Buttermilk Dressing with dill, garlic, and peppercorns mixes up quickly and is perfect for topping salads or dipping veggies and pizza. This classic salad dressing can be customized with different herbs and spices to suit all your flavor cravings.
Whether you serve it in a Pasta Salad Bar, atop green salad or veggies, or for dipping Roast Potatoes, this Buttermilk Dressing is a winner!
While I grew up mixing up the packet of seasoning mix into a bowl of mayonnaise and buttermilk, I found out in college making homemade dressings and dips is the way to go — for taste as well as economics.
You’re going to love this Buttermilk Dressing.
Why Make This
It’s easy! With just five ingredients, this buttermilk mixes up quickly and is perfect for topping salads, or dipping veggies, pizza, chicken wings, and fried potatoes.
It’s super versatile. For a long time I made my regular homemade ranch dressing, but I’ve been busting out with different herbs and flavor combinations. You can swap in any number of herbs, spices, and even cheeses into this buttermilk dressing to make endless combinations.
It’s so inexpensive. The packets of dressing mix and bottled dressings are expensive. It’s so much cheaper — not to mention tastier and more nutritious — to make your own.
Ingredients
buttermilk – You do need real buttermilk, not the dried powder, not the add vinegar to milk stuff. Real cultured buttermilk that you make yourself or buy from the dairy case. Don’t worry, you can freeze the extra buttermilk or try one of these other buttermilk recipes.
mayonnaise – Use your favorite commercial brand or you can make your own mayonnaise if you’d like. You can substitute sour cream or Greek yogurt if you prefer, though the flavor won’t be exactly the same.
large grind black pepper – Fine black pepper isn’t going to be as tasty as larger grind. I crack the peppercorns on the loosest setting on my pepper grinder but you could put them in a plastic bag bang them with a kitchen mallet.
garlic powder and dried dill weed – Feel free to use fresh garlic and fresh dill, but know that I make this with garlic powder and dried dill weed. It’s just easier and quicker that way.
Variations
This buttermilk dressing is delicious with dill, cracked pepper, and garlic, but you can mix in other herbs and seasonings. Consider any combination of the following:
- chipotle powder
- onion powder
- ground cumin
- fresh or dried tarragon or parsley
- paprika
- grated parmesan
- crumbled blue cheese
- chopped green onion
- chopped fresh cilantro
- lemon zest
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mixing up this buttermilk takes just minutes, and honestly, you don’t really have to measure. Once you’ve made it a few times, it will be easy to guesstimate, making it an even quicker fix.
- Combine equal amounts of buttermilk and mayonnaise in a mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth.
- Add the herbs and spices. Whisk well to combine.
- Serve immediately or transfer to a closed container and refrigerate until ready to serve. The flavors will deepen after a few hours, making an even tastier dressing.
FAQs
While it’s okay to freeze buttermilk, it’s not good to freeze buttermilk dressing that contains mayonnaise. This will separate during freezing resulting in an unsavory texture.
The dressing should last about a week refrigerated in an airtight container. However, make sure you use very fresh buttermilk. If you make it with buttermilk on its last legs, the dressing will not last as long.
Pretty much. Ranch is made with the same buttermilk and mayonnaise base as buttermilk dressing. The difference between this dressing and this Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe is the herbs and seasonings mixed in.
Recipe Costs
Knowing how much it costs you to prepare a recipe can help you decide if it’s the type of recipe to make regularly or one you might want to save for special occasions. Let’s crunch some numbers and see how this recipe pencils out.
- buttermilk – $0.80
- mayonnaise – $1.11
- garlic powder – $0.02
- dill weed – $0.36
- black pepper – $0.08
Shopping at a mid-range grocery store at non-sale prices, you can expect to pay about $2.37/16 ounces for a premium homemade dressing. Name brand, bottled dressings range from $2.49 to $3.99 for the same amount. Homemade is cheaper and tastier!
But, you can reduce your costs even more when you use the Good Cheap Eats System.
How to save even more
The biggest ticket items here are the mayonnaise and the dill weed. Look for your favorite mayonnaise on sale. Consider growing your own dill. It’s super easy!
Make sure that you don’t waste the rest of the buttermilk in the carton. Either make more dressing or use it in one of these Buttermilk Recipes.
More Great Dressings
Buttermilk Dressing with Dill
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp dried dill OR 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1 tsp garlic powder OR 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp black pepper cracked on the largest grind
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the mayonnaise and buttermilk until smooth.
- Stir in the dill, garlic powder, and pepper until well combined. Chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- chipotle powder
- onion powder
- ground cumin
- fresh or dried tarragon
- paprika
- grated parmesan
- crumbled blue cheese
- chopped green onion
- chopped fresh cilantro
Nutrition
This post was originally published on December 2, 2015. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Janel
I just made a batch with a similar recipe this weekend. It added a tablespoon of white vinegar that I think adds a nice zip. 🙂
Gina
I cannot wait to try this. I love “dill dip” and homemade ranch so I think this is going to be right up my alley. 🙂
Been battling lots of flu and sickness the last few weeks so I am low on being inspired in the kitchen. Love your pantry cooking series though. It’s giving me a light at the end of the tunnel to see what you are making. I think I’ll mix up some dip and cut some veges and at least have this as an option.
Thanks!
Jessica Fisher
Let me know what you think! I’ve been making this more often now that I started culturing my own buttermilk.
Sally
When I make ranch dressing or dip I use parsley, dill and chives. I think it’s delicious.
Jessica Fisher
My sister makes one like that. Plus, she adds cilantro. Super yummy!
AnneS
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it. 🙂
Jessica Fisher
Let me know what you think!