Garlic and Herb Buttermilk Dressing
This homemade Garlic and Herb Buttermilk Dressing is a fresh, flavor-packed upgrade from store-bought ranch, and it couldn’t be easier to make. Creamy, tangy, and loaded with a vibrant blend of herbs and seasonings, it delivers a depth of flavor you just won’t find in a bottle at the grocery store. Best of all, you’re in complete control of the ingredients, so you can tailor it to suit your taste. Whip up a batch in minutes and watch it become your go-to dressing for salads, veggies, and more.
Easy Garlic and Herb Buttermilk Dressing Recipe
This homemade Ranch dressing comes together in just minutes and is ready to drizzle over your favorite salad right away. That said, if you can give it a little chill time in the fridge, the flavors really deepen and meld together beautifully. The garlic, herbs, and buttermilk settle in and create a creamy, tangy dressing that tastes even better after it’s had time to rest.
It’s full-flavored, fresh, and guaranteed to earn a permanent spot on your salad menu. And it’s not just for lettuce, use it as a dip for fresh veggies, chicken tenders, fries, or wings, spread it on sandwiches and wraps, or drizzle it over baked potatoes and grilled meats. One of the biggest perks of making this garlic herb dressing from scratch is knowing exactly what goes into it. Every ingredient is simple and recognizable, and that’s always a win in my book.
Key ingredients to make Herbed Buttermilk Garlic Dressing: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)
- Liquid – Buttermilk thins this dressing and gives it a tangy flavor.
- Mayo – Real mayonnaise for a creamy texture. I use Duke’s.
- Fresh Herbs – Fresh chives and fresh parsley give this dressing an herby flavor.
- Garlic Cloves – Fresh garlic complements the flavor.
- Spices – Sea salt, garlic powder or granulated garlic, onion powder, black pepper and dried dill and a dash of granulated sugar to balance the taste.
- Citrus – Fresh lemon juice adds acidic notes.
How to Make the Best Garlic and Herb Buttermilk Dressing
- Combine Buttermilk and Mayonnaise – Whisk together buttermilk, lemon juice and mayonnaise.
- Add Seasonings and Herbs – To the bowl add chives, parsley, garlic salt, sugar, lemon juice, granulated garlic, onion powder, black pepper and dill.
- Chill – Transfer to an airtight container and chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
Kitchen Equipment to Make Garlic Herb Buttermilk Dressing
- One medium bowl.
- Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
- Knife and cutting board.
- Balloon whisk.
- Airtight container or mason jar for storing.
Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions
- Mayonnaise – I recommend using mayonnaise and not a salad dressing like Miracle Whip. Should you choose to use Miracle Whip, omit the sugar.
- Herbs – You can use fresh dill in place of dried dill for a third fresh herb.
- Blend the Creamy Ingredients and Lemon Juice – I recommend combining the buttermilk, mayo and lemon juice first to fully incorporate before adding the herbs and seasonings.
- Adjust the Thickness to Taste – To make the dressing consistency thicker, decrease the buttermilk by 1/4 cup and increase the mayonnaise by 1/4 cup.
- Lighter Options – You could use low fat mayonnaise and buttermilk in this recipe, if desired.
- Blue Cheese Dressing Variation – You can easily turn this dressing into a blue cheese dressing by adding four ounces of crumbled Saga Blue cheese or Gorgonzola cheese to the base recipe.
- Ways to Serve Garlic Herb Buttermilk Dressing – You can enjoy this dressing on a green salad or use it as a dip for fresh vegetables on crudité platters or Baked Buffalo Wings. You could also use it anytime Ranch dressing is called for in a recipe such as this Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad or drizzled over baked potatoes as a buttermilk garlic sauce.
Storage and Leftovers
- Leftovers – Store this Garlic Herb Buttermilk Dressing in an airtight container or mason jar chilled in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
More Homemade Dressing Recipes to Make
You may already have what you need to make a variety of dressings at home. A few other recipes for you to consider making:
- My better than copycat Homemade Avocado Lime Dressing is positively addictive.
- Classic Green Goddess Dressing adds a freshness to any salad.
- Jalapeno Ranch Dressing can be drizzled on salads, sandwiches, tacos or used as a dip with tortilla chips.
- This cooked Dressing for Cole Slaw is a family favorite.
- My Caesar Salad Dressing is packed with flavor!
- Sweet and tangy Poppy Seed Salad Dressing.
- Thousand Island Dressing is a family favorite for dipping and salads.
- Raspberry Vinaigrette from Betty Crocker.
Thanks for visiting come back soon!
Disclosure ~ If a purchase is made using one of the affiliate links on this website we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Garlic And Herb Buttermilk Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups real mayonnaise
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp fresh chives finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp Italian parsley finely chopped
- 2-3 cloves minced garlic Adjust amount to taste
- 2 tsp coarse sea salt
- 1 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp granulated garlic or garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp dried dill weed or 1/2 tsp fresh dill
Instructions
- In a medium size mixing bowl whisk together buttermilk, mayonnaise and lemon juice.
- To the bowl add chives, parsley, garlic, salt, sugar, lemon juice, granulated garlic, onion powder, black pepper and dill.
- Continue to whisk the mixture until the ingredients are fully incorporated and no lumps remain.
- Pour herb dressing into an airtight container and chill for at least 4 hours before serving. Store chilled for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Mayonnaise – I recommend using mayonnaise and not a salad dressing like Miracle Whip. Should you choose to use Miracle Whip, omit the sugar.
- Herbs – You can use fresh dill in place of dried dill for a third fresh herb.
- Blend the Creamy Ingredients and Lemon Juice – I recommend combining the buttermilk, mayo and lemon juice first to fully incorporate before adding the herbs and seasonings.
- Adjust the Thickness to Taste – To make the dressing consistency thicker, decrease the buttermilk by 1/4 cup and increase the mayonnaise by 1/4 cup.
- Lighter Options – You could use low fat mayonnaise and buttermilk in this recipe, if desired.
- Blue Cheese Dressing Variation – You can easily turn this dressing into a blue cheese dressing by adding four ounces of crumbled Saga Blue cheese or Gorgonzola cheese to the base recipe.
- Ways to Serve Garlic Herb Buttermilk Dressing – You can enjoy this dressing on a green salad or use it as a dip for fresh vegetables on crudité platters or Baked Buffalo Wings. You could also use it anytime Ranch dressing is called for in a recipe such as this Chicken Bacon Ranch Layer Salad or drizzled over baked potatoes as a buttermilk garlic sauce.
Nutrition
Melissa, If you put a cube of Roquefort with this it makes beautiful dressing also.
Agreed!
Perfect for salad
Thanks for the motivation! It’s beautiful.
It was a big hit in my house!
So yummy! I want to put this dressing on everything!
This dressing is so full of herbs and great flavors
This dressing is so classic and well balanced!
I love this recipe
Love this dressing, have some buttermilk in the fridge, now I know what to do with it.
My hubby loves Ranch dressing, but I’m not a fan of the bottled stuff. Your recipe made him very happy—I loved it, too!
I used this for a dip for my buffalo wings… perfection.
I love this salad dressing!
I’ve never left a comment on a blogger’s recipe before but this dressing was too good not to! I found it after searching for a dressing similar to the one I had at the Restoration Hardware restaurant in New York and I’m so glad I did – it’s absolutely delicious!
Hi Erica, thank you SO much for taking the time to comment. While I published this recipe a while ago, it’s evergreen, as I use it in my kitchen to this day. Visit often!
Looks nice and delicious.Thanks