{"id":183,"date":"2019-07-01T06:36:03","date_gmt":"2019-07-01T12:36:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/makeaheadmealmom.dreamhosters.com\/?p=183"},"modified":"2023-08-01T14:54:56","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T20:54:56","slug":"homemade-ranch-dressing-mix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.makeaheadmealmom.com\/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix\/","title":{"rendered":"Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Small<\/p>\n

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix<\/h2>\n

Did you know that you can make your own homemade ranch dressing mix, using just a few basic ingredients that you probably already have on hand?<\/p>\n

And you can make it without added fillers, preservatives, chemicals, or extra sugars?!  All for much cheaper than you can find it in the store??<\/p>\n

I don’t usually make a lot of recipes, especially freezer meal recipes, that call for prepared ranch dressing.  But I do seem to make a lot that call for dry ranch dressing mix, the stuff you can buy in the little packets at the store.<\/p>\n

I used to be able to find them on sale pretty often, but haven’t had much luck with that lately, and I’m too cheap to buy them at full price.  So, I got tired of running out, and now I make my own homemade ranch mix!<\/p>\n

\"Closeup<\/p>\n

What Is Ranch Seasoning Made Of?<\/h3>\n

The ranch seasoning mix you get at the store, and most of the versions you will find online, all have pretty much the same basic ingredients, although the ratios may vary a bit.  Generally, ranch seasoning is made with garlic and onion powders, parsley, dill, chives, salt, and pepper.  Some of the commercially prepared versions sneak in some preservatives or fillers, or even extra sugar, which we are really trying to avoid at my little “ranch”.<\/p>\n

Now, I will openly confess that Hidden Valley ranch dressing is my favorite commercially prepared salad dressing, and it is usually buttermilk based.  In order to get a similar buttermilk flavor in the dry ranch mix, you can include dry buttermilk powder, thus making it shelf stable but with the same buttermilk tang. <\/p>\n

It’s usually pretty easy to find – it will be with the baking ingredients in your local store.  Most stores I’ve looked in have only carried the Saco brand, although I know that Bob’s Red Mill makes some, too.<\/p>\n

Some food storage companies also sell dry buttermilk powder, and you can order online.  And of course, there are multiple options on Amazon<\/a>, too.<\/p>\n

Why Buttermilk Powder?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I rarely keep buttermilk around, and when I do get it for a recipe, there is always some leftover that I forget about and then end up having to pour down the drain after it has gone bad.  I know there are so many recipes it can be used in, but I just plain forget to use it!  So, I’ve just started keeping buttermilk powder around so I can make up as much “buttermilk” as I need, when I need it.  Apparently, the good folks at The Kitchn<\/a> agree!<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

 <\/h3>\n

Ranch Seasoning Mix Basics<\/h3>\n

There really isn’t much to the ranch dressing mix recipe.  You’ll need:<\/p>\n