Kefir Ranch Dip (for all your dipping needs)

Kefir ranch dip is a wonderful way to use up an abundance of kefir and is a tasty way to sneak in probiotics. Learn how to make this kefir ranch dip to serve with the veggie platter at your next party!

A RANCH DIP RECIPE FOR WHEN YOU’RE OUT OF BUTTERMILK

I love buttermilk as much as the next person, but I don’t make it at home and seldom buy it. But, I DO make my own kefir, and since I’m the only one who drinks it at home, I always have an overabundance of it. When I don’t feel like drinking it straight–which is most of the time–I store it in the fridge and before I know it, I have a tidy stockpile if I’m not vigilant about using it. I need to buy buttermilk at the store. Kefir? I’m swimming in it. Step aside, buttermilk.

KEFIR RANCH DIP AND CRUDITÉS RECIPE VIDEO

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KEFIR RANCH DIP FOR THE WIN

The first time I made kefir ranch dip, I came close to squirrelling myself away in a room with a spoon to eat the dip like I would a half pint of ice cream. It’s that good. I’m giving you a delicious recipe so you can be the hero at your next potluck. They don’t make dips like this commercially, I’m telling you. I mean, have you ever had a dip or dressing made with kefir before? Most people haven’t, which means you’ll make quite the impression when you tell folks what kind of dip is on the veggie platter.

CAN I TURN KEFIR RANCH DIP INTO A SALAD DRESSING?

Absolutely! All you need to do is thin the kefir ranch dip out with a bit of milk until you reach your desired consistency. If you’re feeling bold, you can use kefir, but it might overpower the flavour and taste more like kefir than ranch dip.

HOW LONG CAN I STORE KEFIR RANCH DIP FOR?

The longest kefir ranch dip has survived in my fridge has been five days. We were looking for something to dip pizza crust into and even though nearly a week had passed, it was still good! In most instances, it won’t even last that long because someone will lick the bowl clean. In this case, I had whipped up a batch of dip to use up veggies lurking in the fridge, so it really wasn’t needed.

WHAT ELSE CAN I SERVE KEFIR RANCH DIP WITH?

Apart from vegetables and pizza crust, you can serve it with warm pitas, toasted naan bread, crackers and roasted potatoes. Use it as a spread on sandwiches; thin it with milk and drizzle it on top of buddha bowls; use it as a condiment. With a little imagination, there are a plethora of possibilities waiting for you to discover.

BEST PRACTICES TO KEEP IN MIND

• If you’re making kefir ranch dip in mind, cut the amount of garlic in half. As the dip has time to sit and develop its flavours, the garlic taste will become more pronounced. We’re talking serious garlic breath here!
  
• Do you ever buy a bunch of dill from the store for a single recipe, and not know what to do with the rest? Usually the dill gets shoved in a crisper drawer and then forgotten for the next three months. Want to learn a hack? Wash the dill, dry it, remove it from the stems, and stash it away in a freezer bag. Freezing excess dill saves you from wasting money (and food) and gives you a handy supply of dill for when you need it in a pinch.

NOW, LET’S TALK ABOUT VEGGIE PLATTERS

Unless you have friends and family that go the extra mile, when’s the last time you’ve seen a homemade veggie platter at an event? Most folks are in a rush, or they leave potluck planning to the very last minute. This leads to grocery story crudité platters with their subpar, chalky dips. People pick at these, but there’s nothing exciting about them.

These store bought platters are convenient, which is why they regularly make an appearance at special events. Enough is enough! Reduce plastic waste by washing your favourite vegetables, slicing them up, and arranging them on a pretty platter. You can have a beautiful fresh platter and a flavourful dip in minutes with extra veggies to munch on later.

I NEED INSPIRATION FOR MY VEGGIE TRAY

The first questions I usually ask when I’m arranging a vegetable platter is what’s in season, what’s local, and what’s on sale. Some of my favourite options include:

• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Green beans
• Radishes
• Snap peas
• Snow peas
• Zucchini

WHAT DO I DO WITH MY LEFTOVER VEGETABLES?

It happens, but sometimes we walk away from potlucks with leftovers. I don’t know about you, but I simply adore leftovers. They take the guesswork out of what I’m having for lunch or dinner, but in this case the leftovers are fresh. The possibilities! Of course, it really depends on what you put on your platter, but some of the things I would do in this situation include making a pot of rice and stir frying the leftover vegetables; whipping up a soup if it’s cool outside; or blending everything together for a green smoothie. If you have a juicer, you can juice what’s left, tossing in an apple for sweetness.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE DOING WITH YOUR KEFIR?

If you’re a milk kefir fan like I am and make your own (and if you don’t make your own, you can easily get started in your kefir making journey) how do you use it up? Do you use it in recipes like I do, or do you drink it as is? My father, for example, has a night time ritual where he drinks his milk kefir of the day and eats a grapefruit. I don’t think he’s ever used it to make kefir ranch dip, but I could be wrong! Anyhow, let me know in the comments below!

KEFIR RANCH DIP RECIPE

3 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

2 garlic cloves

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup mayo

1/4 cup kefir

1/4 tap salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tbsp chives

KEFIR RANCH DIP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add all the ingredients to a medium size bowl and mix it up.
2. Season to taste.

SHOP THIS POST

• Börner waffle slicer (this how I get my cucumbers all funky). 

MORE WAYS TO USE UP MILK KEFIR

• Brine chicken in kefir (it will blow your mind)
• Make fluffy kefir pancakes
• Bake cheesy kefir biscuits
• Whip up a batch of kefir flour tortillas

PRINT IT: KEFIR RANCH DIP RECIPE CARD

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Love and gratitude,