Bushra Griffith
Outback Steakhouse's Blue Cheese Dressing is a popular creamy, tangy, and rich salad dressing. It is versatile and can be used as a dip for hot wings, crispy fries, or fresh vegetables, or as a topping for salads, burgers, or steaks. While the exact brand of blue cheese used in the Outback Steakhouse Blue Cheese Dressing is not publicly known, copycat recipes of the dressing suggest using crumbled blue cheese, specifically Danish blue cheese crumbles. Additionally, the dressing can be made with other types of soft cheese, such as gorgonzola, though this will alter the flavor.
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What You'll Learn
Outback Blue Cheese Vinaigrette recipe
Outback Steakhouse's Blue Cheese Vinaigrette is a tasty salad dressing that can be made at home with a copycat recipe. This recipe will help you recreate the creamy, tangy, and rich flavours of the popular restaurant version in your own kitchen. It is made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients and can be whipped up in no time.
To make Outback Blue Cheese Vinaigrette, you will need the following ingredients:
- Good Seasons Italian dressing mix (or another brand of dry Italian dressing mix)
- Balsamic vinegar
- Red wine vinegar
- Vegetable oil
- Water
- Blue cheese crumbles
Optional ingredients for customisation:
- White vinegar or lemon juice
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Fresh herbs
- Combine the Italian dressing mix, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, and water in a bowl. Whisk for about 10 seconds or pulse a few times with a blender to fully hydrate the Italian dressing mix.
- If using a blender, set it on low and slowly pour in the vegetable oil. After adding all the oil, increase the speed to medium and blend for about 30 seconds. If whisking by hand, slowly add the oil while continuously whisking until well combined.
- Add the blue cheese crumbles and pulse once or twice, or gently mash the blue cheese with a fork if you prefer a chunkier texture.
- For a tangier dressing, add a little more white vinegar or lemon juice to taste.
- Experiment with additional seasonings like onion powder, paprika, or fresh herbs to make the dressing your own.
- Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Stir well before serving, as it may thicken over time.
It is recommended to let the dressing sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to overnight before serving, as this allows the flavours to meld together and gives it a thicker texture. Enjoy your homemade Outback Blue Cheese Vinaigrette as a creamy topping for salads, a dip for veggies and wings, or drizzled over steaks and grilled meats!
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Using a blender or whisk
While the exact brand of blue cheese dressing used by Outback Steakhouse is not publicly available, you can recreate their famous blue cheese dressing at home with this copycat recipe.
In a small bowl, combine the Italian dressing mix (Good Seasons is the recommended brand, but Hellmann’s or Simply Organic are suggested alternatives), red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, vegetable oil, and water. Pulse a few times or whisk for about 10 seconds to fully hydrate the Italian dressing mix. If you are using a whisk, it may be helpful to have someone hold the bowl or pour the oil for you.
Next, set your blender on low and slowly pour in the vegetable oil. After adding all the oil, increase the speed to medium and blend for about 30 seconds. If you are using a whisk, this step will require some elbow grease!
Finally, add the blue cheese crumbles and pulse once or twice, or gently mash the blue cheese with a fork if you prefer a chunkier dressing. You can also add extra seasonings like onion powder, paprika, or fresh herbs to make the dressing your own.
Be sure to let the dressing sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving, as this allows the flavors to meld together and gives it a thicker texture. For the best results, let it sit overnight.
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Refrigeration and storage
For short-term storage, the Outback Blue Cheese Dressing can be kept in the refrigerator for up to one week. It should be stored in an airtight container to prevent spoilage and maintain freshness. Before serving, it is important to stir the dressing well, as it may thicken or separate during refrigeration. This simple step ensures a smooth and homogeneous consistency.
While refrigeration is the ideal method for storing the Outback Blue Cheese Dressing, freezing is not recommended. The dressing's texture can change upon thawing, impacting the overall quality and taste. Therefore, it is best to consume the dressing fresh or within the suggested one-week timeframe when stored in the refrigerator.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the dressing is typically served cold. However, if it becomes too thick after refrigeration, a simple solution is to stir in a small amount of buttermilk or regular milk. This adjustment will loosen the dressing to the desired consistency without compromising its flavour or texture.
