Blackened Ranch Dressing

If you’re a lover of ranch dressing, then get ready to fall head over heels for this incredible twist on the iconic condiment. I’ve had quite a few types of ranch in my day, but this Blackened Ranch Dressing has got to take the cake. Seriously, it’s insane.

This year, one of our New Year’s resolutions included trying not to order too much takeout. While we did manage to follow it for the first month, we eventually ended up ordering some fried chicken from Popeyes. But can you really blame us? They have the most amazing blackened ranch and we're all suckers for good ranch in this house.

Since fast food ranch (and any store-bought ranch, really) isn’t exactly the healthiest option, I decided to whip up my own healthier version of the blackened ranch we all fell in love with. This copycat version is just as delicious as the OG, but with added probiotics, protein, and nutrients for a dish you can feel good about enjoying.

Ranch lovers, rejoice! This mouth-watering Blackened Ranch Dressing is the ultimate dip for raw veggies, spread for sandwiches, and dressing for salads. Just watch out—once you’ve tried this, you won’t be able to get enough.

It’s also delicious if you want to double up on the blackened seasoning and serve it alongside some Blackened Shrimp, Mahi Mahi, or Blackened Fish Tacos.

Key Ingredients

To make this incredibly easy ranch dressing, you’ll only need the following key ingredients:

• Greek yogurt: Loaded with protein and low in sugar, nonfat Greek yogurt is a wonderful healthy substitute for mayonnaise. For a richer flavor, swap in mayonnaise or sour cream for half of the yogurt.
• Buttermilk: To get the perfect ranch-like consistency, buttermilk is a must. It also brings a nice depth of rich and tangy flavor to make this dressing extra tasty.
• Blackening seasoning: There are plenty of spice blends out there that you can choose from, but my personal favorite is this homemade Blackening Seasoning. Maybe I’m biased, but it’s seriously the best!
• Dried herbs: Ranch dressing recipes typically contain a combination of dried dill, chives, and parsley. While fresh herbs are fine, they’re really not necessary for this recipe.
• Lemon juice: This helps to cut through some of the richness of the dish and brighten up those delicious flavors for the best blackened ranch ever.

How to Make the Best Homemade Ranch

I’ve been making homemade ranch for several years now, and I’ve picked up a few tricks and tips along the way that you might find incredibly useful. So here are a few of my best tips to help you get the best tasting ranch ever:

• Adjust your seasonings. The beautiful thing about making your own blackening seasoning at home is that you can adjust the seasonings to suit your flavor preferences. Make it spicier, less spicy, less salty, saltier, etc. It’s up to you!
• Play around with ratios. If you’re looking for ways to make it richer or keto-friendly, swap the nonfat Greek yogurt for 2% fat or full-fat Greek yogurt. I’ve even had a few friends prepare it with plain regular yogurt and it was just as good. If you’re after a thinner consistency, simply add more buttermilk or thin it out with a little water if needed.
• Chill it. Although you can serve this right away, chilling the ranch in the fridge for an hour or up to overnight will let the flavors come together for an even more delicious dressing. If you have the time, it’s definitely worth it!
• Add some heat. I love my ranch dressings with a little heat from time to time. You can add a little spice to this recipe by mixing in some cayenne pepper or Hungarian (hot) paprika.

What to Serve With Blackened Ranch Dressing

When it comes to what to serve with ranch, the options are nearly endless. You can serve this blackened ranch with any foods you would serve with traditional ranch dressing. From raw veggies and crackers to pasta salads and chicken nuggets, this blackened ranch is bound to become your new best friend in the kitchen.

If you’re looking for some ideas, here are a few foods that pair incredibly well with blackened ranch dressing:

• Fries (or these delicious Carrot Fries)
• Chicken tenders (paleo-friendly!)
• Pasta salads
• Salads
• Raw veggies (like carrots, celery, and broccoli)
• Breadsticks
• Buddha Bowls
• Microwave Veggie Chips
• Pizza
• Baked Buffalo Wings
• Sandwiches and wraps
• Grilled vegetables
• Blackened Steak Tacos, chicken tacos, and burrito bowls
• Taco cups

How to Store Ranch Dressing

I like to store my ranch in airtight containers like glass jars. When stored properly, homemade ranch dressing will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 7-10 days. Because it’s made with dairy ingredients, I don’t recommend storing ranch dressing in the freezer.

Dairy tends to separate when frozen, which means you would likely end up with clumpy dressing after thawing it out. Luckily, this ranch dressing recipe is super easy to whip up again whenever you’re in the mood!

Is this the same as Popeye's Blackened Ranch Sauce?

This recipe was inspired by the delicious Popeye's blackened ranch dip that they serve with fried chicken. Traditionally the blackened ranch dip is made by combining ranch dressing (made with mayonnaise and sour cream) with onion, garlic, black pepper, white pepper, and blackening seasoning. This lightened-up version replaces most of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.