Creamy, garlicky, and loaded with herbs, this Whole30 Ranch Dressing Recipe is absolutely bursting with flavor! Ready in 5 minutes, it’s so easy to whip up and it’s perfect as a dip or drizzled over a hearty salad or roasted vegetables. You won’t go back to store-bought after you make this recipe.
This Whole30 ranch dressing is all about keeping it simple and healthy. We use clean ingredients like unsweetened almond milk and apple cider vinegar to keep this creamy ranch dairy-free and compliant with Whole30 guidelines, which is great for anyone looking to avoid dairy or added sugars. I’ve personally found that making my own dressings at home allows for better control over what goes into my body. Plus, using fresh herbs and real ingredients just makes everything taste better and fresher—a game changer for meal times!
Contents
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❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- Healthier Choice: Made with simple ingredients and no added sugars or dairy.
- Customizable: Easy to adjust herbs and seasonings to your taste.
- Versatile: Great as a salad dressing, ranch dip, or smother the creamy sauce over a variety of dishes.
- Quick to Prepare: Ready in just 5 minutes with minimal effort.
🗝️ Key ingredients & substitutions
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: Adds a creamy texture without dairy. You can substitute it with any other non-dairy milk like coconut or cashew milk.
- Apple Cider Vinegar or White Vinegar: Provides the tangy flavor typical of ranch. Lemon juice is a good substitute if you prefer a fresher zest.
- Whole30 Compliant Mayonnaise: The base of the dressing, keeping it creamy and rich. For a homemade Whole30 mayonnaise, blend raw eggs with lemon, salt, and light olive oil or avocado oil.
- Fresh Garlic: Adds a punch of flavor. Garlic powder works too if you’re in a pinch.
- Dried Parsley, Chives, and Dill: These herbs are key for that classic ranch taste. Fresh herbs can be used for a more intense flavor; just triple the amount specified for dried.
- Onion Powder: Brings a slight sweetness and depth. Fresh minced onion or shallots can also be used for a sharper bite.
- Ground Black Pepper and Salt: For seasoning. Adjust according to your taste preferences.
🥣 How to make this Whole30 ranch dressing recipe
- Start with the Base: If you’re going homemade, whip up some mayo first, using my homemade mayo recipe. Otherwise, have your compliant mayo ready.
- Mix Milk and Vinegar: Combine the unsweetened almond milk and vinegar in a wide-mouth mason jar or food processor. Let it sit for a minute to curdle—it’s part of the magic!
- Add the Good Stuff: Toss in the mayo, garlic, dried parsley, chives, dill, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Blend It Up: Use an immersion blender or regular food processor to blend everything until smooth.
- Season: Add sea salt to taste. If you like it peppery, feel free to sprinkle in a bit more black pepper.
- Taste and Adjust: Give it a taste and add more herbs or seasoning if needed. Sometimes a little extra dill or garlic can really make it pop.
- Chill and Serve: Store your homemade ranch dressing in the fridge a bit before serving. It’s great when the flavors have a little time to meld together, and it also thickens up to the perfect consistency.
🪄 Recipe notes & tips
- Consistency Check: If your paleo ranch dressing is too thick, thin it out with a bit more almond milk. Too thin? More mayo will do the trick.
- Fresh vs. Dried Herbs: Fresh herbs can brighten up the flavor significantly, but make sure to use more than you would with dried since they’re not as concentrated.
- Let It Sit: The flavors develop better if you let the dressing sit in the fridge for at least a few hours or overnight.
- Garlic Power: If you’re a garlic lover, don’t hesitate to add an extra clove or two. For a milder taste, stick with garlic powder.
✨ Variations
- Spicy Ranch: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or a few drops of your favorite hot sauce to give it a spicy kick.
- Herb-Loaded: Mix in extra fresh dill, parsley, and chives for a super herbaceous flavor.
- Citrus Twist: Swap the vinegar with fresh lemon juice or lime juice for a zesty, citrusy note.
- Dairy-Like Creaminess: Stir in a tablespoon of coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk for a thicker, creamier texture.
- Vegan Version: Ensure your mayo is vegan or make your own egg-free mayo to keep it plant-based.
- Dill-Free: Not a fan of dill? Just leave it out or replace it with more parsley or another favorite herb.
- Cheesy Ranch: Add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without the dairy.
🫙 Storage instructions
- Airtight: Keep your dairy-free ranch dressing in an airtight container or a glass jar with a tight lid to maintain freshness.
