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This easy recipe for Homemade Ranch Seasoning packs in the same flavor as Hidden Valley Ranch Packets without the added preservatives, dairy, or sugar. It is the perfect ranch seasoning substitute!
Our Favorite Ranch Seasoning
Nothing quite compares to the herby flavor of a pack of ranch seasoning. But what if you are dairy-free? Or trying to watch your sodium intake? Wanting to avoid preservatives? Or simply want to save money?
Enter this recipe for Homemade Ranch Seasoning! This EASY recipe delivers the flavor of Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning without added dairy, sugar, or preservatives. And it costs pennies to make!
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Recipe Highlights
Ingredients Needed for Ranch Seasoning
- Dried Spices: This recipe for ranch seasoning is made with basic spices you have on hand at all times--onion powder, garlic powder, dried basil, dried dill, and black pepper. It is the combination of dill, and basil that gives this seasoning its signature "ranch" flavor.
- Salt: I highly recommend using kosher salt in all of my homemade seasoning blends. It helps to intensify the flavor, rather than make the ranch seasoning taste salty.
- Buttermilk Powder (Optional): While this recipe is extremely flavorful without the need to add buttermilk powder, if you would like an exact replica of Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning, add ⅓ cup of powdered buttermilk powder to the spice blend.
Kristen's Tip
For optimum flavor in this ranch seasoning substitute, it is best to use dried spices that are no more than 6 months old.
How to Make & Store Ranch Seasoning
It is about as easy as a recipe can get!
- Combine. Simply mix the spices together in a bowl or jar. If you would prefer a finer texture to the ranch seasoning (like the store-bought packets), give the spices a quick whirl in a mini food processor or spice grinder. You can use a coffee bean grinder, but you want to ensure it is one used for spices, NOT coffee--as no one wants coffee-flavored ranch seasoning.
- Store. Just like all homemade spice blends, I recommend storing this Ranch Seasoning in an airtight container and storing it in a cool, dark place, like the pantry, for up to 6 months.
How to Replace a Packet of Ranch Seasoning
For every 1-ounce packet, use 2 tablespoons of this homemade seasoning blend.
Recipes Using Homemade Ranch Seasoning
Beyond using this homemade ranch seasoning as a replacement for a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning, it can be used to make dips, dressings, and add flavor to endless recipes!
- For Ranch Dressing: Mix 2 tablespoons of homemade ranch seasoning with ¼ cup each of sour cream, mayonnaise, and buttermilk.
- Thick and Creamy Ranch Dip: Mix together 2 tablespoons of ranch seasoning with ¼ cup sour cream and ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise and serve with veggies or chips.
- Season Breading: Add 2 tablespoons of the ranch seasoning mix to the flour mixture for breading fish sticks or chicken tenders for a punch of ranch flavor.r
- Use a Dry Rub: Skip the sweet and spicy dry rub and use ranch seasoning to flavor air fryer chicken breast, air fryer chicken wings, or air fryer pork chops.
- For the Best Potato Salad: Ranch seasoning + bacon + cheese = a crazy-good ranch potato salad.
- Season Coleslaw: Add 1-2 tablespoons of this Ranch Seasoning to homemade coleslaw for additional flavor.
- Season Pot Roast: Make a melt-in-your-mouth Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast using this seasoning blend.
More Homemade Seasoning Blends
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Homemade Ranch Seasoning
Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a small dish, combine ¼ cup dried parsley, 1 tablespoon dried dill, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. If you prefer the texture to be finer, pulse the spices in a mini food processor.
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store it in the pantry for up to 6 months if not used immediately.
- To use in place of a 1-ounce packet of ranch seasoning, use 2 tablespoons of this homemade mixture.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally shared in 2019 and updated in 2025.
I love your mix! Now, how to copy the Spicy version!!
Love hearing this! For a spicy version, I would recommend adding crushed red pepper flakes.
Fantastic!! Needed a packet substitute in a pinch and don’t plan on going back!
I love hearing that! Thank you for taking the time to share!
If you are making sakad dressing how much milk or buttermilk or sour cream do you use?
Hi Tina! Here is my recipe for Ranch Dressing, using this blend. I add 1/4 cup each of sour cream, mayonnaise, and buttermilk with 2 tablespoons of this blend. Enjoy!
I used this in a salmon recipe and it tasted great!
This is great. Do you also have the spice additions to make their Spicy ranch dressing mix? What is added?
Hi Martha! I would suggest adding 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne powder to the mix to make it spicy.
Why is the sodium so high? And carbohydrates are extremely high. Why? Are the numbers for entire batch?
Yes, the nutritional values are for the entire batch.
Hi!
Just wondering, early in the page it says this is equivalent of one package HV mix. Later I saw use 2 tbsp to make it. Just want to make sure I'm putting the right direction for it. Giving to my daughter.
I may be over confusing myself lol.
Thank you.
Hi Anita! The flavor is equivalent to one packet 🙂 Use 2 tablespoons Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix as a substitute for a 1-ounce store-bought packet in recipes calling for dry ranch seasoning.
Thank you for posting this! I was looking for a recipe that didn't require dried milk.
You are so welcome Ashley. I hope you enjoy.