This Cottage Cheese Ranch is the high-protein, low-calorie version of your favorite restaurant ranch! Use it as a dip, drizzle, or dressing; the choice is yours!
Cottage cheese ranch (high-protein ranch dip or dressing)
30-second summary
- What it tastes like: this protein-packed version has all the classic ranch flavors we love: tangy, creamy, garlicky with the added bonus of protein thanks to cottage cheese and greek yogurt.
- How long it takes: 5-10 minutes total for gathering ingredients and blending!
- What you’ll use it for: dips, dressings, and drizzles! Dunk in some veggies or your favorite chicken nuggets, toss it with a variety of mixed greens and veggies for a salad, and drizzle it over tacos, buffalo chicken pizzas, and more!
Why this recipe wins
- Smooth: whether you’re using a food processor, blender, or immersion blender, this dip/dressing gets velvety smooth.
- Ranch-forward: using a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning gives you that classic flavor, but a homemade spice blend is listed below as well!
- Customizable thickness: make it thick as a dip for veggies/nuggets/fries or thin it out for a dressing for salads and bowls; the choice is yours!
Ingredients (with variations)
Shortcut version: (my preferred flavor)
- Yogurt – any variety of Greek yogurt will work. I don’t recommend “regular” yogurt, because it will likely be too thin and has less protein. I like using full-fat Greek yogurt for the thickest, creamiest consistency, but low-fat and non-fat yogurt (although tangier) will also work. Feel free to swap for additional cottage cheese if you’re not a fan of yogurt and/or you don’t have any on hand. I personally like the subtle tang it gives.
- Cottage Cheese – non-fat, low-fat, or full-fat is fine. Small curd or large curd may be used, because we’re blending it up anyway. Some brands are thicker or thinner than others, so you may need more or less pickle juice/milk to reach desired consistency.
- Pickle Juice – bread and butter pickle juice will give a sweeter flavor whereas dill pickle juice will be more savory. Jalapeno juice may be used for a spicy kick. The pickle flavor isn’t strong, so I recommend keeping it in the recipe. However, if you really don’t like pickle juice, try. buttermilk instead! If it needs more acidic, add a splash of lemon juice.
- Ranch Seasoning Mix – use Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning Salad Dressing & Recipe Mix for the most restaurant-like flavor. You’ll need 1-2 (1 oz) packets or 2-4 tablespoons of the dry mix.
- Optional Milk – any milk (skim, buttermilk, whole, etc.) can be used to thin out the sauce, if necessary. Start with 1 tablespoons for thinning into a drizzle, if necessary.
From-scratch version:
The yogurt, cottage cheese, and pickle juice remain the same. In this version, you’re replacing the ranch seasoning mix with a homemade version:
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1/2 – 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 – 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives
Brightness options:
Try adding in 1 teaspoon dijon mustard and/or lemon juice if the flavor is feeling a little dull.
Equipment (choose your method)
An immersion blender, high-powered stand blender, or a food processor may be used for this recipe. Use what you have on hand, because they’ll all result in a smooth, creamy texture.
Immersion blender
An immersion blender is a great option, because you can blend directly in a storage jar which means less dishes.
High-powered blender
This is probably the fastest option, but may create a slightly runnier dressing and it’s a little harder to get all the ranch out of the nooks and crannies.
Food processor
A food processor will still achieve a smooth texture, but it will take longer than a an immersion blender or stand blender.
Quick visual walk-through
Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1
Place yogurt, cottage cheese, pickle juice, and seasonings into a food processor, bowl, or blender.
Step 2
Blend until smooth, thin with milk, if a thinner texture is desired, and taste and re-season, if necessary.
Step 3
For best results, chill (this allows the flavors to intensify and the dip to thicken).
Make it your way: thickness guide
Dip:
As written, this cottage cheese ranch is perfect for dipping! Grab your favorite veggies: carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, celery, cucumber, etc. and dip away. It’s also great for store-bought or homemade chicken nuggets, chicken wings, chicken fingers, tofu nuggets, and more!
Drizzle:
Thin it out with an additional tablespoon or two of pickle juice, jalapeno juice, or milk of choice, and drizzle into wraps like a buffalo chicken wrap or as a spread on your favorite sandwich.
Dressing:
Thin it out with even more pickle juice, jalapeno juice, or milk of choice, and serve it with fresh, crispy iceberg lettuce, croutons, cucumber, tomatoes, and thick-cut shredded cheese for a classic side salad with ranch!
Flavor intensity guide
For a mild ranch flavor, use 1 (1 oz) packet of ranch seasoning mix. For classic, use 2 (1 oz) packets and for bold ranch or spicy ranch, blend in 1 teaspoon chili powder and 1-4 tablespoons Frank’s Original Red Hot Sauce.
Troubleshooting
Texture issues
- Chunky/Curdy: keep blending until smooth! If you have an older blender/food processor it may take longer.
- Too thick/too thin: depending on the brand and fat content used (fat-free vs full-fat) your ranch may end up thicker or thinner. If it’s too thick, thin it out with pickle juice or milk until the desired consistency is reached. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more as needed. If it’s too thin, add in more cottage cheese. Start with 1/4 cup and gently pulse in. Add more, if needed.
- Separation: to avoid separation avoid fat-free generic cottage cheese and over-blending. If separation does occur, blend in 1 tablespoon mayo and it should re-emulsify.
Flavor issues
- Bland: pulse in an additional packet of ranch seasoning mix.
- Too salty/tangy/herby: pulse in an additional 1/4 cup cottage cheese.
Storage and make-ahead
Ranch will thicken as it sits in the fridge and will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Freezing is not recommended.
Serving ideas
- As a dip. Dip in fresh, crisp veggies such as carrots and cucumbers, chips, chicken nuggets, fries, pickles, chicken tenders, and more!
- As a salad dressing. Drizzle on mixed greens with crunchy croutons, and whatever else you love in a salad.
- As a spread. Slather this on your favorite sandwich or wrap.
- In other recipes. If ranch is called for as a mix-in, use this high-protein version instead!
– Jennifer
Cottage Cheese Ranch
Equipment for this recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese *
- 1 cup greek yogurt can replace with more cottage cheese**
- 1-2 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix use Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning Salad Dressing & Recipe Mix for best results
- 2-4 tablespoons pickle juice use dill or bread and butter juice if a sweeter flavor is desired. Jalapeno juice and/or milk may be used instead, but pickle juice gives it a restaurant flavor
- Milk for thinning, if necessary
Instructions
- Place cottage cheese, greek yogurt, ranch seasoning mix, and pickle juice into a food processor (or blender) and process until smooth and no curds remain.
- If necessary, thin with additional pickle juice/milk, until desired consistency is reached, then taste and re-season, if desired.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge until ready to use (ranch will thicken as it sits).
- Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!
Notes
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Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.