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Buffalo Ranch. It’s like the cool, meatless version of baked buffalo chicken dip.
About This Recipe
If there’s one thing I’m exceptionally good at making (and eating) it’s condiments. So, today we’re combining ranch + buffalo sauce to make a super creamy buffalo ranch sauce! It is, without a doubt, (one of) the best things you will ever make. I’ve made this recipe countless ways over the years, and this version is my favorite. It’s very similar to my reader-favorite baked buffalo chicken dip, but we’re skipping the chicken and melty cheese topping.
Made with a blend of cream cheese (optional, more on that below), mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, and a little milk, it’s rich and tangy, with just the right amount of spicy heat. It’s also super easy to make.
Why is the Cream Cheese Optional in this Buffalo Ranch Sauce?
Cream cheese adds extra thickness and richness, making the sauce more of a dip than a drizzle. This is great if you’re using it for wings, fries, or veggie platters; but if you want a thinner consistency for drizzling over salads or wraps, skip it or use just a small amount.
How to Make It: Step-By-Step with Images
Feel free to skip over to the recipe card for the full ingredient list + printable recipe instructions.
Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and lump-free (optional, add the cream cheese for a thicker dip). Then add the mayo and sour cream, and beat until the mixture is light, creamy, and well combined. Tip – Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes beforehand to make mixing easier and prevent a grainy texture.
Step 2: Pour the ranch dressing into the cream cheese mixture, then stir/whisk until fully incorporated and uniform in texture. Tip – You can use store-bought ranch or homemade ranch dressing. My homemade ranch dressing recipe can prepped and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Step 3: Add the buffalo sauce to the bowl and stir well until the sauce turns a consistent orange hue throughout. Tip – This recipe uses buffalo sauce, which is not the same as hot sauce.
Step 4: Pour in 2–3 tablespoons of milk, one tablespoon at a time, stirring between each addition, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Buffalo Ranch Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ounces (8 tablespoon) cream cheese, room temperature, optional
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ cup ranch dressing, homemade (below) or store-bought
- ½ cup buffalo sauce, homemade (below) or store-bought
- 2-3 tablespoon milk
Ranch Dressing Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- 3 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
- 2 tablespoon chives, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Buffalo Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Hot Sauce
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
Instructions
To Make Buffalo Ranch Dip
- Optional (for a thicker dip): In a medium mixing bowl, beat 4 ounces of softened cream cheese until smooth and lump-free. This creates a thicker, richer base for dipping.
- Add ¼ cup mayonnaise and ¼ cup sour cream. Whisk or beat until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Stir in ½ cup of ranch dressing until fully incorporated, then add the ½ cup of buffalo sauce and mix well.
- Gradually add 2–3 tablespoons of milk (or more as needed), stirring between each addition, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. For a dip, keep it thick and creamy by using less milk. For a dressing or drizzle, add more milk to thin it out.
- Taste and adjust as needed—add more buffalo sauce for extra heat, a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness, or additional herbs for freshness.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.
To Make Homemade Ranch Dressing
- In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, ⅓ cup whole milk, 3 tablespoons white vinegar, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill, 1 tablespoon minced parsley, 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives, and 3 cloves of minced garlic. Mix well until smooth and fully combined. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
To Make Homemade Buffalo Sauce
- Melt ¼ cup of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once nearly melted, stir in 1 cup of Frank's RedHot Original Hot Sauce, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer, but do not boil. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Substitutions – Although several of the higher calorie/fat ingredients (mayo, sour cream, whole milk, etc.) can be swapped for low fat alternatives, doing so will change the flavor and texture significantly.
- To make your sauce spicier/hotter, add additional Frank’s RedHot sauce 1 tablespoon at a time or ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
- The homemade buffalo sauce should be mixed into the ranch and cream cheese mixture before the butter has solidified. I like to mix it in while is slightly warm, not hot. This way it is still mixable, but not so hot that it will curdle the dairy.
- Stir well before each use. The sauce will cool and thicken in the fridge. You can loosen it with a splash of milk or warm water, and whisk until smooth again.
- Homemade ranch dressing will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week. Note: the fresh herbs may shorten its shelf life, so keep an eye out for spoilage around the 4-5 day mark.
- Homemade buffalo sauce will keep for 1-2 weeks stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The butter will likely solidify when chilled – simply reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until reincorporated.
- Freezing is not recommended
- Store in an airtight container or glass jar in the fridge for up to 5–7 days (assuming it was made with a fresh batch of ranch dressing and buffalo sauce).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Serving Ideas
This sauce makes an amazing dip for all your favorite snacks and appetizers. Serve it alongside crispy French fries, fried chicken tenders, or golden-brown Air Fryer chicken wings. It also pairs perfectly with fresh veggie sticks like carrots and celery, or roasted vegetables like these roasted Brussels sprouts and roasted cauliflower steaks.
Looking for more buffalo sauce’d recipes? I’ve got a bunch! Definitely check out my Baked Buffalo Chicken if you’re looking for a fast and flavorful way to bake your next chicken dinner. These tasty Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites and a healthy alternative to traditional fried appetizers. Finally, the whole family loves this super creamy, cheesy and delicious Baked Buffalo Chicken Pasta.
