A good ranch dressing recipe is something every home cook should have in her recipe box.  This is a 'bulk' recipe, so you're making up a big batch that can be used as a seasoning in many other foods, as well as making a mean ranch dip and dressing...among other things.  It's very versatile!

I've layered in all of the dried herbs, and I'm ready to shake and blend!

I've been working on this recipe for a couple of years, because I've been on a personal vendetta against using products with MSG (or any form of glutamates, hydrolized protiens, etc.)  Mainly, because these pre-digested proteins (which are actually neuro-transmitters) flood your system and mess up your body's hunger/satiation hormones, and you *crave* food and overeat even a day after indulging in MSG laden food.  I don't need any help craving and overindulging, thankyouverymuch. 

I admit that I'm a label reader.  If you are too, you'd know how hard it is to find any kind of commercial ranch dressing that does *not* contain MSG in some form...even the 'healthy' brands.

This is the mix, before blending...

All that's in my mix are herbs and spices.  I'd much rather stock up on some good herbs, and toss this spice mix together than buy the $1 each packets of commercial spice blends.  Because I make it in bulk, it doesn't take long, and I get at least 3-6 months worth of spice mixes out of this big batch.

Just yesterday, I pulled out all my herbs and spices and made up big batches of:
-Greek Seasoning and Dressing Mix
-Ranch Dressing
-Steak Seasoning
-Taco Seasoning
(and I already have a nice big bottle of chili seasoning mix ready to go when cool weather arrives!)

It took me about an hour to make 2-3 cups of each spice blend, but your time may vary...I had a toddler hanging from each leg.  Totally worth that time to get a stocked pantry full of delicious 'convenience' spice and seasoning mixes!

Bulk batch in a pint jar...I write the how to use directions on the lid.


OK, let's get started making this yummy ranch dressing recipe:
You'll need:
chives, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, sugar (optional), and paprika (optional...for a little more kick!)


Pretty much, all you do is just dump them all into a jar and shake!  I like to blend my spices to powder, so the flavors will blend in quickly in recipes.  It's easy to do with this spice grinder blender trick!

On the printable recipes, below, you'll find:
Ranch Dressing Recipe: Mini-Mix (to try it out)
It makes about a quarter cup...just to see if you like it!

Once you've tasted it, if you're sold on the mix, I've also provided
Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe: In Bulk!
It's about 2 cups of blended mix...I keep some in a shaker jar, and the rest in my pint jar for refills and making dressing.


I'm also including some recipes for ways to use your mix:

Ranch Salad Dressing Recipe

Ranch Dip

French Onion Dip

Tarter Sauce

Ranch Rice Mix

making Tarter Sauce...






One of my other favorite ways to use the Ranch dressing recipe (besides making dressing and dip) is as a seasoning blend.  I like it sprinkled on baked potatoes, french fries, roasted veggies. 

I want to hear if you try it...let me know what you think!   Here are the printable recipes:





and the b&w printable is here: Ranch Dressing Recipe