Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing is a simple dressing and dip made with nonfat Greek yogurt, a little mayo, and ranch seasonings. Nonfat Greek yogurt offers protein, calcium, and fewer calories than a mayo-based ranch.
Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
Ok, you probably already know how much I looooove to substitute nonfat Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise and sour cream in recipes that call for them.
It’s such a great way to cut calories and fat…and happens to be a great source of protein. A no-brainer in my book!
Thing is…I still really like mayonnaise but in small amounts.
So, when I use yogurt in place of mayo for recipes that call for it, I don’t ditch it entirely. I’ve tried…and my taste buds just want it.
But you can ditch it if you like.
Either way, we’re still winning by replacing most of the mayo with nonfat Greek yogurt in this recipe.
If you like that idea, grab these other recipes!
Macaroni Salad With Greek Yogurt Dressing
So, how do you make ranch dressing?
Step 1. Place all ingredients into a mason jar or mixing bowl.
Step 2. Screw on the lid (or grab a whisk).
Step 3. Shake or whisk until combined.
* See full recipe below
What spices are in ranch dressing?
I’ve made it with multiple combinations of spices.
There is no one set of ingredients to make ranch, but I always use a bare minimum of parsley, chives, and garlic.
I prefer to use fresh herbs, although dried herbs are great too.
You can also add onion powder, dill, or paprika…any of these will be great!
No matter what, I always use fresh, raw, garlic (not powdered).
What it does to the flavor of ranch dressing…is magical, especially after it has chilled overnight.
What do you eat with ranch dressing?
This BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado and Ranch is the perfect party salad, especially during summer.
These Naked Baked Smashed Potatoes are screaming for Ranch dressing.
Here’s what I love about Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing:
- Nonfat Greek yogurt dressing provides protein and has less fat and calories than a traditional mayo-based dressing.
- Homemade means you can reduce the amount of sugar and salt.
- 10 minutes to make means you GOT this…even at the last minute!
- Not buying prepackaged means you save money and feel GOOD about what you eat.
Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing Ingredients:
- nonfat Greek yogurt
- mayonnaise (optional)
- milk
- white vinegar
- fresh parsley
- fresh chives
- fresh garlic
- salt and pepper
Kitchen tools I use for this recipe:
- chef knife
- cutting board
- microplane fine grater (to grate garlic)
- mason jar with lid or mixing bowl with a whisk
Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Nonfat Greek Yogurt
- 1/4 cup Mayo optional
- 1/4 cup 1% Milk
- 1 Tbsp White Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp fresh Parsley chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh Chives chopped
- 1 clove Garlic finely grated
- 1/8 tsp Kosher Salt
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a lidded jar, combine GREEK YOGURT, (optional) MAYO, MILK, VINEGAR, PARSLEY, CHIVES, GARLIC, SALT and PEPPER.
- Cover and shake vigorously to combine; refrigerate until ready to serve. Shake well before serving.
- Prep tip: Make at least one day ahead of serving time for best flavor results. Store up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
To make ranch dressing using a stick blender
- Place all ingredients in a tall container or glass jar, insert the blade end of the stick blender into the dressing ingredients.
- Pulse the blender until ingredients are well-incorporated, then blend at a steady speed until dressing is fully blended.
RECIPE NOTES
Nutrition
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Denise M Green says
My doctor told me too cut out mayo and sour cream along with fried foods. So if I’m not going to put in the 1/4 cup mayo do I need to increase yogurt or decrease seasonings? TIA
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Denise! So, this is really up to you. More yogurt = more dressing. Less yogurt = less dressing with bolder flavor. I personally like more flavor, esp if I’m leaving out the mayo (since nonfat Greek yogurt by itself can be “chalky” tasting). Ok, lemme know if I can help you further 🙂
Carol says
Just discovered your site and made this dressing yesterday. I am looking to lower sodium and fat and seriously increase protein. This is perfect! The fresh ingredients make all the difference in taste. I like to snack on imitation crab but my downfall was that I like to dip it in ranch dressing. You have solved my problem. Thank you
Traci Antonovich says
Carol…thank you SO much for this feedback! I’m Ranch-crazed too, so it’s exactly what I was aiming for when I created the recipe. Thanks again…so glad you’re enjoying it 🙂
Ginger Beese says
I’m not seeing any nutrition facts listed under the recipe. How many calories is this per serving?
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Ginger…today we added a basic nutrition card for this recipe. However, please observe: Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, and are estimates based on unbranded ingredients acquired from a nutrition database. For accurate calculations, please refer to brand packaging information and consult your nutritionist.
Mary Caldwell says
I tried making this the other day, it tasted amazing the first night, however the next day it was like soup and the sides clumped. even when I shaked it and mixed it.
what did I do wrong?
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Mary, oh my goodness, I’m trying to think of what may have caused that but I need more details. When you say ‘soup’ and the ‘sides clumped’, what does that mean. Can you explain a little further? Thank you…love to help you out here 🙂
Mary Caldwell says
Nothing was old. I just bought everything before I made the first salad and check all dates. first night it looked and tasted like usual ranch dressing, maybe a little thinner (didn’t mind). tasted amazing!.
next day. I grabbed my sealed ball jar and it moved like chk broth and noticed sides looked like “cottage cheese”. I thought maybe I needed to mix it. I shook it hard. didn’t help it. but I knew the ingredients were good.
I put it on anyhow. it acted like a white water would do if you put it on your salad. sunk into the lettuce at button.
I could still sort of taste the dressing. but I poured alot…bc it was..”water” (so prob made it then unhealthy haha). normally I eat 2tbps of dressing, but used 4 bc it was like water I needed more so I could taste it.
so now I’m afraid to make a bigger batch (I love salads). if it will do it again on me.
I figure I’ll try again with a half batch and see if I have the same problems.
Traci Antonovich says
Hmmmm so interesting, Mary and thanks for the details. I know when I make it and let it sit overnight, the ingredients can separate (as fat and liquids do) but then vigorously shaking it usually resolves it…similar to a vinaigrette. I just can’t think of what is causing that to happen with yours. I’ll have to give it some more thought.
Mary Caldwell says
I made it again and it has come out just fine. even a few days later with a little shake!.
same ingredients. so I don’t know what happened the first time.
I love this recipe. keeping it and will keep making it. thanks !!
Traci Antonovich says
This makes my day, Mary 🙂 I was stumped trying to figure out what it could have been. I’m so glad to hear…I guess a fluke of some sort. Glad it worked out b/c it’s one of my fav’s too! yay!
Mary Caldwell says
Will it taste okay if the parsley, chives and garlic are the seasoning and not fresh?
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Mary…you can always sub dry herbs for for fresh, but you’ll want to use a 1:3 ratio. So, for 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, you would use 1 teaspoon dry, same for the chives. As for the garlic, I’d start with 1/2 teaspoon and adjust it to add more if you like. Hope that helps…let me know if you have further questions 🙂
Jeni @ Biscuits & Booze says
I love using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream too! So yummy and satisfying. And I also can’t give up mayo lol. I love that too! This dressing is CALLING to me. I can’t wait to try it!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Jeni! So funny to hear another mayo lover out there that just can’t leave it alone 🙂 I love it too much!
Jill says
Healthier ranch is always a good idea. Love that you use all fresh herbs too!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Jill! Healthier means we can eat more, right? That my motto 🙂
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen says
I have to try this!
Traci Antonovich says
Yay! Hope you get to Lindsay…thanks! 🙂
Dannii says
This is pretty much how we make our ranch too. It’s nice to have a lighter option.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Dannii! It’s the only way I can make it…can’t help myself on adding the nonfat Greek yogurt 🙂
Molly Kumar says
Hey Traci, that looks so yummm!!! I’m a sucker for skinny dips/munchies recipes as we love snacking a lot. This would be a great addition to gameday or weekend party.
Traci Antonovich says
Hey thanks so much Molly! I’m such a sucker for those things too! And def love the game day plan 🙂
Ginny says
What a great recipe for toning down the calories in ranch dressing. Love the grated garlic in there too.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Ginny! Toning down the calories…well said 🙂
Marvellina | What To Cook Today says
I love the idea of using greek yogurt!! why didn’t I think of that!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Marvellina…I love Greek yogurt for everything! 🙂
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
Ranch dressing is something I crave and I don’t love the flavor of the low-fat ones from the store. Can’t wait to give this one a spin!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Karen! That’s exactly why I came up with this one! Same dilemma…solved! 🙂
Emily | OatandSesame.com says
Mayo does really give dressing a certain tang – so I’m with you on keeping a little in small amounts. With fresh herbs this summer, this dressing is da bomb! Pinning for that avocado salad!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks so much Emily! Gotta have that mayo 😉 Hope you do get to try this one and hope you love it like I do! 🙂
Tania Sheff says
Ranch dressing is my favorite! I cannot wait to try your skinnier version. Thanks!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Tania! Hope you love it like I do! 🙂
Kerry Rego says
Hi, Traci! I just clipped this link to my Evernote recipe file. It sounds great. I just noticed you have a line “Square Image” just before the subheading “HERE’S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT SKINNY GREEK YOGURT RANCH DRESSING”. It looks like a placeholder. FYI
Traci Antonovich says
Kerry…uhm, you’re adorable. I love it that you caught that and took the time to give me heads up…we must be related 🙂 It was a nice surprise to meet you this weekend. Can’t wait to check out your podcast!