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

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.

How much kefir should you have 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.

What does kefir do for your stomach? ›

Kefir can have as many as 61 strains of bacteria. Studies show these powerful microorganisms may help treat and prevent gastrointestinal diseases like irritable bowel syndrome, some kinds of diarrhea, and ulcers caused by the infection H. pylori.

What are the ingredients in kefir? ›

Kefir is a tart and tangy cultured dairy drink packed with protein, calcium, and 12 live and active probiotic cultures. PASTEURIZED ORGANIC MILK, ORGANIC CANE SUGAR, ORGANIC MANGO NATURAL FLAVOR, ORGANIC NATURAL FLAVOR, ORGANIC NONFAT MILK, PECTIN, ORGANIC ANNATTO EXTRACT (FOR COLOR), VITAMIN D3, CULTURES.

Is kefir hard on the liver? ›

Is kefir good for your liver? Yes. Kefir can significantly improve your liver health by combating fatty liver syndrome. This medical condition usually arises when there is increased fat accumulation inside and around your liver.

What are the side effects of too much kefir? ›

It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include bloating, nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and constipation. These symptoms usually go away after continued use.

What happens to your body when you drink kefir everyday? ›

Studies suggest that it boosts your immune system, aids in digestive problems, improves bone health, and may even combat cancer. Get started with kefir today to make the most of this tasty, sour drink.

How long does it take for kefir to heal your gut? ›

Nutritionists and healthcare professionals suggest that regularly drinking kefir may improve health in 2-4 weeks. The several health benefits of kefir include improving heart, gut, kidney, liver, and skin health. Kefir also has anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial effects.

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

You don't necessarily have to drink kefir in the morning, but you should avoid drinking it before you go to bed at night. Since kefir has an impact on your digestive system, it can keep you from getting a peaceful night of sleep. Instead, you should try to have kefir during a time when you're going to be active.

Does kefir reduce belly fat? ›

Several studies now also suggest that kefir can help reduce visceral fat levels in the body. Probiotics can alter the make-up of your gut microbiome. Some of them even play a role in weight regulation. Bacteria from the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus family are found to help lose belly fat.

Is supermarket kefir any good? ›

While both are still healthy choices, you are not getting the full spectrum at the full potency (some brands advertise 10 strains, genuine kefir has upwards of 40-60 strains) that home-made kefir with kefir grains will give. You may notice that most store-bought kefir is not carbonated.

Does kefir increase bowel movements? ›

When you drink kefir, it introduces over 40 billion strains of live probiotics to your digestive tract. This flushes out bad bacteria and repopulates your gut with good bacteria. Hence the loose stool. Once your gut is repopulated with good bacteria, the diarrhoea stabilizes and you will begin going more regularly.

Does kefir help you sleep? ›

So, in order to sleep well, you need to consume “tryptophan foods,” so that your body can produce enough serotonin. Goats milk kefir is the very best food supplement choice to help you sleep, as it contains both tryptophan and live bacteria to aid your gut bugs.

What does kefir turn sugar into? ›

The result is a drink that has had much of the sugar converted to simpler sugars, lactic and acetic acids, carbon dioxide and ethanol.

Does kefir raise blood sugar? ›

The probiotic kefir contained S. thermophiles, too, but it was also enriched with Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium lactis. At the end of the study, those in the kefir group had significantly lower blood sugar levels than those in the other group.

Can you mix kefir with anything? ›

Kefir can be consumed directly, poured into cereals, or used in recipes for smoothies, parfaits, pancakes, and milkshakes. For a tangier meal, kefir can replace milk, yogurt, buttermilk, sour cream, and even mayo in recipes.

What can I mix with kefir to taste better? ›

Stir, shake, or blend any of the below ingredients with your already fermented milk kefir:
  1. honey or agave.
  2. fruit purees.
  3. fresh pressed juices.
  4. fresh or frozen berries.
  5. chopped fruit (mangoes, stone fruits, pears)
  6. fresh ground spices (vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric)
  7. Or try our Golden Milk Kefir Recipe!

Why can't you mix honey with kefir? ›

Honey is best avoided as it is a natural antibacterial substance and therefore will kill the good bacteria in the kefir. Sugar, stevia, jam etc can all be added.

When should you not drink kefir? ›

When Should You Avoid Kefir? You don't necessarily have to drink kefir in the morning, but you should avoid drinking it before you go to bed at night. Since kefir has an impact on your digestive system, it can keep you from getting a peaceful night of sleep.

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