Are you obsessed with the Kickin Ranch sauce down at Jimmy Johns?
Are you ready to take ranch dressing to the next level?
Then you need to check out this Jimmy Johns Kickin Ranch Sauce recipe!
This addictive sauce combines the creamy goodness of traditional ranch with spicy peppers, smoky barbecue sauce, and just enough tang to wake up your tastebuds.
Packed with flavor, it’s sure to please even the most die-hard Ranch-heads out there!
And now you don’t have to run to Jimmy Johns the next time a craving hits you.
Below I’ve put together an authentic-tasting Jimmy Johns Kickin Ranch Sauce recipe that you can have ready in minutes.
So if you believe everything tastes better with a little ranch – read on for the best Jimmy Johns Kickin Ranch Sauce recipe.
What Do You Need To Make Jimmy Johns Kickin Ranch Sauce
Ingredients
Fresh Garlic
Garlic intensifies the taste of your ranch sauce.
Feel free to substitute garlic powder if you don’t have any fresh cloves on hand.
However, I wouldn’t recommend garlic salt as it tends to overwhelm the other flavors.
Mayonnaise
Homemade is best for its rich, creamy taste, but you can use your favorite brand.
Hellman’s is an excellent choice if you don’t want to make your own.
Buttermilk
Adds creaminess and a distinctive tang.
I recommend using fresh, but in a pinch, you can make your own by adding a tablespoon of distilled white vinegar to a cup of milk.
Hot Cherry Peppers
The peppers turn ordinary ranch into kickin’ ranch.
Pickled Jalapenos
Add another dimension of spice.
Add two teaspoons of the jalapeno liquid for even more kick.
Apple Cider Vinegar
The acid balances out the other flavors and gives your sauce more depth.
Feel free to experiment with different kinds of vinegar to change the tang.
Balsamic is a surprisingly good choice. The sweetness pairs well with the other spices.
Barbecue Sauce
Deepens the flavors with its sweet, smoky taste. Use your favorite brand or make your own.
Ranch Seasoning Mix
Use the recipe included below for a delicious ranch seasoning mix that has the authentic taste of Jimmy Johns.
Or feel free to use your favorite brand – Hidden Valley is an excellent choice.
Salt and Ground Black Pepper
The final touch that brings everything together. Use sparingly so you don’t over-season your sauce.
Equipment
- Non-reactive mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Blender
How To Make Jimmy Johns Kickin Ranch Sauce
Step One: First, peel the garlic, remove the stems from the hot cherry and jalapeno peppers, and place them in a blender. Blend until they make a smooth paste and set aside.
Step Two: Next, add the remaining ingredients to a non-reactive bowl and whisk well.
Step Three: Then, pour the pepper-garlic mixture into the mayonnaise sauce and whisk until well incorporated.
Step Four: Taste and adjust any of the ingredients.
Step Five: Season with salt and pepper.
Enjoy!
Other Things To Consider When Making Jimmy Johns Kickin Ranch Sauce
You Can Customize Your Sauce
While this Jimmy Johns Kickin Ranch Sauce recipe tastes great just as it is, it’s easy to change the ingredients to change the flavor.
For example, add a couple of teaspoons of sriracha for a spicier ranch.
Or add your favorite mustard, like yellow or Dijon, to give your sauce more tang.
While adding fresh onion will deepen the flavor.
Adding fresh lemon juice or lemon zest will give it some zing.
Feel free to change the chilis to change the heat. I like using chipotles in adobo sauce for a delicious Southwestern-inspired ranch dressing.
So go ahead and have fun experimenting.
Who knows? You may discover a better-tasting version than the original.
What Can I Eat With Jimmy Johns Kickin Ranch Sauce?
This Jimmy Johns Kickin Ranch Sauce recipe turns any sandwich into a Kickin Classic!
But with so much flavor, you’ll be looking for more ways to enjoy this tangy sauce.
- Of course, it makes a delicious salad dressing.
- Or use it as a dipping sauce for chicken nuggets and crispy wings.
- Fried chicken and kickin’ ranch – a match that’ll make your taste buds sing!
- Delicious drizzled over grilled vegetables.
- Tired of burger sauces that taste like relish? Swap it out for this spicy ranch.
- Serve as a tasty veggie dip.
- Take your rice to the next level by adding a couple of tablespoons while cooking. The rice will absorb the flavor, and your guests will beg to know your secret.
- Substitute sour cream for the mayonnaise to make a thicker dip that tastes great with potato chips.
- Pizza and ranch dressing – need I say more? Yum!
Make More Than You Need!
If your house is anything like mine, you’ll never have enough of this tangy sauce.
So go ahead and double the recipe.
Extra sauce will stay fresh in the fridge for a couple of weeks. However, like most mayo-based sauces, it doesn’t freeze well.
Jimmy Johns Kickin Ranch Sauce Recipe
This imitation Jimmy Johns Kickin Ranch Sauce Recipe is just like the original - creamy, spicy, sweet and tangy!
Ingredients
- 6 cloves of fresh garlic, peeled
- 2 hot cherry peppers
- 2 pickled jalapeno peppers
- 2 cups of mayonnaise
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix (see recipe below)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- First, peel the garlic, remove the stems from the hot cherry and jalapeno peppers, and place them into a blender. Blend until they form a smooth paste. Set aside.
- Next, add the mayonnaise, buttermilk, apple cider vinegar, barbecue sauce, and ranch seasoning mix to a non-reactive bowl and whisk well.
- Pour the garlic-pepper mixture into the mayonnaise and whisk until well blended.
- Taste your ranch dressing and adjust any of the ingredients.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
- 2 tablespoons of dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes
- 2 teaspoons dried chives
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and mix well.
- Store the extra ranch dressing mix in an airtight container in the pantry for up to six months.
Variations
- Like a stronger kick? Add a pinch (or two) of ground cayenne pepper.
- Add your favorite mustard, like yellow or Dijon, to give your ranch more tang.
- Add ½ a yellow or white onion to the garlic and peppers while blending for a more savory flavor.
- Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice for a bit of zing.
- Substitute sour cream for half (or all) of the mayonnaise for a thicker ranch dressing that makes an excellent spicy dip.
- Don't have time to make your own ranch dressing mix? Go ahead and use your favorite packet.
- Add fresh herbs, like thyme, oregano, rosemary, or chives.
- Change the peppers to change the heat - I like to substitute chipotles in adobo sauce for the pickled jalapenos.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 155Total Fat: 14gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 310mgCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1g
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Hello, I’m Jeremy, a sauce enthusiast and taste trailblazer! My endless pursuit of new flavors has led me on a journey to master sauce making at home, along with try out a range of exciting brands and sauce offerings. Now I share my recipes, tips and recommendations on WeWantTheSauce to help fellow foodies find the perfect sauces.