Ranch Sauce: A Keto-Friendly Condiment?

Ranch sauce is a popular salad dressing and veggie dip that can be made keto-friendly. While traditional ranch dressing is made with buttermilk, a keto-friendly version can be made by swapping it out for sour cream, mayo, and heavy cream, providing the same flavor profile with reduced carb and increased fat contents. A keto-friendly ranch sauce typically includes ingredients such as sour cream, mayonnaise, heavy cream, dried or fresh herbs like dill, parsley, and chives, garlic, lemon juice, and onion powder. It is easy to make, can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, and is a versatile condiment that can be used on salads, as a dip for veggies or chicken wings, or even as a drizzle on pizzas.

Ranch dressing ingredients

Ranch dressing is a popular salad dressing and dip, with a creamy texture and tangy flavour. It is easy to make at home, and can be adapted to suit your taste preferences. Here are the ingredients you will need to make your own delicious ranch dressing:

• Sour Cream – This forms the base of the dressing, providing a creamy texture and tangy flavour.
• Buttermilk – Buttermilk adds a tangy, creamy flavour and helps to thin out the dressing. Alternatively, you can use regular milk with a bit more lemon juice or vinegar.
• Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise adds to the creamy texture of the dressing. You can use store-bought or homemade mayonnaise.
• Lemon Juice or Vinegar – A splash of lemon juice or vinegar brightens the dressing and makes it taste homemade.
• Fresh or Dried Herbs – Fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro, dill, and chives give the dressing a gourmet flavour. If using dried herbs, you will need less as they have a stronger flavour.
• Garlic – Minced or pressed garlic adds a punch of flavour to the dressing.
• Salt and Pepper – Salt and freshly ground black pepper enhance the other flavours in the dressing.
• Worcestershire Sauce – Although not included in all recipes, Worcestershire sauce can be a game-changer for the flavour of your ranch dressing.
• Milk – Milk can be used to thin out the dressing to your desired consistency.
• Spices – Onion powder and garlic powder create a familiar ranch flavour.

Optional Ingredients:

You can also add the following ingredients to customise your ranch dressing:

• Chilli Peppers – Finely minced jalapeños or a splash of sriracha can add a spicy kick to your ranch dressing.
• Onion – Finely diced onion can be added instead of onion powder for a stronger onion flavour.
• Greek Yogurt – Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream or mayonnaise to reduce the richness and creaminess of the dressing.

Keto ranch recipes

Ranch dressing is a staple in many homes, and for good reason. It's a favorite for salads and an excellent veggie dip or sauce for hot wings. Luckily, it's easy to make a keto-friendly version with common ingredients. Here are some recipes to get you started:

Basic Keto Ranch Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 teaspoon dried chives
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of your choice

Instructions:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, dried herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
• Gradually add the milk until you reach your desired consistency.
• Refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors develop.

Keto-Approved Ranch Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic granules
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

• Put all the ingredients in a blender container.
• Blend for 30-60 seconds until completely blended.
• Pour into a glass jar, cover, and refrigerate.

Homemade Keto Ranch Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons dill
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• 1 teaspoon chives
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

• Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk well to combine.
• Transfer the mixture to a mason jar for storage and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Keto Ranch Dressing with Fresh Herbs

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons dried dill
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions:

• Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk until well combined.
• Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

How to make keto ranch

Ingredients:

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Lemon juice or white vinegar
• Dried herbs: parsley, dill, and chives
• Spices: garlic powder, sea salt, onion powder, and black pepper
• Milk of your choice

Optional Ingredients:

• Greek yogurt (as a substitute for sour cream)
• Fresh herbs (triple the amount if using instead of dried herbs)
• Fresh garlic
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Paprika

Instructions:

• Combine the ingredients: Whisk the ranch dressing ingredients together in a medium bowl. Add the milk last, gradually, until you reach your desired consistency. (Use less milk for a thick dip, and more for a thinner dressing.)
• Chill to develop the flavors: This step is optional but recommended. Refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors develop.
• Adjust the amount of milk: Depending on how you plan to use your keto ranch, you can adjust the amount of milk to make it thicker or thinner.
• Storage: Store your homemade keto ranch in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Do not freeze, as it will become a separated mess.

Tips:

• If you don't have an emulsion blender, you can simply put all the ingredients into a bowl and stir until well combined.
• You can also make a dry ranch dressing mix with similar ingredients.

Foods to eat with keto ranch

Yes, ranch sauce is keto-friendly when made with the right ingredients. Here are some delicious foods that you can eat with keto ranch:

Veggies

Raw or cooked vegetables are a great way to enjoy keto ranch. Try dipping carrots, celery, broccoli, fried zucchini, kale chips, bell peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, or radishes. You can also use keto ranch as a salad dressing for a crunchy, water-flavoured iceberg salad or a BLT salad.

Proteins

Keto ranch can be used as a marinade or dipping sauce for chicken, shrimp, or salmon. It also goes well with chicken wings and chicken tenders. For a hearty meal, try adding keto ranch to a chicken bacon ranch casserole or a keto buffalo chicken pizza.

Other Snacks

Keto ranch is versatile and can be used in many different dishes. You can add it to keto casseroles, tacos, broccoli salad, or fried radishes. It also goes well with keto chicken wings, chicken nuggets, and keto buffalo chicken dip. For a quick snack, try dipping keto crackers or pizza into some keto ranch.

Non-keto ranch alternatives

If you're looking for a keto-friendly alternative to ranch sauce, there are several options available. Here are some suggestions:

• Newman's Own Classic Oil & Vinegar Salad Dressing: This option has 0 grams of net carbs per serving and is a tasty way to jump-start weight loss.
• Marie's Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing: A readily available option with 1 gram of net carbs per 2-tablespoon serving.
• Ken's Steak House Chunky Blue Cheese: A family-owned brand with a low-calorie count and gluten-free formula. It has 1 gram of net carbs per 2-tablespoon serving.
• Marzetti's Avocado Ranch: A popular, tasty, and smooth choice with no preservatives and a hint of lime. It has 13 grams of fat and 1 gram of net carbs per serving.
• FAT & happy: These dressings are made from MCT oil, providing a 2:1 ratio of fats to protein and carbs. They offer both balsamic and Italian dressings, with 1 gram of carb per serving for the former and 0 grams for the latter.
• Kraft Greek Vinaigrette: A budget-friendly option with 2 grams of net carbs per 2-tablespoon serving.
• Tessemae Organic Salad Dressing: This organic, gluten-free, and sugar-free option has only 1 gram of net carbs per 2-tablespoon serving.
• Primal Kitchen: This organic ranch uses avocado oil instead of buttermilk and has 13 grams of fat and 2 grams of net carbs per serving.

In addition to these store-bought options, you can also make your own keto-friendly ranch sauce at home. Here's a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• Finely minced garlic clove
• Mayonnaise (no sugar)
• Heavy cream (instead of buttermilk, for lower carbs)
• Fresh or dried chives

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until thoroughly mixed.
• Transfer the mixture to a jar and shake well until it becomes soft and fluffy.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 6 months.

This homemade keto ranch sauce is a great way to ensure you know exactly what's in your food and can be a healthier option compared to some store-bought alternatives.

Frequently asked questions