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This Cottage Cheese Ranch Dressing is thick, creamy, and packed with fresh herbs and tangy flavor. It’s a healthier take on classic ranch, made with protein-rich cottage cheese instead of mayo. Perfect for dipping, drizzling over salads, or spreading on sandwiches!
If you’re looking for more healthy dressings, try our Greek Yogurt Ranch next!
Why You’ll Love It
We’ll be honest—at first, we were skeptical about replacing traditional ranch with cottage cheese, but this ranch completely won us over. It’s creamy, flavorful, and so much better than store-bought dressings.
- High in protein – A great way to add extra nutrition to any meal.
- Super creamy – Blends into a smooth, velvety texture without needing mayo.
- Fresh & flavorful – Made with real garlic, lemon, and plenty of herbs.
- Light & healthy – Lower in fat but still rich and satisfying.
What You’ll Need
- Cottage cheese – The base of this dressing. Blend it if you want it extra creamy.
- Buttermilk – Thins out the dressing and adds a tangy flavor. Adjust the amount to reach your desired consistency.
- Fresh lemon juice – Brightens up the flavors and balances the richness.
- Garlic – A freshly grated clove gives the best flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, use garlic powder instead.
- Onion powder – Adds a subtle savory depth.
- Worcestershire sauce (optional) – Adds a hint of umami for extra depth.
- Fresh dill & chives – The key to that classic ranch flavor. Green onions can be used instead of chives for a similar taste.
🔪How to Make Cottage Cheese Ranch Dressing
This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below!
Blend – Puree cottage cheese and buttermilk until smooth.
Mix – Stir in lemon juice, garlic, seasonings, Worcestershire sauce, dill, and chives.
Adjust – Add buttermilk, a tablespoon at a time, if too thick.
Chill & Serve – Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
Substitutions & Variations
- No buttermilk? Use regular milk with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice.
- Make it dairy-free – Swap cottage cheese for dairy-free cottage cheese and use almond or oat milk.
- Spicy version – Stir in a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce for a kick.
- Extra tangy? Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt for even more creaminess.
🍽️What to Serve with Cottage Cheese Ranch
This dressing is super versatile! Here are some ideas:
- Drizzle over salads – Perfect for a crisp, fresh green salad.
- Dip for veggies – Try it with carrots, celery, or bell peppers.
- Spread on sandwiches – Adds a creamy, herby kick to wraps or burgers.
- Use as a marinade – Works great as a marinade for chicken or shrimp!
Storage & Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Shake before serving – It may thicken in the fridge, so stir or shake well.
- ❌ Do not freeze – The texture will change after thawing.
More Delicious Ranch Recipes to Try
- Chuy’s Jalapeno Ranch Recipe
- Dill Pickle Ranch
- Texas Roadhouse Ranch Recipe
- Wingstop Ranch (Copycat recipe)
If you try this cottage cheese ranch dressing, let us know in the comments! We’d love to hear how you used it. 😊
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High Protein Cottage Cheese Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ⅓ cup buttermilk, plus more if needed
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, grated using a microplane
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, optional, for extra depth
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives, or green onions
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, blend 1 cup cottage cheese and ⅓ cup buttermilk until smooth. Transfer to a bowl.
- Add 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1 clove garlic, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill and 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives. Mix to combine.
- If too thick, add more buttermilk 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired texture.
- Transfer to a jar and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors develop.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I was a little skeptical about using cottage cheese in ranch, but wow—this is amazing! So creamy and full of flavor. I love that it’s packed with protein, too. I used it as a dip for veggies and even as a dressing for my chicken salad. Definitely making this again!
Megan, I’m so glad you gave it a try! It’s such a great way to sneak in extra protein without sacrificing that classic ranch flavor. Love the idea of using it in chicken salad—sounds delicious!
This blew me away. Creamy, tangy, and guilt-free! I’ve been drizzling it on everything—salads, wraps, even as dip.
That’s so great to hear, Bella! We love it as an all-purpose dressing too. Thanks for sharing your ideas!