This homemade BBQ ranch dressing is the perfect way to transform simple meals into something extraordinary. It combines the smoky, slightly sweet flavors of your favorite BBQ sauce with the cool, creamy goodness of classic ranch dressing—a harmonious blend that’s simply irresistible.
The best part? You can whip it up in just 10 minutes. So, if you’re ready to level up your condiments game and make every bite more flavorful, let’s get started!
Homemade BBQ Ranch Dressing For Dipping And Drizzling
My grandkids can’t get enough of this BBQ ranch dressing. It’s one of their favorites for dipping fries and chicken nuggets. (Honestly, I think they’d put it on everything if I let them!) The cool, creamy ranch flavor blends perfectly with the sweetness of BBQ sauce, creating a flavor that’s both comforting and exciting. It’s a crowd-pleaser for sure, and it even works some magic on veggies. Somehow, a little drizzle of this makes cooked greens disappear from plates faster than I ever thought possible.
You’ll love how versatile this dressing is. Use it to liven up a salad, slather it on a sandwich, or serve it as a dip for everything from french fries to crisp veggies. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make—just 10 minutes, and you’re ready to go! Most of the ingredients are probably already in your pantry or fridge, like mayonnaise, sour cream, and a handful of spices. No need to run to the store, and you get a fresher, healthier version without all the sodium and preservatives of store-bought dressings.
If you would like to add more dipping sauce and dressing recipes on your menu, check out my Homemade Zesty Italian Mix And Dressing, Spicy Cashew Cream Sauce Dressing, and 3-Ingredient Creamy Homemade Aioli Sauce.
Ingredients You Will Need and Buying Tips
Good news–you only need 7 ingredients to make this simple recipe.
- Mayonnaise: You’ll want the classic or real mayonnaise to create a rich, creamy base for your dressing. Avoid low-fat versions because it can make the consistency runny.
- Sour cream: Similarly, look for a full-fat sour cream version to make the dressing creamier.
- BBQ sauce: Choose sweet and smoky BBQ sauces for the best flavor. If you’re watching your sugar intake, opt for a low-sugar option.
- Garlic granules: Old garlic granules can taste dull, so check the date for freshness. Make sure it only uses garlic without any additional salt or fillers.
- Onion granules: Like garlic granules, ensure that your onion granules contain no preservatives or additives.
- Italian seasoning: Go for a pure herb mix of dried basil, rosemary, oregano, and thyme without salt or additives.
📝 Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
Variations and Substitutions
- If you want a more natural flavoring, make your own homemade BBQ sauce. Mix ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, mustard, and your favorite spices.
- Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. It’s healthier with a similar tang.
- If you love fresh herbs, make your own mix of Italian seasoning consisting of finely chopped basil and oregano. You can also add chives or dill for extra flavor.
- Substitute granules with onion powder and garlic powder.
- Add cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or smoked paprika to make the dressing extra spicy.
- For your chicken tenders or grilled veggies, make the dressing sweeter with a teaspoon of honey.
- Add a teaspoon of adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers to make a Smoky Chipotle BBQ Ranch version. This pairs well with grilled meats and baked potatoes.
- Add a tangy punch with a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. This version suits well for fresh green salads and seafood.
Absolutely! This dressing can work as a flavorful marinade for pork, chicken, or even veggies. Just marinate the ingredients for at least 30 minutes to infuse that smoky, creamy flavor.
How To Make BBQ Ranch Dressing
After gathering all the ingredients, let’s whip up a creamy, smoky, and tangy BBQ ranch dressing that’s perfect for any meal.
1
Combine Ingredients
Grab a medium-sized bowl and start adding your ingredients. Start with the creamy mayonnaise and tangy sour cream (this is your base of the dressing). Next, pour in the BBQ sauce, then sprinkle with the garlic granules, onion granules, and Italian seasoning. At this point, you’ll start to smell the magic!
2
Mix Until Smooth
Using a spoon, whisk, or spatula, mix everything together. Keep stirring until silky smooth. You don’t want to see any remaining streaks because that can cause an uneven taste.
After mixing, give the dressing a little taste. This is the time when you adjust the ingredients to fit your liking. Add more BBQ sauce for a sweeter kick or a little more sour cream for a tangier bite.
3
Serve To Enjoy
You can serve the dressing immediately (if you can’t wait) or chill it in the fridge for about 20 minutes to let all those flavors meld together.
Serve it as a salad dressing for a hearty BBQ chicken salad or mixed greens of Romaine lettuce, arugula, and spinach. You can also use it as a dip for carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, nachos, and chips. This dressing also works well with sandwiches, wraps, grilled meats, burgers, and pizza.
Gina’s Tips For Recipe Success
- If you have time, chill the dressing in the fridge for about 20 minutes before serving. The extra wait is totally worth it, as the flavors meld together.
- Use high-quality BBQ sauce because it can affect the taste of your dressing. Choose a flavor profile that best complements your dish of choice—sweet, smoky, tangy, or spicy.
- Add more mayo or sour cream to make the dressing creamier.
- Want the dressing to be ultra-smooth? Try using a blender or food processor instead of a spoon or whisk.
Leftover Tips
Don’t leave the leftovers of your BBQ ranch dressing at room temperature for too long. As possible, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate immediately because the sour cream and mayo can spoil easily. Use the dressing within 5 days (more than that and the flavor and texture may start to degrade).
When you’re ready to serve, give the dressing a good stir because some of the ingredients may float to the top. Stirring helps redistribute the ingredients and bring back the dressing’s original creamy consistency.
Sauce Recipes
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
⚖️ Need a big batch to feed a crowd? You can easily change the number of servings in the recipe card below by tapping 2x or 3x. The ingredient measurements will automatically double or triple. You can then tap print and there you have it, a recipe for a crowd.
10-Minute Homemade BBQ Ranch Dressing Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic granules
- ½ teaspoon onion granules
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, BBQ sauce, garlic granules, onion granules, and Italian seasoning.½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, ½ cup BBQ sauce, ½ teaspoon garlic granules, ½ teaspoon onion granules, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Stir everything together until smooth and well combined.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Notes
- If you have time, chill the dressing in the fridge for about 20 minutes before serving. The extra wait is totally worth it, as the flavors meld together.
- Use high-quality BBQ sauce because it can affect the taste of your dressing. Choose a flavor profile that best complements your dish of choice—sweet, smoky, tangy, or spicy.
- Add more mayo or sour cream to make the dressing creamier.
- Want the dressing to be ultra-smooth? Try using a blender or food processor instead of a spoon or whisk.