Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
Whether you’re mixing up a salad, hosting pizza night, or want something yummy to dip your raw veggies in, you can’t do better than my Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing! This healthy ranch recipe is simply made with just 9 basic ingredients and just 10 minutes, but boasts all the creamy, flavorful goodness of the original.
Why You’ll Love This Greek Yogurt Ranch Recipe
- Deliciously Craveable – I don’t mind admitting it—I LOVE ranch dressing. If that makes me basic, then basic I am! 🤷🏻♀️But, while this dreamy yogurt ranch dip may be low-fat compared to the alternative, its also wildly creamy, perfectly herby, bright, light, tangy, and flavorful. From one ranch connoisseur to another, it’s legit.
- Healthy Alternative – When you make this easy homemade ranch dressing with yogurt, you get to skip out on all the weird additives, preservatives, and other unnecessary junk you’d usually find in store-bought dressings. Plus in comparison to traditional ranch, Greek yogurt cuts the fat and calories while boosting the protein content!
- Quick & Easy – All the benefits of scratch cooking don’t mean squat when you’re pressed for time. Luckily, this easy greek yogurt dressing is no more complicated than whipping up an orange banana smoothie. Just toss everything in the blender and go!
Ingredients & Substitutions
As promised, my Greek yogurt ranch dressing recipe requires just a few basics to make. Here’s what to grab:
- Plain Greek Yogurt – While you technically *can* use nonfat yogurt, I recommend using either 2% or full fat greek yogurt for the best mouthfeel. Unsurprisingly, the more fat, the richer it’ll taste.
- Fresh Lemon Juice – Fresh is super important here! I find that bottled lemon juice takes on an almost bitter flavor thanks to the addition of lemon essential oil. For the cleanest flavor, grab a real lemon. You could also swap in some apple cider vinegar for a similar tang!
- Fresh Chives & Fresh Dill – Adding fresh herbs both adds vibrancy and brightens the flavor. In a pinch, you can swap in 3x as much freeze-dried chives and dried dill. If you go the dried herb route, I recommend letting the yogurt ranch rest for a minimum of 20 minutes to let the flavors open up.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – For the sweet flavor of cooked alliums without any fuss. Only have dried garlic or onion flakes? Use twice as much for garlic and 3x as much for onion flakes.
- Honey – For a touch of sweetness to balance out the tang. Feel free to swap in the sweetener of your choice (e.g. agave or maple syrup).
- Salt & Black Pepper – Basic seasonings. I recommend using kosher salt or sea salt and freshly cracked pepper for the best flavor.
- Water – Adding a bit of water helps to thin this ranch yogurt dip to a pourable creamy salad dressing consistency. Feel free to swap in buttermilk, milk, or whey.
If you love using greek yogurt as a secret ingredient in your recipes, you’ll have to stop by my Greek Yogurt Alfredo Sauce too!
Equipment
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Cutting Board & Knife ~OR~ Herb Scissors
- Blender
- Silicone Spatula
- Lidded Storage Container
How To Make Healthy Homemade Ranch Dressing With Yogurt
This low fat ranch dressing comes together in a flash. Here’s how:
Step 1: Blend Yogurt & Dried Spices. Add the whole milk greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, and onion powder to a blender or food processor with a splash of water. Blend until smooth, adding additional water, until your desired consistency is reached.
Step 2: Sweeten & Season. Next add the honey. I recommend starting with ½ tsp and adding more if needed. Then add salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 3: Add Fresh Herbs. Add the fresh dill and fresh chives to the blender. Pulse until they are combined into the dressing, but not completely blended in.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations
As much as I love this creamy yogurt dressing recipe just the way it is written, there are plenty of ways to make it your own. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Lactose-Free – Use your favorite lactose-free yogurt to keep the creamy flavor without the tummy troubles. (P.S. I love ALL Fage yogurt, including their lactose-free “Best Life” line.)
- Dairy-Free/Vegan – Use plain plant-based Greek yogurt or coconut Skyr and swap in a vegan-friendly sweetener like agave.
- Allium-Free – I have some friends who can’t eat onions or garlic, which I know can be tricky. I recommend swapping in 2-3 pinches of asafoetida for the garlic and onion powder, then use fresh parsley, tarragon, or even fresh fennel fronds for the chives.
- Add-Ins – There are lots of yummy flavors of ranch out there to suit nearly any occasion. Make dill pickle ranch by using dill pickle brine instead of water. Make a spicy southwest ranch by adding a chipotle in adobo sauce. You can also blend in minced cucumbers or avocado, bacon bits or sriracha, or use cilantro and lime in place of dill and lemon. Do you have any delicious ranch twists I should try? Let me know in the comments below!
Expert Tips
- Only have regular plain yogurt? Not to worry. Simply line a mesh strainer with a clean kitchen towel, paper towel, or cheesecloth and set it over a bowl. Spoon your yogurt in, adding about ⅓ more than you think you’ll need—the volume will shrink as the whey seeps out. Pop the covered strainer and bowl in the fridge for 12-24 hours. By the time you come back, you’ll have perfectly thick Greek-style yogurt and a bowlful of whey! (Pssst. You can use the whey in place of water for thinning out the ranch yogurt dressing, or use it as the acid in nearly any meat marinade.)
