Buffalo Ranch sauce is what you get when you cross the tangy heat of Buffalo wing sauce with the smooth, herb-laden flavor of ranch salad dressing. This homemade sauce strikes the perfect balance between the creamy ranch and the fiery buffalo sauce.
And it is super easy to make at home with simple ingredients from your pantry and fridge. It is the perfect dipping sauce with a bold and spicy flavor. You can drizzle it over a salad, slather it on a sandwich, or dip all your game day snacks.
The best part of making your own Buffalo ranch sauce is that you can tailor it to your tastes. Maybe you like it spicier or prefer more ranch flavor—either way, making it from scratch means you’re in control of the heat and flavor level. Plus, using fresh ingredients takes the taste to a whole new level.
Whether hosting a game day gathering or just jazzing up a weeknight chicken tenders, this sauce promises to be a crowd-pleaser. Keep reading for the necessary ingredients, step-by-step directions, and all my best tips and tricks.
Looking for easy-to-make homemade sauce? Try my boom boom sauce, fry sauce, everything bagel dip, and homemade Chick-fil-A sauce for your game-day dipping.
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🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Hot sauce: Typically, I go for Frank’s Red Hot for that classic Buffalo flavor. But use what you have.
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, use regular milk.
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Chives: Fresh is best, but dried works too.
- Parsley
🥣How to Make Buffalo Ranch Sauce
- Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, hot sauce, and buttermilk in a mixing bowl. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Add the garlic powder, onion powder, chives and parsley. Stir to mix.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until you are ready to serve.
🍴Serving Ideas
This spicy sauce is versatile, and I love pairing it with various dishes. It adds a creamy kick that can take the simplest snack to the next level.
- Chicken wings: Buffalo ranch sauce and chicken wings are a match made in heaven. Its rich flavor goes perfectly with the crispy skin and tender meat of the wings. It is also great for dipping chicken tenders and chicken nuggets.
- Veggie sticks: If I’m looking for a healthier option, I’ll cut up some celery, carrots, and bell peppers and serve the sauce as a dip.
- Potato skins: I often spoon some buffalo ranch sauce over freshly baked potato skins and sprinkle some cheddar cheese on top.
- Wraps and sandwiches: A tablespoon of this sauce can transform a basic turkey wrap or a grilled chicken sandwich into something special.
- Salads: Drizzling buffalo ranch on a crisp iceberg or romaine salad adds a delightful zest that makes greens far from boring.
Here are some tips for an excellent presentation, especially if you are hosting a game day party.
- Serve in a decorative bowl: Display the sauce in a small bowl or ramekin to make dipping easy and mess-free.
- Garnish: Sprinkle some fresh chives or parsley on the sauce to add a pop of color and freshness.
- Pair with a platter: When I serve this sauce for a party, I arrange the accompanying snacks on a wooden board for a rustic and inviting presentation.
💭How to Store
Store the sauce in an airtight container or a Mason jar with a tight lid to keep it fresh. If it is refrigerated it will keep for 1 week. If it is kept at room temperature, you should discard it after 2 hours.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Don’t overdo the heat. This is supposed to be a balanced sauce, so don’t add so much hot sauce that it overwhelms the ranch flavor.
- The sauce should have a creamy texture. If you add too much buttermilk, it will make the sauce watery.
- Flavors need time to meld. I put my sauce in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving it. This helps the flavors to fully develop.
- I tend to use full-fat mayonnaise and sour cream, which bumps up the fat content. But for a lighter version, use low-fat or non-fat options to reduce the calories and fat.
- While Frank’s is the standard hot sauce for Buffalo flavor any cayenne pepper based sauce will work. Some other good ones are Texas Pete and Louisiana hot sauce.
🌶️Spice Levels of Buffalo Ranch Sauce
Buffalo ranch sauce can easily be customized to suit different tastes. As written my recipe is medium spiciness.
- Mild: Reduce the hot sauce to a tablespoon or use a milder variety. You can also increase the ranch dressing to dilute the spiciness.
- Medium: This is where I usually land—a balance of heat and tang.
- Intense: Craving more heat? I say, go for it! Amp up the hot sauce, or add cayenne pepper to the mix for a real kick.
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Buffalo Ranch Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup hot sauce Franks is the classic one to use
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chives fresh or dried
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh or dried
Instructions
- Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, hot sauce, and buttermilk in a medium bowl. Mix until creamy.1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup hot sauce, 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- Add the onion powder, garlic powder, chives and parsley. Stir to distribute.1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon chives, 1 tablespoon parsley
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce to change the heat level. This is supposed to be a balanced sauce, so don’t add so much hot sauce that it overwhelms the ranch flavor.
- Flavors need time to meld. I put my sauce in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving it. This helps the flavors to fully develop.
- I tend to use full-fat mayonnaise and sour cream, which bumps up the fat content. For a lighter version, you can choose low-fat or non-fat options that reduce the calories and fat. You can also use Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
