Blue Cheese Dip: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Appetizer

how to blue cheese dip

Blue cheese dip is a versatile and delicious snack, side, or appetizer. It can be served with chicken wings, crudites, crackers, or even fruit. The dip is easy to make and can be adapted to suit your taste. The base of the dip is typically sour cream, mayonnaise, and crumbled blue cheese, with additions like garlic, lemon, vinegar, sugar, and spices. The dip can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, improving in flavor as it sits. The key to a good blue cheese dip is in the cheese itself: the better the quality, the better the flavor.

Characteristics Values
Ingredients Blue cheese crumbles, sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, milk, Greek yogurt, green onions, dried parsley, garlic salt/powder, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, horseradish, chives, and Monterey Jack cheese
Consistency Thick and creamy
Taste Tangy and salty
Serving suggestions Chicken wings, carrot sticks, celery, bell peppers, crostini, dates, buffalo cauliflower, beet, salad, chips, baguette slices, cucumber, and fruit
Calories 91kcal
Storage Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week

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What to serve with blue cheese dip

Blue cheese dip is a versatile snack, and there are plenty of options to serve alongside it. For a healthier option, serve it with vegetable sticks, such as celery, carrot, bell pepper, or cauliflower. You could also try crackers, bread, or corn chips.

If you're looking for something more substantial, blue cheese dip is a great pairing for chicken wings, especially buffalo wings. You could also try it with ribs, or even a peach and avocado salad.

For a more indulgent snack, try serving the dip with crostini or dates.

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How to adjust the consistency of the dip

The consistency of your blue cheese dip is important to get right, so it's good to know how to adjust it to your preference. If you like a thicker dip, you can add more blue cheese crumbles, or even try adding some Greek yoghurt or sour cream. You can also leave out the milk, or add less, to make the dip thicker. If you want a thinner, more pourable dip, add a splash of milk, buttermilk, or even water. You can also add more lemon juice to thin it out and add some extra flavour.

If you're making a hot blue cheese dip, you can add more cream cheese to make it thicker, or soften the cream cheese before mixing to make it easier to combine with the other ingredients. If you're baking your dip, you can also add more cheese on top before serving to add some extra thickness and flavour.

It's worth noting that the consistency of your dip will change the longer it sits in the refrigerator, so be sure to taste it as you go and adjust as necessary. You can also add extra ingredients to change the consistency, like Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, or sherry vinegar.

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How to make a healthier blue cheese dip

Blue cheese dip is a delicious, tangy treat, perfect for dunking crispy chicken wings, or crunchy vegetables. This recipe will show you how to make a healthier version of the classic dip, without losing any of the flavour.

Ingredients

  • Blue cheese crumbles
  • Sour cream
  • Mayonnaise
  • Buttermilk
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Chives
  • Softened cream cheese
  • Monterey Jack cheese
  • Garlic powder

Method

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You can adjust the measurements of each ingredient to your taste, but a good rule of thumb is a ratio of 2:1:1:1 for the blue cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and buttermilk. You will only need a small amount of lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

In a small bowl, combine the blue cheese crumbles, sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You can also add a small amount of softened cream cheese to make the dip extra creamy. Stir the ingredients together until well blended and creamy. For an even stronger blue cheese flavour, use the back of a spoon to press some of the crumbles into the sauce.

Next, add the Monterey Jack cheese and sprinkle with a small amount of garlic powder. This will give the dip a rich, garlic flavour. Transfer the mixture to a small baking dish or cast-iron skillet and bake until bubbly and hot. Broil for an additional two minutes to create a golden top.

Finally, garnish with more blue cheese crumbles and chopped chives. Serve hot with carrot sticks, celery, cucumber, and slices of toasted baguette.

Healthy Swaps

For a healthier dip, you can replace the mayonnaise and sour cream with Greek yoghurt. You can also leave out the buttermilk if you prefer a thicker consistency. For a dairy-free option, you can use dairy-free yoghurt or omit the cheese and use nutritional yeast to create a "cheesy" flavour.

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How to adjust the intensity of the blue cheese flavour

When making blue cheese dip, you can adjust the intensity of the blue cheese flavour by altering the amount of blue cheese used in the recipe. If you want a milder blue cheese flavour, reduce the amount of blue cheese and increase the amounts of other ingredients, such as sour cream, Greek yoghurt, or mayonnaise. Conversely, for a stronger blue cheese flavour, increase the amount of blue cheese and reduce the quantities of other ingredients.

It's worth noting that the type of blue cheese you use can also impact the intensity of the flavour. Different varieties of blue cheese have varying strengths of flavour, so choosing a milder or stronger variety will affect the overall intensity of your dip. Additionally, the quality of the blue cheese can play a role; higher-quality blue cheeses often have a more pronounced flavour.

Another way to adjust the intensity is by adding complementary ingredients that can enhance or mellow the blue cheese flavour. For example, adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, or sherry vinegar can contribute a subtle tanginess that complements the blue cheese without overwhelming it. On the other hand, ingredients like milk or cream can be used to create a thicker consistency and a milder flavour.

Finally, the order in which you mix the ingredients can make a difference. Similar to wine tasting, it's best to progress from mildest to strongest flavours when tasting multiple cheeses to avoid overwhelming your palate. Therefore, if you're using multiple types of cheese in your dip, consider the intensity of each and mix them accordingly to control the overall intensity of the blue cheese flavour.

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How long does blue cheese dip last in the fridge?

Blue cheese dip is a tasty and tangy treat, perfect for dunking buffalo wings, veggies, or even crostini. But how long will it last in the fridge? Well, that depends on a few factors. Firstly, the ingredients you use will play a role in the dip's longevity. Most blue cheese dip recipes call for a base of sour cream, mayonnaise, and buttermilk, with added ingredients like lemon juice, salt, pepper, and, of course, blue cheese crumbles. The freshness of these ingredients will impact how long your dip stays good in the fridge.

Secondly, the storage conditions are crucial. To maximize the shelf life of your blue cheese dip, always keep it refrigerated and tightly covered. Make sure your refrigerator is set to the correct temperature—ideally, your fridge should be set to 40°F (4°C) or colder. Additionally, try to use a non-metallic container to avoid a metallic taste developing in the dip.

In general, a homemade blue cheese dip will last in the refrigerator for about one week. However, some recipes suggest that it can be safely consumed within four days of preparation. During this time, the dip is expected to maintain its optimal quality and flavor. After this period, the dip's texture, color, or flavor may change, but it may still be safe to eat if there are no obvious signs of spoilage.

To determine if your blue cheese dip has gone bad, use your senses of smell and sight. If the dip has developed an unusual odor, flavor, or appearance, or if mold appears, it's best to discard it. Remember, the blue mold in blue cheese is safe to consume, and it can even continue growing in your dip without causing harm. However, if other types of mold develop, or if the dip becomes overly "flavorful" or pungent, it's probably time to toss it out.

Frequently asked questions

You will need blue cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, garlic, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, and vinegar.

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and chill in the refrigerator until serving. The longer it chills, the better it tastes.

Blue cheese dip is great with chicken wings, especially buffalo wings. It also goes well with crunchy dippers like carrots, celery, cucumber, apples, tortilla chips, and crackers.

The dip can be made up to 5 days ahead and refrigerated. It will keep in the refrigerator for approximately one week.

Yes, you can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream, and add a pinch of sugar and vinegar. You can also add different spices and seasonings like garlic powder, pepper, lemon, and hot sauce.

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