• Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Summer Recipes

Kitchen Skip

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Summer Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Substack
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Summer Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Substack
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Salad

    Kefir Dressing

    Published: Feb 2, 2019 · Modified: May 10, 2023 by Jenny Meier

    Jump to Recipe

    Make your own homemade kefir dressing with just few simple ingredients like kefir, mayonnaise, shallot and chives. This creamy dressing tastes like Ranch!

    salad dressing made from kefir and mayonnaise this recipe

    I think one of my first kitchen tasks as a kid was mixing Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix with mayonnaise and buttermilk. I don't even remember another type of salad dressing being served when I was growing up!

    I poured Ranch dressing over iceberg lettuce, used it as a dip for raw carrots and cucumbers, and as a condiment for chicken, steak and french fries...was there anything we didn't put Ranch dressing on?

    These days, I eat Ranch dressing much less often. But when the craving hits, I love this creamy, easy homemade kefir dressing made from a few simple, fresh ingredients.

    It's delicious on regular salads, crunchy slaws or veggie chicken salad.

    This dressing can also be used as a dip for raw veggies. Or, you might also want to try horseradish aioli, which is a creamy dip with a spicy kick of horseradish and garlic.

    Kefir Ranch Dressing Ingredients

    • Plain, unsweetened kefir
    • Mayonnaise
    • Shallot
    • Chives
    • Garlic
    • Salt and black pepper
    Salad greens dressed with kefir ranch dressing

    Why Use Kefir?

    I use kefir because I have it in my refrigerator more often than buttermilk. I like the tangy, creamy flavor of plain kefir and it's the perfect consistency for creamy salad dressing.

    What is Kefir?

    Traditional kefir is a fermented, probiotic beverage made from milk. Kefir is like a yogurt drink with a pourable, drinkable consistency. Some brands are quite tart and tangy, and others have a less tangy flavor. Kefir is sold plain and unsweetened or in a variety of sweetened flavors like strawberry, raspberry and peach.

    In addition to cow's milk kefir, stores now sell goat's milk and non-dairy milk versions of kefir. There is also water kefir.

    Add More Flavor

    In addition to chives, you can add more fresh herbs to this dressing. Parsley is especially good, and mint gives the dressing a lighter flavor.

    A squeeze of lemon gives the dressing a brighter, tangier flavor.

    You can cut down on the amount of mayo in this recipe a little if you prefer, but honestly, the dressing needs at least some mayo to taste like Ranch.

    How to Use Up a Bottle of Kefir

    For a long time, I made this recipe with buttermilk but inevitably leftover buttermilk sits in the back of my fridge until I have to throw it away. Kefir not only boosts the nutritional content of Ranch dressing, it's also easier to use up.

    I add kefir to smoothies and oatmeal, or eat it with fresh berries and nuts or granola and a drizzle of maple syrup. Some mornings I just chug it out of the container. Kefir keeps a long time in the refrigerator, so there's no rush to use it up.

    Salad Recipes

    • bowl of kale salad with dried cranberries, pecan and almonds
      Bagged Kale Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing
    • bowl of broccoli slaw with honey mustard dressing
      Broccolini Slaw with Honey Mustard Yogurt Dressing
    • Cold elbow macaroni with creamy basil dressing, feta and tomatoes.
      Greek Yogurt Pasta Salad with Creamy Basil Dressing
    • a bowl of orzo with canned tuna and herbs
      Tuna and Orzo Pasta Salad
    Print

    📖 Recipe

    Kefir Dressing

    salad dressing made from kefir and mayonnaise
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    Make your own homemade kefir dressing with just few simple ingredients like kefir, mayonnaise, shallot and chives. This creamy dressing tastes like Ranch!

    • Author: Jenny Meier
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: 1 cup
    • Category: Salad Dressing
    • Method: Whisk
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • ½ cup plain, unsweetened kefir (I prefer full-fat, but low-fat is fine too)
    • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot
    • 1 tablespoon chopped chives
    • 1 small clove garlic, pressed
    • 2 grinds black pepper
    • Salt to taste, about ¼ teaspoon or so

    Instructions

    1. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together all ingredients. 
    2. You can change the flavor of this dressing by adding more fresh herbs. Fresh parsley is especially good. For a brighter flavor, add a squeeze of lemon. 

    Notes

    This dressing keeps well in the refrigerator for about 3 or 4 days 

    Please rate and review this recipe!

    Your reviews help other readers. They also help me provide the best recipes possible. Thanks!

    More Delicious Recipes

    • A bowl of spinach and kale salad tossed in a creamy miso tahini dressing.
      Kale and Spinach Salad with Miso Tahini Dressing
    • A bowl of grated cabbage and carrot coleslaw.
      Miso Slaw
    • Ground chicken in a bowl with white rice, cabbage and cucumber.
      Quick & Easy Ground Chicken & Rice
    • A bowl of arugula quinoa salad sprinkled with dried cranberries and pieces of pecans.
      Arugula Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    1. Jen says

      January 06, 2022 at 7:17 am

      When you're craving Ranch, try this healthier kefir dressing!

      Reply
    Kitchen Skip foodblogger and recipe developer Jenny Meier

    Hi, I'm Jenny!

    I'm a food blogger with a culinary degree and a busy Mama of two who now works full-time in education. I create easy dinner recipes for busy parents like you!

    More About Me

    Spring Recipes

    • A piece of cod on a plate with panko baked on top, surrounded by peas
      Panko Crusted Cod with Creme Fraiche Sauce
    • a plate of cooked asparagus
      Oven Roasted Asparagus
    • a bowl of quinoa salad with kale
      Easy & Healthy Quinoa Salad
    • a plate of asparagus drizzled in balsamic glaze
      Balsamic Glazed Instant Pot Asparagus
    • a bowl of chicken salad with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and croutons
      BLT Chicken Salad with Creme Fraiche Dressing
    • a bowl of orzo with canned tuna and herbs
      Tuna and Orzo Pasta Salad

    Popular Recipes

    • bowl of cooked black lentils
      How to Cook Black Lentils (Instant Pot & Stove)
    • bowl of white bean soup
      Instant Pot White Bean Soup
    • sliced kielbasa sausage in a skillet
      How to Cook Kielbasa
    • Cucumber Shrimp Salad
    • bowl of cooked rice noodles
      How to Cook Rice Noodles
    • a bowl of mini shell pasta with cooked frozen vegetables
      Pasta with Frozen Mixed Vegetables

    Footer

    Newsletter

    SIGN UP
    for easy dinner recipes

    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    List of online sites that have featured this food blog.

    ^ back to top

    Images and text copyright Jenny Meier in 2024. Do not repost images or recipes without requesting permission

    Copyright © 2024 on the Feast Plugin

    salad dressing made from kefir and mayonnaise