Cowboy Butter Ranch Dressing is a bold and creamy dressing made with my signature cowboy butter, enhanced by mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk. It is a flavorful mash-up of my compound butter and popular homemade ranch dressing! I love it drizzled over salads or for dipping fresh vegetables (a definite must-add to your vegetable trays!). It is also delicious brushed over grilled meats. It is the next addition to my growing list of Cowboy Butter Recipes, for sure!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise helps make the dressing smooth and creamy. It adds richness and helps the other ingredients blend well. It also gives the dressing a slightly tangy taste, which makes it extra delicious! If you don’t have mayonnaise, make your own! For a lighter option, try using plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream is added to the dressing to make it even creamier!
- Buttermilk: Adding buttermilk to the ranch dressing makes it easier to drizzle or spread. If you don’t have any, make homemade buttermilk.
- Mustard: I like to use Dijon mustard in the Cowboy Butter, but yellow mustard works, too, if that’s what you have. It will change the flavor just a little.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh chives, parsley, thyme, and dill add brightness and a pop of flavor to the dressing. If you only have dried herbs, use about a third of the amount of fresh.
- Lemon Juice: The lemon juice gives the dressing a fresh, zesty kick. I prefer freshly squeezed lemon juice, but bottled juice would work in a pinch.
- Spices: A mix of onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and crushed red pepper flakes gives the dressing depth and a gentle warmth. The cayenne and red pepper flakes add a subtle kick, but you can leave them out if you prefer a milder flavor. Or, add more for a spicier kick!
- Butter: I use unsalted butter when making my cowboy butter, so I used it in this dressing, too! Using unsalted butter helps you control the salt in a recipe. If using salted butter, you may want to lessen the salt. Melt the butter; then, drizzle it in as the final step of the recipe. This prevents the butter from clumping.
Is Butter Necessary In Cowboy Butter Ranch Dressing?
Yes, the butter is important in cowboy butter ranch dressing. It adds a rich flavor that makes this dressing stand out from regular ranch. (I hope you will try it as written, with the butter! It is delicious!) The melted butter also helps blend all the other flavors together. Without it, the dressing would not have the same bold taste that makes it special. You can skip the butter if you need to, but the flavor will not be as unique.
Is Cowboy Butter Ranch Spicy?
Whether something is spicy is subjective, but I did not find this cowboy butter ranch dressing spicy at all (and I can be pretty sensitive to spicy foods). If you want to add more of a kick, you can increase the cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes. Start with small amounts and taste as you go to get the level of heat you prefer. On the other hand, for a milder dressing, you can leave out the cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper flakes entirely. The dressing will still be flavorful without any heat.
Delicious Ways To Use Cowboy Butter Ranch Dressing
This dressing is so versatile, and it can be used in more ways than just on a salad! Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy this cowboy butter ranch:
- Drizzle over salads
- Dip for fresh vegetables or appetizers (like buffalo chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, or pretzel bites)
- Brushed over grilled meats (like chicken, steak, or pork)
- Spread for sandwiches and wraps (I use it in place of mustard or mayonnaise. Yum!)
- Potatoes! Use it as a sauce for roasted potatoes or as a topping for baked potatoes.
- Serve it alongside pizza for dipping your pizza crust!
How To Store Cowboy Butter Ranch Dressing
To store cowboy butter ranch dressing, transfer it to an airtight container. (I like to use a mason jar with a tight lid.) Keep the dressing in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. When ready to use, let the dressing sit out at room temperature for a few minutes before stirring and serving.
Cowboy Butter Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup (116 g) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (57.5 g) sour cream
- ¼ cup (61 g) buttermilk,
- 1 tablespoon coarse Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill weed, chopped
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, chives, parsley, thyme, garlic, dill, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Slowly drizzle in melted butter, whisking until fully combined.
- Transfer to a serving dish or jar. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container until needed.
- When ready to use, let the dressing come to room temperature before serving for easier spreading or dipping.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This dressing is delicious! This cowboy butter ranch dressing is bursting with flavor! The combination of fresh herbs and spices with a creamy base is perfect on salads or as a dip.
Elizabeth
I had no idea what I would think of this dressing, but it is delicious! I love our cowboy butter, so I was excited about this dressing and was not disappointed.
Annabelle
What a unique twist on our cowboy butter! I love the idea of using it in a dressing.
Bella
The flavor in this dressing is bold and delicious! The fresh chives, parsley, and thyme give it an earthy, herby kick, while the butter makes it extra smooth.
Selena
I was surprised at how easy it was to pour this dressing, and the flavors are wonderful. It’s creamy and satisfying, yet light enough to use as a salad dressing or dip.
