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.
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.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
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
- Step 1: Put all of the ingredients into a bowl.
- 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?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Yes, you can make this in advance and then store it in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.
Yes, you can and should make double of this, as you will want to put it on everything!
More Sauce Recipes
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
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
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.
Sara says
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!
Sue says
Wish I had had this recipe when my kids were little, they literally ate everything drenched in the stuff!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
I love how you lightened this recipe up! Great and delicious take on a classic.
Demeter says
Thank you for adding a vegan alternative. I can’t wait to try it!!
Ashley says
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!
estelle says
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!
Noelle says
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!
Dannii says
I am so glad you enjoyed it. The dill is really nice in it isn't it.
Melanie says
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!
Lauren says
This is delicious!
I would love to see a healthy blue cheese dressing- shop bought ones are so heavy and full of rubbish!
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
I've always wondered what Ranch dressing actually is. I'd be adding some miso and soy to it!
Mireya says
right now i'm loving: yogurth, lime juice, a dash of vinegar, salt, pepper and dried oregano, it goes great on cucumber and any arab styled food
Heidi Roberts says
I don't really like mayo but your combination of greek yoghurt and sour cream sounds like my kind of dressing!
Louisa says
That sounds like a much nicer and lighter dressing to me, ranch is so heavy ordinarily. I'd love to see a lighter caesar dressing, one of my favourites!
Morgan @ Peaches, Please! says
this sounds like a ranch recipe I might actually like!
Janice Pattie (@FarmersgirlCook) says
Another fab condiment made lighter, fresher and healthier. Bookmarking!