Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Photo: © 2018 by Meredith Corporation

The Original

You'd be hard-pressed to find a more solid recipe for traditional buttermilk ranch dressing than the one featured in the latest edition of the Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook. It stars buttermilk, mayonnaise, fresh parsley and minced garlic as well as onion powder and dry mustard (these dried versions pack a stronger punch and, says The New York Times, give ranch its particular flavor), and black pepper. Chill for 30 minutes and then put it on everything—well, almost everything.

Get the recipe: Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Lauren Toyota's Ranch Dressing

Photo: iStock/PoppyB

The Vegan
This vegan version of the classic still delivers the classic flavors, with some additional ingredients that help keep things interesting in the absence of dairy and eggs. Vegan mayonnaise is the base, and then there's a healthy dose of fresh herbs: dill, parsley and chives. A dash of apple cider vinegar gives it that signature tang, and onion powder helps add to the familiar flavor.

Get the recipe: Lauren Toyota's Ranch Dressing
Avocado Ranch Dressing

Photo: Vanessa Rees

The Avocado-d

Swap in an avocado for the mayo, and you're left with a surprisingly rich, alternate vegan version of classic ranch that's a gorgeous green hue. To thin it out enough to pour, the recipe has you add vegetable stock; it helps loosen up the dressing without sacrificing any of the flavor.

Get the recipe: Avocado Ranch Dressing
Ranch and Bacon Cheese Ball

Photo: iStock/ALLEKO

The Cheese Balled

It's hard to resist the retro appetizer spread that is a cheese ball—it's festive, delicious and, as this recipe demonstrates, quite versatile. It's from Dena Rayess' new Cheese Balls, and includes cream cheese and shredded smoked Gouda, along with ranch dressing, which helps the ball keep its shape and adds an herby zing. The pièce de résistance: a coating of chopped bacon and chopped fresh chives.

Get the recipe: Ranch and Bacon Cheese Ball
Simple Skillet Vegetables

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The Veggie'd

With a bag of mixed vegetables in the freezer, a knob of butter, a squirt of lemon and a spoonful of dry ranch dressing mix, you're never more than 15 minutes away from one of the easiest side dishes on the planet. This speedy accompaniment is great with anything from pork chops to chicken.

Get the recipe: Simple Skillet Vegetables
Published 10/09/2018