Introduction to Keto Ranch Dressing
There are very few people in this world who don’t love ranch. We can accept them, but we will never really understand them. So rather than bow down to the non-ranch lovers, we decided to create the best ranch dressing that ever was! We love this fresh and creamy recipe and know you will too!
Is Ranch Dressing Keto Friendly?
Your typical store-bought salad dressing may make a low-carb keto option in a pinch, but it is definitely not the ideal choice. Instead, you’ll always want to make a homemade ranch dressing recipe. Per serving of regular ranch dressing, you are looking at 2 grams of carbs, whereas our keto ranch dressing recipe is ZERO!
Why We Avoid Regular Ranch Dressing
Store-bought ranch dressing options are often packed with low-quality ingredients like cheap oils and fillers. This is why we feel it is always better to make your own homemade ranch and know exactly what goes inside it.
Low-Quality Oils
So what’s the big deal with cheaper oils? Most often these store-bought salad dressing bottles will include everything from canola oil to soybean and or cottonseed oil. Hexane is a chemical used to extract many vegetable oils from plants. This chemical can be harmful to people’s health and denature the oil causing a decrease in omega 3’s, and worse an increase in the possibility of trans fats.
The Best Store-Bought Keto Ranch Dressing
We know that some people still don’t love the idea of having to make their own fresh ranch, especially if it lasts just 5 days. That’s why we listed a few of our favorite store-bought options below. They are keto low-carb choices that use high-quality ingredients and herbs. Our favorites include:
- Primal Kitchens Ranch– This is the OG healthy low-carb ranch dressing. It’s made with organic apple cider vinegar and avocado oil. Plus it’s dairy-free making it a great option for those who are lactose intolerant.
- Sir Kensington’s Ranch Dressing– This low-carb keto ranch dressing is thick just like the homemade ranch dressing in this recipe post. It is made with herbs, avocado oil, and organic egg yolks. (It does have a touch of sunflower oil, but that’s so far towards the bottom of the ingredients we don’t mind.)
- Avocado Oil Vegan Ranch from Primal Kitchen- This vegan ranch dressing is the perfect option for those looking to enjoy a dairy-free easy keto grab and go dressing. It’s made with 100% real avocado oil and apple cider vinegar for the healthiest base possible.
What to Use Ranch For?
Ranch is such a versatile ingredient and condiment! Those from the Midwest know it’s good on everything from buffalo wings to tater tots. BUT, if you were wondering what the best keto pairings are we have you covered. Some of the best and easy to make ranch buddies are:
- Salad– Ranch is by far the most used condiment in salad. This sour cream-based ranch makes a super creamy and thick ranch perfect for coating all your cucumbers and lettuce. Ranch also helps up the fat content of your salad so you have a dressing that isn’t just fresh herbs and oil.
- Wings– Like I said above wings are a great option to use with extra ranch dressing. Buffalo wings can be super hot and spicy so the creaminess from sour cream helps to cool them down.
- Baked Chicken Nuggets– Both nuggets and chicken tenders make great ranch dressing dippers. Our keto chicken nuggets are easy to make and low in net carbs so you can enjoy them without any guilt.
- Keto Pizza– Our easy keto pizza done in under 30 minutes is a great option to dip in freshly made ranch. The fresh herbs in ranch really enhance the pizza flavor.
How Long Does Homemade Ranch Last?
This homemade ranch is made from fresh ingredients like heavy whipping cream, sour cream, and fresh herbs. That means it tastes extra delicious, but sadly doesn’t last as long as the shelf-stable kind. If you want to make a big batch we would recommend consuming it within five days, or freezing half the batch for later.
Can I Make Dairy-Free Keto Ranch Dressing?
There are ways to make this keto ranch dressing dairy-free, but they require more mainstream vegan products that aren’t always the healthiest. Mayo is already dairy-free which is great, but you would have to substitute the heavy cream and sour cream. Some substitution options include:
- Subbing Heavy Cream for Coconut Cream– Coconut cream is the thick part of canned coconut milk and works great as a substitute for cream in both sweet and savory recipes.
- Sub Sour Cream for Vegan Sour Cream– This can sometimes be tricky to find, but vegan sour cream or a vegan yoghurt (extra thick) will work in this recipe. Just make sure if you choose to use yoghurt it is plain and unsweetened.
Dried Herbs vs. Fresh
It’s no secret the flavor of fresh herbs are unmatched when compared to dried ones. However, if you are hoping to still make a delicious keto ranch dressing without fresh herbs we’re here for you. You can use dried herbs like dried dill or chives, but our favorite form aside from fresh is actually lightly dried. Lightly dried herbs are often found in the fridge and produce section of grocery stores. They are partially; but not fully dried, making them easy to quickly rehydrate in a sauce or dressing.
How to Make Keto Ranch Dressing
Our keto ranch dressing is a great option to top salads and dip veggies into. With a quick mix of a few keto-friendly herbs and spices, this keto salad dressing will be done in a jiffy! The best part is that it will all mix together in one simple mason jar.
Ingredients
To make this easy keto mason jar recipe, you will need the following ingredients.
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a jar, and whisk well.
- Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 185
- Calories from Fat: 180
- Fat: 20g (31% of the Daily Value (DV))
- Saturated Fat: 6g (30% DV)
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg (8% DV)
- Sodium: 330mg (14% DV)
- Potassium: 42mg (1% DV)
- Carbohydrates: 1g (0% DV)
- Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
- Sugar: 1g (1% DV)
- Protein: 1g (2% DV)
- Vitamin A: 218IU (4% DV)
- Vitamin C: 1mg (1% DV)
- Calcium: 29mg (3% DV)
- Iron: 1mg (6% DV)
Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
