So, the story goes that this dressing was originally called Buttermilk Dressing. It was popular with cowboys on cattle drives because buttermilk was a common ingredient in Cookie’s chuck wagon. (in case you’re too young to remember the TV show Rawhide, Cookie is what they called the cook). The name morphed into Buttermilk Ranch or Ranch dressing because the cowboys lived and worked on ranches. I can’t testify to the validity of the name origin, but it sounds reasonable. Well, I guess it sounds partially reasonable. I never gave much thought to dairy items going along on a cattle drive. Come to think of it, I never gave much thought to cowboys sitting around a campfire after a long day of moving cows to chow down on a nice salad.
Ok, the more I think about it the more this story seems to fall apart.
Regardless of how the dressing got it’s name, Americans love it. If you’ve never tried a homemade version, you owe it to yourself. It’s simply a matter of whisking together buttermilk, mayonnaise and fresh herbs along with some seasoning and tad bit of acidity in the form of lemon juice, lime juice or vinegar. That’s all there is to it. Some recipes call for parsley but I don’t think it’s a critical component. The flavor is mild and non-descript so it adds color but not much in the way of flavor. If you have parsley on hand, throw a little bit in. But, if you’re fresh out of parsley, don’t let that keep you from making this great salad dressing. Nevah, evah let parsley stand between you and a great salad.
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Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
The dressing needs a tiny bit more acidity in addition to buttermilk and mayonnaise. Use whatever you happen to have: vinegar, lemon juice or lime juice. Store dressing in refrigerator for up to one week.
yield: 1 1/2 cups
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup minced fresh chives
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
1 teaspoon lemon juice (may substitute lime juice or white vinegar)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Whisk all ingredients together Cover and chill thoroughly before use. Will keep refrigerator for up to one week.
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
- The dressing needs a tiny bit more acidity in addition to buttermilk and mayonnaise. Use whatever you happen to have: vinegar lemon juice or lime juice. Store dressing in refrigerator for up to one week.
- yield: 1 1/2 cups
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 3/4 cup Duke's mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup minced fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice may substitute lime juice or white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together Cover and chill thoroughly before use. Will keep refrigerator for up to one week.
Igor @ Cooking The Globe says
Thanks for the recipe! Adding new dressing to my collection 🙂
Jackie Garvin says
Thank you, Igor! I hope you enjoy.
markr356 says
I always find the history of food a rather fascinating topic. Nice story about the buttermilk dressing. It looks fabulous by the way with those chives and dill.
Jackie Garvin says
Thank you, Mark. I love using fresh herbs as much as possible.
Sri Mallya says
What a flavorful dressing recipe. Bookmarked!
Jackie Garvin says
Thank you, Sri. Enjoy!
Jolina - The Unlikely Baker says
I love the cowboy story 🙂 True or not, it’s interesting! We tried to make our own ranch dressing once….not very successful. Looked very different from your recipe too! We’re excited to try yours – will let you know how it goes.
Jackie Garvin says
Jolina,
I hope my version meets with your approval. I made it recently for a rather large gathering and it was a supah stah! My 6 year old granddaughter loved it, too. Please let me know how if turns out.
evseats says
Yum! I love buttermilk ranch dressing! Nice recipe.
Jackie Garvin says
Thank you, evseats.
peter @feedyoursoultoo says
I did not know the origin of the dressing. I always like the history and I really like the dressing.
Jackie Garvin says
Thank you, Peter.
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
I love be cowboy story! Who cares if it’s true- that’s going to be stuck in my head whenever I see ranch now lol. I just might try this- I make my own vinaigrettes but haven’t had much luck with creamy dressings. This looks easy!
Jackie Garvin says
Sarah,
It is ridiculously easy. That’s the only kind of food I make. Hope you try it. Thanks for stopping by!
Lynn | The Road to Honey says
The cowboy story makes the dressing even more endearing to me. It gives it a sense of history and adds a personal touch. And I agree with you that homemade dressings are so much better than the bottled variety. I’ll have to give this one a try with my next salad.
Jackie Garvin says
Lynn,
I love the story, too. Enjoy your next salad with homemade buttermilk ranch dressing.
strawberryblondiekitchen says
I can never have enough ranch in my life! Love that I can make buttermilk ranch at home!
Jackie Garvin says
It’s so easy! Hope you give it a try.
BMabry says
Thank you, Jackie, for the Buttermilk Rangh Dressing recipe. I’m glad to see your recipe calls for Duke’s mayonnaise. I live in upstate SC and the Duke’s mayo is manufactured three miles from my home. Yummy, yummy!
Jackie Garvin says
Duke’s is the only brand I use. Stay tuned because I’m teaming up with Duke’s for a special offer in an upcoming post.