Traditional creamy Buttermilk Ranch Dressing gets a spicy kick using New Mexico Red Chile Powder.
I’m beginning to think that a pinch of New Mexico Red Chile Powder makes every single piece of food better. I’ve been sprinkling it on beans, over chicken, on beef, dousing pork with it, and now adding it to salad dressing. Everyone’s favorite Ranch Dressing gets a big kick with a hefty helping of dried New Mexican Red Chile.
On our recent trip to New Mexico, we had lunch at the famous James Beard Award Winning Rancho de Chimayo. Chimayo, New Mexico is located on the High Road between Santa Fe and Taos.
The restaurant is in a restored family home, and when we walked in, their warm hospitality made me feel like we were being welcomed into someone’s home.
The cuisine is traditional Northern New Mexican, and Carne Adovada is what put them on the map and earned them the James Beard Award. It’s a pork dish smothered in a rich red New Mexico sauce and served with rice and hominy. It’s an absolutely wonderful dish that defines the spirit of New Mexico cuisine. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.
At their gift shop, I purchased a bag of New Mexico Red Chile Powder, a jar of their adovada sauce and their cookbook. I had been wondering what to add to Ranch Dressing to make it Southwest. New Mexico Red Chile Powder provided the answer. This Red Chile Ranch Dressing is a featured recipe in the Rancho de Chimayo Cookbook.
I used my Homemade Ranch Dressing recipe to make this spicy dressing, you can also use a package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix like their recipe calls for. An affiliate link has been provided for your convenience.
This dressing also made a great Southwestern dip for potato chips, and would also work as a sauce for tacos. That’s next up.
Recipe for Red Chile Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
I hope you give this buttermilk ranch dressing recipe a try. And if you do, please come back and let me know how you liked it and give the recipe a star rating.
Your feedback is valuable to me for developing future recipes. And if you have a favorite spicy salad dressing recipe, let me know, I’d love to give it a try.
My new "house" dressing. Creamy Ranch Dressing gets a dose of New Mexico Red Chile Powder for an exciting new flavor.
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 (1 ounce) Package Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing
- 3-4 teaspoons New Mexico Red Chile
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together. Will keep in a sealed container for 5 days.
Makes 2 Cups
Looking for more creamy homemade dressings? Take a look at:
The Creamiest Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
Larry says
October 27, 2017 at 6:45 amI like it but would never have thought to add chile powder to ranch dressing.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 28, 2017 at 8:39 amThat’s because you haven’t recently been to New Mexico. 🙂
Stephanie says
October 27, 2017 at 8:12 pmYum, this sounds delicious! I love ranch dressing, this sounds like a great addition to it!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 28, 2017 at 8:38 amThanks Stephanie
Angela Tolsma says
October 27, 2017 at 9:05 pmThis sounds so amazing! I have been looking for a new dressing to mix up my weekly salads! Something spicy would be awesome!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 28, 2017 at 8:38 amThanks Angela. Let me know how you like it.
ChrissyAdventures says
October 28, 2017 at 8:09 amThis recipe rocks! I love buttermilk ranch dressing and I sprinkle cayenne pepper on everything. Your recipe combines the best of both worlds!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 28, 2017 at 8:38 amHi Chrissy, Thank you so much for the visit and the comment.
Jen Temcio says
October 29, 2017 at 3:27 pmRancho de Chimayo sounds like a fantastic restaurant that is really doing food right! Hidden Valley is my favorite ranch dressing mix and I love adding spicy ingredients. Ill try the chile powder you suggested and see how that tastes!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 31, 2017 at 6:25 amRancho de Chimayo is a special place. I hope you can go sometime.
mjskitchen says
October 29, 2017 at 7:36 pmEvery once in a while I have to go to Chimayo just to eat there. Good choice on the carne. It’s my favorite! Love what you chose to do with some of the red chile powder. Took Ranch dressing up a few notches. 🙂
Lea Ann Brown says
October 31, 2017 at 6:25 amThanks MJ. We really liked that restaurant. I can’t wait to go back.
