There is nothing like a good veggie dip to really make you (and your kids) want to eat vegetables! Years ago, I would always buy a popular brand of dip from the store. I realized that it probably was not the healthiest option, but hey, if it got us to eat our veggies it had to be okay, right? Well, once I started venturing more into whole foods, I stopped one day and actually read the ingredient list. WOW! This is what I found
INGREDIENTS: WATER, MALTODEXTRIN, NONFAT DRY MILK, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, SALT, DISTILLED VINEGAR, WHEY, SUGAR, CREAM (ADDS A TRIVIAL AMOUNT OF FAT), MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, ONION*, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, CARROTS*, PECTIN, LACTIC ACID, GUAR GUM, BELL PEPPER*, SODIUM CITRATE, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, GELATIN, GARLIC*, POTASSIUM SORBATE AND SODIUM BENZOATE ADDED AS PRESERVATIVES, PARSLEY*, SPICES (INCLUDING MUSTARD SEED), XANTHAN GUM, PROPYLENE GLYCOL MONOESTER, CARRAGEENAN, LOCUST BEAN GUM, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID. *DEHYDRATED
Mmmmm…...doesn’t that just sound delicious? I mean really…don’t you love dipping your veggies in MSG, corn syrup solids, artificial color, propylene glycol monoester, and all of those other delicious scary sounding ingredients? I know I don’t!!! So, I set out to find the perfect homemade dip.
Now let me assure you, I have tried a lot of different recipes and the one that I am going to share with you today is definitely our favorite. I originally got the recipe from Laura at Heavenly Homemakers, but have adapted it to make a larger amount. This recipe makes a dry ranch mix which can be made ahead and stored in your pantry. I store mine in a ball jar and always make sure I have some on hand. This way I can whip up delicious, nutritious veggie dip quickly and easily, anytime! It is way better than any store-bought dip I have ever had, with ingredients that I am happy to give to my family! Not to mention it will save you money to make your own dip – and it honestly could not be any simpler! The key to this dip is to mix it up at least a couple of hours before serving to let all of the yummy flavors develop and blend together. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Homemade Ranch Mix
Ingredients:
1 cup dried minced onions
7 tbsp parsley flakes
4 tbsp unrefined sea salt (if using refined salt use less)
1 tbsp garlic powder
Preparation:
Mix together and store in an air tight container.
Tip: You can also try adding some dill to your mix. I LOVE it with added dill, but my husband does not, so I leave it out.
To make the dip: Mix 1 Tablespoons dry mix per 1 cup sour cream. Mix up a few hours before serving to blend flavors. (Sometimes, I also like to do half sour cream and half yogurt (or kefir). This makes the dip a little runnier and gives it a really great flavor!)
Bonus! You can also use this mix to make Ranch dressing: Mix 2 Tablespoons dry mix with 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup buttermilk, sour cream, kefir, or yogurt.
This recipe has been shared with Fight Back Friday, I’m Lovin’ It, Full Plate Thursday, Pennywise Platter Thursday, and Simple Lives Thursday.
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