Easy Wingstop Ranch Copycat Recipe – Creamy Homemade Dipping Sauce

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Better-Than-Takeout Copycat Wingstop Ranch (Easy at Home!)

If you’ve ever dipped a hot, crispy wing into that cool, creamy Wingstop ranch, you know it’s on a whole different level. It’s rich, tangy, garlicky, and somehow tastes better than the bottled ranch at the store. Today, we’re making a simple copycat Wingstop ranch recipe you can whip up in about 5 minutes with basic ingredients. No special tools. No weird powders. Just good old-fashioned creamy ranch you can pour, dip, or drizzle on everything.

A Little Background: Wingstop & Their Famous Ranch

Wingstop is known for bold, saucy wings and that extra-cool, ultra-creamy ranch on the side. The ranch is thick enough to cling to a wing, but smooth enough to drizzle over fries or veggie sticks. It’s:
  • Cool and creamy from buttermilk and mayo
  • Rich and smooth with a silky mouthfeel
  • Herby and garlicky without being too overpowering
  • Salty and tangy in just the right balance
This recipe is a homemade approximation of that famous flavor. Wingstop’s actual recipe is proprietary and not shared publicly, so what you’ll find here is my best take based on tasting, tweaking, and lots of dipping.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Wingstop Ranch

  • 5-minute prep – Stir everything in one bowl. Done.
  • Simple pantry ingredients – Nothing fancy or hard to find.
  • Thick & dippable – Perfect for wings, fries, and pizza.
  • Easy to customize – Make it lighter, dairy-free, or extra garlicky.
And honestly, once you taste this version, you might stop buying bottled ranch altogether.

Copycat Wingstop Ranch Recipe

Creamy homemade Wingstop ranch copycat in a white bowl, topped with herbs and served with wings, carrots, and celery sticks.
Easy homemade Wingstop ranch copycat—creamy, thick, and perfect for wings, fries, veggies, and dipping

Yield: About 1 1/2 cups (roughly 8 servings, 2 Tbsp each)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time (recommended): 30–60 minutes

Ingredients

Optional for extra “Wingstop style” flavor:
  • 1–2 Tbsp additional buttermilk if you like it a bit looser
  • 1 tsp dried parsley for more herby specks

Homemade Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix (Optional but Recommended)

If you don’t want to use a packet, mix this in a small bowl and measure from it:
  • 2 Tbsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp dried dill weed
  • 1 tsp dried chives (optional but great)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
Use about 1 1/2 Tbsp of this mix in the recipe, then adjust to taste.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Copycat Wingstop Ranch

Step 1: Start with a Big Bowl

Add to a medium mixing bowl:
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
Whisk until smooth and fully combined. It should look thick but pourable.

Step 2: Add the Seasonings

Whisk in:
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp dry ranch seasoning (packet or homemade)
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Pinch of salt
Taste it. If you want:
  • More garlic kick: Add another pinch of garlic powder.
  • More tang: Add a splash more buttermilk.
  • More herbs: Sprinkle in extra dried parsley or dill.

Step 3: Adjust the Thickness

If your ranch is too thick, whisk in:
  • 1–2 Tbsp extra buttermilk, a little at a time.
If it’s too thin, add:
  • 1–2 Tbsp mayonnaise or sour cream, then whisk again.
Aim for a texture that coats the back of a spoon and slowly drips off.

Step 4: Chill for Best Flavor

Cover the bowl tightly (or transfer to a jar with a lid) and refrigerate for at least:
  • 30 minutes – good
  • 1–2 hours – even better
This resting time lets the dried herbs soften and the flavors blend, giving you that rich, restaurant-style taste.

Step 5: Serve and Store Safely

Serve your ranch:
  • With hot wings and fries
  • As a veggie dip (carrots, celery, cucumbers)
  • On pizza, burgers, or sandwiches
  • As a salad dressing (thin with a bit more buttermilk if needed)
Food safety & storage:
  • Keep refrigerated at or below 40°F.
  • Use within 5–7 days.
  • Do not leave sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if above 90°F).
There’s no cooking in this recipe, so no internal temperature to check, but keep it cold, and always return leftovers to the fridge promptly.