AnnMarie John says
October 29, 2017 at 7:50 pmThat looks amazing. I think that restaurant is a must try! I love adding spice to my food and this ranch dressing recipe is a must try for me.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 31, 2017 at 6:24 amIt’s a special place. Thanks AnnMarie
Aitza B says
October 29, 2017 at 11:14 pmOooh I bet this would pair well with wings on a game night.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 31, 2017 at 6:23 amGreat idea! Why didn’t I think of that. 🙂
Thena says
October 30, 2017 at 12:18 amLooks amazing. I love making everything homemade. So much healthier and better for you!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 31, 2017 at 6:23 amI couldn’t agree more! 🙂
Cynthia says
October 30, 2017 at 2:56 amThis looks awesome and looks exactly like something I ate yesterday and had me wondering what was it: I couldn’t stop my sushi cravings so we went for vegetarian sushi, and they gave us a delicious sauce that I’m thinking is very similar to this one! I looove spicy things, so I’m sure I will enjoy this!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 31, 2017 at 6:23 amI hope you give it a try. Thanks Cynthia
Brandi says
October 30, 2017 at 9:33 amNow this is my kind of dressing. I love that the recipe looks easy to make.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 31, 2017 at 6:21 amThanks Brandi – it is easy. I hope you give it a try.
Michael @ Super Millennial says
October 30, 2017 at 9:40 amLove spicy mayo and spicy ranch. Never made on my own can’t wait to try this!
Lea Ann Brown says
October 31, 2017 at 6:21 amThanks Michael – let me know what you think.
David Elliott says
October 30, 2017 at 11:48 pmLooks and sounds like a delicious dressing. I know I would have wanted this as a dipping sauce today. I will have to try this out.
Lea Ann Brown says
October 31, 2017 at 6:20 amThanks David. My husband loved this for a dip for potato chips.
Jake Ferrer says
November 2, 2017 at 4:24 amOh this looks so delicious! My husband love this kind of dressing. I will make this for him. Thanks for sharing.
Lea Ann Brown says
November 5, 2017 at 6:29 amLet me know what he thinks!
Debra Eliotseats says
November 4, 2017 at 5:11 pmAmazing sounding dressing. I’ve been putting green chili powder on everything. Every time we’ve been to Chimayo the restaurant has been closed (either by that horrific fire many years ago or b/c it’s a holiday). That meal looks delicious!
Lea Ann Brown says
November 5, 2017 at 6:36 amI have absolutely know idea how I returned from NM without any green powder. geeeeeez.
click here says
October 31, 2018 at 11:05 pmThe restaurant is in a restored family home, and when we walked in, their warm hospitality made me feel like we were being welcomed into someone’s home.
Lea Ann Brown says
November 1, 2018 at 8:22 amI totally agree about that home-style hospitality. We loved the place.
Louise Fadness says
June 16, 2019 at 2:56 pmOMG, Lee Ann, I ate at Rancho de Chimayo while visiting Santa Fe and Taos between May 14-21. I would have loved meeting you in person. The restaurant was wonderful, as was the village and chapel. In fact, I fell in love with New Mexican cuisine, which was different than I expected. My friends who live in Rio Rancho insist that their cuisine is not Tex-Mex or Southwest; it’s very specific. I enjoyed the quesadillas at Rancho as my meal since the serving was enormous. The delightful waitress was very helpful and suggsted that, instead of choosing either chicken or beef, that I mix them. Wow, what a fabulous combination! And the pinon coffee capped the meal perfectly. I left my heart in NM and will return! Now I must try this dressing!
Louise Fadness says
June 16, 2019 at 3:05 pmRancho de Chimayo has a website to order their specialty items, including red or green chili powder, sauces, coffee, and honey. Check it out: http://ranchodechimayo.com.nmsrv.com/tienda/specialty_foods.htm