Old Bay Ranch Dip
Old Bay Ranch Dip- Your homemade ranch sauce will never be the same thanks to the unexpected addition of Old Bay seasoning.
June 24, 2022 by Nicole Collins
It’s no secret that I basically have Old Bay running through my veins at this point.
But, I think I’ve reached a new level of Old Bay obsession.
Lately, I’ve been walking around looking at different foods thinking “can I add Old Bay to that”? And we also know I have no limit to what I’ll add Old Bay to.
Old Bay cinnamon sugar, anyone?
Today’s recipe though….WOW. I am sooooooo glad I decided to add Old Bay to this otherwise very classic dressing. Talk about a game changer.
Today, we’re making Old Bay Ranch Dip!
This special sauce is just your classic ranch with a small twist. But, that small twist gives big impact. When I’m telling you you’ll never want ranch another way again, I really mean it!
This recipe is so simple. Toss everything in a bowl, mix, chill, devour. That’s it. We could end today’s chat right there! But, I’m going to give you some bonus content so you know why this sauce is so special and what to do with it.
Let’s start with the creamy components. We need some mayonnaise and some sour cream. I actually like to use lite sour cream for this recipe, and here’s why. For one, you feel a smidge less guilty drinking this whole bowl of ranch when you use “lite” ingredients. But also, lite sour cream is a little thinner than regular sour cream, so you don’t need much other liquid to get this to a consistency that’s perfect for both dipping and drizzling. Just add a splash of lemon juice, and that’s really about all we need.
To get that classic ranch flavor, we’re going to raid the spice cabinet for all the good stuff: garlic powder, onion powder, chives, parsley, and dill. That’s also when we’re going to add just a hint of Old Bay. On its own, Old Bay is a seasoning blend of 18 different herbs and spices. So, it’s no wonder that just a little kiss of this bold seasoning adds so much extra depth to the flavor.
From there, we’ll mix it all together and let the spices do their thing. This definitely tastes better and better the longer it sits, so try to give it at least a couple of hours in the fridge before you serve it.
So, what does one do with Old Bay ranch? The same thing you’d do with regular ranch! This mix is absolutely delicious as a dip for veggies, chips, and pretzels. But, it’s also perfection as a dressing for salad. If you used regular sour cream or if your sauce is not thin enough for your liking, adding a little splash of milk can help you get to the consistency you’d want for a salad dressing. I even used this sauce as a schmear for a wrap, and of course, it was epic.
At first taste, this sauce tastes like your typical ranch dressing. But then, you get that magical touch of savory that radiates off of the Old Bay, and that’s when the game changes. It’s subtle with a little kick, but not spicy at all. And if you didn’t know it was Old Bay, you may not even be able to identify it straight away. But, the addition of the Old Bay just adds something special that’s hard to describe…but delicious to eat!
Alrighty, everyone. There’s only one question I have left to ask. What are we adding Old Bay to next?
I hope you love this one as much as I do! Let’s eat!
Old Bay Ranch Dip
Serves: about 2 cups Print
Ingredients:
1 cup sour cream (I used low fat)
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tsp lemon juice
½ tsp Old Bay seasoning
½ tsp dried chives
½ tsp dried parsley
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp dill weed
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp pepper
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl. Stir well to combine. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Enjoy!
Recipe notes:
*You could turn this dip into a salad dressing by taking a little bit of the dip and thinning it out with a splash of milk. Delish!
*I almost always prefer fresh herbs, but we want to stick with dried in this dip. We don't want moisture from fresh herbs watering down our dip. Using dried herbs also extends the shelf life of the dip.
