Ranch seasoning is one of the most versatile spice mixes you can stash in the pantry. It's nothing more than a simple blend of dried herbs, spices, salt, and pepper. Homemade ranch dressing is more tangy and flavorful than its bottled cousin, but sometimes I don't want to spend 15 minutes chopping herbs. Throw a tablespoon or so of this ranch seasoning mix into a base of buttermilk, mayonnaise, and sour cream, and whisk into a ranch dressing that will rival any store-bought variety. Sprinkle some ranch seasoning over chicken breasts, into ground beef, or on top of store-bought fries and you'll have a fresh-tasting dinner on the table in minutes.

Make Your Own Ranch Seasoning

To make this dried seasoning mix, shake dried dill, parsley, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, onion flakes, salt, and pepper in a small canning jar. Even the most sparsely stocked spice cabinet often has these herbs and spices on hand.

Packaged mixes often lean heavily on salt because it is heavy and cheap. MSG is a flavor enhancer that I like to avoid in my diet, but most packaged mixes include it. Making your own ranch seasoning mix means you can include more or less of any herb or limit the salt, customizing it to suit your tastes. The amounts in this blend will give you a classic flavor.

How to Use Ranch Seasoning

Toss this herb-filled ranch seasoning with hot baked fries, stir into macaroni and cheese, or mix into meatloaf. Sprinkle it over chicken breasts and slow cook with buttermilk and cream cheese for an herby, creamy shredded chicken sandwich. Whisk the ranch mix into tangy buttermilk, sour cream, and mayonnaise for a homemade ranch dressing without the fuss of fresh herbs. Drizzle that dressing over an iceberg wedge, or use it as a dip for spicy Buffalo wings or crunchy crudités.