Kamil Perry
Blue cheese is a beloved ingredient for many, with its distinct sharp taste and creamy texture. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to dips and sauces. Blue cheese dressing, in particular, is a popular choice for those looking to add a tangy and creamy flavour to their meals. But with the rise of alternative diets, people are often left wondering whether their favourite foods are still on the menu. The paleo diet, for example, is a popular choice for those looking to eat more healthily and naturally. So, is blue cheese dressing paleo?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet Type | Keto, Low-Carb |
| Ingredients | Blue Cheese, Buttermilk, Sour Cream, Mayonnaise, Lemon Juice, Sweetener, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper, Greek Yogurt, Worcestershire Sauce |
| Consistency | Chunky, Creamy |
| Taste | Tangy, Sweet |
| Uses | Salad Dressing, Dip, Sauce |
| Storage | Refrigerate in a covered glass container for up to 7 days |
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What You'll Learn
Keto blue cheese dressing recipes
Blue cheese dressing is a classic favourite that goes well with a variety of dishes, such as salads, chicken wings, and vegetables. However, many store-bought dressings contain added sugars, artificial flavours, and unhealthy fats that can derail your keto diet. Here are some keto-friendly blue cheese dressing recipes that are healthy, easy to make, and full of flavour.
Keto Blue Cheese Dressing with Greek Yogurt
This recipe replaces sour cream with Greek yogurt to create a thick and creamy blue cheese dressing. You can use any type of blue cheese, such as Gorgonzola or Roquefort, and add in other herbs such as dill or chives to suit your taste.
Ingredients:
- Mayonnaise
- Greek Yogurt (plain, full-fat)
- Blue Cheese
- Lemon Juice
- Salt
- Garlic Powder
- Freshly Minced Parsley (optional: dill or chives)
Creamy Chive Keto Blue Cheese Dressing
This recipe is perfect for those who are not a fan of blue cheese, as it can be made with feta instead. It is a great option for those who want a chunky dressing, as you can crumble more blue cheese into the mixture after blending.
Ingredients:
- Sour Cream
- Mayonnaise
- Blue Cheese
- Chives
- Milk of your choice (optional)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Keto Blue Cheese Dressing with Worcestershire Sauce
This recipe adds a couple of shots of Worcestershire sauce to the blue cheese dressing, creating a unique flavour profile. You can also add garlic powder, parsley, or chives to enhance the taste.
Ingredients:
- Greek Yogurt
- Sour Cream
- Mayonnaise
- Blue Cheese
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Garlic Powder (optional)
- Parsley (optional)
- Chives (optional)
Remember to adjust the consistency of your dressing by adding milk or almond milk until you reach your desired thickness. These keto blue cheese dressing recipes are perfect for dipping or drizzling over your favourite keto-friendly foods!
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Blue cheese dressing ingredients
Blue cheese dressing is a popular side sauce, salad dressing, and dip in the United States and Canada. It is usually made with a combination of blue cheese, mayonnaise, and buttermilk, sour cream, or yogurt, milk, vinegar, onion powder, and garlic powder.
For a basic blue cheese dressing, you will need blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, salt, and pepper. You can also add in some sugar and garlic powder to taste. If you want to thin out the dressing for a salad, add a splash of milk, buttermilk, or water. For a thicker dressing, leave out the milk.
There are many variations of blue cheese dressing, and you can add in other ingredients to suit your taste. For example, some recipes suggest adding chives, lemon juice, or parsley for extra flavor and color. You can also add a couple of shots of Worcestershire sauce to add depth to the flavor.
If you are not a fan of blue cheese, you can try making the dressing with feta cheese instead.
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Blue cheese selection tips
Blue cheese is an acquired taste, with its bold, sharp, and tangy flavour. It is produced in almost every cheesemaking country and gets its characteristic colour and flavour from one of two types of mould: Penicillium roqueforti or Penicillium glaucum. Blue cheese is best enjoyed at room temperature, so it is recommended to let it sit for a while before serving.
When selecting blue cheese, it is important to consider the various forms and flavours available. Blue cheese can be punchy and crumbly, astringent and flaky, or tangy and creamy. It is also important to note that blue cheese should be stored away from other cheeses, as its blue mould can spread to them. Nancy Pasquariello, a cheesemonger at Greenwich Cheese Company, recommends using a Tupperware sandwich container to store blue cheese, as it allows air circulation while preventing the spread of blue spores to other cheeses.
When purchasing blue cheese, it is advisable to buy it in person from a farmer's market, gourmet food store, or specialty store, as this allows for sampling before buying. Online purchases from dairy websites also offer a wide selection. For those who enjoy aged or mature cheddars and Parmesans, blue cheese can be a good option to explore.
Some popular blue cheese varieties include Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Stilton. When selecting blue cheese, it is worth considering the desired level of creaminess and tanginess. For instance, Gorgonzola is known for its tanginess and creaminess, while Boar's Head blue cheese crumbles are praised for their super-duper creaminess. On the other hand, Trader Joe's blue cheese is renowned for its earthiness and funkiness, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy stronger flavours.
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Blue cheese alternatives
Blue cheese is a distinctive ingredient that divides opinion in the culinary world. Its strong taste and smell can be off-putting to some, and others may need to avoid it due to dietary restrictions or allergies. However, it is a unique ingredient that can add a special touch to recipes. For those who are unable or unwilling to eat blue cheese, there are several alternatives that can be used to achieve a similar taste profile.
One option is feta cheese, which shares the crumbly texture and salty profile of blue cheese without the characteristic mould. Feta is milder in flavour and can add a tangy, briny taste to recipes, pairing well with fruits and cooked dishes. It is also suitable for dips and salads, such as a chorizo and chickpea salad.
Olives are another recommended substitute for blue cheese, offering a salty, briny flavour that can replicate the intensity of blue cheese. They can be chopped finely to mimic the texture of crumbled blue cheese and provide a similar umami taste.
Furu, or fermented bean curd, is another alternative that brings a pungent, salty flavour similar to blue cheese. It is made from tofu flavoured and fermented with ingredients like rice wine and spices, resulting in a creamy texture that can be spread or crumbled on top of dishes like wedge salad.
For those seeking a dairy-free option, a combination of cream cheese and capers can provide the creaminess of blue cheese with a salty, tangy taste. Shaved parmesan, yoghurt, and roasted walnuts are other suggested substitutes that can add flavour and texture to dishes.
These alternatives can be useful for those following a paleo or keto diet, who may be looking for blue cheese substitutes to use in recipes and dressings. While blue cheese itself may not be strictly paleo, some keto recipes incorporating blue cheese can be found online.
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Blue cheese storage
Blue cheese is a tricky cheese to store. Due to its active moulds and relatively high moisture levels, it won't last as long as other cheeses like cheddar or parmesan. It's best to buy only what you need or plan to use relatively quickly.
When purchasing blue cheese, avoid wedges with excess moisture in the packaging, as this indicates that the cheese is past its prime. The cheese shouldn't have new mould or look very different from when you bought it. Avoid eating blue cheese with pink or black mould, a soft fuzzy coating of mould, or excess moisture in the bottom of the container. As the flavour intensifies with time, strong medicinal or perfumy flavours are a sign that the cheese is past its prime.
Blue cheese likes to be stored in a high-humidity climate, ideally at least 80% humidity to keep the cheese paste fresh. One option for storage is a Cheese Grotto, which self-regulates high humidity with its included clay brick humidifier. It also has a breathable back panel, allowing fresh air to circulate around the cheese gently. Since you don't need to wrap the cheese, it can live in a gently aerated, humid climate that preserves its freshness.
If you're not using a Cheese Grotto, experts recommend wrapping blue cheese in aluminium foil, parchment paper, or a loose zipper-lock bag (not a vacuum-sealed bag). Another option is to first wrap the cheese with parchment paper and then with a loose covering of aluminium foil, which mimics the two-ply construction of cheese paper. Whatever method you choose, it's important to ensure the cheese can breathe. The mould will die and turn yellow-green if deprived of oxygen.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese dressing is a type of salad dressing or dip made with blue cheese, buttermilk, and other ingredients like mayonnaise, sour cream, and lemon juice. It is known for its creamy texture and strong flavour.
Blue cheese dressing can be made paleo-friendly by using a paleo-approved mayonnaise, such as avocado oil mayonnaise, and dairy-free alternatives for the remaining ingredients. However, some sources mention that blue cheese dressing is keto-friendly, which may not always align with paleo diet restrictions.
Blue cheese dressing is a versatile condiment that pairs well with various dishes. It is commonly used as a salad dressing or dip for vegetables, especially celery and chicken wings. It can also be used as a topping for burgers, steak, or potatoes, and even as a sauce for fruits like pears.
To make blue cheese dressing at home, you will need blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, sweetener, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mash the blue cheese with buttermilk, then stir in the remaining ingredients until you achieve the desired consistency. Adjust seasoning to taste. You can also experiment with different types of blue cheese and ingredients to find your preferred flavour.
