The 5-Minute Ranch Dip My Family Can’t Stop Eating

Growing up, my home always had a bottle of ranch dressing in the fridge. I really didn’t venture into the world of vinegar-based salad dressings until my later years because, as a kid and then as a teenager, ranch was all my heart desired. 

Now that I’m a mom of five lovely girls, I can see why. It pairs with anything and has this magical way of getting my girls (especially my seven-year-old twins) to eat their veggies. Our love for ranch doesn’t just stop with veggies, though. We love it with chicken nuggets, chicken wraps, pizza, and salty potato chips.

Just like in my mama’s kitchen, I will always have a bottle of ranch in the fridge. But there’s just something special about making a zesty ranch dip from scratch. It’s a bit thicker than bottle ranch, has a tang that hits just right, and I love that you can make it completely your own. 

I will warn you: It’s dangerous to have around the house because you won’t be able to stop eating it! My kids will literally down my ranch dip, which means it’s a clear winner—I know that you’ll feel the same way, too. It only takes about 5 minutes to whip up, making it perfect for those last-minute summer gatherings, tailgating parties, or a midnight snack.

How To Make My Ranch Dip

To make one cup (enough to serve eight or nine people), you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 (1-ounce) packet ranch seasoning mix (like Hidden Valley)
• 1/2 lemon, juiced

Combine the mayo, yogurt, ranch seasoning, and lemon juice in a bowl and stir to combine. For an added flavor boost, make one to two hours ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate. The beauty of this is the longer it sits, the stronger the flavor!

Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to five days.

Easy Recipe Variations

Please note that I don’t recommend using Miracle Whip instead of regular mayo. The taste just won’t be the same. You can swap out the regular mayo for light mayo if you want to.

While this is a pretty straightforward recipe, if you’re looking for a higher protein dip and aren’t a fan of mayo, swap it out for cottage cheese. We have done this several times, and I love the texture the cottage cheese brings. If you don’t like Greek yogurt, you can use light or regular sour cream in its place.

If you want this to be a little runnier, add a tablespoon of water at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Want to really get zesty? Add in some chopped parsley, or zest the lemon into the dip before you juice it. You can also add a dash of your favorite hot sauce for a little heat.

What To Serve With Ranch Dip

• Veggies are the first obvious choice. Think cucumbers, carrots, cauliflower, celery, broccoli, radishes, sugar snap peas, and cherry tomatoes.
• I mentioned chips earlier, and Ruffles are my favorite because they’re sturdy and have ridges for great sauce capturing. We have even dipped tortilla chips in this dip and the combo tastes like Cool Ranch Doritos!
• Use it as a spread for chicken wraps or on a burger.
• This dip would be fantastic with chicken wings.