Southwest Ranch Dressing
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 286kcal
Southwest Ranch Dressing comes together with creamy mayo, zesty lime, smoky paprika, and a blend of bold spices to create the most irresistible sauce. Simply whisk everything in minutes, then chill to let the flavors meld into perfection.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup buttermilk or milk
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons dry ranch seasoning mix
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove grated
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon pepper plus more to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the bowl of a food processor and pulse to combine. Or, whisk together all ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
Notes
Storing
- Store leftover Southwest ranch dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Make sure to give the dressing a good stir before serving, as the creamy ingredients may separate during storage.
- I don't recommend freezing this dressing as the freezing and thawing can alter the smooth and creamy consistency.
- Always taste the southwest ranch dressing after mixing the ingredients together. You may find that you want to adjust the flavor by adding an extra kick of heat, more lime juice to balance the richness, or mix in additional ranch seasoning for a more prominent taste.
- Adjust the consistency of the dressing to your liking. Stir in more buttermilk or milk for a thinner dressing, or mix in more mayo for a thicker consistency.
- Don't forget to chill the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors to meld together and intensify.
- Stir leftover southwest ranch with additional liquid (if needed) as it will naturally thicken in the fridge and the creamy ingredients may also separate.
- Make a double batch of southwest ranch by simply doubling the ingredients called for in this recipe, if needed.
- Extra smoky: Add an additional ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika for an even more pronounced smoky flavor.
- Vegan-friendly: For a plant-based version, swap the mayonnaise and buttermilk for vegan alternatives.
- Extra spice: To turn up the heat, add more hot sauce or mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Lighter version: For a lighter take, substitute plain Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise.
- Herb-forward: Stir in fresh chopped cilantro, parsley, or chives for a bright, herbaceous twist.
Nutrition
Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 1065mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 316IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 0.5mg