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    Home » Recipes » Cajun-Creole

    October 21, 2022

    Cajun Ranch

    This post may contain Affiliate Links. Please see my Disclaimer for more details.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This homemade Cajun Ranch recipe is creamy and tangy with a spicy kick. This ranch dressing will bless fried chicken, french fries, or a salad and use it for a boost to anything.

    Here are a few recipes you can dip and drizzle this delicious sauce on: Southern Fried Chicken Wings, Chicken Bacon Pizza, Pan Fried Okra, Southern Hushpuppies, and Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders.

    Cajun Ranch1

    Latest Recipe Video:

    Jump to:
    • Latest Recipe Video:
    • What is Ranch Dressing made of?
    • Who Invented Ranch Dressing?
    • Key Ingredients
    • How To Make Homemade Cajun Ranch Recipe
    • How To Leftover Cajun Ranch Recipe
    • Pro Recipe Tips & Tricks
    • FAQs
    • More Recipes
    • Before You Begin
    • 📖 Recipe

    Growing up in New Orleans, I have a special relationship with Cajun ranch dressing; like really special. I only started eating vinaigrette on my salads when I became a Chef. Who am I kidding? It's still my favorite salad dressing.

    The first time I ever had Cajun ranch was at the Wing Shack underneath the Claiborne bridge. 

    After that, my life was completely changed. Now, whenever I have wings, fries, or chicken nuggets, I have to have cajun ranch dipping sauce, or my tastebuds won't dance like they're supposed to.

    This recipe was inspired because I'm tired of all of the processed and preservatives used in items we buy at our local grocery store. So I hope you enjoy my homemade cajun ranch recipe. Let's jump into how to whip it up!

    Cajun Ranch5

    What is Ranch Dressing made of?

    My Cajun ranch dressing recipe is made with buttermilk, mayonnaise, dill, Worcestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, white vinegar, and Cajun seasoning. Some ranch recipes call for sour cream instead of mayonnaise.

    Who Invented Ranch Dressing?

    Ranch Dressing is a delicious condiment that was invented by a Black cowboy from Nebraska, Steve Henson.

    The story of ranch dressing is the story of one Black man's runaway success with a little recipe that he & his wife concocted to help feed workers and their communities. Steve Henson started his life riding the rails away from the Great Depression and ended it as a successful inventor.

    To summarize, Steve Henson invented ranch dressing to keep his work crews in Alaska happy before retiring from a successful plumbing career to Santa Barbara, CA. But, growing restless and wanting to try his hand at ranching, he purchased a ranch that he renamed Hidden Valley Ranch.

    Cajun Ranch6

    Key Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you'll need for this Cajun ranch dressing.

    Mayonnaise

    Mayonnaise gives the buttermilk ranch the right thickness and texture. I see people using sour cream, and you can use it for a swap, but mayo gives it a better texture and flavor since the buttermilk provides enough tang. 

    Buttermilk

    As a Southerner, I love anything with buttermilk in it. Using full-fat buttermilk will do a couple of things. First, it will give your ranch dressing the right tang and flavor. Second, it will give your ranch recipe the right consistency.

    Savory Cajun seasoning

    I love using Savory Cajun seasoning because it's low-sodium, preservative, and msg free. It also has a kick similar to cayenne pepper, which I love! You can also use my Homemade Creole Seasoning.

    Dill Weed

    You can use fresh chopped dill, but I always end up throwing it away, so I use dry dill weed because it’ll last longer. For every time I make this fantastic homemade ranch dressing.

    Seasonings

    Online you can find a variety of herbs and spices combinations, but the main ones you need to have are garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Of course, don’t forget the dill weed and parsley for color.

    Sugar

    A little sugar goes a long way to help balance all the tang (acid) from the buttermilk. 

    Worcestershire Sauce

    This is my secret ingredient; a little splash wakes up the flavor!

    Cajun Ranch Wings

    How To Make Homemade Cajun Ranch Recipe

    I want my Cajun ranch to become your new favorite salad dressing, dipping sauce, and condiment!

    In a medium bowl, whisk mayonnaise, buttermilk, parsley, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, sugar, black pepper, salt, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 2 hours before using for the best flavor.

    Cajun Ranch Wings1

    How To Leftover Cajun Ranch Recipe

    Cajun ranch is best 7 days after making but will remain fresh in an airtight container for 30 days in the fridge. I don’t recommend freezing the sauce.

    Pro Recipe Tips & Tricks

    After making this creamy ranch dressing, I have a few notes that'll make it easy on you every time.

