What happens when you pair one of the most versatile dressings with your favorite salsa? You get one of the freshest tasting, most irresistible salad dressings ever! This healthy salsa ranch salad dressing pairs protein-packed Greek yogurt with a little mayo, dry ranch seasoning, and salsa. This new family favorite takes just 5 minutes to throw together, and tastes amazing with taquitos, salads, and so much more!
As a Dietitian, I know that eating enough protein or fresh veggies can be challenging. It can be a huge help to serve them with our favorite flavors, and I can't think of any flavor more universally beloved than good ol' Ranch dressing.
The creamy, herby flavors of creamy ranch dressing work wonderfully with the fresh ingredients in the salsa, giving this Southwest ranch dressing the most incredible flavor.
Best of all, it uses just 4 simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meals! Perfect for drizzling over a homemade Ground Turkey Taco Salad or Chicken Mexican Rice Bowl, or dipping your favorite veggies. You'll want to make it all the time!
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Ingredients
I love recipes that are easy to throw together at the last minute, especially when they rely on pantry staples we already have on hand. Each of the ingredients below can be used in many different ways, so they're multipurpose wonders (that taste wonderful, too).
- Salsa: This recipe works with any type of salsa (red or green) and any heat level. If you prefer a smoother dressing, look for a pureed salsa instead of a chunky version.
- Greek yogurt: Creamy plain Greek yogurt provides some extra protein and a creamy richness.
- Mayonnaise: Mayo has a distinctly tangy creaminess that takes this dressing over the top. Feel free to use regular or light mayo.
- Hidden Valley ranch seasoning: Nothing quite matches the flavors in ranch seasoning, so it's a must in this easy recipe.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Salsa Ranch Salad Dressing
- Mix and serve. Mix all ingredients together. Serve on a taco salad!
Hint: If you prefer a thinner, smoother dressing without any chunks of veggies, feel free to blend the ingredients together with an immersion blender or in the food processor.
Variations
- Gluten-free: This dressing is naturally gluten free, even the spice packets!
- Dairy-free: Substitute your favorite dairy-free Greek-style yogurt.
- Vegan: Switch out the yogurt for a plant-based yogurt and the regular mayo for vegan mayo.
Substitutions
There are so many ways to adapt this recipe to make it your own, and it's fun to play with different seasonings and add-ins.
Play with the seasonings: In addition to the salsa, add some taco seasoning or warm spices, like cumin, paprika, or chili powder.
Switch up the type of salsa: Experiment with hot salsa, mild salsa, green or fire-roasted salsa, and whichever type you prefer. This recipe is really flexible and works great with everything!
Add herbs: For extra freshness, add some finely chopped fresh cilantro, green onion, or parsley.
Use homemade ranch seasoning: You can always make your own spice mix to control the sodium and the flavor of the ranch seasoning.
Nutrition
Traditional creamy salad dressings are made with mayo and sour cream, plus a mixture of different spices, seasonings, preservatives, and additives. This delicious salad dressing replaces the sour cream with high-protein Greek yogurt, which will help keep you full for longer and feel more energized while offering a more balanced nutritional profile.
We love to use it as a dressing for salads, but it also makes a delicious dip for fresh veggies, chicken strips, and more. Kids love it, too, so it's a healthier swap for the whole family!
Storage
Store any leftover salsa ranch dressing in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container, like a mason jar.
Top tip
The flavors of the dressing come together the longer it sits. For the best flavor, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before serving.
FAQ
My favorite way to enjoy this dressing is to use it as a topping for a loaded taco salad with juicy grilled chicken or seasoned ground beef with black beans, corn, and all my favorite taco toppings served on a bed of romaine lettuce. It's also great as a flavor-packed garnish for Pork Tacos, for drizzling over grilled chicken, dipping fresh veggies or tortilla chips, and more.
You can definitely make your own salsa for this easy dressing recipe! Most salsa recipes call for fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, red onion, cilantro, and fresh lime juice, which are also popular toppings for taco salads and burrito bowls. Plus, making salsa from scratch makes it easier to control the ingredients and the heat level.
For a thinner dressing, just add a little fresh lime juice or lemon juice until it reaches your desired consistency. For a thicker dressing, strain off some of the liquid from the salsa before combining all the ingredients together.
More Dressings & Dips
Looking for more healthier homemade dressings and dips? Try these:
Pairing Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Tex Mex ranch dressing:
Did you try this recipe? I would love to see what you made! Tag me (@bewelltable) on Instagram and leave a 5 ⭐️ review below!
Creamy Salsa Ranch Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Hidden Valley ranch seasoning
- ¼ cup of salsa
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together. Serve on a taco salad!
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