Randy Chandler
Blue cheese sauce is a rich and indulgent treat that can be whipped up in minutes. It is a versatile sauce that can be used as a dip, a spread, a drizzle, or even as a topping for meats like steak, chicken, and pork. The sauce is made with simple ingredients, the most important of which is blue cheese. The type of blue cheese used depends on personal preference, as some may prefer a milder variety like Gorgonzola or Danish Blue, while others might opt for a stronger option like Roquefort or Maytag. To make the sauce, the blue cheese is combined with other ingredients such as cream, butter, milk, sour cream, garlic, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. The sauce can be adjusted for thickness by altering the amount of heating and stirring, and it can be served warm or cold.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Any variety of blue cheese, such as Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Danish Blue, Maytag, or Stilton |
| Cream | Heavy/double cream |
| Other ingredients | Butter, flour, milk, lemon juice, pepper, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard powder, salt, sour cream, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, buttermilk, parmesan, balsamic glaze |
| Consistency | Thick, creamy, and chunky |
| Taste | Bold, tangy, strong, punchy |
| Preparation | Melt butter in a pan, stir in flour, gradually pour in milk, stir in cheese, simmer, stir constantly |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week |
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What You'll Learn
Blue cheese types
Blue cheese sauce is typically made with a blue cheese variety such as Roquefort, Maytag, Gorgonzola, Danish Blue, or Stilton. The sauce is often made with cream, butter, milk, and flour, and seasoned with ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, pepper, ground mustard powder, and salt.
The type of blue cheese used depends on personal preference. Blue cheese lovers who enjoy a strong flavour can opt for Roquefort or Maytag. Those who prefer a milder flavour can choose Gorgonzola or Danish Blue. Gorgonzola, in particular, has a creamy texture and is not as pungent as other blue cheeses, making it a good choice for sauces.
For a thinner sauce, such as a dressing, additional ingredients like milk, buttermilk, or water can be added. Lemon juice is optional but adds a fresh flavour to the sauce. For those who prefer a thicker sauce, such as a dip, less sour cream can be used, and more blue cheese crumbles can be added to enhance the flavour and texture.
Blue cheese sauce can be served warm or cold and is a great addition to dishes like steak, burgers, chicken, pork, pasta, salads, and vegetables. It can also be used as a spread on sandwiches or as a dip for potato wedges.
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Cream
The cream is warmed gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, being careful not to let it bubble or burn. It is stirred constantly as it thickens, creating a smooth base for the sauce. The warmth also helps to melt the blue cheese, which is added next. The cheese melts into the cream, with some lumps remaining for texture.
The type of cream used can vary, with options including heavy cream, whipping cream, or sour cream. Sour cream is a popular choice as it adds a tangy flavour and a creamy texture to the sauce. It also helps to lighten the sauce, especially when paired with mayonnaise. For those who prefer a lighter option, plain yogurt or Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute for the cream.
The amount of cream used can be adjusted to achieve the desired consistency. For a thicker sauce, such as a dip, less cream is used, while a thinner sauce, like a dressing, may benefit from adding a dash of milk or buttermilk to thin it out.
The cream base is then seasoned and flavoured with ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. These additions enhance the creaminess of the sauce while also providing a tangy, savoury kick. The sauce is then chilled, which further thickens the consistency, and served with various dishes, including steak, burgers, and wings.
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Thickeners
Blue cheese sauce is a rich and indulgent sauce with a bold, creamy, and tangy flavour. It is typically served with steak, but can also be used as a dip or dressing. The sauce is made by melting blue cheese into a cream base, and various thickeners can be added to adjust the consistency and taste.
The most common thickening agent used in blue cheese sauce is the blue cheese itself. The sauce can be made chunkier and thicker by adding more cheese and mashing it with a fork. This method also adds more flavour to the sauce.
Less sour cream can also be used to make the sauce thicker. However, if the sauce becomes too thick, a splash of milk can be added to thin it out.
