Randy Chandler
Blue cheese dressing is a popular salad dressing and dipping sauce. It is a mayonnaise-based creamy dressing with crumbled blue cheese. The earliest recording of the recipe is in the Edgewater Beach Hotel Salad book in 1928, where it was called Roquefort dressing. Blue cheese is a type of Roquefort, which is made from ewe's milk and matured in caves. A good blue cheese dressing should be creamy, savoury, and funky, with a blend of creamy richness and sharp blue cheese tang. While there are several store-bought options available, many people prefer to make their own blue cheese dressing at home. Some popular store-bought options include Cindy's Kitchen, Marie's, and Kraft Roka.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Chunky, creamy, thick, smooth |
| Taste | Rich, tangy, savoury, funky, strong, garlicky, herby, sweet |
| Ingredients | Blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, sugar, salt, pepper, hot sauce, honey, white pepper, celery salt, parsley, parmesan |
| Brands | Cindy's Kitchen, Marie's, Renee's Chunky Blue Cheese, Litehouse, 365 (Whole Foods), Kraft Roka, Happy Belly, Follow Your Heart Bleu Cheese Dressing, Marzetti, Rootie's, Bob's, Red Lobster |
| Use cases | Salads, dips, wings, crudités, charcuterie boards, burgers, steak, pizza, veggies, sandwiches |
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Store-bought vs homemade
Store-bought blue cheese dressing is a convenient option for those who don't have the time or inclination to make their own. While it can be a quick and easy solution, some store-bought dressings have been criticised for their "watery" texture and "chemical tang". Many also contain preservatives and artificial ingredients, which can affect the taste and quality.
On the other hand, homemade blue cheese dressing allows you to control the ingredients and customise the flavour to your liking. It is often praised for its fresh taste and creamy texture, without the preservatives found in store-bought options. However, it does require some planning and preparation, and it may not last as long as store-bought dressings.
When it comes to store-bought options, several brands have been recommended by food critics and consumers alike. Cindy's Kitchen real bleu cheese dressing stands out for its large chunks of blue cheese, while Marie's Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing is a popular choice for those seeking a thick and mild option. Kraft's "Roka" Blue Cheese Dressing offers a smooth and tangy flavour, although it may not satisfy those seeking a chunkier texture. For a cheaper option, Happy Belly delivers a strong blue cheese flavour without breaking the bank.
Homemade blue cheese dressing, however, offers a level of customisation that store-bought options cannot match. By making your own, you can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences. For example, you can determine the smoothness or chunkiness of the dressing, as well as the intensity of the blue cheese flavour. Additionally, you can control the quality of the ingredients used, ensuring a rich and creamy result. Common ingredients in homemade blue cheese dressing include blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, and simple seasonings.
Both store-bought and homemade blue cheese dressings have their advantages and disadvantages. If you're short on time or don't want to bother with preparation, store-bought options can be a convenient solution. However, if you're seeking a fresh, creamy, and flavourful dressing that you can customise to your taste, homemade blue cheese dressing is the way to go.
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Best brands
While blue cheese is an acquired taste, those who love it are always on the lookout for the best blue cheese dressing. Blue cheese dressing is a mayonnaise-based creamy dressing with crumbled blue cheese. The earliest recording of this type of dressing is in the Edgewater Beach Hotel Salad book in 1928, where it was called Roquefort dressing.
When it comes to store-bought blue cheese dressing, there are several brands that stand out. Here are some of the best options:
- Cindy's Kitchen Real Bleu Cheese Dressing and Dip: This brand offers a wildly complex dressing with a long list of recognisable ingredients. It includes Worcestershire sauce, garlic, white pepper, celery salt, and honey, creating a flavourful and well-balanced dressing.
- Marie's Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip: Marie's is a well-known brand that offers a thick and mild blue cheese dressing perfect for dipping veggies or crudites. It is a popular choice for those who enjoy a bold and funky blue cheese flavour.
- Kraft Roka Blue Cheese Dressing: Kraft offers two versions of blue cheese dressing, Roka and Chunky. The Roka variety is smooth and tangy, with a strong blue cheese flavour. It is thinner and creamier, making it ideal for salads.
- Toby's: This brand offers an exceptionally creamy dressing with a decadent feel. While it may be a little out of the ordinary, it delivers on flavour and texture.