    • Use quality mayonnaise. My favorite is Blue Plate Avocado or Olive Oil.
    • Low-fat buttermilk is fine, but if you can find Bulgarian buttermilk, get it!
    • Use granulated garlic powder for the best flavor. Granulated spices blend with other ingredients better.
    • Use granulated onion powder for the best onion flavor.
    • If you want more heat, add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the cajun ranch sauce.
    Cajun Ranch4

    FAQs

    Here are the questions about making Cajun ranch at home.

    How is ranch different from mayo?

    Mayo and ranch dressing are two different types of condiments. Mayo is thicker in consistency, while ranch dressing is thinner and smoother. Ranch dressing is also commonly used as a dipping sauce or on salads, whereas mayo is not typically used for salad dressings.

    What is the main flavor of ranch?

    The main flavor in ranch is buttermilk, garlic, onion, and dill.

    Is buttermilk ranch better than regular ranch?

    They should be the same since buttermilk is the base ingredient in ranch dressing. If you see buttermilk, it's just great marketing from the food company.

    What does Cajun ranch taste like?

    Cajun ranch dipping sauce has the same great creamy buttermilk dill flavor of the traditional ranch. It's just spicer from the addition of hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or Cajun seasoning.

    What can you serve Cajun ranch with?

    You can serve Cajun ranch over french fries and onion rings, with or over chicken wings, and use it as a dipping sauce for vegetables or as a sandwich spread for burgers.

    Cajun Ranch7

    More Recipes

    I'm confident you'll enjoy this ranch dressing, so here are some recipes you can drizzle or dip in your new favorite sauce.

    • Blackened Chicken Po-Boy
    • BBQ Chicken Stuffed Baked Potato
    • Fried Green Tomatoes
    • Fried Onion Rings
    • Steak Sandwich
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    Before You Begin

    Before getting started, here are the steps I use to get organized. 

    Step 1 : Get all ingredients for the cajun ranch out and on the counter.

    Step 2 : Measure everything out.

    Step 3 : Follow the recipe and get ready for the best homemade ranch sauce you've ever had!

    I hope you enjoy this delicious cajun ranch recipe and will give it a try. Please leave me a comment and a star rating below if you do. I love hearing from readers and always appreciate your feedback.

    Click here to subscribe to MY Weekly Recipes for easy and free recipes right into your inbox! 

    To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the Pin button on the recipe card, the sharing buttons above or below this post, or any of the photos above. 

    Tag me @kennethtemple_ and use #LezEat on Instagram to share your remakes with me, and don't forget to leave a star rating and comment below. 

    📖 Recipe

    Cajun Ranch1

    Cajun Ranch

    Kenneth Temple
    This homemade Cajun Ranch recipe is creamy and tangy with a spicy kick. This ranch dressing will bless fried chicken, french fries, or a salad and use it for a boost to anything.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Sauce
    Cuisine Cajun, Creole
    Servings 6 persons
    Calories 273 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • ½ cup buttermilk
    • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
    • 1 teaspoon Savory Cajun seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon dill weed
    • ½ teaspoon sugar
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium bowl, whisk mayonnaise, buttermilk, parsley, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, sugar, black pepper, salt, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 2 hours before using for best flavor.

    Notes

    Pro Recipe Tips & Tricks
    After making this creamy ranch dressing, I have a few notes that'll make it easy on you every time.
    • Use quality mayonnaise. My favorite is Blue Plate Avocado or Olive Oil.
    • Low-fat buttermilk is fine, but if you can find Bulgarian buttermilk, get it!
    • Use granulated garlic powder for the best flavor. Granulated spices blend with other ingredients better.
    • Use granulated onion powder for the best onion flavor.
    • If you want more heat, add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the cajun ranch sauce.
    • Here's a link to my Homemade Creole Seasoning blend.
    Storage:
    Cajun ranch is best 7 days after making but will remain fresh in an airtight container for 30 days in the fridge. I don’t recommend freezing the sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 273kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 17gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 461mgPotassium: 67mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 231IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 0.3mg
    Keyword Cajun ranch, Cajun ranch sauce, Cajun ranch dressing, Cajun ranch recipe,
    Cooked this recipe?Let me know how it was!
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      5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. y_p_w says

      February 15, 2025 at 10:26 am

      Steve Henson wasn’t black. There’s this common misperception that he was based on a poorly lit photo of him with his wife. There are other photos of him showing lighter skin tone with straight hair.

      Reply
      • Kenneth Temple says

        March 05, 2025 at 11:17 am

        Hi, I suggest you look up the phrase "passe blanc."

        Reply

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