Homemade Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing
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The beauty of creating dressings at home is that you can make as much or as little as you want with fresh ingredients and no preservatives. This Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe tastes better than store-bought and has fewer calories, too! Mix up a batch today in under 10 minutes.
Why you’ll love this Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing!
Ingredient notes
- Cheese | For this recipe, choose a blue cheese flavor profile that best suits your taste. There are many different types of blue cheese, so if you like a stronger, more pungent flavor, try Stilton. For a more mild flavor, try Danish Blue or Gorgonzola. You may purchase either a wedge of cheese or pre-crumbled blue cheese for this recipe.
- Sour Cream and Light Mayo | This recipe calls for light versions, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand. The only difference will be the calorie count. You could also replace the sour cream with creme fraiche, which is richer but less tangy.
- White Wine Vinegar | You’ll need vinegar to add tangy flavor to this dressing.
- Buttermilk | If you forgot to grab a carton at the store, you can make your own! Combine ½ cup regular milk with ½ tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar and stir to combine. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until curdled, then use as directed.
- Spices | Add a bit of garlic powder (or minced fresh garlic), salt, and black pepper to season the dressing.
How to make Blue Cheese Dressing with Buttermilk
Ladle this homemade blue cheese dressing with buttermilk over a simple wedge salad or use it as a dipping sauce for Buffalo wings or these soy garlic wings.
STEP 1 | Crumble the cheese
Select a variety that meets your taste standards — either mild or strong — and place about ½ cup of blue cheese crumbles into a medium bowl.
STEP 2 | Mash with buttermilk
Pour in the liquid and use a fork to break up larger chunks by pressing them against the sides of the bowl.
STEP 3 | Add remaining ingredients
Stir in everything else until well combined. Continue mashing with a fork until it reaches the desired consistency.
STEP 4 | Season to taste
Add a little salt and pepper as needed before serving or refrigerate until you are ready to use.
Tip
- No need for a food processor or blender with this recipe, although you can certainly use one for a creamy dressing with a smooth consistency. Since I like chunky blue cheese dressing, I make it using just a bowl and a fork.
Variations and substitutions
- Even Healthier Option. Swap out the sour cream for plain Greek yogurt, which contains fewer calories and adds protein.
- Vinegar Choices. If you don’t have white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar will do. You may even add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to add acidity.
Storage tips
- You can store your homemade buttermilk blue cheese dressing in an airtight container or a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Frequently asked questions
Aside from a double batch of this buttermilk blue cheese dressing, you can incorporate it into other delicious recipes.
Pile it onto hamburgers with blueberry barbecue sauce or mix it into a creamy dip with bacon and serve with fresh fruit.
You could even toss it with tender noodles and a little bit of butter for a simple, last minute meal. Add a splash of pasta water to help create a sauce and sprinkle fresh parsley over the top.
When made with the freshest ingredients, this will last up to 7 days stored in the refrigerator in a sealed jar or container.
Double check the code dates on your dairy products so you know what you’re working with!
If you want to get technical, the proper reference is the French term bleu to pay homage to the discovery of this moldy cheese in France. However, both terms are commonly used, especially here in America.
The development of this variety is said to have happened accidentally in Roquefort, France when sheep’s cheese was stored in caves. Harmless mold created blue veins throughout the soft rounds, and that mold is what gives the final product its signature flavor and pungency.
Want more Easy Homemade Dressing recipes?
You’ll especially love how creamy my BBQ Ranch and Buttermilk Ranch varieties are, but there are plenty more to choose from! My Poppy Seed Dressing is another popular salad dressing that goes well with both spinach salads and kale salads alike.
Serving suggestions
The piquant, tangy flavor of blue cheese makes it the perfect accompaniment for dishes like buffalo wings, smoked chicken wings, my juicy New York Strip Steak Recipe, and a variety of tossed salads.
You can even drizzle some over Chicken Pizza. True blue cheese lovers may even enjoy this homemade version as a dipping sauce with fresh veggies.
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Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing with Buttermilk
Ingredients
- 4 ounces blue cheese crumbled
- ½ cup fat-free buttermilk
- ½ cup light sour cream
- ¼ cup light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- sea salt
- freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Place blue cheese and buttermilk into a bowl and stir together with a fork. Use the fork to break up any large chunks of cheese by pressing it against the side of the bowl. If you prefer a smoother dressing, mix together in a blender.
- Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, garlic powder and sugar. Stir until well combined.
- Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Chill until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Beyond the recipe
I’ll admit — until a few years ago, I didn’t care for this type of dressing. I think that’s because I couldn’t get past the foul odor found in many bottled versions.
Then, a lot of nicer restaurants started featuring a classic wedge salad, and they were all the rave. So what did I do? I caved and followed the crowd.
I ordered the salad with buttermilk blue cheese dressing, chopped tomatoes, and Benton’s bacon. If I’m being truthful, the Benton’s bacon convinced me to give it a shot.
But you know what? I learned that I do, in fact, like this stinky cheese salad topping! The difference was that it was made fresh with a milder cheese for a milder taste.
That’s when I knew that I needed to make a homemade blue cheese dressing with buttermilk and find new ways to use it.
I am joying your recipes.
I’m so glad!!