For those who want to make a blue cheese dip, the sauce can be thickened by reducing the amount of buttermilk or sour cream used. This will result in a stronger blue cheese flavour. Alternatively, Greek yoghurt can be used as a thickening agent, providing a similar tanginess to sour cream.
When making a blue cheese sauce, it is important to note that the sauce will naturally thicken as it cools in the fridge. Therefore, it may be necessary to add a dash of milk to thin it out after refrigeration.
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Flavour enhancers
Blue cheese sauce is a rich and indulgent treat, perfect for those who love the strong flavour of blue cheese. The sauce is typically made with a few simple ingredients, including blue cheese, cream, and butter, but there are many ways to enhance the flavour of this sauce.
Firstly, the type of blue cheese used will greatly impact the flavour of the sauce. For those who enjoy a strong and pungent blue cheese, a good choice would be Roquefort or Maytag. These cheeses will impart a bold, punchy flavour to the sauce. If a milder flavour is preferred, Gorgonzola or Danish Blue are excellent options, as they have a more subtle flavour while still retaining the characteristic tang of blue cheese.
Another way to enhance the flavour of blue cheese sauce is to add complementary ingredients. Many recipes include garlic, which adds a savoury depth to the sauce. Acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar can also be added to brighten the flavour and cut through the richness of the cream and cheese. For a more complex flavour profile, consider adding Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard powder, or black pepper. These ingredients contribute savoury, spicy notes that enhance the overall taste of the sauce.
The texture of the sauce can also be adjusted to enhance the flavour. For a chunkier sauce, the blue cheese can be crumbled and mashed with a fork, creating a more rustic and hearty texture. Conversely, for a smoother and creamier sauce, the ingredients can be blended together using an immersion blender or food processor. A thinner sauce, achieved by adding milk, is ideal for drizzling over salads or grilled meats, while a thicker sauce is perfect for dips or spreading on sandwiches.
Finally, allowing the sauce to rest in the refrigerator for a day or two before serving can also enhance its flavour. This resting period gives the ingredients time to meld and develop, resulting in a more harmonious and well-rounded flavour.
By choosing the right type of blue cheese, adding complementary ingredients, adjusting the texture, and allowing the sauce to rest, you can create a delicious and flavourful blue cheese sauce that is perfect for steaks, burgers, salads, and more.
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Serving suggestions
Blue cheese sauce is a bold, creamy, and tangy sauce with a hint of garlic. It is an excellent pairing with steak, and you can serve it on the side or spoon it over the meat. You can also use it as a spread on grilled or cold sandwiches, spoon it over a burger, or drizzle it over grilled romaine. For salads, you can add a dash of milk to make the sauce a little thinner.
If you want to get creative, you can use blue cheese sauce in a short rib pizza, with morel mushrooms, red onions, harvati cheese, and bleu cheese crumbles. It is also a great dip for veggies, especially celery, cucumber, carrot, and bell pepper. You can even thin it out and use it as a drizzle for Chinese dishes.
Blue cheese sauce is also a perfect pairing for buffalo-flavoured dishes, such as buffalo cauliflower, buffalo cauliflower pizza, buffalo chicken quesadillas, and buffalo wings.
If you are a blue cheese lover, you might opt for a strong blue cheese like Roquefort or Maytag. If you prefer something milder, Gorgonzola or Danish Blue are excellent choices.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese sauce is made of blue cheese, cream, and a variety of other ingredients such as butter, garlic, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce.
The best blue cheese depends on your personal preference. If you like strong blue cheese, you might opt for Roquefort or Maytag. If you prefer something milder, try Gorgonzola or Danish Blue.
Blue cheese sauce is a versatile condiment that can be served with a variety of dishes, including steak, burgers, chicken, pork, pasta, salads, and vegetables.
Blue cheese sauce is best the day it is made, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Freezing blue cheese sauce is not recommended as it may affect the texture and taste of the sauce.
