Copycat Outback Ranch Dressing Recipe {2 Steps}

A great Copycat Outback Ranch Dressing Recipe is a must if you’re a die-hard steakhouse fan like I am.

Whether you’re dipping carrots and hot wings or using the ranch as salad dressing, this will be the best homemade (or restaurant style!) ranch dressing you’ve ever had. Because trust me, I’ve tried them all!

How to Make Outback Ranch Dressing

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup full fat buttermilk
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• Ground black pepper to taste
• Kosher salt to taste
• a squeeze of lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

Prep time: 2 minutes

Total time: 5 minutes

1. For your buttermilk ranch dressing, in a medium bowl combine your mayonnaise and slowly stir in your buttermilk. (If you don’t have buttermilk, see below for how to make your own!)
2. In a smaller bowl combine the cayenne pepper, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
3. Combine your spices and mayonnaise and buttermilk into a single bowl and mix well.
4. Chill in the refrigerator and serve.

Dos and Don’t for Best Ranch Dressing

If you’re dressing is too thick: Slowly add a bit more buttermilk

If you’re dressing is too thin: Add, by the teaspoon, more mayo

If you want to add some herbs: Mince and add chives, parsley, or dill

Outback Ranch Dressing without buttermilk?

If you forgot to grab buttermilk at the store, or couldn’t find it in your local grocery store, don’t panic. You can actually make homemade buttermilk on your own!

All you’re going to need is a tablespoon of freshly-squeezed lemon juice or a tablespoon of distilled white vinegar. Combine whole milk or 2% milk with the lemon juice or vinegar and then let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes. That’s it! It will look a little curdled, but that’s fine.

One note though: Typically when you make buttermilk like this it won’t come out as thick as actual buttermilk. So take that into consideration when making this Outback Steakhouse ranch recipe. You might want to add a tad bit more mayonnaise. Or even a dab of sour cream.

Best Uses for Copycat Outback Ranch Dressing

• Use it as a dipping sauce for Crispy Green Bean Fries
• Use it in place of sour cream when having taco night or making beef fajitas
• Be super extra (and over the top) and add a drizzle to cheese fries!
• Use it as a dip for a veggies plate

Where Did Ranch Dressing Come From?

Nobody really knows the true origin of ranch dressing. But with that said, many people believe that ranch dressing was created in the early 1950s by Steve Henson, a cowboy and owner of the Hidden Valley Ranch in San Marcos, California. 

According to urban legend, Henson made the dressing for guests at his ranch, and from there it took off. In 1954, he began to sell the dressing to stores under the name “Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing,” after the ranch where it all started. Today ranch dressing is one of the most popular dressing in the United States. It’s definitely a favorite in our home!

Can’t get enough of this Outback Ranch Dressing Recipe? Here are 15 more ways to use this awesome copycat recipe. 

1. As a dip for vegetables or chips

2. As a topping for pizza

3. In place of ketchup as a condiment for hamburgers or french fries

4. As a marinade for chicken or steak

5. Mixed with olive oil and vinegar to make a salad dressing

6. As a base for creamy potato salad

7. In place of blue cheese dressing as a dip for buffalo chicken dip

8. As a filling for ranch dressing wrapped sandwiches

9. As a topping for baked potatoes

10. Mixed with Greek yogurt to make a healthier version of ranch dressing

11. As part of the ingredients in ranch flavored hummus

12. To make ranch flavored popcorn

13. Mixed with barbecue sauce to make a BBQ ranch sauce

14. As part of the ingredients in ranch dressing ice cream

15. Drizzled over tacos

How Long Does Homemade Ranch Dressing Last?

That’s a great question. If you’re storing the dressing in an airtight container such as some quality Tupperware or a simple mason jar, the ranch will last about a week. But that said, Outback Steakhouse Ranch Dressing (or any ranch salad dressing) freezes poorly because of the buttermilk. So we recommend making it fresh before using it.

With that said, make sure your buttermilk and mayonnaise aren’t too close to the expiration date when you’re making your dressing.

Pro tip: If you’re looking to save some time, mix your spices together and keep them in the cabinet. Then when you’re ready for some ranch dressing, you have your ranch dressing mix ready to go

Looking for more copycat recipes?

Below are a few of our readers’ favorite copycat recipes from our archives:

Top Copycat Recipes (America’s Favorites)

Auntie Anne’s Copycat Pretzel Recipe

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Steak Recipe

Copycat Cheesy Taco Bell Loaded Potato Griller Recipe

Copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe

If you liked this recipe, try our new Southwest salad dressing recipe and let us know what you think!

Have questions or want to say hi? Leave them in the comments below. Until next time: Stay salty, and sweet 😉