*EDIT– When I first posted this recipe, I completely left an ingredient out. It wasn’t until months later that I realized. So if you made this recipe before the edit, I apologize. You may be thinking, it’s only one ingredient. But this one ingredient is kind of a big dill! (Pun intended, sorry had to do it!) I FORGOT THE DILL! I can’t believe it took me so long to realize. Okay, carry on now!*
I started having issues with dairy while I was pregnant, I had hoped it would go away when Taylen was born, but it didn’t. So I have had to find alternatives. I had the hardest time finding a ranch alternative that I loved. So, I made my own dairy free ranch! I have no idea where I got the idea for this recipe or the secret ingredient, I just started throwing things together one day!
Make it Vegan!
You can easily make this recipe vegan by subbing vegan (egg free) mayonnaise instead of regular mayo. Primal Kitchen Vegan Avocado Oil Mayo is a good option. Fun fact- mayo DOES NOT contain dairy, eggs are not dairy. I think the fact that grocery stores carry eggs in the dairy aisle makes it confusing. I cannot tell you how many people I have talked to that think mayo is a dairy product.
Avoid Canola Oil
Checking the ingredients in your products is a must, so when you are buying mayo make sure it doesn’t contain canola oil. Canola oil is chemically refined, it is an artificial trans fat and it’s inflammatory. Additionally, most canola oils are genetically modified, read more about canola oil here. Look for mayonnaise with olive oil or avocado oil. I really like Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo, I get it at Costco.
Secret Ingredient in My Dairy Free Ranch
Most dairy free ranch dressings I have encountered have so many ingredients and they don’t really taste like ranch at all. That’s not the case with my 6-ingredient recipe. The secret ingredient in this recipe, the key ingredient, isn’t what you would expect. It’s pickle juice! Bubbies brand is ideal, it is naturally fermented (it doesn’t taste fermented though, just bubbly). It’s the only pickle juice I’ve used, but any pickle juice will do. Side note: never throw out pickle juice, use it in this recipe or to brine chicken in, etc. Check out this pickle juice brined paleo fried chicken recipe, it’s so good! Let me know what you think about my recipe in the comments!
The Best Homemade Dairy Free Ranch
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise or vegan mayo- avoid the canola oil mayo and go for the olive oil or avocado oil mayo.
- 1/4 cup pickle juice- start with 1/4 cup and add more to taste. I love Bubbies brand.
- 1/2 Tbsp dried minced onion
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 cloves fresh garlic
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk together.
- If it is too thick, add a little filtered water. Be aware that it will thicken in the fridge.
- Pour dressing into an air tight container and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before use, to soften the dried onion.
- Store in fridge for a couple weeks.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
2 TBSPAmount Per Serving: Calories: 4Total Fat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 60mgCarbohydrates: .7gFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.2gProtein: 0.1g
If you like this recipe, check out my other recipes:
Gluten Free, Dairy Free Blackberry Oatmeal Pancakes
Gluten & Dairy Free Banana Oat Blender Muffins
Baked Berry Oatmeal Squares (Gluten, Dairy & Refined Sugar Free)
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Wow! These ingredients are so simple and ones I always have on hand! I’ll be trying this soon! Thank you. 🤍
Let me know what you think!