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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Sauces

    Healthy Ranch Dressing

    Published: Nov 3, 2019 · Modified: Feb 8, 2022 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 38 Comments

    892 shares
    • 289
    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Gluten Free / Low Carb / Low Fat / Vegetarian
    Healthy Ranch Dressing with a text title overlay.

    We have lightened this usually calorific dressing by using Greek yogurt, but it still packs plenty of flavour. It's so easy to make and stores in the fridge for a couple of days. Ranch dressing is one of those things that I could, and would, put on everything. It's creamy, it is full of flavour, what's not to love? Our Healthy Ranch Dressing has all the flavour you know and love, but a little bit lighter.

    A bowl of salad leaves covered in a healthy ranch dressing.

    This creamy Greek yogurt based dressing feels far more indulgent than it actually is, and it is going to totally change your salads. It's so easy to make - just mix everything together in a bowl. It's far more than a dressing too, as it's amazing as a dip. Skip the bottles of dressing and make this healthy ranch dressing yourself with just a few ingredients.

    If you want to try some other homemade salad dressing recipes, then why not try our Tomato Vinaigrette, Honey and Mustard Dressing or Lemon Vinaigrette.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love it
    • Ingredients needed
    • How to make ranch dressing - Step by step
    • Health benefits
    • Variations
    • What to serve with Healthy Ranch Dressing
    • Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Extra tips
    • More sauce recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love it

    • Low in calories and fat - We have used fat free Greek yoghurt to keep this low in fat and it is just 22 calories a portion too.
    • Easy - There is no cooking involved, you just have to mix everything together in a bowl.
    • Quick - Less than 5 minutes is all you need to put this together.

    Ingredients needed

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
    • Greek yogurt - We used 0% to keep it very low fat, but you could use full fat if you wanted a creamier dressing.
    • Dill - Fresh dill is always best, however you could use dried if that is all you have.
    • Vinegar - We used apple cider vinegar.
    • Milk - We used skimmed, but you could use semi-skimmed or whole if you prefer. You could also use buttermilk (and leave out the lemon) and it would make it feel a bit more indulgent.
    • Lemon - We have used just the juice of half a lemon, but you could add some lemon zest if you want some extra lemon flavour.
    • Dijon mustard - This adds a real boost of flavour and the Dijon adds some creaminess.
    • Garlic - We think ranch should be pretty garlicy, so feel free to add more if you want.
    • Sea salt and black pepper - Season to taste.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    How to make ranch dressing - Step by step

    One: Put all of the ingredients into a bowl.

    A mixing bowl containing the ingredients for ranch dressing.

    Two: Mix well.

    All the ingredients whisked together.

    Health benefits

    We try to make our own dressings as often as we can (when time permits), because they really do only take a few minutes and they need minimal ingredients, compared to the long list of ingredients that you find in store bought dressings. Next time you are in a supermarket, look at the label of a salad dressing bottle. It's really long, and it really doesn't need to be. Just a few fresh ingredients and you have yourself a delicious and light salad dressing.

    We have used Greek yogurt which makes this a protein packed dressing, and making it yourself means you can also control how much salt goes in to it. We always add salt, as it really does intensify all the other flavours, but you only need a little pinch.

    A bottle of Healthy Ranch Dressing on a wooden surface with a lemon wedge and spoon.

    Variations

    How did we lighten up this ranch dressing? We used Greek yogurt of course. Ranch dressing is usually made with sour cream and mayo, which obviously tastes amazing, but can really make a salad high in calories.

    If you really don't like the taste of Greek yogurt (bear in mind that this dressing tastes different from just plain Greek yogurt), then feel free to use a mixture of yogurt, mayo and sour cream, but remember it will change the nutritional value a lot.

    Want a vegan version of this? Swap the Greek yogurt for a soya yogurt and use oat milk instead of skimmed. It won't quite have the same flavour, but it's a great vegan alternative.

    What to serve with Healthy Ranch Dressing

    We love this dressing on a simple green salad, but it can be used as a dressing on any of your favourite salad like our Roasted Butternut Squash Salad.

    It's not just good on salads though. It works really well as a dip and we love dipping our Baked BBQ Chicken Wings in this dressing. You can also dip some cucumber and carrot sticks in to it for a healthy snack.

    It's also a really good dip for pizza - why not try our Greek Pizza, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Easy Naan Pizza or Garlic Mushroom Pizza?

    Storage

    If you store this dressing in an air tight container, then it will keep fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days. However, it is best fresh and because it is so easy to make, we usually just make as much as we need for that day.

    Salad dressing over lettuce next to a sauce bottle and a spoon.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is ranch dressing gluten free?

    As long as you make sure everything is labelled gluten free and there is no cross contamination then this can be gluten free.

    Is it vegan?

    This recipe isn't vegan because of the Greek yogurt and milk, however you can use plant based alternatives.

