Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup ranch dressing (thick style)
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional but recommended)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives or green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional additions: 2-3 tablespoons cooked, crumbled bacon; ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper for heat
Instructions
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, add the ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, and sour cream. These three ingredients form the foundation of your dip.
- Add Seasonings: Sprinkle in the garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika (if using), and black pepper. These seasonings add depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
- Mix Thoroughly: Using a whisk or sturdy spoon, stir all ingredients together until completely smooth and uniform. Make sure there are no streaks of ranch or BBQ sauce remaining—you want a beautiful, consistent color throughout. This should take about 1-2 minutes of stirring.
- Taste and Adjust: This is crucial! Taste your dip and adjust the flavors to your preference. Want it more BBQ-forward? Add another tablespoon or two of BBQ sauce. Prefer more ranch flavor? Add a bit more ranch. Like it tangier? Add more sour cream or a squeeze of lemon juice. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility.
- Chill (Optional but Recommended): For the best flavor, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and the dip to thicken slightly. If you’re in a hurry, you can serve immediately, but chilled is better.
- Prepare for Serving: Transfer the dip to your serving bowl. If the dip seems too thick after refrigeration (it will thicken when cold), stir in a teaspoon or two of milk or water to reach your desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the top with freshly chopped chives or green onions for color and fresh flavor. If desired, add a drizzle of BBQ sauce in a decorative pattern across the top and sprinkle with crumbled bacon. Serve with your favorite dippers and watch it disappear!
Notes
- BBQ Sauce Choice: The type of BBQ sauce you use will significantly affect the flavor. Sweet and smoky works best for most crowds, but feel free to experiment with spicy, tangy, or honey BBQ variations.
- Consistency Control: If your dip is too thick, thin it with a tablespoon of milk, buttermilk, or even a bit of water. If it’s too thin, add more ranch or sour cream.
- Make It Lighter: Use light ranch, non-fat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and reduced-sugar BBQ sauce to create a lighter version without sacrificing much flavor.
- Flavor Development: This dip genuinely tastes better after sitting for at least 30 minutes. The flavors marry together and become more cohesive.
- Bacon Addition: If adding bacon, make sure it’s completely cooled and crispy before stirring in, or it will make the dip soggy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup (approximately 60g)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg