STOP Buying These 3 Things from the Store! Here’s How to Make Them Yourself…

DIY Kitchen Staples: Homemade Butter, Mayo & Ranch Dressing

At Freedom Forest Farm, we love simplifying our kitchen routine and cutting out unnecessary store-bought products. This month, we committed to making three delicious staples ourselves—butter, mayo, and ranch dressing—and we’re sharing how you can do it too. By making these at home, you not only save money but also have full control over the ingredients. No more weird preservatives or additives!

1. How to Make Your Own Butter

Making butter is easier than you might think, and it only requires one main ingredient: heavy whipping cream. Once you’ve made the butter, you can use the leftover buttermilk for everything from pancakes to homemade ranch dressing.

Ingredients:

• 1 pint heavy whipping cream
• Salt (optional)
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pour the heavy whipping cream into the bowl of your stand mixer.
2. Start mixing on a low speed, gradually increasing to medium-high.
3. After a few minutes, the cream will thicken. Keep mixing, and eventually, the cream will separate into butter and buttermilk. This takes about 10-15 minutes.
4. Pour off the buttermilk (save it for your ranch dressing or pancakes).
5. Rinse the butter under cold water, gently pressing with a spatula to remove excess buttermilk.
6. Mix in salt or herbs if desired.
7. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Pro Tip: The buttermilk you’ve just made is great for pancakes, biscuits, or as the base for your homemade ranch dressing.

2. How to Make Homemade Mayo

Mayonnaise is one of those condiments we all use, but store-bought varieties are often full of preservatives, sugar, and other additives. Making your own at home is quick and rewarding, and you can customize the flavor to your liking.

Ingredients:

• 1 egg (at room temperature)
• 1 cup olive oil (or another oil of your choice)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Add the egg, lemon juice (or vinegar), and salt to a food processor or blender.
2. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Start with just a few drops, then gradually add the rest of the oil in a thin, steady stream. This helps emulsify the mixture and create a creamy mayo.
3. Once all the oil is incorporated, taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or lemon juice if needed.
4. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate. It should last for about a week.

Pro Tip: If you prefer a thicker mayo, use more oil. You can also experiment with different oils—avocado oil works great for a mild flavor.

3. How to Make Homemade Ranch Dressing

Now that you’ve got butter and mayo ready, it’s time to turn that buttermilk into delicious, creamy ranch dressing. Homemade ranch tastes fresher and more flavorful, and it’s so simple to whip up.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup buttermilk (from your homemade butter)
• 1 cup mayonnaise (from your homemade recipe above)
• 1 packet ranch seasoning or make your own with:
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried dill weed
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine the buttermilk, mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning.
2. Stir until everything is well-mixed. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
3. If you prefer a thicker dressing, add less buttermilk. For a thinner, pourable consistency, add more.
4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Pro Tip: Want to make your ranch even more personalized? Add fresh herbs like parsley or chives for extra flavor.

Why Make These at Home?

Making your own butter, mayo, and ranch dressing has a huge payoff. Not only do you eliminate the junk ingredients commonly found in store-bought versions, but you also get the satisfaction of creating something wholesome and fresh in your own kitchen. Plus, you can adjust the flavors to suit your tastes—whether that means extra garlic in your mayo or a sprinkle of fresh herbs in your ranch dressing.

At Freedom Forest Farm, we’re all about embracing the simple joys of home cooking. By taking a little time to make these staples yourself, you’ll reduce reliance on processed foods and feel better knowing exactly what’s going into your meals.

Ready to give it a try? Grab your ingredients, and start making these kitchen staples today. You won’t believe how easy (and delicious) it can be! And if you’re looking to take your homemade kitchen skills even further, check out our Sourdough Starter E-Book for everything you need to know about baking your own bread from scratch. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, our guide will walk you through each step to create the perfect sourdough at home.

Let us know how it goes! Have you tried making your own butter, mayo, or ranch dressing? Share your experiences in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow us for more homesteading tips and kitchen inspiration!