1/2 cup dry buttermilk*
1 tablespoon dried parsley
2 teaspoons freeze dried chives
1 1/2 teaspoons dillweed
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried onion
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl. Most buttermilk powders need to be kept refrigerated once opened. If this is true of the one you are using, keep the dry rub refrigerated.
*Look for it in the baking or natural food aisle.
My thoughts:
I keep dry buttermilk on hand for baking and one winter day I got to thinking about ways to use it without re-hydrating. While at the grocery store I realized it must be an ingredient in Cool Ranch Doritos and other ranch flavored snack foods. So I decided to try to make my own buttermilk ranch mix. It is so good! Very fresh tasting despite the lack of perishable ingredients.
Short of making my own Doritos (even I have to draw the line somewhere) or sprinkling it on popcorn I wasn’t sure how I’d use it without re-hydrating it. Months went by but I kept the idea in the back of my mind. Then I started thinking of it not just as a topping but as a dry rub and did some experimenting. I found that it was especially good on chicken, it can be just rubbed into the skin before breading and frying or grilling. I bet it would be good in pork or chicken burgers too.
Of course, this mix can all be used to make ranch dip (add to sour cream) or turned into salad dressing (just add some water). But it is fun to use it in unexpected ways.
I use store bought to add to ground beef when making hamburgers. Gives them flavor without them tasting like you added ranch dressing to them! Thanks for the recipe, no more store bought for me! =)
Amy
What a wonderful idea. It's so handy to have and can be used in so many ways.
I have been making some homemade ranch dressing for my hubby lately, but I always make too much and it spoils. Whoops. I love this idea – I could keep this on hand and just add a bit to sour cream for him as we need it!
I sometimes add a bit of the store-bought dry powder to deviled eggs to kick them up a notch 🙂 Looking forward to making my own now – thanks!
Oh, I'm looking forward to making my own ranch. I use the store-bought packets now on a chicken breast & red potato bake – delicious!
Two questions… Where do I find freeze-dried dill? And are you referring to dried minced onion when you say 1/2 teaspoon dried onion?
Thanks!
Tonia
Tonia,
Yes, minced dried onion. The recipe doesn't call for freeze dried dill. If you meant chives, it is available in the spice aisle. It might just be labeled "chives" on the jar.
This sounds awesome! I have been using the packets from the supermarket but we prefer to eat without all of the preservatives and chemicals that go along with those (though I'd wager there's less in the packets than in the bottled stuff!) I was wondering what the recipe would be if I made it myself and now, thanks! I don't have to! 😀
If I were to use this for a dressing (say 16 oz) what is the amount you would recommend of the dry mix? 2T or so?
I would start at 2 tablespoons and work up from there if need be.