How do I thicken homemade ranch style dressing?

[Denise in Florida]

I have been playing around with various spices making my own ranch style dressing.

 

I am not trying to imitate Hidden Valley, I just like trying different tastes.

 

I have made some satisfactory spice mixes but the dressing is always runny. I make it 1c milk and 1c mayo and add spice mix to taste.

 

How do I make it thicken?

[ktgrok]

Use plain yogurt or sour cream instead of most of the milk. I always do equal parts plain yogurt and mayo, then add milk until it is the desired consistency.

[Ellie]

Or 1 cup mayo and 1 cup buttermilk.

[Denise in Florida]

Or 1 cup mayo and 1 cup buttermilk.

 

I will pick up either yogurt or buttermilk next time I am at the store. In the meantime, do you think 'soured milk" (milk plus vinegar) will work?

[joannqn]

I sour the milk with lemon juice first. Then add the mayo and spices. Make it ahead of time so it can cool and thicken in the fridge helps too.

[justLisa]

I keep xanthum gum on hand for dressing and GF baking things. A tiny pinch in homemade dressing really keeps it together. I like to make buttermilk dressing but it coats so much better with the addition.

[Denise in Florida]

I keep xanthum gum on hand for dressing and GF baking things. A tiny pinch in homemade dressing really keeps it together. I like to make buttermilk dressing but it coats so much better with the addition.

 

We were GF when my older dd was home, but are not now. I don't have any xanthum gum (sent it with her) but I have cornstarch and chia seeds. Would you think either of these would work?

[justLisa]

Oh yeah chia seeds, I forgot about those. I would do that, and it's extra protein!

[dbmamaz]

not corn starch - unless you boil it, it wont thicken. i also used mayo and buttermilk.

[Shellers]

I read a long time ago that the original ranch dressing used crushed saltines to thicken it up. I'm not sure if this is true or not.

 

Here's a recipe using crushed saltines, mayo, and buttermilk.

http://chickensintheroad.com/farm-bell-recipes/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/

[KidsHappen]

We always just add spices to sour cream, no mayo or anything else. Comes out the exact right consistansy for us.

[Wabi Sabi]

Just use less milk. I generally use a combo of mayo plus sour cream or greek yogurt. A little splash of apple cider vinegar gives it tang. Once it's made I add a *tiny* bit of milk (just a tablespoon or two at a time) until it's at its desired consistency.

[ScoutTN]

Use plain yogurt or sour cream instead of most of the milk. I always do equal parts plain yogurt and mayo, then add milk until it is the desired consistency.

 

 

:iagree:Yes, this. The cultured dairy gives it a nice tang too. Buttermilk also works well. Thinner than sc, but thicker than regular milk and adds nice taste.

[Beth S]

Crushed saltine crackers. The homemade dry-mix recipe I have used calls for lots of crushed saltines (likely the largest ingredient). Filler!

 

But honestly, I would just put in less milk, or add cornstarch.