Copycat Chili’s Ranch Salad Dressing

I love simple and easy. But still delicious. Ranch is always my go-to dressing of choice. This copycat Chili’s Ranch salad dressing hit the spot. It was perfect on my chef’s salad. Nice and creamy without being too thick. Tasty. But not complicated. I had all of the ingredients on-hand. Some ranch dressings have a lot of ‘stuff’ in them. Not bad stuff, just lots of it. That makes me tend to shy away from making them. Not this one. This is a great dressing!

Copycat Chili's Ranch Salad Dressing

Pickle Juice for the Win

The recipe for a copycat Chili’s Ranch salad dressing calls for pickle juice. You know, that stuff in the jar after you’ve taken the last dill pickle. I never ever throw that juice out. It’s great in recipes like this. It’s also great as a chicken marinade. It lasts forever. It’s not hurting anyone. Leave it in the back of the fridge because some day you’re going to need it and you’ll be happy you have it!

I bought these little dressing cups to try and help me with my Ranch dressing addiction. The theory is that they keep me from over-dressing my salads. And they often do just that. Unfortunately, though, the kitchen isn’t that far away and refilling these little cups doesn’t take long!

Also try some homestyle garlic ranch salad dressing.

Copycat Chili's Ranch Salad Dressing

Copycat Chili’s Ranch Salad Dressing

Inspired by a recipe from The Sauce Chick
Easy and delicious.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 256 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients into a small bowl and whisk until combined and smooth.
  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Stir before serving.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 256kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 451mgPotassium: 57mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 210IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword copycat, Ranch
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Buttermilk Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

I’ve made a few complicated salad dressings in my time. You know, a long list of ingredients. A little bit of time. This buttermilk blue cheese salad dressing isn’t one of those. A handful of ingredients makes for a great dressing. There’s nothing complicated here. Just creamy buttermilk richness with the tang of blue cheese. Perfect for my dinner salad.

Buttermilk Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

Dip Away!

This buttermilk blue cheese salad dressing isn’t crazy thick. It pours out easily. You can add more blue cheese (or less buttermilk, depending on how you want to look at it) to make it a bit thicker if you like. I like it thinner. It’s perfect for taking that radish or cherry tomato and dipping. Big time dipping. Get-some-blue-cheese-chunks-on-it kind of dipping.

This dressing is also fantastic for dunking wings.

Also try some homemade garlic ranch salad dressing.

Buttermilk Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

Buttermilk Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

An easy, tasty dressing perfect for salads (and wings!)
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours 5 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 259 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients into a medium bowl. Whisk until combined.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Notes

Stir again before serving.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 4gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 372mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 0.01gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 176IUCalcium: 112mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword blue cheese, buttermilk
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Buttermilk Blue Cheese and Chive Salad Dressing

I’ve made a few salad dressings with tons of ingredients in them in my time. You know, the ones that take a little bit of time to put together. This buttermilk blue cheese and chive salad dressing isn’t one of those. A handful of ingredients makes for a great dressing. There’s nothing huge going on here. Just creamy buttermilk richness with a little blue cheese and a hint of oniony goodness.

Buttermilk Blue Cheese and Chive Salad Dressing

Dip Away!

This buttermilk blue cheese and chive salad dressing is a bit thinner than many. It pours out quite easily. You can add more blue cheese (or less buttermilk, depending on how you want to look at it) to make it thicker. I like it thinner because I like to dip my radishes and cherry tomatoes into it.

This dressing is also fantastic for dipping wings.

If you don’t have or can’t find chives, green onions work just as well!

Also try some of Brother Jimmy’s buttermilk ranch salad dressing.

Buttermilk Blue Cheese and Chive Salad Dressing

Buttermilk Blue Cheese and Chive Salad Dressing

The perfect buttermilk and blue cheese dressing. Great for salads or for dipping wings!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Get happy time 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours 10 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 259 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients into a bowl and whisk until well-combined.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours.

Notes

Stir before serving.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 4gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 372mgPotassium: 86mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 209IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword blue cheese, buttermilk
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Brother Jimmy’s Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing

I have tremendous self-control around delicious Ranch dressings. Ok, no I don’t. Not even close to it. And Brother Jimmy’s buttermilk Ranch salad dressing is absolutely no help at all either. This is one crazy-good dressing. It doesn’t have a lot of ingredients but yet it comes out fantastically Ranch-y. Perfectly creamy.

Brother Jimmy's Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing

The Theory Behind Dressing Cups

I thought I was being smart when I bought these little cups for serving great dressings like Brother Jimmy’s buttermilk Ranch salad dressing. I figured, “Ha!” I’ll just put a single serving amount on the plate and hide the rest in the fridge. That way I won’t use an embarrassingly huge amount of dressing on my salads. Problem? Solved.

Nope.

First, I fill them up all the way to the top. Second, well, more than one cup comes in the box when it arrives. That’s not helpful. And third, well, the fridge isn’t that far away.

I tried. But this dressing is so good it does not help with self-control. Sorry.

