This creamy jalapeño ranch dip is full of bright flavor, with just a hint of spice! Perfect as a dip, delightful as a salad dressing, delicious as a sauce.
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below, but you can jump right to the recipe card if you wish!
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Jalapeño Ranch Dip is a delightful blend of creamy and spicy ingredients that is perfect for dipping all the things in, as well as being able to be used as a salad dressing.
Simple ingredients like a sour cream base and garlic, lime juice, and some fresh herbs and spices mixed in.
You can use this dip with so many things, like chips, veggies, or even chicken wings. It’s the perfect dip for Tex-Mex food, so, you might find it with nachos, tacos, or quesadillas, chicken fajitas, or drizzled over burrito bowls or taco salad.
This Jalapeno Ranch recipe is a fabulous option for dipping pretty much anything in. It’s creamy, with a little kick of heat that you can definitely dial up or down depending on your family’s tolerance to spicy food.
My family will roll over and do tricks for anything with a creamy dipping sauce, so I stop by the frozen section at the grocery store for some easy options.
You might also enjoy my Creamy Avocado Cilantro Dressing (or dip!) as well!
Like jalapenos? Us too! Try this Jalapeno Popper Cheeseball, or my world-famous (okay, maybe just my household-world) Jalapeno Popper Chicken.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Easy recipe. Use a blender or food processor, and blast it. That’s it!
- Make ahead. This recipe will be good for a few days in the fridge if you want to streamline your holiday prep!
- Adaptable. Dial up the heat, or tone it down.
- Fresh ingredients. Fresh cilantro and fresh jalapeños both make for a bright flavored dip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How spicy is jalapeño ranch dip?
The spiciness depends on the amount of jalapeños used and whether the seeds are included, as they contain most of the heat.
Can jalapeño ranch dip be made ahead of time?
Yes, making it ahead allows the flavors to meld, enhancing the overall taste. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge, and give it a stir before serving.
What can be used as a substitute for sour cream?
Greek yogurt or plain yogurt can be used as a healthier alternative to sour cream. You can add a little mayo to balance the flavor.
Can this be used as jalapeno ranch dressing?
Yes, you can thin it out to make it pourable by adding more lime, or a touch of milk.
Things to dip in creamy jalapeno dip
Try my Southwest Egg Rolls, Baked Taquitos, Quesadillas, or serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or cut/sliced veggies. Even French fries and sweet potato fries taste epic with this dip!
I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Kylee’s Notes
Leave the jalapeno seeds in for extra heat, leave them out for a milder taste.
Thin it out with a little bit of lime juice, yogurt, milk or water to make it pourable for a dressing.
What to do with leftovers
This recipe will keep in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. I keep mine in a mason jar, but any container with a lid works.
Substitutions/Additions
Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream or use a mix. You can also add mayonnaise if you prefer
You can use powdered garlic instead of fresh if you need to.
A little dried or fresh dill can give it a slightly different flavor.
Add some green onions, or extra cilantro and chopped jalapeno peppers as a garnish.
Key Recipe Ingredients
Remember: this is just an overview and the why of the ingredients I choose here. The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Sour cream. You can use non-fat sour cream, or greek yogurt if you prefer.
- Cilantro. Chop this roughly before adding to the food processor.
- Fresh Jalapenos. You only need a little of this, so add or remove the seeds as you choose, based on your spice tolerance.
- Garlic. Use fresh garlic, it’s worth it.
- Seasonings. I use kosher salt, black pepper and onion powder.
- Lime juice. Use as much or as little as needed for consistency.
Recommended Equipment/Tools
(affiliate links may be used here, which helps me earn some pennies – with no increased pricing to you)
- Garlic press
- Citrus Press
- Cutting Board and Knife
- Food processor or blender
How to make this recipe
Scroll for Recipe
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Get prepped
Wash the cilantro, mince the garlic, chop the jalapeno and remove seeds (if you want to leave some in, do)
Make the dip
Pulse the ingredients together until well-combined, but not super smooth. The texture should smooth and creamy, but a little bumpy! Use as dip, sauce or spread.
Taste Test
Add additional lime juice or water to achieve the desired consistency.
More delicious homemade dips:
- Buffalo Chicken Dip. Super easy to make, and always the first to be devoured, this Buffalo Chicken Dip is a great appetizer recipe for parties and gatherings!
- Whipped Feta Dip. A deliciously creamy, yet low fat, dip – this Feta, Roasted Red Pepper and Dill Dip will be a hit! Make ahead, and serve with veggie dippers, or chips!
- Spinach Artichoke Dip. Just 4 minutes in the instant pot, and this dreamy, cheesy Spinach & Artichoke Dip is all yours! This is perfect for holidays and parties!
- Greek Tzatziki Dip. Tzatziki is easy to make, and SO delicious! This tasty dip is made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic and lemon juice with fresh dill.
Fresh flavors and a simple recipe? Sold! - Blue Cheese Dip. This easy blue cheese dip recipe is fantastic for veggies, chips or buffalo wings, has only 5 ingredients and is mixed up in under 5 minutes!
- Ranch Dip. Perfect for the ranch lover in your life! Discover the secrets to making a creamy and delicious homemade ranch dip in minutes. Follow our step-by-step guide and impress your guests (and yourself).
- French Onion Dip. Rich and creamy, this homemade French Onion Dip recipe will be your go-to for gatherings! Super easy to make, with real ingredients, you’ll love it!
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Jalapeno Ranch Dip
Ingredients
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup jalapeno (diced)
- 1 cup sour cream (plain yogurt can be used)
- ¼ cup cilantro (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoons pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- lime juice (freshly squeezed)
Directions
Get prepped
- Wash the cilantro, mince 1 clove garlic, chop ¼ cup jalapeno and remove seeds (if you want to leave some in, do)
Make the dip
- Place 1 clove garlic, ,¼ cup jalapeno, 1 cup sour cream, ¼ cup cilantro, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoons pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder andlime juice in a high-speed blender and blast until smooth.
Taste Test
- Add additional lime juice or water to achieve the desired consistency.
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Notes
Switch out the plain yogurt for sour cream or use a mix.
You can use powdered garlic instead of fresh if you need to.
A little dried dill can give it a slightly different flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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