This is the best ranch dressing recipe and it is so easy to make in bulk and give as a mason jar gift to friends and family.
Mason jar gifts are so clever and, even better, usually filled with something tasty. Not only that, they are generally inexpensive to make, and the recipient becomes the proud owner of a shiny new jar perfect for so many random tasks around the house.
Clearly, mason jar gifts are a good idea for all, but this year I wanted something a little unexpected. Not the usual chocolate chip cookie or brownie mix. In fact, I wanted to steer clear of sweets altogether. Not because I’m one of those sugar haters. Heavens no. But I have been on this earth for 31 Christmases now, and I’ve come to find that we get swamped by sugary treats and by the end of the season we never want to look at another chocolate truffle again. Except that one. Ooh, is that caramel filled…..
So, when brainstorming a new mason jar gift, my mother and I both blurted out “Ranch Dressing Mix!” at the same time, as if it were a brilliant 90s made-for-tv movie. At least that’s how it plays out in my memory.
We both love this Ranch Dressing recipe. It’s so dang easy, tastes just like the best house-made ranch at the finest of fancy restaurants, and only requires a few ingredients. In fact, mixing up the herbs and spices is the hardest part, and our genius gift plan had us doing the leg work on that, so our gift recipients could simply dump the spice packet in the jar and shake it up with a little mayo and buttermilk.
So smart.
Plus, they are adorable. I really outdid myself with the star garland AND mini star ornament here, but you could decorate the jars however you see fit.
The main thing is you need to mix up a big batch of the herbs and spices (suggested quantities below) then decant a scant three tablespoons into a food-safe little zip-top baggie. You can find those little buggers in the candy-making section of craft stores or on Amazon, like I did.
Print out the directions (FREE PRINTABLE PDF HERE) and cut out one for each jar. Tuck the direction card and spices into your mason jar, decorate with cute stuff, and POW. Amazing, tasty gift, ready to go.
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PinDescription
This recipe makes 5 spice packets for mason jar gifts. Each packet is added to 1 cup mayo and 3/4 to 1 cup buttermilk and mixed by gift recipient. Use the multiplier tool here to double the measurements to 10 spice packets or triple to 15 spice packets.
Ingredients
- 5 tbsp dried parsley
- 5 tsp dried dill weed
- 5 tsp onion powder
- 5 tsp dried onion flakes
- 5 tsp salt
- 2–1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1–1/4 tsp ground pepper
- 5 food-safe 3″ x 3″ plastic ziptop bags
- 5 pint mason jars with lids
- 5 recipe cards (see blog post for printable)
- Embellishments (ribbon, garland, mini ornaments, jingle bells, etc.)
Instructions
- Measure out spices into a medium bowl and mix well to combine.
- Measure out 3 scant tablespoons (about 2-3/4 tablespoons) of spice mix into each zip top bag and seal.
- Fold down the top of bag and tape to make a smaller bag of spices.
- Tape one of the recipes cards you cut from my printable sheet onto the spice packet.
- Drop spice packet into mason jar and screw on lid. Decorate with ribbons and embellishments.
Notes
This is the recipe to make 5 mason jar gifts each with a ranch dressing spice packet in it. To prepare the actual Ranch Dressing, each packet is added to 1 cup mayo and 3/4 to 1 cup buttermilk and shaken in the jar, then refrigerate until ready to use.
Keywords: ranch dressing mason jar gifts
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