Creamy ranch dressing with a bit of heat and plenty of green chile flavor has become a family favorite over the past couple of years.

Ranch dressing is delicious on salads and as a dip for fresh vegetables. We love dipping pizza in ranch and these spicy chicken bites are awesome with a side of green chile ranch too.

Dion’s Green Chile Ranch

If you grew up in the 505 or have ever lived in NM, you likely understand the near-obsession we all have with Dion’s Pizza. It truly is the best pizza, sandwiches, and salads you can buy.

When we were driving through Albuquerque a few years ago, we stopped (as we always do) for sandwiches, pizza and a bottle of Dion’s fantastic ranch dressing. When the cashier asked if we wanted regular ranch or green chile ranch, I can pretty much guarantee that my jaw dropped.

I immediately told her I’d like a bottle of each. About 3 minutes later, I was dipping a slice of pizza into the green chile ranch and wondering how I’d survived so long without it. (Hyperbole? You bet.)

Anyways, living thousands of miles from the nearest Dion’s restaurant meant that as soon as we were home again, I needed to figure out exactly how to recreate that dressing. I’ll admit it wasn’t quite as simple as I thought it might be, and it did require a special ingredient before I nailed the dressing to my own satisfaction.

Speaking of weird ingredients, did you know you can buy green chile powder?? I had no clue and let me tell you, it’s pretty amazing. It’s a more intense green chile taste with all the green chile flavor and heat we love so much.

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This is a smoky, slightly spicy blackened ranch dressing just like Popeye’s! Serve with vegetables, chicken tenders, or french fries. There’s no wrong way to enjoy this awesome dip.

Popeye’s Blackened Ranch

My family went crazy over this the first time I made it. They inhaled it in record time alongside a plate of raw vegetables.

I’m so happy that a reader mentioned blackened ranch dressing to me a while back! I’d never heard of it, so I had to do a bit of research.

It turns out that Popeye’s sells a blackened ranch that is very popular. Naturally, I needed to make a copycat recipe asap.

Blackened Ranch Sauce

Why is it called “blackened” ranch? There are spice mixes called “blackening seasoning,” and they consist of a variety of different spices along with a smoky spice (in this case, paprika) and a spice with a hint of heat (in this case, both black pepper and cayenne are being used).

I’ve taken that smoky, spicy combination and added it to our very popular ranch dressing recipe. The result is a seriously delicious winner of a new dipping sauce that has a likely permanent spot in our refrigerator now.

Every time I stir together a batch of this blackened ranch, it disappears ridiculously fast. Those added flavors are clearly a hit with my boys.

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Whether you’re dressing up a salad or slathering it on a burger, Thousand Island brings a punch of flavor that’s downright irresistible. Creamy mayo meets tangy ketchup along with the pop of diced pickles and a sprinkle of zesty onions in this recipe for Thousand Island salad dressing.

Thousand Island Salad Dressing

Want to know how to make your own Thousand Island dressing? It’s still a popular dressing for good reason. Thousand Island was the salad dressing most often seen on the table in my childhood.

And while this zesty-sweet old-fashioned dressing will never replace our beloved ranch, it’s nostalgic for me. Whenever it’s on hand, I can’t resist using it.

Did you know that you can turn Thousand Island salad dressing into Russian dressing? Add ½ teaspoon of plain or sweet paprika and 2 teaspoons of horseradish to the recipe below. Feel free to adjust both to taste.

We use Thousand Island or Russian dressing on these Reuben Sliders and in this Corned Beef Dip. Both of which disappear about as quickly as I can serve them!

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Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, and red pepper are delightfully brightened by fresh lemon juice in this Zesty Italian Dressing. So simple to make, it’s ready in just a few minutes!

Italian Dressing Marinade for Chicken

This dressing is fabulous on salads. And, it is also makes an awesome marinade for chicken, too. You don’t need to change a thing. Just shake it together, pour it over the chicken, and let it marinate.

You can use this zesty Italian dressing recipe on a pasta salad, too. Just add enough dressing to make it shiny when you toss it. The pasta doesn’t need to swim in it. Give it a bit of time to rest in the fridge and the flavors will mingle beautifully.

Is Italian Dressing Gluten Free?

For those of you with gluten concerns, I’ve got good news! While most big brands may contain gluten, this recipe makes a 100% gluten-free Italian salad dressing. And, it tastes better than anything you’ll find on store shelves.

This simple Italian dressing works just as well with gluten-free noodles. Or, give Zucchini Noodles a try for a refreshing twist in your favorite pasta salad.

Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe

• olive oil
• Dijon mustard
• lemon juice
• garlic cloves
• oregano
• red pepper flakes
• salt and pepper

Sweet and slightly tangy, this creamy poppyseed dressing recipe has had a regular home in our refrigerator for several years now. Easy to make and adaptable as can be, this is the best poppy seed dressing I’ve ever tasted.

Creamy Poppyseed Dressing

For years, I bought a store-bought poppy seed salad dressing faithfully. I was brand loyal and swore by a specific one, buying it on a regular basis.

A while back, I started making homemade versions of some of our favorite dressings and decided to see if I could duplicate a poppyseed salad dressing.

What are poppy seeds? They’re the small black seeds from poppy flowers that are often sprinkled onto or into breads and cakes. Poppyseeds are also the shining stars of this salad dressing. While often spelled as two words “poppy seeds,” technically it is one word.

My whole family agrees this is even better than the original bottled version; it has completely replaced the store bought stuff in our house.

This recipe for poppy seed dressing was inspired by this spinach salad with poppyseed dressing that Jenn at My Tiny Oven shared many years ago and the dressing has become a family favorite.

Making tangy-sweet creamy poppy seed dressing at home is as easy as can be. This recipe uses a base of mayonnaise and milk for its creamy base. White wine vinegar and a dash of dried mustard balance the sweetness from white sugar perfectly.

Of course, a couple of heaping spoonfuls of poppyseeds give the dressing its signature flavor and appearance. As easy as it is, there’s something extra fancy feeling about this Berry Pecan Salad when it’s drizzled with creamy poppyseed dressing.

Poppyseed Dressing Ingredients

• mayo
• milk
• sugar
• white wine vinegar
• poppy seeds
• dry mustard
• kosher salt

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