Bushra Griffith
Blue cheese dressing is a versatile condiment that can be used for salads, dips, and spreads. While it is readily available in stores, some people prefer to make it at home to avoid preservatives and artificial flavours. This can be easily done by combining ingredients like sour cream, mayonnaise, blue cheese, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. For a lighter option, one can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yoghurt. For those who enjoy the convenience of store-bought dressings, there are several options available, including popular brands like Bolthouse, Cindy's Kitchen, and Trader Joe's. However, some cheaper options may lack the distinct flavour of blue cheese and have a watery consistency.
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What You'll Learn
Adding lemon juice
Lemon juice can be a great way to add a tangy freshness to your store-bought blue cheese dressing. It can also help to thin out the consistency, making it more pourable and suitable as a salad dressing.
To start, you will need to gather your ingredients: a store-bought blue cheese dressing of your choice, fresh lemon juice, and any additional seasonings you may want to add, such as salt and pepper. You will also need a small bowl and a spoon for mixing.
Once you have your ingredients, start by pouring the desired amount of blue cheese dressing into the bowl. Gradually add in the lemon juice, stirring as you go, until you reach your desired consistency and taste. It is important to add the lemon juice gradually, as it can be easy to add too much and overpower the other flavors. Taste the dressing as you go, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
If you are looking for a thicker dip, you can reduce the amount of lemon juice and even add in some extra chunks of blue cheese. However, if you are looking for a thinner, more pourable dressing, you can add a splash of milk, buttermilk, or water, in addition to the lemon juice.
The lemon juice will brighten up the flavor of the store-bought dressing and give it a fresh, homemade taste. It is a simple way to elevate your blue cheese dressing and make it more versatile for use on salads, as a dip, or even as a condiment.
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Using Greek yoghurt
Greek yoghurt is a great base for a blue cheese dressing, especially if you want to avoid mayonnaise. It is super creamy, adds protein, and is healthier than store-bought blue cheese dressing. You can use plain Greek yoghurt, which makes the dressing super creamy and adds protein, or go for non-fat Greek yoghurt for a low-calorie version.
To make the dressing, simply place crumbled blue cheese, buttermilk, Greek yoghurt, white vinegar or lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into a medium-sized bowl and stir to combine. Place in the fridge, so the flavours have a chance to meld together. You can also add milk to thin out the dressing, or keep it thick for dipping.
If you want to add more blue cheese flavour, sprinkle some extra blue cheese on top. This blue cheese dressing is perfect for salads, especially a wedge salad, or as a dip for buffalo wings and veggies. It can also be used as a sauce with protein (chicken and steak) and carbs for a weeknight dinner.
This Greek yoghurt blue cheese dressing is so easy to make and is packed with flavour. It is a great healthier alternative to traditional blue cheese dressing, without compromising on taste.
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Making it from scratch
Making blue cheese dressing from scratch is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. The recipe can be tweaked according to your preference, such as making it chunkier or smoother by adjusting the amount of blue cheese added. The dressing can be used as a dip or as a salad dressing.
To make the blue cheese dressing, you will need the following ingredients:
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Buttermilk
- Blue cheese
- Parsley
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
You can also add milk or vinegar to thin out the dressing for a pourable salad dressing. For a lighter dressing, you can replace the mayonnaise with light mayo and the sour cream with plain yogurt. Additionally, you can add sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder or fresh garlic to taste.
Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, and buttermilk in a medium bowl and whisk until well blended. You can also add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to this mixture. Then, add the crumbled blue cheese and gently fold it into the mixture. You can also add in the parsley at this stage.
The dressing can be served immediately or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The longer it sits, the more the flavors will develop. If the dressing becomes too thick, you can stir in a little extra buttermilk before serving.
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Storing and serving
Firstly, it is important to note that homemade blue cheese dressing will not last as long as its store-bought counterpart. Homemade varieties should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and will typically last for around five to seven days. It is best to use a wedge of blue cheese when making your own, as it has more moisture and is creamier than pre-crumbled cheese. If you are using a recipe that calls for buttermilk, you can make your own by combining ½ cup of milk and 1½ teaspoons of white vinegar.
When storing blue cheese dressing, it is important to check the expiration dates of all the ingredients. If the ingredients are fresh, the dressing will last for up to one week in the fridge. It is also a good idea to let the dressing sit in the fridge for a few hours, or even overnight, to allow the flavours to meld together. The dressing will thicken as it sits, so you may want to stir in some extra buttermilk or milk before serving to achieve a pourable consistency.
When serving, blue cheese dressing can be used as a dip for veggies or wings, or as a topping for salads, sandwiches, burgers, or chicken wings. It can also be used as an ingredient in recipes such as Buffalo Chicken Lasagna or Bobbe's Super Cheesy Pasta.
Some popular store-bought blue cheese dressings include Trader Joe's Chunky Blue Cheese, Wishbone Chunky Blue Cheese, and Ken's Steak House Chunky Blue Cheese. Bolthouse Farms also offers a well-reviewed blue cheese dressing, often praised for its flavour and low calorie count. For vegans, Follow Your Heart Bleu Cheese Dressing is a great option, known for its creamy, garlicky, and herby flavour.
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Choosing a brand
When it comes to choosing a brand of store-bought blue cheese dressing, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, it's important to decide what you'll be using the dressing for. As mentioned earlier, some blue cheese dressings are better suited for salads due to their thinner, more runny consistency, while others are thicker and work better as a dip. Some brands also offer chunkier versions, which are more versatile and can be used for both salads and dipping.
Another key consideration is the flavour and quality of the dressing. While some brands focus on high-quality ingredients, delivering an excellent flavour and texture, others prioritise lower-cost ingredients, which may result in a less desirable product. A good blue cheese dressing should have a strong, distinctive, and funky flavour, with a creamy richness and a sharp blue cheese tang. It should also have bits of real blue cheese for added texture and a balanced level of salt. Unfortunately, some store-bought options have a strange chemical tang or an artificial aftertaste.
When selecting a brand, it's also worth considering the ingredients list. Some brands may have a shorter list of simple, natural ingredients, while others may contain additives or preservatives that can affect the taste and quality. If you're health-conscious, you may want to choose a brand that doesn't contain high-fructose corn syrup or MSG. Additionally, if you're vegan or dairy-intolerant, you may need to explore options specifically designed to meet your dietary needs, such as Follow Your Heart Bleu Cheese Dressing.
Price can also be a factor in choosing a brand. While some brands offer more expensive, premium options, others, like Wish-Bone, offer delicious, funky blue cheese dressings at more affordable prices. It's worth noting that cheaper options may not always mean sacrificing flavour, as some budget-friendly brands have received positive reviews for their taste.
Finally, personal preference plays a significant role in choosing a brand. Different brands offer varying levels of blue cheese flavour intensity, from milder options that cater to those who are averse to strong blue cheese tastes, to more pungent and aromatic choices for those seeking a bolder experience. Reading reviews and taste-testing different brands can help you determine which one aligns best with your taste preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
To make store-bought blue cheese dressing taste more like homemade, you can add in some extra ingredients such as Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, garlic, parsley, or pepper.
If you want to make your store-bought blue cheese dressing thicker, try adding in some sour cream or mayonnaise.
Store-bought blue cheese dressing will last for around a week in the fridge.
Some popular store-bought blue cheese dressings include Cindy's Kitchen Real Bleu Cheese, Bolthouse Blue Cheese, Trader Joe's Chunky Blue Cheese, and Wishbone Chunky Blue Cheese.