Nutrition Info (Approximate, Per 2 Tbsp Serving)

These numbers are estimates and will vary depending on specific brands:
  • Calories: ~120
  • Fat: ~13g
  • Saturated Fat: ~2.5g
  • Carbohydrates: ~1g
  • Protein: ~1g
  • Sugar: <1g li="">
  • Sodium: ~200–250mg
If you want to lighten it up, see the variations below.

Simple Shortcuts & Time-Saving Tips

Want to make this even easier? Try one of these quick options.

1. Two-Minute Shortcut Ranch

When you’re in a rush and don’t care about being super exact:
  • 1 cup store-bought ranch dressing
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1–2 Tbsp buttermilk (as needed)
  • Extra garlic powder and pepper to taste
Whisk it all together. This “boosts” a regular bottled ranch to be richer, thicker, and closer to that Wingstop-style taste.

2. Blender or Jar Method

Don’t want to use a whisk?
  • Add everything to a mason jar, screw on the lid, and shake until smooth.
  • Or toss it in a small blender and pulse a few times. (Don’t over-blend or it can get foamy.)

Variations for Different Diets & Allergies

Everyone should be able to enjoy good ranch. Here are some simple swaps.

Gluten-Free

Good news: This copycat ranch is usually naturally gluten-free, but:
  • Check your dry ranch packet or seasoning mix label for hidden gluten.
  • Use certified gluten-free spices if you’re very sensitive.

Dairy-Free

To make a dairy-free “ranch-style” dip:
  • Replace mayonnaise with a dairy-free mayo.
  • Swap buttermilk for unsweetened almond milk or oat milk plus 1–2 tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
  • Use a dairy-free sour cream or more dairy-free mayo.
The texture will still be creamy, but the flavor will be a bit different. Adjust garlic, salt, and herbs to your taste.

Vegetarian

Most mayonnaise is already vegetarian (made with eggs but no meat), so this recipe is usually vegetarian-friendly. If you avoid eggs:
  • Use a vegan mayo instead of regular mayonnaise.

Vegan

To make a vegan ranch-style dip:
  • Use vegan mayonnaise.
  • Use plant-based milk (like soy or oat) with 1–2 tsp vinegar or lemon juice to mimic buttermilk tang.
  • Skip dairy sour cream or use a vegan sour cream.
Season generously—vegan bases can be a little milder, so don’t be shy with garlic, herbs, and salt.

Lighter / Lower-Calorie Version

To shave off some calories:
  • Use light mayonnaise and/or light sour cream.
  • Increase the buttermilk slightly to thin it out instead of adding more mayo.
The texture will be a bit looser, but it still makes a great salad dressing or veggie dip.

How to Serve Your Copycat Wingstop Ranch

This homemade ranch goes with almost everything. Try it with:
  • Buffalo wings or any flavor of chicken wings
  • French fries, curly fries, or tater tots
  • Pizza crust (yes, dip that crust!)
  • Veggie platters – carrots, celery, bell peppers, cucumbers
  • Loaded baked potatoes or potato skins
  • Salads – especially chicken bacon ranch or BBQ chicken salads
If you’re hosting a game day party, make a double batch. You’ll be surprised how fast it disappears.

Let’s Talk: Did This Taste Like Wingstop Ranch to You?

Everyone’s taste buds are a little different. Some people like their ranch extra garlicky, others want more tang or more herbs. After you try this copycat Wingstop ranch:
  • Did you tweak anything?
  • Did you go heavier on the garlic or pepper?
  • Did you find a brand of mayo or buttermilk that nailed the flavor?
Scroll down and share your experience in the comments—your version might help someone else get their perfect dip, too. And if you know a friend who always orders extra ranch with their wings, send them this recipe so they can make a big batch at home.

Important Disclaimers

  • This is a homemade copycat recipe inspired by Wingstop ranch dressing. It is not the actual Wingstop recipe, and we have no knowledge of their proprietary formula or exact ingredients.
  • Simply Copycat Recipes is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wingstop. All trademarks and names belong to their respective owners.
  • Nutrition values are approximate and for informational purposes only. Please consult your own labels and health professionals as needed.
  • Simply Copycat Recipes is an Amazon Associate and may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you when you use our affiliate links. This helps support the site and allows us to keep sharing free recipes.
If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to bookmark it, share it, and drop a comment with how it turned out. Happy dipping!
Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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