National Ranch Day 🥗🥛 — Creamy Dressing, Dips & Comfort Food Recipes

National Ranch Day is an annual event celebrated on March 10th that pays tribute to one of America's most beloved condiments – ranch dressing. Ranch dressing is a creamy, tangy sauce made from buttermilk, garlic, herbs, and spices. It is often used as a dip for vegetables or chicken wings, and it is also a popular salad dressing.

The origins of National Ranch Day are unclear, but it is believed to have started as a way to celebrate the popularity of ranch dressing in the United States. Ranch dressing was first created in the 1950s by a man named Steve Henson, who owned a dude ranch in California. Henson's original recipe included buttermilk, garlic, onion, and herbs, and it quickly became a hit with his guests. Today, ranch dressing is one of the most popular condiments in America, with millions of people enjoying it every day.

To celebrate National Ranch Day, there are many different ways that you can enjoy this delicious condiment. One of the most popular ways to enjoy ranch dressing is as a dip for vegetables, chips, or chicken wings. You can also use ranch dressing as a topping for baked potatoes or as a sauce for pizza.

If you are looking for a healthier alternative to traditional ranch dressing, there are many recipes available online that use healthier ingredients like Greek yogurt or avocado. These alternatives are often lower in fat and calories than traditional ranch dressing, but they still have the same great taste.

National Ranch Day is also a great opportunity to try new and creative ways of using ranch dressing in your cooking. For example, you could use ranch dressing as a marinade for chicken or steak, or you could add it to your scrambled eggs for a tasty breakfast dish. You can even use ranch dressing as a flavoring for popcorn or roasted nuts for a unique and delicious snack.

National Ranch Day (March 10): Activities and How to Celebrate National Ranch Day

Overall, National Ranch Day is a fun and delicious holiday that celebrates one of America's most beloved condiments. Whether you are a die-hard ranch fan or just enjoy the occasional dip, there are many different ways to enjoy ranch dressing and celebrate this tasty holiday. So go ahead and indulge in some ranch dressing today – your taste buds will thank you!

National Ranch Day 🥗🥛 — Creamy Dressing, Dips & Comfort Food Recipes

Celebrate March 10 with the ultimate from-scratch ranch dressing—plus a high-protein Greek yogurt dip, a DIY seasoning blend, and clever ways to use them.

Hands-on: 10 min Chill: 30 min Makes: ~1 1/4 cups

---

Best Homemade Ranch Dressing (Classic Buttermilk)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
• 1/4–1/3 cup buttermilk (to thin)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice or white wine vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon (optional, for body)
• 1 small garlic clove, grated (or 1/4 tsp garlic powder)
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh herbs (dill + chives + parsley)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt, more to taste
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Whisk base: In a bowl, whisk mayo, sour cream, 1/4 cup buttermilk, lemon juice, and Dijon until smooth.
2. Season: Stir in garlic, onion powder, herbs, salt, and pepper.
3. Adjust: Thin with extra buttermilk to your preferred pourable or dippable consistency. Taste and tweak salt/acid.
4. Chill: Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes (flavors bloom).

Keeps 5–7 days refrigerated. Stir before serving.

Nutrition (approx. per 2 tbsp)

115 kcal • 1g protein • 2g carbs • 12g fat

Food safety: Use pasteurized dairy; store at ≤ 40°F/4°C; discard if separation smells sour or herbs darken.

Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip (High-Protein)

Swap in 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or 5%) for both mayo and sour cream; add 1–2 tbsp olive oil for silkiness and 1–2 tsp honey if too tangy. Thin with a splash of milk for dressing.

Avocado Ranch

Blend in 1/2 ripe avocado + extra lemon juice. Great on tacos and grain bowls.

Spicy Ranch

Whisk in 1–2 tsp hot sauce or chipotle purée + smoked paprika.

Dairy-Free Ranch

Use vegan mayo + unsweetened oat milk + 1 tsp apple cider vinegar. Add 1 tbsp nutritional yeast for depth.

DIY Ranch Seasoning (Pantry Mix)

Stir together: 2 tbsp dried parsley, 1 tbsp dried dill, 1 tbsp dried chives, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper. Use: 1 tbsp mix ≈ seasons 1 cup dressing base or 1 lb chicken/potatoes. Stores 6 months airtight.

10 Tasty Ways to Use Ranch

• Wing + veggie dip boards
• Chopped salads & BLT wraps
• Pizza drizzle (buffalo chicken!)
• Air-fryer ranch potatoes
• Grilled corn with ranch butter
• Ranch fried chicken marinade
• Burger spread or slider sauce
• Ranch pasta salad
• Popcorn or roasted nuts (with seasoning mix)
• Breakfast scramble finish

Troubleshooting

• Too thin? Whisk in more mayo/sour cream; chill—cold thickens.
• Too thick? Thin gradually with buttermilk or milk.
• Flat flavor? Add a pinch of salt + 1–2 tsp lemon juice or vinegar.
• Harsh garlic? Switch to powder or bloom fresh garlic in lemon juice 5 min.