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9 Healthy and Delicious Alternatives to Ranch Dressing

Turkey, ranch, and swiss sandwiches, chef salads with ranch dressing, fresh veggies with ranch dip; what do all these American classics have in common? Ranch. This tasty, creamy, universal dressing has quickly become a staple in nearly all restaurants and homes, but in addition to packing on flavor, it can also cause you to pack on a few pounds. If you're trying to shape up your body for summer or are ready to sample new flavors, give some of these healthier dressings and dips a try.

9. Sweet Onion Dressing

9. Sweet Onion Dressing

Ingredients:

  • ½ large white onion
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 6 tbsp white vinegar
  • 8 tbsp sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp ground mustard
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp celery seed
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ? tsp black pepper

Directions:

  1. Cut off both ends of the onion and pierce the skin several times with a sharp knife. 
  2. Put onion in a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of water and microwave until soft, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside.
  3. Once cooled, peel and add to a blender, then puree until smooth.
  4. Add oil, vinegar, sugar, mustard, garlic powder, celery seed, salt, and pepper, and blend until smooth.
(Image via Adobe)

8. Greek Yogurt Chipotle Dressing

8. Greek Yogurt Chipotle Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 6 oz fat-free plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 chipotle in adobo sauce 
  • 1 tsp adobo sauce (from the can of chipotles)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp taco seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Slice open the chipotle pepper, and scrape out the seeds (Wash your hands right after!).
  2. Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor, and blend until combined and smooth.
(Image via Adobe)

7. Tzatziki Sauce

7. Tzatziki Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fat-free plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 large cucumber
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Scoop the seeds out of cucumber and grate over a bowl.
  2. Sprinkle some salt over cucumber and squeeze out extra moisture with your hand.
  3. Let cucumber sit for 25-30 to drain more excess moisture.
  4. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Let sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop.
(Image via Adobe)

6. Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

6. Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

  • ½ bunch cilantro
  • Juice of 2 medium limes
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ½ jalapeno (remove seeds if you like less heat)
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 8 cracks of salt
  • ¾ tsp spicy mustard
  • ¼ cup olive oil

Directions:

  1. In a blender, combine cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno, garlic, and vinegar. Blend well.
  2. Add salt, mustard, and olive oil, and blend. 
  3. Adjust seasonings to taste.
(Image via Adobe)

5. Creamy Avocado Dressing

5. Creamy Avocado Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1 avocado, peeled with seed removed
  • ½ cucumber
  • 1 green onion
  • Juice of 2 medium limes
  • 1 tsp honey
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp dried dill weed
  • ¼ tsp dried basil
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½-1 cup olive oil

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients except oil to a blender, and process until smooth. 
  2. With blender on low, add oil until desired consistency is reached.
(Image via Adobe)

4. Japanese Ginger Dressing

4. Japanese Ginger Dressing

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup minced onion
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ? cup rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 2 tbsp minced ginger
  • 2 tbsp minced celery
  • ½ tsp minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 4 tsp light soy sauce
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender, and blend on high until pureed.
  2. Add salt and pepper to taste.
(Image via Adobe)

3. Classic Hummus

3. Classic Hummus

Ingredients:

  • 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 2-3 tbsp tahini
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ¼ cup water
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients except water to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Slowly add in water and blend until desired consistency is reached.
(Image via Adobe)

2. Garlic and Fresh Herb Dip

2. Garlic and Fresh Herb Dip

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup 2% plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh chives, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Mix yogurt and olive oil in a small bowl. 
  2. On a cutting board, sprinkle ¼ tsp salt on minced garlic and, using the flat side of a knife, scrape salt into garlic until it becomes a paste.
  3. Stir garlic paste and fresh herbs into yogurt mixture, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
(Image via Adobe)

1. Creamy Jalapeño Dip

1. Creamy Jalapeño Dip

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup light mayonnnaise
  • ½ cup plain fat-free Greek Yogurt
  • ? cup sour cream
  • ? cup fresh cilantro
  • 4 oz chopped green chiles
  • 4 oz pickled jalapenos
  • ½ tbsp dry ranch seasoning
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender, and pulse until smooth and creamy.
(Image via Adobe)