Blackened Ranch Sauce (Popeye's Copycat)

Jump to Recipe

This Blackened Ranch Sauce is the ultimate condiment for any protein as well as roasted or grilled vegetables. A copycat recipe of the famous Popeye's sauce, it's so easy to make at home with mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk and a handful of spices.

Dipping a potato chip into blackened ranch sauce.

Feeling saucy and ready to jazz up mealtime at your house? This blackened ranch sauce truly has it all! A replica of the famous Popeyes blackened ranch sauce, this tasty version is made with a handful of simple ingredients and is packed with delicious, zesty flavor.

It's quick and easy to mix together and so versatile. It pairs perfectly with everything from fried chicken to fresh veggies. Whether you serve it as a dip, sauce, spread or dressing, we promise you'll want to make this fast-food copycat...fast!

Save The Recipe!

Add your email below and we’ll send it straight to your inbox+ you’ll receive all our newest recipes!

If you love this idea and want even more ranch in your recipe repertoire, try some of our other favorite ranch recipes: Homemade Ranch Seasoning, Ranch Country Style Ribs and Garlicky Ranch Roasted Potatoes.

Table of Contents

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy Sauce: Using just a handful of ingredients you probably already have on hand, then simply mixing together, this sauce comes together in just minutes.
Versatile: Serve this with any protein, any fried snacks (our favorite are chicken tenders), as dip for veggies or even a dressing for salad
Packed with Flavor: Made with tangy buttermilk and simple seasonings from your pantry, this sauce hits all the flavor notes!
"Takeout" At Home: This easy homemade sauce is a great way to get that signature "takeout" flavor, but at home, with a version that's just as tasty but healthier and more affordable.

What is Blackened Ranch Sauce?

Blackened ranch sauce is a rich and creamy ranch-like sauce packed with spices, seasonings and flavor. You probably know it from the popular fried chicken chain and this is our replica of the original!

Ours is made with similar ingredients like tangy buttermilk, sour cream and mayonnaise, plus a handful dried spices and bold blackened seasoning. It's the perfect condiment for not just fried chicken, but any protein, a spread for sandwiches and wraps, a dip for veggies, and even a dressing for salads.

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card Below

Mayonnaise: One of the base ingredients for this sauce. It's rich and flavorful and we recommend using the real stuff - skip the light mayo or a sweet version
Sour Cream: Another base ingredient, this adds extra tang and creaminess. We recommend using full fat.
Buttermilk: This adds another tangy flavor note and helps to thin out the sauce.
Blackened Seasoning: Gives this sauce it's signature bold, zesty flavor - find a variety of brands and versions in the spice section at any grocery store.
Dried Parsley: Adds a nice, subtle earthy note and a fleck of color.
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: Savory spices to add a sharp flavor and bite to the sauce.
Smoked Paprika: Gives the sauce a nice smoked flavor and a nice light pink hue.
Dried Dill Weed: Adds a nice grassy note to the sauce, plus a little fleck of color.
Salt: Seasons the sauce and brings all of the ingredients together
White Pepper: Slightly more mild than black pepper, this brings a bright, earthy flavor to the sauce.
Cayenne Pepper: Adds a touch of heat! Add more if you like an extra kick.

Ingredients displayed to make blackened ranch sauce.

How to Make Blackened Ranch Sauce

Add mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk to a large mixing bowl. Whisk until well combined.

Whisking mayo, buttermilk and sour cream in a bowl.

Add the spices, and whisk again. Once well combined, transfer to an airtight container fitted with a lid.

Adding dried herbs to a bowl of mayo, buttermilk and sour cream.

Allow the sauce to refrigerate at least 30 minutes prior to serving to allow time for the flavors to marry.

Tips and Substitutions

Salt To Taste. Salt and taste as you go. Some blackened seasoning blends already have salt in them.
For a thicker sauce, add more mayonnaise. If you're using this sauce as a condiment to dip into to, or as a spread, add another tablespoon or two of mayo.
To thin the sauce, add buttermilk. If you're serving this sauce as a dip or dressing for veggies or salad, just add more buttermilk until it reaches a thinner consistency.
No buttermilk? No problem. Substitute it with milk and vinegar, instead. Just add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes. This will give you a similar consistency and flavor as buttermilk!
Lighten-up. If you'd like a lighter version of this sauce, substitute in plain Greek yogurt for mayonnaise. It's extra tangy and creamy, and just as delicious.
Let the flavors meld. After combining everything together, let the sauce sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and marry. Don't skip this step!

What to Serve with Blackened Ranch Sauce

The best part about this sauce is it's so versatile and goes well with almost anything!

Fried Chicken: One of the most popular (and a personal favorite!) way to enjoy this sauce is with crispy, crunchy fried chicken. It goes great as a sauce for chicken tenders and chicken wings, too.
Any Protein: It doesn't stop with chicken! This sauce pairs well with grilled steak, chicken thighs, seared shrimp and fish, or even a roasted pork tenderloin.
Sandwiches and Wraps: Use this as a spread on any of your favorite sandwiches or wraps in places of your usual condiments.
Burgers or Tacos: Same thing here, spread this sauce on a burger or as a drizzle on tacos - with fried shrimp or fish would be delicious!
Veggies and Crudite: Serve this sauce as a dip or dressing with fresh vegetables or with a crudite platter.
Salads: Thin out this sauce to make a dressing, and drizzle it over top a salad.
Here are some of our favorite recipes:

Storage Instructions

One of our favorite things about this recipe is you'll have leftovers to use over and over again! Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

FAQs

What is Popeyes Blackened Ranch made of?

The infamous Popeyes Blackened Ranch is made with full fat mayonnaise, sour cream and buttermilk, and mix of dried spices like garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, dill weed, blackened seasoning, salt and pepper.

What is the difference between ranch and blackened ranch?

Both are made with with similar ingredients, but traditional ranch isn't made with blackened seasoning. The blackened seasoning gives this blackened ranch sauce its' signature, bold, spiced flavor.

What can I substitute for buttermilk in the ranch sauce?

If you're out of buttermilk, no problem! Substitute milk and vinegar or lemon juice - mix one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with one cup of milk, stir, and let it sit for five minutes. You can also use plain yogurt with milk. All of these options will give you a similar tangy flavor and consistency to buttermilk.

Can I use ranch seasoning instead of individual spices?

Sure! Ranch seasoning blends usually have similar spices in them. You can always add a few extra spices to an already made seasoning blend and packet, too.

What is blackened seasoning?

Blackened seasoning in a spice mix usually made up of a combination of: chili powders, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, dried thyme, dried oregano, dried basil, and dried thyme. You can find blackened seasoning mixes in most grocery stores, in the spice aisle.

More Ranch Recipes

If you love ranch recipes like we do, here are a few of our other favorites to try:

Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe

5 from 3 votes