- Fridge: Store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep well for up to a week. Commercial versions of ranch can last up to a year (!). Want to know more? Check out this post: How Long Does Ranch Last? (+4 signs it’s bad!)
- No Freezing: Freezing isn’t recommended as it can affect the texture and consistency when thawed.
- Keep It Cool: Always make sure to return the dressing to the fridge promptly after serving to keep it fresh and safe to eat.
🍽️ What to serve with this dump ranch recipe
- Veggie Dip: Dip crunchy carrots, celery, bell peppers, or cucumber sticks for a healthy snack.
- Protein: Drizzle over grilled chicken, steak, or baked fish to add some zest to your protein. Its a great dip for chicken wings too!
- Salads: Toss it into your favorite mixed greens, potato salad, or coleslaw to jazz up your salads.
- Savory Sides: Perfect with sweet potato fries, roasted potatoes, or as a topping for your veggie burgers.
🤔 What mayonnaise brands are Whole30 compliant?
Store-bought mayo is usually loaded with preservatives and added sugar making it non-compliant on a Whole30. Here are some compliant options to try if you don’t want to make your own:
- Primal Kitchen (UK link) (US link)
- Hunter & Gather Food’s Avocado Oil Mayo (UK link)
- Dr Will’s (UK)
- Tessemae’s (US link)
- Sir Kensington’s (US link)
- Chosen Foods (US link)
- Ojai Cook Lemonaise (US link)
- Real Mayonnaise by Trader Joe’s (US)
Vegan Whole30 Mayonnaise
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is this ranch dressing keto-friendly?
Yes, as long as you use a keto-compliant mayonnaise this can fit into a keto diet.
How can I make this dressing spicier?
Add more black pepper, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to amp up the heat.
Can I use this ranch as a marinade?
Absolutely! It’s great for marinating chicken or pork, just let the meat soak in the dressing for a few hours before cooking. Note: it won’t stay creamy as it cooks because the mayonnaise will turn back into oil. You can drizzle more ranch before serving.
😋 More Whole30 dip and sauce recipes to try
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📖 Recipe
Whole30 Ranch Dressing Recipe
Creamy, garlicky, and loaded with herbs, this Whole30 Ranch is absolutely bursting with flavor! Ready in 5 minutes, it’s so easy to whip up and it’s perfect as a dip or drizzled over a hearty salad or over roasted vegetables. You won’t go back to store-bought after you make this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 1.5 cups mayonnaise Whole30 compliant (I make my own)
- 1-2 cloves garlic I used 1 large clove
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp dried chives
- 2 tsp dried dill
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 3/4 tsp ground black pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
- (Optional) Begin by making homemade mayonnaise if desired.
- Add the vinegar and unsweetened almond milk to a medium-large jar or food processor and allow it to sit for a minute (it will curdle, that's what we want).1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- Add the mayonnaise, garlic, parsley, chives, dill, onion powder, and black pepper, and blend with an immersion blender or in the food processor.1.5 cups mayonnaise, 1-2 cloves garlic, 2 tsp dried parsley, 2 tsp dried chives, 2 tsp dried dill, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 3/4 tsp ground black pepper
- Season with salt to taste and use immediately or store in the fridge until you're ready. It will keep for up to a week.salt to taste
Notes
- Consistency Check: If your paleo ranch dressing is too thick, thin it out with a bit more almond milk. Too thin? More mayo will do the trick.
- Fresh vs. Dried Herbs: Fresh herbs can brighten up the flavor significantly, but make sure to use more than you would with dried since they’re not as concentrated.
- Let It Sit: The flavors develop better if you let the dressing sit in the fridge for at least a few hours or overnight.
- Garlic Power: If you’re a garlic lover, don’t hesitate to add an extra clove or two. For a milder taste, stick with garlic powder.
Storage instructions
- Airtight: Keep your dairy-free ranch dressing in an airtight container or a glass jar with a tight lid to maintain freshness.
- Fridge: Store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep well for up to a week. Commercial versions of ranch can last up to a year (!). Want to know more? Check out this post: How Long Does Ranch Last? (+4 signs it’s bad!)
- No Freezing: Freezing isn’t recommended as it can affect the texture and consistency when thawed.
- Keep It Cool: Always make sure to return the dressing to the fridge promptly after serving to keep it fresh and safe to eat.
Nutrition
Calories: 59kcalCarbohydrates: 0.3gProtein: 0.2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 62mgPotassium: 12mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 177IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.1mg
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