Making your own ranch dressing is pretty simple.

The key ingredients are buttermilk and mayonnaise. Most recipes also call for garlic, onion and chopped fresh dill, and from there they diverge.

The recipe here makes a fairly thick dressing you can also use as a dip. Thin with buttermilk if you wish.

Without preservatives, homemade lasts about a week in the refrigerator.

Homemade ranch dressing

1large garlic clove, or more to taste

1/2teaspoon coarse salt

1/4teaspoon cracked pepper

1cup buttermilk

1/2cup mayonnaise

1teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1tablespoon chopped fresh dill, or more to taste

2green onions, finely sliced

Peel the garlic, smash with the flat side of a knife and mash with the salt and pepper in a mortar or with a fork. Place in a blender or food processor with the buttermilk and mayonnaise; pulse to blend. With machine running, add the lemon juice, dill and onion. Refrigerate at least 2 hours for flavors to mature. Taste for seasoning, adjusting with garlic or onion powder if needed.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups.