Your healthy Southwest Salad gets a major upgrade with this homemade dressing made with ranch, onion powder, and garlic powder. Make it spicy with Chipotles in adobo sauce and/or cayenne pepper if you wish.

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Dressing Ingredients
- Ranch Dressing, I like to use my homemade recipe. You can also use this ranch from Primal Kitchen.
- Chipotles in Adobo Sauce
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Cumin

How to Make Creamy Southwest Dressing
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Combine ranch, chipotles in adobo sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin in a bowl. Stir until mixed well.


How to Substitute Chipotles in Adobo Sauce in the Dressing
You can use your favorite hot sauce. You can also use fresh tomatoes and smoked paprika (season to your taste).
How to Make it Spicy
Add cayenne pepper to make it spicy. Feel free to add enough to suit your taste.

How to Store the Dressing/How Long it Will Last in the Fridge
Store the dressing tightly sealed and covered in the fridge. It will last up to a week.
What to Pair with the Dressing
Southwest Salad
Healthy Breakfast Salad
Green Goddess Cobb Salad
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Garlic
Italian Vinaigrette Homemade Dressing
Mango Habanero Sauce

Creamy Southwest Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspooon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1-3 tablespoons chipotles in adobo sauce Start with 1 tablespoon. Taste repeatedly and adjust as necessary.
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a jar or bowl. Stir until creamy.
- You can use a food processor or blender if you want to smooth out the chipotles. I like the texture of the dressing without blending.
Sara
Monday 21st of February 2022
Recipe is FANTASTIC. I used your homemade ranch as the base. Definitely will be making this again in the future!
staysnatched
Sunday 27th of February 2022
Yum! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Ashley
Sunday 20th of February 2022
This dressing is amazing! I could honestly drink it with a straw! Used PK Ranch as a base but planning on using Brandi's ranch recipe as a base next time, which will probably be tomorrow because this batch will not last long!
staysnatched
Sunday 27th of February 2022
Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Emily
Thursday 17th of February 2022
So easy to make and so much better than store bought!
staysnatched
Sunday 27th of February 2022
I'm glad you think so.
cristina
Sunday 6th of February 2022
Finally made this dressing recipe and it is my new favorite! I made it using Brandi’s from scratch ranch recipe linked in this post and I am never going back. It was easy and most ingredients I already had - better than any store bought dressing I’ve used before. Will become a home staple for me. Must try!
staysnatched
Monday 7th of February 2022
I'm so glad to hear it will become a staple!
Cassandra H
Thursday 3rd of February 2022
We use adobo peppers in chipotle sauce regularly but I always have leftovers that end up going bad. This is the perfect recipe to use up the end of the can!!!! We have been using it for salads, fries, chicken tenders, to dip veggies, you came it! It is a nice change from your everyday basic dressings and simple to make!!!
staysnatched
Friday 4th of February 2022
I'm glad to hear it's simple!