Probiotic-rich kefir ranch dressing is a delicious way to add beneficial bacteria to your favorite foods. Top fresh greens with this dressing to make a salad bursting with flavor, or use it as a dip. This is a great way to add probiotics into your family’s diet.
A few weeks back, I shared three of our family’s favorite salad dressings, but I wanted to share this kefir ranch dressing in addition to those, since it has the addition ofhomemade milk kefir.
It’s a delicious way to get healthy probiotics in, and a great way for kids (or adults!) to take probiotics if they are picky about fermented foods. This dressing is delicious as a dip for carrots or celery, or poured over salad.
Or, if you are midwestern… on pizza, on breadsticks, on anything.
I’ve made this recipe many different ways, including with an avocado blended in, but today I want to show you just the basic version. As you can imagine, though, this is a great backdrop for other flavors. Avocado ranch, bacon ranch, chipotle ranch – you are only limited by your imagination.
This recipe is so simple to make, and is really delicious on fresh greens or a homemade salad at lunch time.
If you are new to fermenting, this is a great recipe to start with. If you’re not-so-new to fermenting, or you’re looking for some inspiration, take a minute to check out my many recipes onfermented foods.
Just make sure that you start slow; eating fermented foods can be a bit of a learning process, and it’s good to take your time and start incorporating them slowly into your diet and lifestyle.
If making your own kefir seems too intimidating, you can make this recipe using store-bought kefir.
After you gain some confidence, try making it at home. It is really easy; you just have to be a little patient.
Tips for making Kefir Ranch Dressing:
- You can use fresh or dried herbs. Whatever you have on hand will work great.
- Use a garlic press to chop the garlic more finely (and really easily).
- If you have a basic Oster blender, you can just put the ingredients in a normal mouth mason jar, screw the blender base onto the jar itself, and blend it right in the mason jar.
- Change the recipe up a bit to suit your tastes. You could add fresh cilantro or some avocado to give it a more Tex-Mex flair.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosurehere.
Tools you will need:
Blender
Garlic press – not totally necessary, but makes chopping garlic 100% easier.
Measuring spoon
Glass jar
How To Make Kefir Dressing Video Tutorial
How To Make Kefir Ranch Dressing
Kefir Ranch Dressing Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk kefir – homemade or store-bought
1/2 cup mayo – I use my avocado oil mayo.
1 tsp fresh garlic
1 tsp dried chives
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp onion powder
fresh black pepper
1 tsp dill
1 tsp parsley
Juice of 1/4 of a lemon or 1 drop of lemon essential oil. Today I’m using 1/2 of a lime because that is what I have on hand.
Directions:
Put everything into a blender.
Blend until smooth.
Enjoy. That’s it. Simple right?
What is milk kefir?
Milk kefir is a fermented drink that is made by soaking milk in kefir grains, which is the combination of bacteria and yeast. Placing milk with kefir grains and then allowing it to ferment in a warm place allows the good bacteria grow and produces a probiotic milk drink similar to a thin yogurt.
Benefits Of Milk Kefir:
Milk kefir is full of gut-healthy probiotics. We talk a lot about probiotic foods, and milk kefir in particular can help control blood sugars, lower cholesterol, improve gut health and digestion, and many more. (source)
How do you strain kefir?
Check out my post onhow to make milk kefirwhere I show you all the tips and tricks.
What does milk kefir taste like?
It tastes like a slightly tart or even a little sour milk, almost like yogurt, but milk kefir has a slight sweetness to it and is a little bubbly.
Check out our favorite fermented recipes straight from the farmhouse:
- How to Make Homemade Water Kefir Soda
- Lacto Fermented Salsa Recipe
- How To Make Fermented Jalapeños
- How To Make Sour Cream From Raw Milk
Kefir Ranch Dressing Recipe Card
Kefir Ranch Dressing
Probiotic-rich kefir ranch dressing is a delicious way to add beneficial bacteria to your favorite foods. Creamy and bursting with flavor from herbs, this recipe will become a family favorite.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk kefir homemade or store-bought
- 1/2 cup mayo I use my avocado oil mayo
- 1 teaspoon fresh garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- Fresh black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dill
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Juice of 1/4 of a lemon or 1 drop of lemon essential oil
Notes
- I’ve made this recipe many different ways, including with an avocado blended in, but today I want to show you just the basic version. As you can imagine, though, this is a great backdrop for other flavors. Avocado ranch, bacon ranch, chipotle ranch – you are only limited by your imagination.
Nutrition
Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 243mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 463IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Pin It For Later
FAQs
Stir, shake, or blend any of the below ingredients with your already fermented milk kefir:
- honey or agave.
- fruit purees.
- fresh pressed juices.
- fresh or frozen berries.
- chopped fruit (mangoes, stone fruits, pears)
- fresh ground spices (vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric)
- Or try our Golden Milk Kefir Recipe!
