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Creamy Cilantro Jalapeno Ranch

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Creamy Cilantro Jalapeno Ranch makes a bold salad dressing full of Southwestern flavors, but it’s so much more. It’s cool and creamy, but also spicy. It’s fresh and flavorful, but makes use of packaged ranch dip to keep it easy. And it’s ready in just a few minutes with minimal work. A bottle of dressing with cilantro to one side and a bowl of sliced fresh jalapeno peppers.

I can’t believe I’ve never shared this recipe on the blog before! Years ago I took pictures of this wonderful homemade dressing to share the recipe with you. I  make it pretty often at home, but it wasn’t until I was writing the recipe for Southwestern Egg Roll Bake that I like to serve with Creamy Cilantro Jalapeno Ranch that I realized I’d never actually shared it! What a duh moment. 

This stuff is so easy to make and there’s literally about a million things you can use it for!A bottle of cilantro jalapeno ranch dressing.

For dipping:

  • Tortilla chips
  • Fresh veggies
  • Chicken strips
  • French fries

For salad dressing: 

  • On any Southwestern based salad
  • to make a spiced up version of cornbread salad 
  • On your favorite taco salad.

For a topping on:

  • Quesadillas
  • Fajitas
  • Tacos
  • Wraps
  • Or on top of the Southwestern Eggroll Bake that I’ll be sharing next week that’s pictured below!
    A southwestern casserole topped with cilantro jalapeno ranch.

    Southwestern Egg Roll Bake

      

How to make this dressing:

First you’ll need to prep your fresh ingredients. Carefully slice a fresh jalapeno and toss it in in the blender or food processor. Then measure out about a 1/4 cup tightly packed cilantro.

Don’t worry about the cilantro stems. Cilantro stems actually have just as much flavor as the leaves and this is getting chopped tiny anyway so no one will be able to tell they’re even in there! Add the rest of the ingredients except the buttermilk and give it a whiz or two.

Stir in the buttermilk until you reach the desired consistency.  If you’d rather have a thicker dip, feel free to cut back on the buttermilk. That’s all there is to it!  Enjoy.

I’ve found that milk bottles with lids are the perfect way to store homemade dressings in the fridge. My kids also love to use them for shaking up chocolate milk. You can find them here on Amazon. 

A bottle of dressing with cilantro to one side and a bowl of sliced fresh jalapeno peppers.

Creamy Cilantro Jalapeno Ranch

Yield: 8-10
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Creamy homemade ranch is kicked up a notch with the addition of fresh cilantro and jalapenos. This ranch makes a great dressing and dip!

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup Sour Cream* see note
  • 3/4 cup Mayonnaise
  • 1 packet 1 oz Dry Ranch Dip
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup Cilantro (or more depending on your preferences)
  • 1-2 fresh Jalapenos, cut in slices *see note
  • 1/2 cup Buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Place all the ingredients except the buttermilk into a food processor or blender.
  2. Pulse a few times to blend while leaving chunks of jalapeno and cilantro, or blend continuously to make completely smooth.
  3. Stir in buttermilk until you reach the desired consistency,
  4. Store covered in an airtight container in the fridge.

Notes

* Plain Greek yogurt can be substituted for the sour cream.

*Discard the jalapeno seeds to cut back on the spice level.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a review or a photo! I'd love to hear your feedback!

 Pin it for later! 

Creamy Cilantro Jalapeno Ranch makes a great salad dressing, nacho topping, and dip for so oh so many things. It’s cool and creamy, but also spicy. It’s fresh and flavorful, but makes use of ranch dip to keep it easy.

Accidental Happy Baker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at amazon .com at no additional cost to you.

 

 

Margaret S Groves

Thursday 23rd of April 2020

Can the cilantro be left out completely? I`m one of those that think it tastes like soap.

Amy D

Thursday 23rd of April 2020

Sure thing Margaret!

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