Ina Garten’s Simple Buttermilk Ranch Dressing with Bibb Lettuce Recipe

Buttermilk ranch dressing brings tangy magic to any plate, transforming ordinary salads into culinary experiences.

Home cooks love this creamy condiment for its versatile flavor profile and smooth texture.

Rich dairy notes dance with herbs, creating a harmonious blend that elevates simple ingredients.

Well-crafted buttermilk ranch dressing offers more than just a topping; it becomes the star of your meal.

Fresh herbs and quality ingredients make all the difference in crafting this beloved classic.

Smart cooks understand that balance is key when mixing these delightful components.

The secret lies in careful proportions and thoughtful ingredient selection: get ready to revolutionize your salad game.

Dressing Up Buttermilk Ranch With Creative Extras

• Herb Garden Fusion: Swap basil with a blend of fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired ranch dressing that elevates the salad's flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Incorporate diced jalapeños, ground cumin, and a dash of smoked paprika into the dressing for a zesty, warm-weather ranch variation that adds bold southwestern notes.
• Creamy Blue Cheese Upgrade: Replace half the mayonnaise with crumbled blue cheese to transform the ranch dressing into a rich, tangy condiment that complements the crisp Bibb lettuce and adds depth to the salad.
• Greek Yogurt Lightened Version: Use full-fat Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt to create a protein-packed, lighter ranch dressing with increased tanginess and smooth texture.

One Last Crunch of Bibb and Buttermilk Bliss

Culinary enthusiasts will discover Ina Garten’s ranch dressing as a game-changing recipe that elevates simple salads into gourmet experiences.

Garden-fresh ingredients dance together, creating harmonious flavor profiles with each creamy spoonful.

Mediterranean herbs and zesty lemon juice provide complex undertones rarely found in standard dressings.

Homemade ranch transforms ordinary greens into restaurant-quality plates within minutes.

Garten’s signature technique blends herbs and dairy seamlessly, producing an unexpectedly luxurious condiment.

When familiar ingredients converge with professional techniques, magical kitchen moments emerge – so snap that perfect shot, share this mouthwatering recipe with friends, and let passionate food conversations begin!

Why Buttermilk Ranch With Bibb Lettuce Is a Classic Pair

• Burst with Fresh Herbal Flavors: The combination of scallions and basil creates a vibrant, garden-fresh taste that elevates this simple salad from ordinary to extraordinary, giving your palate a delightful herbal punch.
• Creamy Texture Perfection: Blending mayonnaise, yogurt, and buttermilk results in an incredibly smooth, luxurious dressing that coats the crisp Bibb lettuce with a silky, rich consistency that's both light and indulgent.
• Quick and Easy Gourmet Experience: With just 15-20 seconds of blending and minimal prep time, this recipe transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish that looks and tastes incredibly sophisticated, making you feel like a professional chef in your own kitchen.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: The dressing works beautifully with multiple salad greens and can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for summer gatherings, quick weeknight meals, or elegant dinner parties without creating extra stress.

What You Need for Buttermilk Ranch With Bibb Lettuce

• Scallions: Fresh, mild onion flavor that adds a subtle sharpness and bright green color to the dressing.
• Basil: Fragrant herb that brings a sweet, peppery note and vibrant green freshness.
• Lemon Juice: Tangy citrus that brightens the dressing and helps balance the creamy components.
• Dijon Mustard: Sharp condiment that adds depth and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich base that creates a silky texture and carries other flavors.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that provides a classic, bold underlying taste.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.

• Mayonnaise, Yogurt, Buttermilk: Creamy ingredients that create a rich, smooth, and tangy dressing base.

• Bibb Lettuce: Tender, delicate leaves with a buttery texture and mild flavor.
• Tomatoes: Sweet, juicy slices that add color and freshness to the salad.
• Onion: Crisp vegetable that provides a sharp, raw crunch.
• Mixed Salad Greens: Optional additional greens to add variety and texture.

How to Toss Bibb Lettuce With Creamy Ranch Flavor

Step 1: Gather Your Dressing Ingredients

• Scallions
• Fresh basil leaves
• Lemon juice
• Dijon mustard
• Olive oil
• Garlic cloves
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Mayonnaise
• Greek yogurt
• Buttermilk

Step 2: Blend Herb-Infused Dressing

• Scallions
• Basil
• Lemon juice
• Mustard
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper

Pulse for 15-20 seconds until herbs are finely chopped and ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 3: Create Creamy Dressing Base

• Mayonnaise
• Greek yogurt
• Buttermilk

Blend until smooth and creamy, creating a rich, tangy ranch dressing.

