Kefir Ranch Dressing Recipe (2024)

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Probiotic-rich kefir ranch dressing is a delicious way to add beneficial bacteria to your favorite foods. Top fresh greens with this dressing to make a salad bursting with flavor, or use it as a dip. This is a great way to add probiotics into your family’s diet.

Kefir Ranch Dressing Recipe (1)

A few weeks back, I shared three of our family’s favorite salad dressings, but I wanted to share this kefir ranch dressing in addition to those, since it has the addition ofhomemade milk kefir.

It’s a delicious way to get healthy probiotics in, and a great way for kids (or adults!) to take probiotics if they are picky about fermented foods. This dressing is delicious as a dip for carrots or celery, or poured over salad.

Or, if you are midwestern… on pizza, on breadsticks, on anything.

I’ve made this recipe many different ways, including with an avocado blended in, but today I want to show you just the basic version. As you can imagine, though, this is a great backdrop for other flavors. Avocado ranch, bacon ranch, chipotle ranch – you are only limited by your imagination.

This recipe is so simple to make, and is really delicious on fresh greens or a homemade salad at lunch time.

If you are new to fermenting, this is a great recipe to start with. If you’re not-so-new to fermenting, or you’re looking for some inspiration, take a minute to check out my many recipes onfermented foods.

Just make sure that you start slow; eating fermented foods can be a bit of a learning process, and it’s good to take your time and start incorporating them slowly into your diet and lifestyle.

If making your own kefir seems too intimidating, you can make this recipe using store-bought kefir.

After you gain some confidence, try making it at home. It is really easy; you just have to be a little patient.

Kefir Ranch Dressing Recipe (2)

Tips for making Kefir Ranch Dressing:

  • You can use fresh or dried herbs. Whatever you have on hand will work great.
  • Use a garlic press to chop the garlic more finely (and really easily).
  • If you have a basic Oster blender, you can just put the ingredients in a normal mouth mason jar, screw the blender base onto the jar itself, and blend it right in the mason jar.
  • Change the recipe up a bit to suit your tastes. You could add fresh cilantro or some avocado to give it a more Tex-Mex flair.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosurehere.

Tools you will need:

Blender

Garlic press – not totally necessary, but makes chopping garlic 100% easier.

Measuring spoon

Glass jar

How To Make Kefir Dressing Video Tutorial

How To Make Kefir Ranch Dressing

Kefir Ranch Dressing Ingredients:

1/2 cup milk kefir – homemade or store-bought

1/2 cup mayo – I use my avocado oil mayo.

1 tsp fresh garlic

1 tsp dried chives

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp onion powder

fresh black pepper

1 tsp dill

1 tsp parsley

Juice of 1/4 of a lemon or 1 drop of lemon essential oil. Today I’m using 1/2 of a lime because that is what I have on hand.

Directions:

Put everything into a blender.

Blend until smooth.

Enjoy. That’s it. Simple right?

What is milk kefir?

Milk kefir is a fermented drink that is made by soaking milk in kefir grains, which is the combination of bacteria and yeast. Placing milk with kefir grains and then allowing it to ferment in a warm place allows the good bacteria grow and produces a probiotic milk drink similar to a thin yogurt.

Kefir Ranch Dressing Recipe (3)

Benefits Of Milk Kefir:

Milk kefir is full of gut-healthy probiotics. We talk a lot about probiotic foods, and milk kefir in particular can help control blood sugars, lower cholesterol, improve gut health and digestion, and many more. (source)

How do you strain kefir?

Check out my post onhow to make milk kefirwhere I show you all the tips and tricks.

What does milk kefir taste like?

It tastes like a slightly tart or even a little sour milk, almost like yogurt, but milk kefir has a slight sweetness to it and is a little bubbly.

Check out our favorite fermented recipes straight from the farmhouse:

  • How to Make Homemade Water Kefir Soda
  • Lacto Fermented Salsa Recipe
  • How To Make Fermented Jalapeños
  • How To Make Sour Cream From Raw Milk

Kefir Ranch Dressing Recipe Card

Kefir Ranch Dressing Recipe (4)

Kefir Ranch Dressing

Probiotic-rich kefir ranch dressing is a delicious way to add beneficial bacteria to your favorite foods. Creamy and bursting with flavor from herbs, this recipe will become a family favorite.

