Creamy Salsa Ranch Dressing Recipe
This creamy salsa ranch dressing combines the bold flavors of your favorite salsa with the classic creaminess of ranch, creating a versatile and delicious dressing perfect for salads, tacos, dips, and more. With a smooth texture and a hint of lime, it offers a refreshing twist to traditional ranch dressing that’s easy to make and fully customizable to your spice preference.
- Author: Elias
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: Approximately 2 cups 1x
- Category: Dressing
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot depending on your spice tolerance)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 to 1 cup whole milk (adjust for desired thickness)
- 1 oz packet ranch seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice (fresh or bottled)
- A pinch of black pepper
- Blend the Salsa: Add the salsa to a blender or food processor and pulse until you reach your preferred consistency. For a smoother dressing that combines well with creamy ingredients, blend until smooth. If you prefer some texture, give it just a few quick pulses. If the salsa is watery, drain some liquid to prevent a runny dressing.
- Mix the Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and 3/4 cup of milk until smooth. This ensures the dressing has no lumps and a creamy texture.
- Add Flavor: Pour in the blended salsa, ranch seasoning, lime juice, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk until fully combined. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding hot sauce for extra spice or more milk if you want a thinner dressing.
- Chill: Transfer the dressing to an airtight container like a mason jar and refrigerate for at least one hour. This allows the flavors to meld and develop a fuller taste.
- Serve and Enjoy: Give the dressing a quick stir before serving to recombine any separated ingredients. Use it as a salad dressing, taco topping, dip for vegetables or chips, or sauce for grilled meats.
Notes
- Adjust the milk quantity to achieve your preferred dressing thickness.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor, but bottled lime juice works in a pinch.
- If you want a spicier dressing, add a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
- Store leftover dressing in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- For a lighter option, you can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt and use low-fat milk.
Keywords: creamy salsa ranch dressing, salsa ranch, easy ranch dressing, homemade ranch dressing, salad dressing, dip recipe, creamy dressing, lime ranch dressing