Cafe Rio Creamy Tomatillo Ranch Dressing (2024)

Ingredients

• Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Mix — Use the dry mix. You can find it in packets and also in larger shakers.
• Buttermilk — Responsible for making the dressing creamy and thick, you’ll not want to skip on this step. Purchase a smaller container of buttermilk if you don’t think you’ll use the whole thing or want any leftovers. You can use the store brand, it works just fine.
• Mayo — I use reduced fat mayo to lighten it a little bit. You can also use regular mayo or even the avocado oil mayo.
• Water — Helps to thin out the dressing. I use the water from my fridge or tap.
• Tomatillos — You can’t have this tomatillo ranch dressing without the tomatillos. Take the husks off first and then rough chop them tomatillos before putting into the blender.
• Cilantro — Just the leaves, give them a rough chop as well before blending.
• Minced garlic — Mince your own garlic or use the minced garlic from a jar.
• Jalapeño — I de-seed mine and chop it up a bit before blending with the other ingredients.
• Lime juice — Fresh lime juice is always best but you can use bottled if that’s all you have.

Here’s How You Make It

I almost feel as though there should be zero directions for making this Cafe Rio copycat dressing. It’s so easy! Are you ready for it? Here goes:

1. Add all of the ingredients to a blender and pulse 2-3 minutes or until the tomatillo ranch is smooth and creamy. Stir in any extra water you may need 1 tablespoon at to reach desired consistency.
2. Chill at least one hour before use and store in the fridge in an airtight container.

Expert Tips & Tricks

• This Cafe Rio creamy tomatillo ranch dressing recipe makes about 2 cups of dressing. To make more, double or even quadruple.
• If you’ve purchased too many tomatillos, don’t worry. Tomatillos are easy to keep. Simply put any you have not husked in the fridge for 1-2 weeks or keep ones that still have the husks on in the fridge for up to a month.
• If you’d like to add a little spice to this dressing, leave the seeds in the jalapeno, or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• This Cafe Rio creamy tomatillo ranch dressing will keep in the fridge for up to two weeks. It will not freeze well as ingredients can separate.

What is Cafe Rio?

Is It Okay to Eat Raw Tomatillos?

Although raw tomatillos will taste sour, and have a dry, firm texture, it’s okay to eat them. Cooking them helps to eliminate that sourness. Most tomatillos are imported from Mexico. They’re easy to grow in warmer climates though if you want to try growing your own.

Does Homemade Ranch Go Bad?