This past weekend I went through one of my notebooks and found a few recipes and ideas I never got the time to fully test out or retry. And since we’re all being a bit less social than normal, with some extra time, why not go through those goodies and test em out? First up, the yogurt ranch dressing.
I know I’m about to state something very controversial here, and feel free to judge, but I don’t particularly like store-bought ranch dressing. The bottled stuff doesn’t do it for me. But sometimes, you just crave a creamy dressing that isn’t blue cheese. That’s where this yogurt ranch comes in.
Instead of buttermilk—the classic ranch base—I reached for plain Greek yogurt, a fridge staple in my house. This version is tangy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make with dried spices you probably already have. Bonus: It doubles as a dip when you’re not in the mood for a salad.
I know I’m about to state something very controversial here, and feel free to judge, but I don’t particularly like ranch dressing.
Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing Recipe: A twist on the Classic
Looking for a twist on classic ranch? This Greek yogurt ranch dressing is tangy, creamy, and so easy to make! Forget bottled ranch — this version is packed with fresh flavors and comes together in just 10 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Ranch Dressing Recipe
The tanginess of Greek yogurt pairs beautifully with the savory spices and fresh herbs, making this ranch dressing light yet satisfying. Whether you’re a ranch lover or skeptic, this homemade version is bound to win you over.
- Healthier Alternative: Using Greek yogurt reduces the calories and ups the protein compared to traditional ranch.
- Versatile: Perfect as a dressing, dip, or even a sandwich spread.
- Quick & Simple: Comes together in just 10 minutes with pantry staples.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Dressing:
- Greek yogurt – Get full fat greek yogurt for this. You want it as creamy and rich as possible.
- Olive Oil – Extra virgin olive oil is what you want.
- Lemon – Juiced. You need some acid in the dressing to balance it out. You could also use a splash of vinegar.
- Garlic powder – Adds lots of garlic flavor and the taste of powdered, dried garlic gives it that classic Ranch Dressing flavor. You could absolutely use fresh garlic if you wanted.
- Onion powder – Same here. The flavor of onion powder is what you want. If you wanted to use fresh onion here instead, I would recommend grating into the dressing, or finely mincing it.
- Sugar – Just a pinch. Ranch dressing has a little bit of sweetness that makes it so good.
- Salt
- Pepper – Lots of freshly ground black pepper
- MSG – (optional) Just a pinch of MSG will add some much savory depth to this. But, if you don’t already have any MSG in your pantry it will still be delicious without it.
For the Salad:
- Lettuce – I used romaine and red lettuce here, but use what is fresh and available. Little baby greens and perfect for this salad.
- Fennel – Thinly sliced fennel adds lots of texture and crunch to the salad.
- Fresh herbs – lots of fresh, tender herbs. I recommend chives, tarragon, basil, dill or parsley.
Instructions
Make the Dressing:
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk until smooth and creamy. If the dressing is too thick, thin it out with a splash of water or some additional lemon juice.
Assemble the Salad:
- Wash and dry the lettuce thoroughly. Tear into bite-sized pieces and arrange on a chilled plate.
- Slice the fennel thinly (if using) and scatter over the lettuce.
- Drizzle generously with the yogurt ranch dressing.
- Then shower the top with fresh herbs, a pinch of flaky salt, and more freshly ground black pepper.
Pro Tips
Customize The Herbs: Use whatever fresh herbs you have on hand for a seasonal twist.
Make Ahead: Prepare the dressing up to three days in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Dipping Delight: Serve with fresh-cut veggies like carrots, celery, and bell peppers for an easy appetizer. This also makes a great dip to go with wings, specifically my Calabrian Chili Chicken Wings.
FAQs
Can I use non-fat yogurt?
Yes, but the dressing will be less creamy and tangy. Full-fat Greek yogurt provides the best texture and flavor.
How long does the dressing last?
Stored in an airtight container, it will keep in the fridge for up to three days.
What if I don’t have Greek yogurt?
Regular plain yogurt works too, but it may be a bit thinner. You can also swap in sour cream, but you may need to thin it out with some water or milk.
Some Other Recipes You Might Like
If you like this you may also like the Easy Homemade Tzatziki, a thick and creamy sauce made with greek yogurt, cucumbers, garlic and dill.
And not quite a sauce, or dip, but I highly suggest you check out the Quick Yogurt Flatbreads they’re enriched with olive oil and requires no-yeast.
And lastly, I couldn’t forget to recommend the Grilled Skirt Steak Salad with Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing. It is SO good!
Did you make this Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing? Leave a comment and 5-star review below with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
Ranch Dressing
- 1/2 C plain Greek yogurt full fat
- 1/4 C olive oil
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1 pinch sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- fresh ground black pepper lots
For The Salad
- 1-2 heads lettuce I used romaine and red lettuce here
- 1 bulb fennel options, but highly recommended
- 1 bunch assorted fresh herbs chives, tarragon, basil, dill, parsley
Instructions
- Combine all your dressing ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. If dressing is too thick you can thin it out with a bit more lemon juice.
- Arrange all your salad veg on a chilled plate and drizzle over plenty of dressing, scatter with fresh herbs, some flaky salt and plenty of fresh ground black pepper.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
One thought on Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
I very much like (Traditional) Ranch Dressing but this sounds like a good alternative. I Always have all the necessary ingredients. Plus it looks fairly simple to make. Thanks.