      May 24, 2022 at 8:55 am

      5 stars
      This is IT! I have been searching for a good ranch recipe with much disappointment. This one is a home run! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        May 26, 2022 at 12:30 pm

        Wonderful. I am glad you hit it out of the park and found your new favorite ranch dressing.

        Reply

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