Cilantro Ranch Dressing
I’m a sauce person through and through, and this Cilantro Ranch Dressing is one I keep coming back to! It’s creamy, herby, and just a little bit spicy, and it comes together in under 10 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients.
The BEST Cilantro Ranch Dressing
Homemade cilantro ranch dressing has everything you love about ranch, but is extremely herbaceous and light, which makes it especially delicious. What makes it soooo good is the ranch seasoning which gives it a truly ranch-like flavor that I’m a little obsessed with. The Greek yogurt keeps it light and protein-packed, the mayo makes it luscious, and the fresh cilantro and optional jalapeño give it a vibrant, fresh kick.
That said, if you don’t have ranch seasoning on hand, don’t sleep on my Jalapeño Cilantro Sauce, it’s a similar vibe, and just as delicious and addictive! And if you love a good sauce moment, you might also want to try my Healthy Ranch Dressing for another great Greek yogurt-based option!
Why You’ll Love This Cilantro Ranch Dressing
- It’s ready in 10 minutes. Everything goes straight into a blender! No chopping, no cooking, no fuss.
- It’s lighter than store-bought but tastes indulgent. Using a combo of low-fat mayo and Greek yogurt gives you all the creamy richness without going overboard. You get the texture and the flavor without the heaviness.
- Completely customizable. Make it thicker for dipping, thinner for drizzling, spicier with more jalapeño, or milder without. It’s endlessly flexible depending on what you’re serving it with.
- It works on everything. Seriously. Bowls, tacos, salads, grilled chicken, veggies, chips. If something needs a sauce, this is the answer.
Cilantro Ranch Ingredients
- Low-fat mayo: The creamy, rich base that gives this dressing its body. Low-fat keeps it a little lighter!
- Greek yogurt: Adds extra creaminess and a subtle tang, plus a protein boost. It works beautifully alongside the mayo to create a smooth, balanced base.
- Ranch dressing seasoning packet: This is what makes it taste actually like ranch, bringing in those classic herby, garlicky, tangy notes all in one easy packet.
- Garlic clove: Fresh garlic adds a punchy depth. Don’t skip it!
- Fresh cilantro: Use a small bunch of cilantro, the leaves and tender stems both work great. This is what gives the dressing that vibrant green color and bright, fresh flavor.
- Jalapeño (optional): Adds a gentle heat that balances the creaminess perfectly. Make sure to deseed it well if you want the flavor without too much spice.
- Water: Used to adjust the consistency. Add a little at a time until you hit that perfect drizzle or dip thickness.
Variations & Substitutions
- No ranch seasoning packet? Try my Jalapeño Cilantro Sauce instead!
- Swap the mayo for sour cream. If you prefer sour cream over mayo, it works well here and gives the dressing a slightly tangier flavor profile.
- Make it dairy-free. Use a dairy-free mayo and swap the Greek yogurt for a plain, unsweetened coconut yogurt or cashew-based yogurt.
- Adjust the heat. For a milder version, leave out the jalapeño entirely. For more heat, keep some seeds in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Add lime juice. A squeeze of fresh lime brightens everything up!
- Make it thinner/thicker. This is all about the water. Add more for a pourable dressing, less for a thick dip. Go slowly, it’s easier to thin it out than to thicken it back up!
How to Make Jalapeno Cilantro Ranch Dressing
For the full list of ingredients and instructions, click here.
Step 1: Add the mayo, Greek yogurt, ranch seasoning, garlic clove, cilantro, and jalapeño (if using) to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
Step 2: With the blender running, slowly add water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency—thicker for dipping, thinner for drizzling. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve or refrigerate until ready to use.
Lauren’s Top Tips for the Best Cilantro Ranch
- Deseed the jalapeño thoroughly. The seeds are where most of the heat lives. If you want the jalapeño flavor without the burn, take a few extra seconds to make sure every seed is removed before blending.
- Add water slowly. It’s tempting to pour it all in at once, but add it a little at a time with the blender running. You have way more control that way, and you can stop at your perfect consistency.
- Taste before you’re done. After blending, give it a taste and adjust! More ranch seasoning for a more savory flavor, a pinch of salt, or an extra squeeze of lime if you’re adding it. Seasoning to your own palate makes a huge difference.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Give it a good stir before using, as it may separate slightly. It also works great stored in a squeeze bottle for easy drizzling!
- Serve it with: It goes amazingly drizzled on a sweet potato taco bowl, a steak bowl, or over my salmon tostadas!
Cilantro Ranch Dressing FAQs
It depends on whether you add the jalapeño! Without it, this dressing is completely mild and family-friendly. With the jalapeño (deseeded), it has a gentle warmth, noticeable but not overwhelming.
Yes! You can do a full swap of Greek yogurt for mayo if you prefer a tangier, lighter dressing.
You can use individual dried herbs like dill, parsley, onion powder, and garlic powder to approximate the flavor. If you’re working without it, try my Jalapeño Cilantro Sauce instead, which is built differently and is equally amazing.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
- Green Goddess Bowls
- Roasted Veggie Grain Bowl
- Sriracha Mayo
- Easy Tzatziki Sauce
- Sweet Teriyaki Sauce
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BEST Cilantro Ranch Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Add the mayo, Greek yogurt, ranch seasoning, garlic clove, cilantro, and jalapeño (if using) to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.½ cup low fat mayo, ½ cup Greek yogurt, 3 tablespoons ranch dressing seasoning, 1 garlic clove, 1 bunch fresh cilantro, 1 small jalapeño
- With the blender running, slowly add water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency—thicker for dipping, thinner for drizzling. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve or refrigerate until ready to use.Add water until desired consistency