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Customising the recipe
Although Outback Steakhouse's blue cheese dressing recipe is not publicly available, several copycat recipes can be found online. The base of the dressing appears to be a mix of mayonnaise, buttermilk, sour cream, and crumbled blue cheese. From there, various ingredients can be added to adjust the flavour and texture, creating a unique and customised dressing.
Texture: For a chunkier dressing, gently mash the blue cheese with a fork. Alternatively, use a blender or food processor for a smoother version. The amount of blue cheese added can also be adjusted to personal preference, with more cheese creating a thicker and chunkier dressing.
Thickness: The thickness of the dressing can be adjusted by altering the amount of buttermilk or milk added. For a runnier dressing, add more buttermilk or milk. If the dressing becomes too thick after refrigeration, stirring in additional buttermilk or milk can help loosen it.
Flavour: To increase the tanginess, add small amounts of white vinegar or lemon juice to taste. For a spicier kick, mix in hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or finely chopped jalapeños. Fresh herbs, onion powder, and paprika can also be added to experiment with different flavours. Additionally, garlic adds depth to the dressing, but it can be omitted or substituted with garlic powder for a milder flavour.
Consistency: The consistency of the dressing can be adjusted by controlling the amount of blending or processing. For a more rustic and chunky texture, blend the ingredients briefly or pulse them in a food processor. Conversely, for a smoother and more homogeneous dressing, blend the ingredients for a longer duration.
Add-ins: The dressing can be customised further by adding extra ingredients such as cinnamon pecans, which one source mentions pairing well with the dressing. Additionally, the type of blue cheese used can be varied, with one source mentioning the use of Roquefort cheese from Trader Joe's.
Chilling and storage: It is recommended to chill the dressing before serving to allow the flavours to meld and thicken the texture. At least 30 minutes of chilling is suggested, but some sources recommend an hour or even letting it sit overnight for the best flavour development. The dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Freezing is not recommended as it can alter the texture.
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Other uses for the dressing
While the exact brand of blue cheese dressing used by Outback Steakhouse could not be found, the internet is awash with recipes for copycat versions of the popular side sauce, dip, and salad dressing.
Blue cheese dressing is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for using blue cheese dressing beyond a salad dressing:
Dipping Sauce
Blue cheese dressing is commonly used as a dipping sauce for buffalo wings, chicken wings, bacon-wrapped shrimp, or raw vegetables such as carrots, celery, or peppers. It can also be used as a dip for crispy baked bacon or as a spread for burgers and grilled steak.
Sandwiches and Wraps
Blue cheese dressing can add a creamy texture and a tangy flavor to sandwiches and wraps. It pairs well with ingredients like chicken, turkey, and garlic bread.
Ingredient in Dips
Blue cheese dressing can be incorporated into dips with other ingredients like cream cheese, sour cream, and hot sauce to create a more complex flavor profile.
Thinned-out Dressing
By adding a splash of milk, blue cheese dressing can be thinned out to create a pourable salad dressing. This can be drizzled over a wedge salad with iceberg lettuce or used as a dressing for other types of salads or rice bowls.
Customization
Blue cheese dressing can be customized to suit individual tastes. For example, some people add Greek yogurt or Worcestershire sauce to their homemade blue cheese dressing. Others might adjust the seasoning by adding more or less salt and pepper or including onion powder and garlic powder.
With its unique flavor and versatility, it's no wonder that blue cheese dressing is a popular choice for many, whether it's a copycat version of Outback's or a homemade creation.
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Frequently asked questions
Outback Steakhouse makes their blue cheese dressing in-house.
Outback's blue cheese dressing is made with mayonnaise, buttermilk, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. It also contains blue cheese crumbles, which should be added last so they don't break down too much during mixing.
Homemade blue cheese dressing will last in the fridge for up to a week.
Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Be sure to stir it well before serving, as it may thicken over time.
Freezing is not recommended for blue cheese dressing as the texture can change once thawed.
