Creamy, tangy and perfectly seasoned, this Greek yogurt ranch is a healthier twist on a favorite dressing and dip. It has a protein boost from Greek yogurt, is made without mayo, sour cream or buttermilk and is ready in minutes.
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I would consider myself a veggie lover. I don't have to force myself to add some brussels sprouts to my plate and I'll happily add loads of fajita vegetables onto my tacos.
But when I'm eating raw vegetables, well, I want dip.
Sometimes, pickle hummus hits the spot, but other times, I want something more creamy and indulgent.
Ranch has always been the G.O.A.T. for me when it comes to veggie dips. But, as someone who is always looking to add a bit of nutrition to my food, I want my dip to not only be creamy and satisfying, but ideally to add some protein and nutrients as well.
Thus, I got to thinking about making it with Greek yogurt instead and let me just say, why didn't I do it sooner?! Because it is:
- Easy: Whip up this homemade Greek yogurt ranch dressing in minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have in your fridge or pantry. (This Fish Taco Sauce is equally as simple to whip up on taco night!)
- Healthy: With Greek yogurt as the base and without any mysterious ingredients, this ranch boasts a bit of protein as compared to traditional versions. (As does this Greek yogurt spinach dip).
- Versatile: Use it as a dressing, dip, marinade, spread on sandwiches and more.
- Delicious: Creamy, tangy, and packed with flavor, it's sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
The Ingredients
- Greek Yogurt - Ensure that you use plain (unsweetened) yogurt. Full fat yields the creamiest results though low fat will work in a pinch. Or you could use a Greek yogurt substitute such as regular yogurt or sour cream if needed.
- Olive Oil- Just a little bit of high quality extra virgin olive oil gives this ranch an extra creamy mouthfeel. It can be left out if needed.
- Lemon Juice- For best flavor, use freshly squeezed. If using bottled, use half the amount, taste and adjust. Apple cider vinegar will also work.
- Garlic Powder + Onion Powder- Adds key flavor to the base of the dip.
- Dried Parsley- A tablespoon of finely chopped, fresh will work as well.
- Dried Dill Weed- If you have fresh, you can use 1 tablespoon finely chopped.
- Fine Sea Salt- Kosher or table salt will work as well; adjust to taste.
- Black Pepper
The Method
1. Mix. Combine all of the ranch ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Thin (Optional). If you would like a thinner dip or are using it as a salad dressing, add water (or milk for a slightly creamier option) 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
3. Use.
Leftovers and Storage
To Store: Store leftover Greek yogurt ranch in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Make it Your Own
- Add Fresh Herbs- If you have them, stir in a couple of tablespoons of finely chopped fresh chives, dill or parsley for extra flavor.
- Santa Fe Ranch- See this taco-seasoning infused recipe which is also made with Greek yogurt.
- Buffalo Ranch- Stir in 2 tablespoons of "Frank's Red" or a similar cayenne hot sauce (or check out this Buffalo ranch recipe).
- Smoky Ranch- Add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
- Jalapeno Ranch- Add all of the ingredients to a blender with half of a fresh jalapeno (remove seeds and membranes). Pulse until smooth.
- Peppercorn Ranch- Use coarse ground pepper and increase to ½ tsp.
- Avocado Ranch- Reduce yogurt to ½ cup and add ½ of a mashed, ripe avocado.
Serving Ideas
- Salad Dressing: Use it to top a pasta (like chicken bacon ranch) or simple green salad.
- Crudité: Serve it alongside your favorite fresh vegetables such as carrots, celery and cucumbers.
- As a Dip: Enjoy it with some fries, chips, crackers or pretzels.
- On Sandwiches: This is the perfect healthy spread to add to a sandwich such as a turkey sandwich or BLT.
- Burgers: Spread this creamy sauce on barbecued beef burgers.
- With Pizza: Use it for dipping the crusts of your favorite pizza.
Tips for the Best Ranch with Greek Yogurt
- Use Full-Fat Yogurt: Choose full-fat Greek yogurt for the creamiest and richest flavor.
- Mix Ahead of Time: The flavor turns out even better if you allow the ingredients to meld together by making is ahead of time and refrigerating for at least an hour before serving. Though if you don't have time, it is still tasty immediately!
- Thin with Milk: Adjust the consistency by thinning the dressing with a splash of milk rather than water for an extra creamy dressing.
- Season to Taste: Don’t hesitate to adjust the seasoning according to your preferences. Add more herbs, garlic, or lemon juice if needed.
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And if you liked this recipe...
...you might also like:
- Mediterranean Salad Dressing
- Pizza Sauce
- Peanut Sauce
- Maple Balsamic Poppyseed Dressing
- Hummus without Garlic
Recipe Card
Greek Yogurt Ranch
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt full-fat for best flavor
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 and ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 and ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt plus additional to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients except the water (or milk) to a small bowl and mix together.
- If using as a salad dressing, add water (or milk) one tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Chill for 1 hour. (Optional for best flavor)
- Use.
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