How much should you drink? Kefir can be a healthy and delicious addition to a well-rounded diet. For best results, stick to around 1–3 cups (237–710 mL) per day and pair it with a variety of other fermented foods and beverages to increase your intake of probiotics.
How to make kefir with store-bought kefir? ›
HOW TO MAKE KEFIR FROM STORE-BOUGHT KEFIR
- Use 1 tablespoon kefir per cup of fresh milk.
- Mix together well and culture at room temperature for 12-24 hours, or until thickened.
Kefir contains millions of probiotics, which are bacteria with potential health benefits. It's also low in lactose and packed with vitamins and minerals that are good for your body. Scientists have found a range of possible health benefits of kefir, including improved cholesterol, blood sugar control, and gut health.
What not to add to kefir? ›
We do not recommend mixing maple syrup, agave, or honey with your kefir. Maple syrup and agave have a high GI rating, which disrupts your microbiome. Honey is a natural antibiotic, which interferes with the good probiotics in the kefir.
What can I mix with kefir to taste better? ›
Blend kefir with your favorite fruits and a touch of sweetener like honey or agave, and freeze in ice-pop trays for a delicious frozen treat. Substitute kefir for the milk in homemade ice cream or frozen yogurt for a cool, tangy treat. Complement with delicious fruit like strawberries or bananas.
Is it better to drink kefir in the morning or at night? ›
You don't necessarily have to drink kefir in the morning, but you should avoid drinking it before you go to bed at night. Since kefir has an impact on your digestive system, it can keep you from getting a peaceful night of sleep. Instead, you should try to have kefir during a time when you're going to be active.
Does kefir affect bowel movements? ›
When taken by mouth: Kefir is possibly safe when used for up to 12 weeks. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include bloating, nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and constipation. These symptoms usually go away after continued use.
How long does it take for kefir to improve gut health? ›
Nutritionists and healthcare professionals suggest that regularly drinking kefir may improve health in 2-4 weeks. The several health benefits of kefir include improving heart, gut, kidney, liver, and skin health. Kefir also has anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial effects.
Is it cheaper to make or buy kefir? ›
The cost you will be saving is enormous. Commercial kefir is pricey. This is what first led us to discovering kefir for ourselves. Learning how to make your own beverages at home will save you a bundle in the long run.
Kefir milk will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. I always give it a good shake before using. If you need to give your kefir a break because you are going out of town or have too much kefir, you can put the grains on pause. Put the kefir grains in a clean jar with about 3 cups of fresh milk.
What is the best store-bought kefir? ›
10 Best Probiotic-Rich Kefirs for Gut Health
- Nancy's Organic Whole Milk Probiotic Kefir. ...
- Maple Hill Organic Whole Milk Kefir, Plain. ...
- Green Valley Creamery Lactose-Free, Organic, Lowfat Plain Kefir. ...
- Redwood Hill Farm Plain Kefir. ...
- Family Farmstead Organic Plain Kefir. ...
- Cultures For Health Kefir Powdered Starter.
So…which is better? Well, it really depends on what you are looking for. If a lower-calorie option with lots of calcium and vitamin D suits your needs, go for kefir. If you want a higher-calorie option with lots of B12 and protein, greek yoghurt is your best bet.
Is kefir anti-inflammatory? ›
Regular consumption of kefir is associated with several health benefits, such as modulation of the immune system,10 cholesterol reduction,11 lactose digestion, and relief of symptoms resulting from gastrointestinal disorders,12 antimicrobial,13 antitumor,14 antioxidant,15 and anti-inflammatory activity.
What happens to your body when you drink kefir everyday? ›
Drinking kefir water every day increases antioxidants, boosts immunity, regulates blood sugar, and confers other benefits. Drinking kefir water daily can add good bacteria to your digestive system, fight inflammation, and boost your overall health.
How do you make the best tasting kefir? ›
What's the best way to make kefir? For a stronger flavour, use an open system: cover a 500ml jar with a cloth cap or kitchen towel and rubber band, ensuring there are several inches of air above the milk. The closed system uses a 500ml clip-top jar with a rubber gasket to keep oxygen out.
How do you mask the taste of kefir? ›
Some like to use sweet things like honey, others like to blend it up with fruit into a smoothie (check Kitchenistic's guide on the smoothies ingredients). Whatever you decide to mix it with, just make sure the flavour is over powering enough to mask the over fermented Kefir taste.
Does homemade kefir taste like store bought? ›
If you've tasted shop bought kefir, you might be in for a bit of a surprise at first, but you really can learn to love the homemade variety. If you choose to use lots of grains and grow in an open system it can taste fizzy and yeasty. If you use a few grains and a low-oxygen environment it can taste fresh and mild.
How do you make kefir not taste sour? ›
You can separate the grains from the kefir and then mix up the kefir by stirring or shaking the jar. You can then drink it, make a smoothie, or store it in the fridge. If it is overly sour, add some fresh or frozen fruit and let it sit on your counter for a couple of hours.
