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    Home » Recipe Index » Salads

    Semi-Homemade BBQ Ranch Dressing

    July 21, 2021 Updated April 8, 2022 By Rebecca Salads

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    BBQ ranch dressing in a jar with salad in the background

    Make a batch of this 5 ingredient BBQ ranch dressing, and you've got a dressing/dipping sauce that's versatile and flavorful. It'll definitely be your go-to salad dressing, chicken marinade, fry dip, and whatever else you want to eat it with.

    BBQ ranch dressing in a jar with salad in the background

    This BBQ ranch dressing is great on a simple chicken salad, to dip french fries into. You can also use it with the following recipes: Instant Pot Fish, Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork, Chicken and Bacon Sheet Pan Dinner, or on a Grilled Chicken Burger.

    Table of contents

    • How will this BBQ ranch sauce make your life easier?
    • What makes this easy bbq ranch so good?
    • How do I make this sauce?
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQ
    • What is it good with?
    • What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    How will this BBQ ranch sauce make your life easier?

    If you're a big ranch dressing fan like I am, elevate your fave salad dressing and dip with some BBQ sauce, and you've got a ranch-y tangy BBQ ranch dressing that's great on oh so many foods.

    There are lots of homemade ranch dressing recipes out there, and they're good and all, but if you're anything like me, you love the traditional mix it yourself Hidden Valley ranch. Don't mess with something that works & is easy.

    Instead of making your own ranch dressing, get yourself a packet (or a jar of the seasoning for less waste!), add your own mayo & Greek yogurt, milk, and BBQ sauce.

    What makes this easy bbq ranch so good?

    barbecue ranch salad dressing ingredients on a table

    How do I make this sauce?

    mayo, plain Greek yogurt, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing powder in a glass jar

    Start making this small batch of BBQ ranch dressing by pouring the following ingredients into a mason jar with a tight lid: plain Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, buttermilk, BBQ sauce, and Ranch dressing mix.

    mixed barbecue ranch dip in a mason jar

    Place lid on jar, and secure. Shake jar until sauce ingredients are incorporated and smooth. Whisk if any small chunks remain.

    chicken, shredded cheese, and vegetable salad in a grey bowl

    Pour BBQ ranch dressing over salad or onto a plate to use as a dip. You can refrigerate this ranch BBQ for 3-5 days, or just sniff it. If it smells good still, it should be safe to eat. I like using the sniff test because many foods last longer than 3-5 days.

    Expert Tips

    • I add plain Greek yogurt in this barbecue ranch recipe instead of all of the mayonnaise the recipe calls for because it adds a nice tangy flavor. But you're free to substitute the yogurt for all mayo! No problem.
    • If you're not someone who has buttermilk on hand all the time, add some lemon juice or vinegar to milk to substitute it for the buttermilk. It's a really easy substitute in this BBQ ranch salad dressing recipe and tastes just as good.
    • This makes a small batch of ranch BBQ sauce, which is great if you're cooking for one or a couple people. If you want to make more-click the slider in the recipe card to adjust the number of servings to make the amount you'll need.

    FAQ

    How long can salad dressing stay outside of a fridge?

    The USDA recommends keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold. They recommend keeping hot/cold foods out at room temperature for 2 hours or less, and if it's 90 degrees or warmer, only keep food out for an hour.

    Do the same with your BBQ ranch dressing and whatever you're eating it with.

    What is the best BBQ sauce?

    My favorite brand is Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce. It's really good in this semi-homemade BBQ ranch dressing. It's tangy, sweet, and has some nice spices in it. Delish posted an article on their favorites here.

    Does all ranch have mayo?

    Most ranch dressings have mayonnaise and other dairy ingredients in it. Sweet, smooth mayo is really delicious with the spices and herbs in traditional ranch dressings.

    My favorite brand, Hidden Valley, has a great spice packet that you can use to make your own, and that uses mayonnaise and buttermilk. Personally, I like mayo + plain Greek yogurt for extra tang, which is great in this barbecue ranch recipe.

    close up photo of barbecue ranch dressing in a glass jar

    What is it good with?

