Blue Cheese Dressing

If you have never made your own salad dressing before, this is a good one to start with. Making homemade blue cheese dressing is on my weekly menu. I love how rich and creamy it is, full of salty blue cheese, tangy buttermilk, and creamy Greek yogurt. The best part? It only takes 10 minutes to make, so yes, once you try this recipe, you will probably never go back to the store-bought version.

One of the best things about making this dressing at home is that I know exactly what is in it. No preservatives or additives, I can control the ingredients to ensure they are fresh. Also, it’s way more cost-effective, so I can make a big batch and use it with so many things —not just for salads. I love it on sandwiches, as a dip, and for drizzling on my vegetables. It’s especially good with these juicy air fryer steak bites or drizzled on these Swiss steaks.

Many people have never even tried blue cheese or blue cheese dressing. I am going to tell you right now that you are missing out. Don’t judge it by store-bought or restaurant stuff; this is a totally different recipe, you may actually end up liking. The garlic and onion powders spice things up, and the white sugar evens things out a bit. The dip had a creamy texture, a pungent flavor, and a creaminess that will win you over!

Why you will love this recipe

• Fast and easy: It only takes 5-10 minutes from start to finish, making it the ideal addition to family weeknight dinners, lunchboxes, or quick party appetizers.
• All fresh: When you make it yourself, you know it is fresh, and using the best ingredients always results in a great product!
• Make it your own: Add or remove what you like or don’t like. I like it that I can control the quality of the ingredients and adjust the seasoning as I please.
• No fancy tools: All you need is just a bowl to stir the ingredients. This is such a fuss-free recipe that anyone can make it.

What you will need

• Buttermilk – Do not use regular milk. Your dressing will not turn out the same.
• Blue cheese – Get a high-quality blue cheese. It is the main ingredient. Buy it in a big chunk and crumble it yourself, instead of buying it crumbled.
• Greek yogurt – Plain Greek yogurt offers a tangy, creamy taste without all the fat and calories.
• Mayonnaise – Full-fat mayo is best for the richness, but you can use low-fat if you must.
• White wine vinegar – It is mellower and softer than distilled white vinegar with a fruity flavor.
• Granulated white sugar – To add some sweetness to all the tangy ingredients.
• Garlic and onion powder – Adds a savory and robust, rich, garlicky kick and mild onion flavor.
• Green onions – Chopped roughly and added on top before serving for a pop of color and flavor.

How to make

For a quick step-by-step tutorial, please watch the recipe video attached before the recipe card. The general steps are as follows:

• Mash: In a bowl, I mix the buttermilk and cheese, then mash them slightly with a fork.
• Combine: I add the remaining ingredients and mix with a fork.
• Refrigerate: Then, I transfer the mixture into an airtight container and refrigerate it for 4 hours.
• Serve: After 4 hours, I take it out of the fridge, stir, then serve.

Expert tip

The different types of blue cheese

There are actually quite a few different varieties of blue cheese. But most often, you will only see blue cheese and Roquefort. To make homemade blue cheese dressing, I recommend using Gorgonzola or Danish Blue for their creamy, buttery texture and mild tangy flavors; they are also easy to crumble. For a stronger flavor, I recommend Roquefort or Stilton, which have richer and more complex aromas.

More tips to consider

• Make sure you get high-quality blue cheese. After all, it is the star of the show.
• Also, instead of getting the crumbled blue cheese, get a brick of blue cheese and crumble it yourself. You will be surprised how much better it tastes.
• Instead of white wine vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or lemon juice.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute it with milk and vinegar, lemon juice, or buttermilk powder. 
• Make sure you leave enough room in the jar if you freeze your dressing, so it does not explode in the freezer.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Make it hot: Chop up some jalapenos or add red pepper flakes for extra spicy blue cheese dressing.
• Extra tangy: I added Worcestershire sauce to it once, and it was extra spicy. The kids loved it.
• Other cheese: Who says you cannot add other cheese to blue cheese? Freshly grated Parmesan adds a rich, salty boost that I really like.
• Refreshing boost: Talk about a boost, I tried it with some fresh lime juice, and it was outstanding.
• No sugar: Instead of sugar, use honey or maple syrup for sweetness without the excess sugar.

Serving suggestions:

You can use blue cheese dressing for many things, from salads to mixed into casseroles to as a dip or a sandwich spread. I like serving it as a dip for game night with chicken tenders or buffalo wings. It also instantly elevates a grilled steak dinner, and it’s the perfect pairing for grilled pork chop with some fluffy oven baked potatoes.

A drizzle of my avocado corn salad instantly makes it even more fantastic. Also, I love it as a spread for my Italian chopped sandwiches. I always have a jar of this spectacular dressing in my fridge and add it to everything. I highly suggest you give it a try in these California Breakfast Burritos; it’s the perfect way to start the day.

How to store leftovers:

• Refrigerate: Leftover blue cheese dressing can be kept in a jar in the fridge for up to a week.   
• Freezing: To freeze, make sure the jar is freezer-safe. It will stay fresh for several months. Just make sure there is enough room for expansion so the jar does not explode. 
• Defrost: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator to prevent the jar from cracking.

Frequently asked questions

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