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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Sauces

Healthy Ranch Dressing

Feb 6, 2025 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 38 Comments

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Diet: Gluten Free / Low Carb / Low Fat / Vegetarian
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Healthy Ranch Dressing with a text title overlay.

We have lightened this usually high calorie dressing by using Greek yogurt, but it still packs plenty of flavor. It's so easy to make by just mixing the ingredients together in a couple of minutes and it stores in the fridge for a couple of days. I would happily put this healthy ranch 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 bottle of Healthy Ranch Dressing on a wooden surface with a lemon wedge and spoon.

This creamy Greek yogurt based dressing feels far more indulgent than it actually is, and it is going to totally change your salads. Our healthy ranch dressing recipe is 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 healthy ranch dip. Skip the bottles of dressing and make this healthy ranch salad dressing yourself with just a few ingredients. We have used fat free Greek yoghurt to keep this low in fat and it is just 22 calories per portion too.

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

Jump to:
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Healthy Ranch Dressing Variations
  • How to Make Healthy Homemade Ranch Dressing - Step by Step
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Sauce Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Ingredients and Substitutions

All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.

A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Greek yogurt - We used 0% to keep it very low fat and a low calorie ranch dressing, 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, but dried herbs don't have the same flavor unless cooked. Feel free to adjust the amount used.
  • 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 flavor.
  • Dijon mustard - This adds a real boost of flavor and the Dijon adds some creaminess.
  • Garlic - We think ranch should be pretty garlicy, so feel free to add more if you want. You could add some garlic powder with some onion powder instead.
  • Sea salt and black pepper - Season to taste.

Healthy Ranch Dressing Variations

How did we lighten this up and make a low calorie ranch? 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 low calorie ranch? 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.

How to Make Healthy Homemade Ranch Dressing - Step by Step

A mixing bowl containing the ingredients for ranch dressing.
  1. Step 1: Put all of the ingredients into a bowl.
All the ingredients whisked together.
  1. Step 2: Whisk it all together.

Serving Suggestions

We love this dressing on a simple green salad, but it can be used as a dressing on any of your favorite salad like our Roasted Butternut Squash Salad or Little Gem Salad. You could put it at the bottom of these Salad Jars too.

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 into it for a healthy snack or use it as a dip for our Baked Carrot Fries.

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?

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

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 2-3 days in the fridge.
  • You can make this dairy-free 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.
Salad dressing over lettuce next to a sauce bottle and a spoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store ranch dressing

If you store this dressing in an airtight 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.

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!

More Sauce Recipes

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    Healthy Teriyaki Sauce
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    Pesto Salad Dressing
  • Quick Gyoza Sauce on a plate with gyoza.
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  • A jar of mixed herb pesto on a wooden surface.
    Mixed Herb Pesto

If you’ve tried this homemade healthy 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

By: Dannii Martin
Find out how to make your own Healthy Ranch Dressing- full of flavour but light on calories. Amazing as a dressing or dip!
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
4.88 from 25 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Sauce/Spread
Cuisine: American
Prep: 2 minutes mins
Total: 2 minutes mins
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 22kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy
An illustration of a mustard bottle.
Mustard
An illustration of a wine glass.
Sulphites

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoon 0% Fat Free Greek yogurt
  • 10 g (0.25 cups) Fresh dill - chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
  • 100 ml (0.4 cups) Skimmed milk
  • 1 Lemon - (juice only)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 Garlic clove - crushed
  • 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper

Instructions

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

Recipe Tips

  • 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

The 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.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. London Unattached Lifestyle and Travel says

    March 15, 2014 at 9:38 pm

    sounds lovely danni - I'm a big fan of greek yoghurt

    Reply
  2. Tina @ The Spicy Pear says

    March 14, 2014 at 9:58 am

    I've heard of ranch dressing but not tried it. But I am liking your new version and bookmarking this page to try it.

    Reply
  3. Nayna Kanabar (@citrusspiceuk) says

    March 13, 2014 at 9:07 pm

    This looks like a nice versatile dressing.

    Reply
  4. Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says

    March 13, 2014 at 10:45 am

    5 stars
    You had me at healthy - I love yoghurt dressings so I am always on the look out for more of these.

    Reply
  5. Jacqueline Meldrum says

    March 12, 2014 at 9:26 pm

    This is on my must-have-soon list. I do love ranch and this one looks lush!

    Reply
  6. Rebecca says

    March 12, 2014 at 8:11 pm

    This sounds yummy! Will definitely try! I developed a vegan ranch dressing that is amazing, as well, and it keeps in the fridge for weeks. If you'd like the recipe, let me know =).

    Reply
    • Annie says

      March 12, 2014 at 10:54 pm

      I'd like the recipe!

      Reply
  7. Janie says

    March 12, 2014 at 7:41 pm

    Delish! I made a red wine vinegar dressing tonight & put too much dijon mustard in it, so much infact that Jonny wouldn't finish his salad! Oops! :)
    Janie x

    Reply
  8. Charlotte says

    March 12, 2014 at 6:39 pm

    5 stars
    Ranch dressing is my favourite, as is Caesar. Would love a healthy recipe for that too please.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      March 17, 2014 at 4:57 pm

      I have that Caesar Salad recipe here

      Reply
  9. Choclette says

    March 12, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    Adore yogurt and often use it as a salad dressing. Don't think I have tried using Greek yogurt though.

    Reply
  10. Pam says

    March 12, 2014 at 5:30 pm

    Would like to see a healthy version of Honey Mustard Dressing/Dip

    Reply
  11. Charli says

    March 12, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    I adore ranch dressing, so going to make this! xx

    Reply
  12. Karen says

    March 12, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    I am a Ranch Dressing lover too and remember when I first discovered it in the States! I have also been the lucky recipient of Quick Jars bottles and jars and am using my bottles soon to decant some elderflower champagne in to from last year!

    Reply
  13. Jane says

    March 12, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    A low sugar tomato sauce recipe would be great!

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      March 17, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      I posted a Healthy Ketchup recipe yesterday :)

      Reply
  14. Amrita Dasgupta says

    March 12, 2014 at 1:34 pm

    This is brilliant! I buy and Greek yoghurt like a maniac. I've never had ranch dressing but I'll be making this purely because of the Greek yoghurt :D I also have plenty of jars lying around because I re-use all my jam jars!

    Reply
  15. Isobelle says

    March 12, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    I would love some chilli sauce recipes. I am pretty much addicted to your chipotle sauce recipe, so it would be nice to be able to mix it up and try some new healthy chilli sauce recipes. Thanks.

    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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