    Can it be made in advance?

    Yes, you can make this in advance and then store it in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.

    Can the recipe be doubled?

    Yes, you can and should make double of this, as you will want to put it on everything!

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • If you find this dressing a little thick, you can thin it out with more milk.
    • Store in an air tight jar and it will keep for about 4 days in the fridge.
    • You can make this vegan by using soya yogurt and oat milk.
    • Add a little onion flavour by mixing in some fresh chives.
    • This dressing makes a great dip for chicken wings.

    More sauce recipes

    • Healthy Teriyaki Sauce
    • Tomato Vinaigrette
    • Quick Gyoza Sauce
    • Mixed Herb Pesto

    If you’ve tried this homemade ranch dressing recipe, then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    Healthy Ranch Dressing drizzled over lettuce leaves.

    Healthy Ranch Dressing

    We have lightened this usually calorific Ranch Dressing by using Greek yogurt, but it still packs plenty of flavour. It's so easy to make and stores in the fridge for a couple of days.
    A circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    The words low carb in a white circle.
    Low Carb
    the words low fat in a white circle.
    Low Fat
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
    Vegetarian
    4.93 from 40 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Sauce/Spread
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Total Time: 2 minutes
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    An illustration of a mustard bottle.
    Mustard
    An illustration of a wine glass.
    Sulphites
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 22kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 8 tablespoon 0% Greek yogurt
    • 10 g Fresh dill - chopped
    • 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
    • 100 ml Skimmed milk
    • 1 Lemon - (juice only)
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 2 Garlic clove - crushed
    • 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper

    Instructions

    • Put all of the ingredients in to a bowl.
    • Mix well.
    • Serve in a dressing bottle.

    Notes

    • Store in an air tight jar and it will keep for about 4 days in the fridge.
    • You can make this vegan by using soya yogurt and oat milk.
    • Add a little onion flavour by mixing in some fresh chives.
    • This dressing makes a great dip for chicken wings.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 22kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 47mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 8.4mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ivan at mindthetravel.com

      November 12, 2019 at 3:35 pm

      This is a very tasty dressing and I love making my own dressing. Next time I make it I will use less garlic. I will definitely make this again.

      Reply
    2. Chris Collins

      November 04, 2019 at 10:24 pm

      5 stars
      I love homemade dressings! This healthy ranch sounds wonderful!

      Reply
    3. SHANIKA

      November 04, 2019 at 6:47 pm

      5 stars
      This Ranch Dressing looks so amazing! I love that you've used Greek Yogurt as a base. I could imagine how creamy it is!

      Reply
    4. Heidy L. McCallum

      November 04, 2019 at 6:37 pm

      5 stars
      I love homemade dressing--we make ours all the time. So much healthier without all the chemicals and add ons. I am excited to try your Ranch dressing this coming week. I will let you know how everything goes. Saving this recipe.

      Reply
    5. Sara

      November 04, 2019 at 6:24 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely LOVE this recipe! I used to buy the yogurt dressings at the store but they were so expensive after a bit. This is much better and tastes better too!

      Reply
    6. Sue

      November 04, 2019 at 2:49 pm

      5 stars
      Wish I had had this recipe when my kids were little, they literally ate everything drenched in the stuff!

      Reply
    7. Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)

      November 04, 2019 at 2:24 pm

      5 stars
      I love how you lightened this recipe up! Great and delicious take on a classic.

      Reply
    8. Demeter

      November 04, 2019 at 2:12 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for adding a vegan alternative. I can’t wait to try it!!

      Reply
    9. Ashley

      November 04, 2019 at 12:39 pm

      5 stars
      Yum!! I love ranch dressing! And this is so so yummy - great for all the raw veggies I take with me to snack on at my desk!

      Reply
    10. estelle

      November 04, 2019 at 9:48 am

      5 stars
      this look delicious and so creamy! we've been trying to eat more greens over here and I'm always looking for new dressings, can't wait to try this!

      Reply
    11. Noelle

      March 26, 2019 at 8:38 pm

      5 stars
      I love to make my own dressings and this one turned out perfect! I really like the taste of the dill in it, will be making again!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        March 27, 2019 at 11:54 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed it. The dill is really nice in it isn't it.

        Reply
    12. Melanie

      January 03, 2017 at 8:56 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds delicious and so easy. I'll be giving this a try, as well as your Ceasar dressing (my recipe is similar, mostly just have to swap mayo for greek yogurt). Thanks!

      Reply
    13. Lauren

      January 19, 2015 at 11:02 pm

      5 stars
      This is delicious!
      I would love to see a healthy blue cheese dressing- shop bought ones are so heavy and full of rubbish!

      Reply
    14. Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours

      March 28, 2014 at 7:20 pm

      5 stars
      I've always wondered what Ranch dressing actually is. I'd be adding some miso and soy to it!

      Reply
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    My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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