Jalapeño Ranch Recipe

Jalapeño ranch is the dressing you didn't know your burrito bowl was missing. It's creamy, full of cilantro, and just bright enough from fresh lime without being spicy. It gets better as it sits, keeps for up to 2 weeks, and makes enough for a crowd.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Ready in 10 minutes with no cooking required.
• Made entirely in a blender or food processor.
• Mild heat that everyone at the table can handle.
• A ton of fresh cilantro, which makes it taste bright and alive.
• Ingredients are measured by weight so you can go straight from the scale to the blender, fewer dishes every time.

What Is Jalapeno Ranch?

• Green Goddess is a creamy salad dressing similar to ranch, but it has a lot more herbs and an anchovy. Blending the herbs creates the light green color.

Ingredients

You only need 8 ingredients to make this creamy jalapeño ranch dressing!

• Jalapeño: This recipe uses half a jalapeño with the seeds removed, which keeps the heat mild. Unfortunately, jalapeños are unpredictable. Cut the top off and taste it by licking the cut side. If it's especially hot, use a smaller piece to start. Leave the seeds in if you want a little more kick.
• Cilantro: Use a full half cup, stems included. Don't skip it and don't cut it back. It's the backbone of the flavor here, and it's what separates this from a standard ranch dressing.
• Lime Juice: Fresh only. The lime adds the right amount of brightness. Too much and the dressing tips out of balance.
• Green Onions: Use both the white and green parts. They add a mild, pungent flavor that builds on the jalapeño without overpowering everything else.
• Mayonnaise and Sour Cream: This 2:1 combination gives you a pourable creamy base with a little tang from the sour cream.

See the recipe card below for ingredient measurements.

Equipment

A food processor or blender is needed, like this Vitamix blender or this budget-friendly Oster blender.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Add everything to your blender pitcher or food processor bowl. Garlic, green onions, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, mayonnaise, sour cream, and salt all go in together.

Step 2: Blend or process until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Stop to scrape down the sides if needed. Taste for seasoning.

Step 3: Transfer to a lidded container. Serve right away, or refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving to let the flavors develop. It thickens as it chills.

Uses For Jalapeño Ranch Dressing

This dressing does more than top a burrito bowl or tacos. Here's where it works really well:

• Drizzled over pan-seared pork chops and chipotle sweet potato puree for a Tex-Mex-inspired plate.
• Anywhere you use ranch as a dip for chicken wings, chicken nuggets, vegetables, chips, or quesadillas.
• Spooned over pulled pork tacos in place of crema.
• Tossed with a simple romaine salad as an everyday dressing.
• Spoon on a plate topped with chunks of heirloom tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, cojita cheese, and grilled bread.

If you're building out a full spread for taco night, check out more sauce recipes for other dips you can make.

Variations & Substitutions

• More heat: Leave the jalapeño seeds in, or use a serrano pepper instead.
• Less heat: Use even less jalapeño, or swap it for a small roasted poblano for a milder flavor.
• Cilantro substitute: If cilantro isn't for you, flat-leaf Italian parsley works. The flavor will be milder and more herby, less bright.
• No blender: Mince everything very finely by hand and whisk together. The texture won't be as smooth, but it still tastes great.

Make Ahead Instructions & Storage Information

Make Ahead: This green goddess dressing can be made up to 5 days ahead of serving. You can serve it immediately, but more flavors will develop with time.

To Store: The USDA Foodkeeper app indicates that homemade salad dressings stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator are safe for up to 2 weeks. Freezing is not recommended.

FAQ

More Sauces And Dressings You'll Love