Easy Pickle Ranch Recipe (Creamy Homemade Dill Pickle Ranch)
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If you’re someone who reaches for ranch with just about everything, this Pickle Ranch is about to become your new obsession. Creamy, tangy, and packed with chopped dill pickles and pickle juice, it’s the perfect homemade dipping sauce for fried chicken wings, chicken tenders, fries, burgers, sandwiches, vegetables, and so much more. Best of all, it comes together in just a few minutes using simple pantry ingredients.
Let’s See What Happens….
Pickle Ranch started as one of those “let’s see what happens” recipes after making a batch of crispy fried chicken wings. I had a jar of dill pickles in the fridge, a bottle of ranch was nowhere to be found, and honestly…it ended up being even better than anything store bought.
The chopped pickles add little bursts of crunch while the pickle juice gives the ranch that extra tang that keeps everyone coming back for another dip. Now it’s one of those recipes I make ahead because it somehow tastes even better the next day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 5 minutes
- Better than bottled ranch
- Perfect with fried chicken wings
- Loaded with real dill pickle flavor
- Great as both a dip and salad dressing
- Easy to customize
- Tastes even better after chilling
- Made with pantry staples
Ingredients Needed To Make Pickle Ranch Dressing
- mayonnaise
- sour cream
- milk
- dill pickle juice
- finely chopped dill pickles
- dried dill
- dried parsley
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- kosher
- salt
- black pepper
How To Make Pickle Ranch Dressing
- Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, and milk to a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until completely smooth with no lumps remaining.
- Stir in the dried dill, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mixing the herbs into the creamy base first helps distribute the flavors evenly throughout the ranch.
- Fold in the finely chopped dill pickles and pickle juice until everything is well combined. Every bite should have little bits of pickle throughout the dressing.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the herbs to hydrate and the pickle flavor to blend into the ranch. If you have the time, letting it chill overnight makes it even better.
- Give the ranch one final stir before serving. Enjoy it with crispy fried chicken wings, fresh vegetables, french fries, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, onion rings, potato wedges, or drizzle it over your favorite salad.
Important Recipe Tips
- Finely chop the pickles so the ranch stays smooth and easy to dip.
- Refrigerated dill pickles usually provide the freshest flavor.
- Let the ranch chill before serving. The flavor improves after resting.
- If the ranch becomes too thick after refrigeration, stir in a splash of milk or pickle juice until it reaches your desired consistency.
- For even more pickle flavor, add an extra tablespoon of finely chopped dill pickles.
- Taste before serving and adjust the salt if needed since different pickles vary in saltiness.
Storage
- Store leftover Pickle Ranch in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Since this recipe contains mayonnaise and sour cream, it should remain refrigerated until you’re ready to serve it.
- The dressing may thicken slightly after chilling. Simply stir in a splash of milk or pickle juice before serving if you’d like a thinner consistency.
- Freezing is not recommended since dairy-based dressings tend to separate once thawed.
Ways to Use Pickle Ranch
If you love homemade sauces, you’ll be surprised how many ways this Pickle Ranch can be used beyond a simple vegetable dip. Try it as:
- Dipping sauce for crispy Fried Chicken Wings
- Spread for burgers and chicken sandwiches
- Drizzle over loaded fries
- Sauce for wraps and pita sandwiches
- Dressing for chopped salads
- Dip for fresh vegetables
- Topping for baked potatoes
- Sauce for fried pickles
- Dip for pizza crust
- Spread on deli sandwiches instead of plain mayonnaise
Easy Pickle Ranch
Equipment
- Medium mixing bowl
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring spoons
- sharp knife
- Airtight container or mason jar
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp dill pickle juice
- 4 tbsp finely chopped dill pickles
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, and milk to a medium mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.
- Stir in the dried dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Fold in the chopped dill pickles and pickle juice until evenly combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Stir before serving and enjoy with fried chicken wings, vegetables, burgers, fries, wraps, sandwiches, or salads.
Notes
- The ranch tastes even better after chilling overnight.
- Add additional milk for a thinner salad dressing.
- Add extra pickle juice for a tangier flavor.
- Finely diced pickles provide the best texture.
- Store refrigerated for up to five days.
Nutrition
Commonly Asked Questions
Yes! In fact, it’s even better after sitting in the refrigerator for several hours. Making it a day ahead allows the herbs and pickle juice to fully flavor the ranch.
Classic dill pickles work best. Kosher dill pickles, refrigerated dill pickles, hamburger dill chips, or whole dill pickles all create great flavor. Avoid sweet pickles unless you want a sweeter dressing.
Fresh dill and fresh parsley both work well if you have them on hand. Use about three times the amount of fresh herbs compared to dried since fresh herbs contain more moisture and have a milder flavor.
Although you can serve it immediately, letting the ranch chill for at least 30 minutes allows the dried herbs to soften and the pickle flavor to fully develop. If you’re making it for game day or a party, preparing it the night before gives the best overall flavor.
Yes. Plain Greek yogurt makes a great substitute if you’d like a slightly tangier, higher-protein version.
You can, but the texture and flavor will be different. Dill pickle relish is much finer and usually contains extra vinegar and sugar.
A full-fat mayonnaise creates the creamiest texture and richest flavor. Since mayonnaise makes up a large portion of this recipe, choosing one you already enjoy eating will give you the best results. Reduced-fat mayonnaise works in a pinch but won’t produce quite the same creamy consistency.