- Thin according to your needs. I recommend adding the water (or alternative liquid) slowly, and keep in mind what you want to use it for. If you want a thicker ranch dip for chips, you may not need any. If you’re dipping crudites, you might want it thinner. And, for drizzling on greens or pizza, you’ll definitely need to add a splash or two. If you don’t want to decide, leave it un-thinned, and only scoop out what you need at any given time, thinning it to taste then.
- Season like a boss. Use fresh herbs and fresh lemon for restaurant-quality flavors, then adjust how much honey, salt, and pepper you add to get it *just* right for your tastebuds.
- Use fuller fat yogurt for a creamier texture and richer taste. If you only have non-fat or lowfat Greek yogurt, consider swapping in cream or half-n-half for the water to make up for some of it.
- Invest in smart storage. I love using a mason jar for homemade salad dressing. You can even get cool lid attachments with handles and snap-open pouring spouts. Brilliant!
Easy Homemade Yogurt Ranch Serving Suggestions
Get ready to brighten up all your favorite meals with a dollop of zesty goodness! Anything Hidden Valley can do, my homemade greek yogurt ranch dressing can do tangier. Here are just a few ways to put it to use:
- Salad Boss: Level up any of your favorite salads … from classic cobb to BBQ chicken salad with greens, zesty pasta salads to high protein egg salads. This Greek yogurt ranch doesn’t discriminate!
- Pizza Glow-Up: Drizzle it over your personal pizza for a creamy dreamy vibe. Pizza night will never be the same!
- Dip It Good: Buffalo chicken, chicken nuggets, fries, pizza bites, or fresh-cut veggies—dunk ’em all in this creamy goodness.
- Sandwich Swagger: Spread it on sandwiches or homemade McDonald’s snack wraps for a tangy twist that kicks mayo to the curb.
- All Over Awesome: Splash it on meats, rice, or roasted veggies to add that extra zing.
Get creative and let this ranch yogurt dressing take your meals from meh to amazing!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- This ranch-flavored Greek yogurt salad dressing will last in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
- I don’t recommend freezing it, as the yogurt has a tendency to separate.
- Feel free to halve the batch if you’re worried you won’t be able to use it in time.
Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip Recipe FAQs
My healthy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing takes the classic ranch vibe and flips it with a tangy twist! It’s creamy and lush, thanks to the yogurt, with a bright punch from the lemon juice that keeps things lively. The honey adds just a hint of sweetness, melding perfectly with the savory-sweet flavor of onion and garlic powders. Fresh chives and dill add an herby pop that makes it all kinds of fresh. In short, it rocks!
Most of the time, yes—full-fat Greek yogurt is a good sub for sour cream. That said, it’ll depend on the recipe. You may need to experiment to find out!
It depends on what your definition of “healthy” is, but I’d say it’s without a doubt healthier than the shelf-stable stuff you’d get from the store. It’s rich in protein thanks to the Greek yogurt, is lower in fat and calories, and is made with all-natural ingredients—no strange additives, preservatives, or artificial stuff to speak of!
By following this recipe for homemade ranch dressing with greek yogurt, of course! 😉
Heck yeah, you can! While I have my own blend of fresh herbs, dried herbs, and dried seasonings, it should also work for dried hidden valley ranch packets. This will result in the most classic ranch flavor!
Healthy ranch dressing is perfect for dipping a wide variety of snacks, from crispy veggies like carrots and celery to indulgent treats like chicken wings, pretzel bites, pizza crusts, and mozzarella sticks. Don’t forget about classic chips and veggie platters—they’re all tastier with a side of creamy ranch!
Yup! Hop back up to the “optional variations” section for instructions.
I like using a minimum of 2% milkfat or higher, and am a Fage devotée. That said, any Greek yogurt YOU like will be perfect!
Related Recipes
More Dips & Sauces
- Greek Yogurt Alfredo Pasta Sauce
- Basil Cashew Pesto
- Cherry Tomato Sauce
- Cucumber Dill Tzatziki
- Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce
- Cottage Cheese Alfredo
More High Protein Recipes
- Cottage Cheese Scrambled Eggs
- High Protein Chia Pudding
- Spicy Mayo Tuna Rice Bowl
- Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl
- Berry Protein Popsicles
- Lemon Pepper Tuna Salad
- Egg White Oatmeal
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Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
- Category: Dressing / Sauce
- Method: No Cook
Description
Whether you’re mixing up a salad, hosting pizza night, or want something yummy to dip your raw veggies in, you can’t do better than my Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing! This healthy ranch recipe is simply made with just 9 basic ingredients and just 10 minutes, but boasts all the creamy, flavorful goodness of the original.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup greek yogurt, 2% or whole
- 3 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ – 1 tsp honey
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Water, to desired consistency
Instructions
- Add the greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, and onion powder to a blender with a splash of water. Blend until smooth, adding additional water, until your desired consistency is reached.
- Next add the honey. I recommend starting with ½ tsp and adding more if needed. Then add salt and black pepper to taste.
- Then add the fresh dill and fresh chives to the blender. Pulse until they are combined into the dressing, but not completely blended in.
- Serve and enjoy!
Keywords: greek yogurt ranch dressing, greek yogurt ranch, ranch greek yogurt, ranch dressing with greek yogurt, ranch with greek yogurt, healthy ranch dressing
