This Copycat Popeye’s Blackened Ranch Recipe is creamy, smoky, and packed with bold flavors! Made with mayo, buttermilk, sour cream, and spices.
You ever have one of those food moments where you take a bite and suddenly your world is just different? That was me the first time I dipped a crispy Popeye’s chicken tender into their Blackened Ranch.
At first, I thought, Okay, cool, it’s ranch. But then—bam—that smoky, slightly spicy kick hit, and I swear I had to pause and just appreciate the greatness for a second. Suddenly, I wasn’t just eating chicken tenders. I was on a flavor adventure, and the sauce was leading the way.
After that, I started hoarding those little sauce cups. I’d grab extra, stash them in the fridge, and stretch them out as long as possible—like some kind of ranch conservationist. But eventually, I ran out. And rather than making an unnecessary Popeye’s run (we’ve all been there), I decided to do what any sauce-obsessed person would do: make my own version.
And here we are. After some serious trial and error (and eating way too many fries in the process—not complaining), I cracked the code. This Copycat Popeye’s Blackened Ranch Recipe is smoky, creamy, herby, and just the right amount of spicy. It’s dangerously good. Like, “I might start putting this on everything” kind of good.
If you love flavor-packed sauces that come together in minutes, you need this in your life.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Popeye’s Blackened Ranch Recipe?
- It’s ridiculously easy. One bowl, five minutes, done.
- It tastes just like Popeye’s. Same smoky, herby, slightly spicy kick.
- Pairs with EVERYTHING. Chicken, fries, burgers, veggies… even pizza (trust me).
- Way better than store-bought ranch. No weird preservatives—just bold, fresh flavors.
- You’ll never have to beg for extra sauce again. (Because we all know how that goes.)
Ingredient Notes:
This sauce is all about balance—creamy and cool with smoky, herby, slightly spicy magic.
The Creamy Base
- Mayonnaise – The rich, smooth foundation.
- Sour Cream – Adds a slight tang and extra thickness.
- Buttermilk – Thins it out and gives it that classic ranch vibe.
The Seasonings (The Real Star of the Show)
- Blackened Seasoning – Smoky, bold, and slightly spicy. It’s what makes this sauce different from regular ranch.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – The essential ranch flavors.
- Dried Parsley, Chives, and Dill – That signature herby freshness.
- Black Pepper & Salt – Balances everything out.
- Cayenne Pepper (Optional, But Highly Recommended) – For a little extra kick.
How To Make Copycat Popeye’s Blackened Ranch?
Step 1: Mix It Up
Grab a bowl and whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk until smooth. This is your creamy base, so make sure everything is fully combined.
Step 2: Season It Right
Sprinkle in blackened seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, chives, dill, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). Whisk it all together until it’s evenly mixed.
Step 3: Taste & Adjust
Give it a taste. Want it smokier? Add a little more blackened seasoning. Too thick? Splash in some extra buttermilk. Want more spice? Go crazy with the cayenne.
Step 4: Let It Chill
Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour. Trust me, this step is important. It gives the flavors time to blend and makes the sauce even better.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Step 5: Dip Everything in Sight
Fries, chicken tenders, sandwiches—heck, even spoon it onto a burger. You really can’t go wrong.
Storage Options:
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer? Nope. Dairy-based sauces don’t freeze well, so just make a fresh batch when you need it.
Variations and Substitutions:
- Less spice? Skip the cayenne and cut back on the blackened seasoning.
- Extra smoky? Add a pinch of smoked paprika.
- Thicker dip? Use less buttermilk.
- More tangy? Squeeze in a little fresh lemon juice.
- Lighter version? Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt.
What to Serve with Copycat Popeye’s Blackened Ranch?
This sauce makes everything better. Here’s how to use it:
- Chicken Tenders or Nuggets – Because it was made for them.
- French Fries – Waffle fries, curly fries, sweet potato fries—they all love this sauce.
- Burgers & Sandwiches – Spread it on a crispy chicken sandwich or a juicy burger.
- Veggies – Because even healthy snacks deserve a fun dip.
- Pizza – Yep. Trust me on this one.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this without buttermilk?
Absolutely! Just mix regular milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice to get that same tangy effect.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
Yes! Fresh herbs bring a more vibrant flavor, but you’ll need to double the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.
How spicy is this?
It has a mild heat, but you can crank it up by adding extra cayenne or even a splash of hot sauce.
Make This & Never Look Back
And there you have it—your very own Popeye’s Blackened Ranch, made fresh in your kitchen.
It’s bold, creamy, herby, and smoky, and it takes five minutes to make. No more hoarding tiny sauce cups, no more unnecessary fast-food runs—just pure dipping happiness, whenever you want it.
Give it a try, tweak it to your liking, and let me know how it turns out! Just don’t be surprised if you start putting it on everything.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Copycat Popeye’s Blackened Ranch Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon blackened seasoning adjust to taste
- 2 ½ teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried chives
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for added spice
Instructions
Prepare the Base
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk. Whisk the ingredients together until they are fully blended and smooth. This creates the creamy foundation for the sauce.
Incorporate the Seasonings
- Add the blackened seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, dried chives, dried dill, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the bowl. Stir well to ensure that the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
Adjust the Flavor
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your preference. If a stronger smoky flavor is desired, add a bit more blackened seasoning. For additional heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper.
Allow the Flavors to Develop
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the overall taste and consistency of the sauce.
Serve and Enjoy
- Once chilled, stir the sauce once more and serve with chicken tenders, fries, vegetables, or as a spread for sandwiches and wraps.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