- Follow Your Heart Bleu Cheese Dressing: For those seeking a vegan option, Follow Your Heart offers a super garlicky, herby, and creamy blue cheese dressing. It is a delicious choice for those who want to enjoy the flavour of blue cheese without the dairy.
- Renee's Chunky Blue Cheese: This brand offers a chunky blue cheese dressing with a strong flavour. It is a popular choice for those who enjoy a more textured dressing.
- Rootie's: Based in Buffalo, Rootie's offers a store-bought blue cheese dressing that tastes and feels like it is homemade.
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Best for salads
Blue cheese dressing is a popular salad dressing, and there are many options available for those looking to buy or make their own.
If you're looking for a blue cheese dressing to elevate your salads, there are a few store-bought options that stand out. Firstly, Kraft's "Roka" Blue Cheese Dressing, which has a smooth and tangy flavour with a thin, creamy texture. It's perfect for those who want a strong blue cheese taste without the chunks. Another option is Cindy's Kitchen Real Bleu Cheese Dressing and Dip, which has big chunks of blue cheese and a deliciously creamy texture. For those who want a thinner, pourable dressing, adding a splash of milk, buttermilk, or water to your dressing of choice will do the trick.
If you're looking for a homemade option, a simple recipe includes mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper, with blue cheese crumbles folded in at the end. This recipe can be adjusted to your taste, with ingredients like lemon juice, heavy cream, and hot sauce being popular additions. Homemade blue cheese dressing will typically last between five and ten days in the refrigerator.
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Best for wings
Blue cheese dressing is a popular choice for salads, dips, and chicken wings. While there are many store-bought options available, some prefer to make their own at home.
If you're looking for a blue cheese dressing to go with your chicken wings, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, the Happy Belly blue cheese dressing from Amazon is a great budget option, delivering a strong, tangy flavour with noticeable blue cheese bits, all for just $1.43 a bottle.
For those who prefer a thicker dressing, Toby's blue cheese offering is a great choice, with its chunky and funky texture, and super herby flavour. This would be perfect for those who like their dressing to cling to their wings.
If you're looking for a restaurant-quality blue cheese dressing, Bob's Big Boy is the one for you. It's rich, creamy, and thick, with both big and small chunks of blue cheese and huge pieces of freshly cracked peppercorns. It's mild enough to not overwhelm your wings but still packs a punch of flavour.
For those who like to make their own, there are plenty of recipes to choose from, with common ingredients including blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and various seasonings. Some recipes also include Greek yoghurt, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce for an extra kick of flavour.
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Best for dips
If you're looking for a blue cheese dip to accompany crudités, look no further than Marie's Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip. This thick and mild dip is the perfect pairing for veggies, and its chunky texture makes it ideal for dipping.
For a blue cheese dip with a difference, try Cindy's Kitchen real bleu cheese dressing and dip. This dip stands out from the crowd with its large chunks of blue cheese, adding a real punch of flavour.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, Happy Belly's blue cheese dip delivers a strong, tangy flavour with noticeable blue cheese bits, all without breaking the bank.
For those who are vegan or dairy-free, Follow Your Heart Bleu Cheese Dressing is the perfect option. This super garlicky and herby dip is a great way to add flavour to any salad or crudité platter.
Finally, for those who want a real punch of flavour, try making your own blue cheese dip at home. Homemade blue cheese dip is easy to make and can be customised to your taste preferences. Simply combine mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper, then gently fold in blue cheese crumbles. This dip can be made up to three days in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, giving you plenty of time to enjoy it!
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Frequently asked questions
There are several options for store-bought blue cheese dressing, but the best one may depend on individual preferences. Some popular options include Cindy's Kitchen, Kraft Roka, Marie's Chunky Blue Cheese, Renee's Chunky Blue Cheese, and Litehouse.
Follow Your Heart Bleu Cheese Dressing is considered the best vegan blue cheese dressing by some.
A homemade blue cheese dressing typically includes blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, and seasonings. You can also add ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper.
Homemade blue cheese dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Blue cheese dressing is a versatile condiment. It is commonly used on salads, wings, crudites, burgers, steak, and sandwiches. It can also be used as a dip for charcuterie boards or with veggies like carrots and celery.
