Take your salad game up a level with this high-protein Ranch dressing. Creamy cottage cheese and tangy buttermilk combine with sour cream, a touch of mayo, and fresh herbs to create a smooth, flavorful dressing. Blending the cottage cheese produces a silky texture while adding a protein boost, making this dressing perfect for salads, vegetable platters, wraps, and sandwich spreads. The recipe is quick and simple, and the flavor deepens after a few hours in the refrigerator as the herbs and seasonings meld into the base.
High-Protein Ranch Dressing
This homemade ranch keeps everything you love about classic Ranch but gives it a nutritious twist. Cottage cheese blends into the base to add protein and body without overpowering the familiar creamy flavor. Fresh dill, parsley, and chives brighten the dressing, and the acid from lemon juice and white wine vinegar keeps it lively and balanced.
If you’re watching your intake or focusing on protein, this dressing is an easy swap for jarred versions. It’s great for dipping, drizzling, or spreading—use it on a crisp garden salad, as a dip for raw vegetables, or in wraps and sandwiches. It also pairs beautifully with air-fried chicken nuggets, wings, or grilled vegetables.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Protein-Packed: Blended cottage cheese adds extra protein without changing the classic Ranch flavor.
- Fresh and Flavorful: Fresh herbs—dill, chives, and parsley—bring brightness to a rich, tangy base.
- Versatile: Use it as a salad dressing, dip, or sandwich spread.
- Quick to Make: A few minutes in the blender is all it takes; chill for best results.
- Customizable: Easily adjust herbs, spices, or swap Greek yogurt for sour cream for even more protein.
Try this with our Breaded Smoked and Fried Buffalo Wings!
Recipe Shopping List
Here are the basic items you’ll need. For exact amounts see the ingredients list in the recipe card below.
- Mayo
- Buttermilk
- Sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- Cottage cheese
- Lemon juice
- White wine vinegar
- Smoky seasoning (SPG or your favorite blend)
- Onion powder
- Fresh dill
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh chives
Perfect dip for our Easy Homemade Chicken Tenders!
How To Make This Recipe
Quick overview—full instructions and measurements are in the recipe card below. This dressing comes together fast and benefits from a short chill to let the flavors marry.
- Blend the Base: Combine sour cream, mayo, cottage cheese, and buttermilk. Blend or pulse until smooth.
- Add Flavor: Stir in chopped chives, dill, and parsley with onion powder, garlic powder, lemon juice, and salt.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 2–4 hours to let flavors meld.
- Adjust: Taste and adjust salt or lemon juice just before serving.
- Serve: Use as a dressing, dip, or spread.
Use in my Buffalo Chicken Dip!
Recipe FAQ
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir or shake before serving—natural separation can occur.
Yes. Making it a day ahead improves the flavor as the herbs and seasonings have time to blend.
Absolutely. Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt for more protein, use low-fat dairy options to reduce calories, or vary the herbs to suit your taste.
Enjoy in our Easy Chicken Ranch Wrap!
Serve This With…
- Fresh vegetable platters: carrots, celery, bell peppers
- Crispy Chicken Nuggets or Air Fryer Wings
- A crisp garden salad with mixed greens and cherry tomatoes
- Whole-grain crackers or toasted pita for dipping
More Homemade Recipes
- Venison Chili
- Venison French Dips
- Venison Sloppy Joes
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High Protein Ranch Dressing
This homemade Ranch dressing is rich, tangy, and boosted with blended cottage cheese for extra protein—perfect on salads, as a dip, or as a spread.
5 minutes
4 hours
4 hours 5 minutes
Ingredients
- ¼ cup mayo
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons smoky seasoning (SPG)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 3 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
- 3 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 3 tablespoons fresh chopped chives
Instructions
- Place mayo, buttermilk, sour cream, cottage cheese, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, smoky seasoning, and onion powder in a blender. Pulse until completely smooth.
- Transfer to a bowl and stir in the chopped dill, parsley, and chives.
- Refrigerate for at least 2–4 hours to let the flavors meld; overnight is even better.
- Before serving, taste and adjust salt, lemon, or seasonings as needed. Stir well and serve chilled.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 12 servings
Amount Per Serving:
- Calories: 75
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0.01g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 12mg
- Sodium: 99mg
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 3g