4.51 from 53 votes

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Author: Lisa Bass

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup milk kefir homemade or store-bought
  • 1/2 cup mayo I use my avocado oil mayo
  • 1 teaspoon fresh garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dried chives
  • Fresh black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dill
  • 1 teaspoon parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Juice of 1/4 of a lemon or 1 drop of lemon essential oil

Instructions

  • Place in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy.

  • Store in a air tight container in the fridge.

Notes

  • I’ve made this recipe many different ways, including with an avocado blended in, but today I want to show you just the basic version. As you can imagine, though, this is a great backdrop for other flavors. Avocado ranch, bacon ranch, chipotle ranch – you are only limited by your imagination.

Nutrition

Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 243mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 463IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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Kefir Ranch Dressing Recipe (5)

Kefir Ranch Dressing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much kefir should I drink daily? ›

How much should you drink? Kefir can be a healthy and delicious addition to a well-rounded diet. For best results, stick to around 1–3 cups (237–710 mL) per day and pair it with a variety of other fermented foods and beverages to increase your intake of probiotics.

Can you make kefir by adding kefir to milk? ›

Yes, you can make milk kefir at home using store-bought kefir as a starter. Simply mix a small amount of store-bought kefir with fresh milk and let it ferment in a clean container at room temperature.

How long does kefir last? ›

Just because it's a fermented food product, doesn't mean it can't spoil. Unopened commercial-grade kefir typically lasts about a week after its sell-by date. But once you unscrew the lid, it's a slightly different ballgame. When properly stored, opened kefir stays fresh for up to five days.

What should you not mix with kefir? ›

We do not recommend mixing maple syrup, agave, or honey with your kefir. Maple syrup and agave have a high GI rating, which disrupts your microbiome. Honey is a natural antibiotic, which interferes with the good probiotics in the kefir.

What happens to your body when you start drinking kefir? ›

Kefir contains millions of probiotics, which are bacteria with potential health benefits. It's also low in lactose and packed with vitamins and minerals that are good for your body. Scientists have found a range of possible health benefits of kefir, including improved cholesterol, blood sugar control, and gut health.

Is it better to drink kefir warm or cold? ›

People can use kefir in the same way as milk and pouring yogurt. Try: drinking chilled in a glass.

Is Greek yogurt as good as kefir? ›

So…which is better? Well, it really depends on what you are looking for. If a lower-calorie option with lots of calcium and vitamin D suits your needs, go for kefir. If you want a higher-calorie option with lots of B12 and protein, greek yoghurt is your best bet.

Can I use store-bought kefir as a starter? ›

Since store-bought kefir is slightly pasteurized, using it as a starter culture for making kefir can yield inconsistent results. The pasteurization process can harm bacteria and microbes and may affect the balance of re-cultured kefir.

What milk is best for kefir? ›

Kefir works best with whole milk from cows, goats or sheep. You can try kefir in low-fat milks, but grains may need to be refreshed in whole fat milk for long-term vitality. Use raw or pasteurized milk, but be sure to avoid ultra-high temperature pasteurized milks (always labeled UHT).

Is kombucha better than kefir? ›

However, water kefir contains a greater number of bacteria strains than those found in kombucha. Both beverages are beneficial in aiding natural systems of the body, and both are great for hydration. Depending on your needs, consuming one or both is a matter of individual taste.

Is it better to drink kefir in the morning or at night? ›

The best time to drink kefir is on an empty stomach at the start of the day. As a result, it improves gut health and digestion. Moreover, you may also take it at night before bed. Kefir contains tryptophan, an amino acid which can promote better sleep.

Is 4 oz of kefir enough? ›

It's entirely up to you, but we recommend consuming one to two 8 ounce servings of kefir each day for maximum probiotic health.

What is the best hour to drink kefir? ›

The ideal time to drink fermented drinks such as Kombucha and Water Kefir is on an empty stomach in the morning, in order to ensure that the bacteria remain alive at the end of the entire digestive process. But the truth is that at any time it is a contribution of good things to our organism.

Can you overfeed kefir? ›

Overfermented Kefir is More Potent

It will become more curdled and you will see separation happening. The liquid whey will separate from more thicker kefir. Additional fermenting time will also change the taste, it will become more sour.

References

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