    I highly recommend making a simple chicken salad to dress with this BBQ ranch dressing. Here are a couple ingredients to include in your salad:

    • Romaine lettuce
    • Chicken strips or other cooked chicken
    • Corn kernels
    • Shredded cheddar cheese
    • Sunflower seeds

    you can also use this ranch BBQ sauce recipe with the following recipes:

    • Grilled Chicken Burger
    • Chicken and Bacon Sheet Pan Dinner
    • Instant Pot Pulled Pork
    • Instant Pot Fish
    • Black Bean and Veggie Quesadilla
    • Instant Pot Crispy Chicken Wings

    What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    • The ranch mix used in this healthy BBQ ranch dressing will last a long time, I recommend making traditional ranch dressing with it whenever you're craving it!
    • Greek Yogurt: Versatile Overnight Oats, PB Yogurt Dip, Homemade Firecracker Popsicles.
    • Mayo: Chicken Cranberry and Walnut Salad, or a Chicken Salad Pita.
    • BBQ Sauce: Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork, Grilled Chicken Burger

    Did you make this BBQ Ranch Dressing? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    BBQ ranch dressing in a jar with salad in the background
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Semi-Homemade BBQ Ranch Dressing

    Make a batch of this 5 ingredient BBQ ranch dressing, and you've got a dressing/sauce that's super versatile and bursting with flavor. It'll definitely be your go-to salad dressing, chicken marinade, fry dip, and whatever else you want to eat it with. It'll definitely bump up your dressing and sauce game!
    Course Dip, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes
    Author Rebecca

    Equipment

    • Mason Jar with Lid
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons

    Ingredients

    BBQ Ranch Dressing

    • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
    • ¼ cup buttermilk or milk + 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar
    • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce I use Sweet Baby Ray's original
    • 1 ½-2 teaspoons ranch dressing mix

    Salad

    • chicken
    • lettuce
    • black beans
    • corn kernels
    • shredded cheddar cheese
    • sunflower seeds

    Instructions

    • Pour ¼ c plain Greek yogurt, ¼ c buttermilk (or ¼ c milk + 1 teaspoon lemon juice OR white vinegar), 3 T mayo, 2 T BBQ sauce, and 1 ½-2 teaspoon ranch dressing mix into a wide mouth mason jar.
    • Screw jar lid on tight, and shake until dressing is mixed well and smooth. Whisk if you can see small chunks after shaking.
    • Pour over salad with ingredients in ingredient list or use to dip chicken or fries into. You can also use this as a marinade for grilled chicken. It's really versatile!

    Video

    Semi-Homemade BBQ Ranch Dressing

    Notes

    • I substitute some of the mayonnaise in the traditional recipe with plain Greek yogurt for a tangy addition. You can replace the ¼ cup greek yogurt with more mayo if you'd like.
    • This BBQ ranch dressing is great as a salad dressing, marinade, or dip for fries or other foods. 

    Want to get some single serving recipes and others like this BBQ Ranch Dressing delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Salads

    • Chicken Pecan Salad with Apples
    • Zucchini with Feta
    • Copycat Chick Fil A Kale Salad Recipe
    • Apple Cucumber Salad

    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah James says

      July 21, 2021 at 9:04 am

      5 stars
      Your ranch dressing looks delicious, I love the idea of adding BBQ sauce and using Greek yoghurt. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 22, 2021 at 12:26 pm

        totally!

        Reply
    2. Denay says

      July 21, 2021 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      Such a flavorful dressing! We enjoyed it as a dipping sauce for chicken fingers. It was a huge hit with the family.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 22, 2021 at 12:26 pm

        it's delish with chicken fingers

        Reply
    3. Liz says

      July 21, 2021 at 9:45 am

      5 stars
      I gotta say, I love me some ranch! This BBQ ranch is a fun twist on my favorite. I'm going to be using this all summer long!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 22, 2021 at 12:26 pm

        right?! ranch is the best, but BBQ ranch is better 😉

        Reply
    4. Lindsay says

      July 21, 2021 at 11:53 am

      5 stars
      This sounds delicious! I'm going to make this to add to a chicken bacon ranch pizza - it's one of our favorite things to order out, but I think this sauce will make my homemade one even better!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 22, 2021 at 12:25 pm

        ohh, how did I not even think of putting it on a pizza?!!! such a great idea

        Reply
    5. Adriana says

      July 21, 2021 at 12:50 pm

      5 stars
      Love the addition of the buttermilk adds to this dressing a yummy tang. Made it yesterday, and it was a complete hit!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 22, 2021 at 12:24 pm

        yay! a good, tangy dressing is the best

        Reply

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    of Nourish Nutrition

    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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