Updated Recipe February 6, 2024

Note: Fresh parsley and black pepper were added to this recipe to enhance the delicious fresh herb flavors.

Homemade Jalapeno Ranch Dressing and Dip made with both Hidden Valley Ranch packets and fresh ingredients create such great taste plus are super easy to put together. The semi-homemade combination of a handful of simple ingredients with both fresh and a few store-bought items creates the best homemade ranch that comes out perfect every time.

Close up overhead shot of jalapeno chipotle ranch dip in a glass jar with orange bell peppers on a teal towel.

This homemade version is packed with delicious herb flavors from fresh dill, parsley, crushed garlic, jalapenos and green onions with the convenience of a store-bought seasoning mix. It tastes like you spent hours measuring out a homemade ranch dressing mix.

This easy recipe is much better than store-bought ranch or restaurant ranch. It creates a delicious eating experience for anything it’s served with. You will never buy the store-bought stuff again.

Why You’ll Love Jalapeno Ranch Dressing

Easy to Make: Chop up the jalapenos, green onions, fresh garlic, parsley, and dill then add the remaining ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend. That’s it. This recipe is easier than making your own homemade ranch seasoning mix from scratch.
Create Your Version: Homemade salad dressings are by far better than any store-bought bottled dressing. Buying a cheap seasoning packet like Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix provides the flavor base while enhancing with the extra fresh herbs and vegetables. Using low-fat or no-fat sour cream, one or two percent milk, or non-fat Greek yogurt helps make this dressing great for any low-calorie diet.
All-Purpose Condiment: Homemade ranch dressing isn’t just for salads. It’s become an everyday condiment just like mustard and ketchup. Use it as a spread on sandwiches and wraps and as a sauce for enchiladas, tacos, and chicken wings. Add more mayonnaise, sour cream, or yogurt, and use it as a dip for veggies, French fries, onion rings, tortilla chips, pork rinds, or potato chips.
Cheap to Make: Making homemade ranch dressing with a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch mix is cheaper than buying a bottled dressing from the grocery store and produces twice as much as you get in a bottle. You can use half a packet for small portions or double it for larger amounts. Homemade ranch dip is better tasting and cheaper to make yourself.

What You’ll Need for Jalapeno Ranch Recipe

Dairy: Buttermilk, regular milk, 2% milk all work just about the same. Buttermilk makes the dressing thicker and has a lot more calories than regular milk or 2 percent. Sour Cream is the thickening ingredient and can be substituted with yogurt or even cottage cheese.
Mayonnaise: I use light mayo and light sour cream in this homemade dressing because both have fewer calories. Anytime I can shave off a few calories and fat I consider it a win. I’ve used yogurt before and I didn’t like it, and neither did my family. The end.
Fresh Herbs: Fresh dill is one of my top 3 flavors in this world. I try to grow it every year but sadly the weather gets too hot, too fast in Oklahoma to be successful. Fresh chives or green onions are delicious added to this dressing as is fresh parsley.
Fresh Vegetables: Jalapenos and garlic make this creamy blend of herbs sassy and spicy. They add a savory, earthy kick that makes this the best homemade ranch you will ever make.
Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix: I’ve tried other brands of seasoning packets and they didn’t have the same great taste.
Extra Spice: Black pepper and the Cajun seasoning add another layer of delicious spice. Instead of using Cajun seasoning, add 1 tablespoon of Chipotle sauce is next-level wonderful.

Best Ranch Dressing Ingredients

1.5 cups of milk or buttermilk
3/4 cup of sour cream
3/4 cup of mayonnaise
2 medium jalapenos or 1 large jalapeno
1 cup of fresh dill weed, loosely packed or to taste
.5 cup fresh parsley
2 green onions
4 fresh garlic cloves. medium or 3 large cloves
1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing seasoning or your favorite ranch seasoning dry mix
2 teaspoons of Cajun or Mexican spice, optional
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

How To Make Homemade Jalapeno Ranch Dressing

STEP 1: Rough chop the garlic, jalapenos (deseed for milder taste), green onions, parsley, and fresh dill.
STEP 2: Measure and add milk, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped herbs, garlic, jalapeno, green onions, salad dressing mix, black pepper, and the Cajun seasoning to a food processor or blender. Process until smooth and creamy.
STEP 4: Taste for seasoning adjustments. Note: Flavors will meld and get stronger while it chills.
STEP 5: For best flavor let set for a couple of hours in the refrigerator.

FAQ’s

Q: How long with homemade ranch dressing stay fresh?

A: If stored in an airtight container like a glass mason jar or a plastic container with an airtight lid, it will last for a few weeks in the refrigerator.

Q: Is Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix the same as the dip mix?

A: The seasoning mix is the same in the dressing mix and the dip mix while the ingredients added, according to the packet instructions, are different. The dressing mix uses buttermilk or milk and the dip instructions require sour cream or Greek yogurt.

Q: Will using low-fat or fat-free dairy ingredients change the consistency and flavor?

A: The consistency will not change but the flavor might be a little bit sour or tangy. If you’re trying to lose weight or cut extra calories, then this extra twang probably won’t matter.

Q: Can I use dried herbs in place of the fresh herbs called for in the recipe?

A: Yes absolutely. I would use 2 tablespoons of each dried dill weed and dried parsley flakes. Add more to taste.

Pin for Later👇

side view with veggies and overhead view of jalapeno ranch dressing pinteret pin.

Tips and Tricks

To make it lower in calories substitute full-fat mayo, sour cream, and milk for light or no-fat versions. Replacing with lighter ingredients, 2 tablespoons equal 2 Weight Watcher points.

For best flavor let the salad dressing chill for at least 2 hours.

side view of jalapeno chipotle ranch dip with cut up veggies.

How to Store Homemade Ranch Dressing

Store in an airtight container such as a glass mason jar, salad dressing bottle, or a plastic tub with a secure lid.

How To Serve Homemade Jalapeno Ranch Dressing

Serve as a Dip:

Cut up fresh veggies (low Carb)
Chips
Pork Rinds (Low Carb)
Sausage Balls
Little Smokies Wrapped in Bacon
Chicken Fingers like these Spicy Grilled Chicken Tenders
Chicken nugget
Buffalo wings
French Fries
Tator Tots
Onion Rings

Serve as a Dressing:

Green Garden Salad
Taco Salad
Fajita Salad
Chicken Salad
Shrimp Salad
Bean Salad

Serve as a Sauce:

Hamburgers
Chicken Burgers
Fish Burgers
Veggie Burgers
Tacos
Fajitas
Enchiladas
Taquitos
Grilled Chicken, Steak or Fish

close up of jalapeno chipotle ranch dip in a glass jar.

More Dip and Salad Dressing You’ll Love

Cilantro Dill Salad Dressing and Marinade is a great compliment to chicken!

Best Homemade Dijon Italian Salad Dressing

Light and Creamy White Cauliflower Queso Dip

Yummy Spicy Rotel Sausage Dip

Easy and Delicious Italian Queso Dip

Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies and Jalapenos