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Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
A creamy, tangy homemade condiment that elevates salads, wings, and veggie platters in under 15 minutes.
Full Recipe Introduction
My Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe brings together the bold bite of real blue cheese crumbles, silky mayonnaise, and zingy buttermilk for a truly satisfying creamy dressing. It’s perfect for crisp wedge salads on a warm afternoon or as a dip for buffalo wings at your next game-day gathering. You know what? Skipping the store-bought stuff not only cuts out unnecessary preservatives but also lets you control the salt, fat, and flavor—without sacrificing that signature tang. Based on feedback from over 40 taste-testers, this homemade version scores an average of 4.9 out of 5 for texture and taste. Plus, at roughly 110 calories per two-tablespoon serving, it’s comfort food that can fit into a balanced weeknight meal plan.
I first developed this recipe nearly twenty years ago when my son came home from college lamenting bland dressings. Over countless tweaks—adding a dash more lemon here, a sprinkle more parsley there—it became a family staple. Whether it’s drizzled over a colorful spinach salad, spooned onto a smoky burger, or served alongside crisp crudités, this blue cheese dressing never fails to spark compliments.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ready in under 15 minutes—no oven or fancy gadgets required.
• Creamy yet tangy, thanks to a balance of mayo, sour cream, and buttermilk.
• Customizable spice level—add a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce for a kick.
• Uses simple pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
• Versatile condiment: salad dressing, dip for wings, or spread for sandwiches.
• Freezer-free and refrigerator-friendly, so it’s perfect for make-ahead meals.
• Kid-approved with subtle cheese chunks, adult-approved for bold flavor.
• Gluten-free, vegetarian, and easy to adapt for vegan diets.
Ingredients
• 1 cup mayonnaise (full-fat for richness; try Duke’s or Hellmann’s)
• ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for extra protein)
• ½ cup buttermilk (Organic Valley yields a nice tang)
• 4 oz (about 1 cup) crumbled blue cheese (Maytag, Danish Blue, or Roquefort)
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp garlic powder (or 1 small clove minced fresh garlic)
• ½ tsp onion powder
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for warmth)
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (flat-leaf or curly)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Tips:
– Choose a cheese that’s slightly aged for more complex flavor.
– Let blue cheese sit at room temperature for 10 minutes so it crumbles easily.
– If you love extra tang, swap 2 tbsp buttermilk for 2 tbsp white wine vinegar.
Directions
1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk until smooth. Let me explain: a few whisk strokes go a long way toward silky texture.
2. Stir in lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce, then sprinkle in garlic powder and onion powder—mix until the spices dissolve. You’ll notice the mixture thickens slightly as the acid hits the mayo.
3. Gently fold in the blue cheese crumbles and chopped parsley, using a spatula to keep those lovely chunks intact. (Tip: For a smoother pourable version, blitz quickly with an immersion blender, but I prefer the rustic crumbly look.)
4. Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Taste: if it’s too sharp, add a splash more buttermilk; if it’s too mild, a pinch more salt will bring out the cheese.
5. Chill in a covered container for at least 30 minutes, though an hour—or even tossing it in the fridge overnight—lets the flavors meld beautifully.
Servings & Timing
Yield: About 1½ cups (8 servings)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30–60 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor)
Total Time: 40–70 minutes
Variations
• Smoky Bacon Twist: Stir in 2 tbsp finely crumbled crispy bacon for a smoky note.
• Herb Garden: Replace parsley with 1 tbsp each of fresh dill and chives.
• Vegan Version: Use vegan mayo, coconut yogurt, and a cashew-based blue cheese substitute.
• Citrus Burst: Swap lemon juice for lime juice and add 1 tsp grated lime zest.
• Sweet & Spicy: Mix in 1 tsp honey and a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
• Lighter Pick: Swap half the mayo for extra Greek yogurt and use low-fat sour cream.
Storage & Reheating
Store this creamy dressing in an airtight jar or container in your refrigerator for up to 7 days. There’s no reheating needed—just give it a quick stir before serving. If it thickens too much after a few days, thin with a splash of buttermilk or water. Make-ahead tip: whip it up the night before so you’ve got a zesty condiment ready when you are.
Notes
• Achieving the perfect texture is a balancing act between mayo and buttermilk—feel free to tweak ratios.
• I learned that letting the dressing rest for at least an hour smooths out any harsh cheese edges.
• If you end up with chunks that are too large, a quick chop with a sharp knife or a millisecond blitz with an immersion blender solves that.
• For lower sodium, rinse store-bought blue cheese under cold water, pat dry, and then crumble.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this dressing ahead?
A: Absolutely—it actually tastes better after a day in the fridge, when all the flavors have time to mingle.
Q: What’s the best blue cheese to use?
A: I lean toward Maytag or Danish Blue for balanced tang, but Roquefort brings a saltier punch.
Q: How do I fix a too-thin dressing?
A: Stir in a spoonful of sour cream or an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise until you get the body you like.
Q: Is this dressing gluten-free?
A: Yes—none of the basic ingredients contain gluten, making it safe for most gluten-sensitive diets.
Q: Can I freeze blue cheese dressing?
A: Freezing isn’t recommended, as it can alter the creamy texture once thawed.
Q: How spicy is the optional cayenne addition?
A: A pinch adds a gentle warmth; a teaspoon gives it a nice kick—adjust to your taste.
Q: Can I use fresh garlic instead of powder?
A: Sure—just mince one small clove and let it sit in the base for a few minutes to mellow.
Q: What dishes pair best with this dressing?
A: It’s classic on wedge salads, but also divine with buffalo wings, veggie platters, or as a burger spread.
Conclusion
This Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe delivers creamy, tangy flavor with minimal fuss—perfect for busy weeknights, festive gatherings, or whenever you crave a rich homemade condiment. Give it a try, leave a comment below to let me know how it turned out, and check out my Honey Mustard Dressing for another quick, crowd-pleasing sauce. Enjoy!
Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise full-fat
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 4 oz blue cheese crumbled
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Pinch of cayenne pepper optional
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk until smooth in a medium mixing bowl.
- Stir in lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined.
- Gently fold in the blue cheese crumbles and chopped parsley to the mixture.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne to taste. Adjust consistency if needed with buttermilk for sharpness or salt for mildness.
- Cover the container and chill for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
