This homemade Bacon Ranch Dressing is my favorite from all the Ranch Dressings. Bacon adds a smokiness that will boost the flavors of any salad. Made from scratch tastes even better when using Minced Onion - that's the real secret to this tasty recipe!

Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Super Flavorful - homemade always tastes better but using Minced Onion (in a Garlic Press) with fresh ingredients hits the flavors out of the ballpark!
- Easy to Make - most Salad Dressings aren't hard to make and this ones no exception. After tasting it, you'll wonder why you ever bought it from a store
- Versatile - not only a Salad Dressing but use it as a Sauce to spoon over Burgers, Baked Potatoes or serve as a Veggie Dip
Ingredients
- Bacon - fried nice and crispy
- Mayonnaise - not all mayo is the same, choose a creamy one!
- Sour Cream - use regular or light
- Buttermilk - for that famous tang
- Garlic Cloves - Adds powerful flavor
- Minced Onion - this is the secret ingredient!
- Lemon Juice - fresh squeezed for best flavor
- Paprika - for a pinch of color
- Vinegar - acidity to cut through creaminess
- Herbs - Parsley and Dill - for fresh flavor
Equipment
- Frying Pan
- Whisk or Electric Mixer
- Mixing Bowl
- Garlic Press
- Cutting Board and Knife
- Paper Towel
How to Make Bacon Ranch Dressing
- Cook Bacon - fry Bacon in a frying pan over medium heat until crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Chop into small pieces.
- Whisk - in a mixing bowl, whisk together Mayonnaise, Sour Cream and Buttermilk.
- Add Seasonings - mix in Minced Garlic, Minced Onion, Lemon Juice, Paprika, Vinegar, Dill and Parsley.
- Add Bacon - stir in the Crumbled Bacon.
- Taste and Chill - adjust more Lemon Juice or Vinegar if needed. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Serve - garnish with more Bacon and Herbs and enjoy!
Bacon Ranch Variations
- Spicy - add Cayenne Pepper, Diced Jalapeños or a generous dash of Sriracha Hot Sauce
- Herby - mix through more herbs like chopped Cilantro or Basil
- Lower Fat - use Light Mayonnaise with Greek Yogurt to reduce calories
- Cheesy - stir through ¼ cup of sharp Cheese like Cheddar, Swiss or Asiago
Recipe Tips and FAQs
- Crispy Bacon - this really makes the difference, fry it well until crispy
- Dip or Dressing - adjust consistency if you want to make a dip. Add less Buttermilk or add more grated Cheese for a thicker dip
- Don't Rush the Chill - it really tastes better after a few hours in the fridge. 30 minutes is the minimum time
- Good Mayo - not all Mayo is the same, I recommend Hellman's or Heinz Mayo. For a twist, use Japanese Mayo
- Garlic Press - fresh Garlic adds a kick, and squeezing Onion through the Garlic Press adds so much flavor and only takes seconds - don't use dried garlic or onion powders
Can I Use Bacon Bits?
Yes. This saves time but slightly alters the flavor. To save time, I've used Hormel Bacon Pieces or pre-cooked Bacon which tastes more authentic.
Can I Make This Dressing Ahead of Time?
Yes. It actually tastes better when you make it a few hours ahead of time to allow flavors to meld together.
Storage
- Fridge - place in an airtight container and keep refrigerated. It lasts up to 5 days.
- Freezer - not recommended for freezing.
Serving Suggestions
- Garden Salad - drizzle over your favorite Salads like Cobb Salad or Chicken Salads
- Everything Dip - serve alongside Carrot Sticks, Celery and Crackers, Mozzarella Sticks, Chicken Wings or Fried Pickles
- Potato Sauce - perfect with French Fries or Air Fryer Potato Wedges, Hash Browns or spoon over Baked Potatoes
- Pizza - use as a Pizza base or serve alongside your pizza for dipping Pizza Crust
- Pasta Salad or Potato Salad - boost flavors by adding Ranch!
- Coleslaw - elevate homemade Coleslaw with a smoky twist
- Sandwich Spread - add flavor to Sandwiches, Wraps or Burgers
Salad Dressings You'll Love
- Creamy French Dressing
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Homemade Zesty Italian Dressing
- Poppyseed Dressing
- Caesar Salad Dressing
- Coleslaw Dressing (KFC style)
- Asian Sesame Dressing
- Tartar Sauce
Making Bacon Ranch Dressing at home doesn't take long and is worth the effort. No added preservative, using fresh herbs and aromatics, everyone will notice the difference. Your tastebuds will thank you. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Equipment
- Frying Pan or Skillet
- Whisk or Electric Mixer
- Mixing Bowl
- Garlic Press
- Cutting Board and Knife
- Paper Towels
Ingredients
- 5 Strips of Crispy Bacon
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup Buttermilk
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Minced Onion
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Vinegar
- ¼ cup Parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dill chopped
Instructions
- Cook Bacon - fry Bacon in a frying pan over medium heat until crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Chop into small pieces.
- Whisk - in a mixing bowl, whisk together Mayonnaise, Sour Cream and Buttermilk.
- Add Seasonings - mix in Minced Garlic, Minced Onion, Lemon Juice, Paprika, Vinegar, Dill and Parsley.
- Add Bacon - stir in the Crumbled Bacon.
- Taste and Chill - adjust more Lemon Juice or Vinegar if needed. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Serve - garnish with more Bacon and Herbs and enjoy!
©PetersFoodAdventures.com *originally published March 2016, updated January 2024