Also try my quick fix BBQ Ranch salad dressing.

Brother Jimmy's Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing

Brother Jimmy’s Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing

Delicious, creamy and easy!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours 5 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 163 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Whisk together all ingredients in a medium bowl.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Notes

Stir before serving.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 199mgPotassium: 57mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 133IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword buttermilk, Ranch
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Avocado Ranch Salad Dressing

I love avocados. They’re perfect on a salad. Sliced. Chopped. Or even in the dressing itself. This avocado Ranch salad dressing is quite easy to make. It packs a nice subtle avocado flavor, along with the wonderful creamy herb flavor of Ranch. It has a very mild spiciness to it too. You can make it spicier if you like, or leave out the hot sauce entirely. I like my dressing pretty thick, so that’s how I made it. But if you prefer yours a little thinner, just add some more milk.

Avocado Ranch Salad Dressing

Thick Enough For A Dip

Avocado Ranch salad dressing isn’t just for salads either. It’s perfect as a dip for chips or veggies. Or use it as a substitute for sour cream on tacos or nachos. It’s also great as a sandwich spread. Just make it a little thicker (by using less milk) then spread on bread. Add your favorite sandwich meat and boom, excellent!

Using different types of hot sauces also make for great variations on this dressing. Citrus hot sauce adds…. well, a nice citrus kick. Or try a smoky hot sauce. This dressing is very versatile.

Also try my honey-mustard Ranch salad dressing.

Avocado Ranch Salad Dressing

Avocado Ranch Salad Dressing

Nice avocado and creamy herb Ranch flavors.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Scoop out the avocado and place into a blender or food processor.
  • Add remaining ingredients except for the salt. Process until smooth.
  • Taste, add salt as needed, and pulse a few more times to mix.
  • Refrigerate for one hour before serving.
  • Note: If the dressing gets too thick, stir in a bit more milk before serving.

Notes

Use whole milk for the best results, although 2% can be used also.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 2gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 249mgPotassium: 253mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 164IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 0.3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword Avocado, Ranch
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Aunt Trish’s Salad Dressing

We always look forward to “Salad Week” here. Before I started cooking “Salad Week” would not have been something I would have looked forward to. Bottled dressings. Uninspired ingredients. Now I am happy when it’s “Salad Week”, thanks to fantastic salad ingredients and great homemade salad dressings, like Aunt Trish’s recipe. Now, I don’t have an Aunt Trish but if I did I’d tell her thanks for the recipe!

Aunt Trish’s Salad Dressing

Aunt Trish’s salad dressing is a great vegetable oil-based dressing. It is packed with Parmesan and garlic flavors. But, it absolutely MUST sit in the fridge overnight to ‘get happy’ before serving. Trust me. Do not try and rush it. And it MUST be removed from the fridge well before you plan on using it to let the oil return to a liquid form since it solidifies in the fridge. Your patience will be rewarded.

Kick It Up…. Or Not

If you like your dressing to have a bit of a spicy kick, don’t hesitate to toss a pinch or two of red pepper flakes into the mix before shaking. As it is, though, Aunt Trish’s salad dressing is perfect. I don’t like strong citrus-flavored dressings, and this one does not disappoint. Now, I am a big fan of garlic so I might have slipped a little extra in when no one was looking. Don’t tell.

Also try my American style creamy Greek dressing.

Aunt Trish’s Salad Dressing

Aunt Trish’s Salad Dressing

Packed with Parmesan and garlic flavors.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 1 day
Cook Time 2 hours
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 401 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients into a bowl and whisk until well combined then transfer to a sealable container.
  • Refrigerate overnight.
  • Set out to come to room temperature for 1-2 hours before stirring and then serving.

Notes

Grate your own Parmesan cheese and squeeze fresh lemons for best results.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 401kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 3gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 24gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 227mgPotassium: 97mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 297IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword citrus, garlic
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Catalina Salad Dressing

This Catalina salad dressing is one of our all-time favorites. It’s quite easy to make and always delicious. And it uses ingredients that we almost always have on hand. That’s a definite plus too! This recipe makes about 2 cups, which might sound like a good bit of dressing, but trust me, it’s so good you’ll use it up fast.

Catalina Salad Dressing

The Onion Is Key

The grated onion is one of the key ingredients in this Catalina salad dressing. Don’t skip it and don’t skimp on it. I used about a tablespoon, but you might want more. Or less. It takes a bit of effort to grate the onion, but the flavor it adds is so worth it.

This dressing gets even better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours. Just make sure to give it a good shake or stir before serving.

Also try my homemade creamy Carolina vinaigrette. It’s delicious!

Catalina Salad Dressing

Catalina Salad Dressing

A truly delicious dressing.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 362 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place all but the onion in a blender.
  • Pulse a few times.
  • Add white onion to taste and blend until smooth.
  • Store in the fridge until ready to use. Stir before serving.

Notes

Shake or stir before serving.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 362kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 0.3gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.2gSodium: 766mgPotassium: 64mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 171IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword homemade dressing
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!