Step 4: Chill Dressing

Transfer dressing to sealed container and refrigerate for minimum 1 hour, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.

Step 5: Prepare Vibrant Salad

• Halved Bibb lettuce
• Sliced tomatoes
• Thinly sliced red onions

Optional: Add mixed salad greens for extra texture

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Drizzle chilled dressing generously over salad. Sprinkle with additional salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve immediately and savor the fresh, herbaceous flavors.

Tips for Buttermilk Ranch Dressing That Pops

• Boost Herb Freshness: Chop herbs like basil just before adding to the dressing to maximize their vibrant flavor and aromatic oils.
• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate the dressing for at least an hour, allowing the herbs and spices to meld together and create a more complex taste profile.
• Perfect Buttermilk Technique: Vigorously shake the buttermilk container before measuring to distribute fat and ensure a smooth, consistent texture.
• Keep Salad Crisp: Cut vegetables moments before serving to maintain their crunch, preventing wilting and preserving maximum freshness.
• Fine-Tune Flavor Balance: Sample the dressing and carefully adjust seasonings, adding pinches of salt, pepper, or lemon juice until the taste reaches your ideal harmony.

How to Store Ranch and Bibb Combo Without Wilting

• Vacuum Seal Method: Extract all air from a sturdy freezer bag or container before sealing the dressing. Lock in freshness by pressing out oxygen, which prevents bacterial growth and maintains the creamy texture for maximum flavor preservation.
• Glass Jar Technique: Pour cooled dressing into a clean mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake gently before each use to redistribute ingredients and ensure consistent taste when serving, while protecting against potential contamination.
• Ingredient Separation Strategy: Store crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and sliced onions in individual sealed containers lined with paper towels. Absorb excess moisture to prevent wilting and keep vegetables crunchy, extending their refrigerator life by preventing premature spoilage and maintaining optimal salad quality.

Ina Garten Buttermilk Ranch Dressing With Bibb Lettuce Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s buttermilk ranch dressing elevates simple salads with creamy, herbaceous charm. Garden-fresh ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a classic American condiment that makes Bibb lettuce sing with tangy, cool sophistication.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Greens and Vegetables):

• 3 Bibb lettuces, cut in half through the core
• 2 large ripe tomatoes, thickly sliced
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 3 scallions, white and green parts, chopped
• Salad greens for 6

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 0.5 cups chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2.5 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 0.5 cups Greek-style yogurt (such as Fage Total)
• 0.5 cups buttermilk, shaken
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1.5 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

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Instructions

1. In a food processor, combine finely chopped scallions, fresh basil leaves, freshly squeezed lemon juice (about or 30 milliliters), Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic cloves, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Pulse the mixture for 15-20 seconds until the ingredients are thoroughly integrated and form a smooth, vibrant green base.
2. Gently incorporate mayonnaise (or 60 grams), plain Greek yogurt (or 30 grams), and buttermilk (or 45 milliliters) into the processor. Blend again until the dressing becomes creamy and uniformly mixed, with a light, silky texture.
3. Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify. This resting period helps develop a more complex and harmonious taste profile.
4. Carefully arrange halved Bibb lettuce leaves on individual serving plates or a large platter, creating an elegant, layered presentation. Intersperse ripe, sliced tomatoes and thinly sliced red onion rings between the lettuce leaves.
5. If desired, supplement the base with additional mixed salad greens to enhance visual appeal and provide textural variety.
6. Just before serving, generously drizzle the chilled, herb-infused dressing over the prepared salad. Season with an extra pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper to elevate the overall flavor.
7. Serve immediately to ensure the salad remains crisp and the dressing is refreshingly cool.

Notes

• Capture the freshness by slicing crisp veggies moments before serving to maintain their vibrant crunch and prevent wilting.
• Blend flavor complexity by letting the dressing rest in the refrigerator, allowing herbs and spices to marry into a more harmonious taste profile.
• Elevate the dressing’s texture by vigorously shaking buttermilk before measuring, ensuring a smooth and well-incorporated liquid base.
• Transform the final dish by tasting and fine-tuning seasonings, creating a personalized flavor balance that delights your palate.
• Maximize aromatic intensity with freshly chopped basil, steering clear of dried alternatives that lack the vibrant, garden-fresh essence.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving ( 1 cup)
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg