Outback Ranch Dressing (Copycat Recipe)

This copycat recipe of the delicious Outback ranch dressing is the real deal!

If you’re missing the flavor of the delicious dressing, this homemade version is exactly what you need.

It’s creamy, mildly tangy, and bursting with flavor from herbs and spices. It’s not just a dressing, but a sauce and dip as well. That’s what I call versatile. 

This copycat recipe makes such an impressive replica of the famous dressing! To me, it actually tastes even better.

I might be biased because it’s my recipe, but I think you’ll love it.

Outback Ranch Dressing 

Outback Steakhouse is famous for its steaks and burgers.

But their ranch dressing is so good, it gave birth to hundreds of copycat recipes online.

Outback’s ranch dressing is the definition of the ultimate dressing. It’s creamy, but not overwhelmingly so.

The blend of herbs and spices perfectly balances out the umami-ness of the dressing.

Its consistency is also spot-on: not too thick, not too runny, instead, wonderfully smooth and easily pourable. 

And yes, it’s easy to make at home. Try my copycat recipe, and your salad will taste exactly like what they serve at Outback!

Ingredients 

• Ranch Buttermilk Dressing Mix  – This mix of herbs and spices is what gives the dressing its signature ranch flavor. I like to use Hidden Valley for this recipe, but I imagine any brand would also work. 
• Mayonnaise – Together with the buttermilk, mayonnaise serves as the base of the dressing. 

I like to go all-in on my ranch, so I use full-fat mayo in this recipe. Sure, light mayo is healthier, but it just doesn’t have that same, rich flavor. 

My brand of choice is Hellmann’s, but again, feel free to use whatever brand you like.

• Buttermilk – It gives the dressing an added layer of tanginess. It also thins out the thick mayo, making the dressing easy to drizzle. Use it to control the consistency of your dressing.

I like to use real buttermilk for this recipe because it has more tanginess to it. BUt of course, homemade buttermilk can also be used in a pinch.

• Spices – My recipe uses a simple mix of ground black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. You’d think this blend will make the dressing way too hot, but it doesn’t! It’s just the right amount to counterbalance the richness of the mayo and buttermilk.

How to Make Outback Ranch Dressing at Home

I know making dressing from scratch sounds so much more complicated than simply buying a bottle at the grocery store.

But with this homemade ranch dressing, you get a significantly better result and at a much cheaper rate, at that.

Plus, it really couldn’t be easier.

Just take a bowl and drop all the ingredients in: the buttermilk dressing mix, mayonnaise, buttermilk, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

Give the ingredients a good whisk, and stop until they’re well-combined.

Taste the dressing and adjust the ingredients accordingly to suit your preferred taste and consistency. Easy-peasy!

Next, cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Now, for the most challenging part: pop the bowl in the fridge and leave it be.

Sadly, this step is non-negotiable. Sure, you can use the dressing right away.

But the flavor won’t be as good as a dressing that’s had time to marinate. 

Let the dressing sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Ideally, though, you should keep it there overnight to give it enough time to soak up the flavors.

This ranch dressing is perfect for garden and pasta salads, but you can also use it as a sauce to grilled or fried meats or a dip to crackers and crudites. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Ranch Dressing

• Can’t find buttermilk? That’s okay, you can make your own. Just add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice for every cup of milk. Stir them together and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, or until it starts to curdle.
• If your dressing is too thick, thin it out by stirring a bit of buttermilk. 
• If you want a thicker version, go easy on the buttermilk and add more mayo.
• Want an added umami flavor? Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the mix.
• For more tanginess, add a few drops of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
• Add more personality and oomph to your ranch dressing by adding your choice of herbs and spices. Whether fresh, dried, or powdered, you can’t go wrong.
  • Dill – for some citrus and grassy undertones.
  • Chives – for a bright, oniony flavor.
• While the recipe card only requires 30 minutes of chilling, the ranch dressing will benefit from longer refrigeration. Ideally, you should refrigerate the dressing at least overnight to give it maximum flavor.

How Long Does Homemade Ranch Dressing Last?

Homemade ranch dressing keeps well for up to a week or so if you store it the right way.

First, place it in an airtight container, such as a glass bottle or a mason jar.

Because it contains mayonnaise and buttermilk, it has to be stored in the fridge to keep it fresh.

Also, check the expiration date of both the mayo and buttermilk just to be sure. 

More Copycat Sauces You’ll Love

• McDonald’s Hot Mustard Sauce
• Arby’s Sauce
• Papa John’s Garlic Sauce
• Taco Bell Diablo Sauce
• A1 Steak Sauce