Ina Garten’s Irresistible Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe

Creamy buttermilk blue cheese dressing transforms ordinary salads into culinary masterpieces with its tangy, rich profile.

Zesty ingredients blend harmoniously to create a luxurious condiment that elevates any leafy ensemble.

Robust blue cheese provides a bold, distinctive flavor that awakens taste buds and adds depth to simple dishes.

Smooth and velvety, this dressing combines classic dairy elements with bright, punchy accents.

Kitchen enthusiasts appreciate its versatility and ability to turn mundane meals into memorable experiences.

Home cooks can easily craft this delectable accompaniment using straightforward techniques and readily available ingredients.

Tantalizing and indulgent, this dressing promises to become a staple in your culinary repertoire: dive into deliciousness!

Tips for That Bold Blue Cheese Bite

• Cheese Selection Matters: Pick a bold, creamy blue cheese like Roquefort or Gorgonzola to elevate the dressing's depth and complexity.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to meld and intensify their taste profile.
• Customize Your Crumble: Use a fork to gently break down blue cheese chunks, creating a smooth base while maintaining delightful cheese nuggets throughout the dressing.
• Freshness is Key: Use fresh lemon juice and high-quality mayonnaise to ensure a bright, clean flavor that makes this dressing truly spectacular.
• Versatile Serving Suggestions: Drizzle over crisp salads, use as a dip for vegetables, or spread on sandwiches to explore the dressing's incredible versatility.

Keeping It Cool: Storage Tips You’ll Need

• Airtight Glass Containers: Transfer the dressing to sealed glass jars with tight-fitting lids, preventing air exposure and maintaining maximum flavor integrity. Glass containers preserve taste better than plastic and prevent unwanted odor absorption.
• Refrigerator Placement: Position the dressing in the coldest section of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf away from the door. This strategic location ensures consistent temperature and minimizes potential bacterial growth, extending the dressing's freshness.
• Freezing Strategy: Divide the dressing into small portion-sized containers before freezing, allowing convenient thawing without compromising the entire batch. Freeze up to 3 months, but note that texture might slightly change upon defrosting due to blue cheese's delicate composition.

Flavor Twists for Blue Cheese Fans

• Ranch Remix: Swap blue cheese for fresh dill and add garlic powder for a classic ranch-style dressing that complements salads and veggie platters.
• Herb Garden Punch: Replace chives with a blend of fresh thyme, rosemary, and basil to create a more complex and aromatic herb-infused dressing.
• Spicy Southwest Splash: Mix in smoked paprika, ground cumin, and a dash of hot sauce to transform the dressing into a zesty southwestern-inspired condiment perfect for taco salads and grilled meats.
• Greek Yogurt Light: Substitute half the sour cream with Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining a creamy texture and tangy flavor profile.

Dressing Things Up, the Ina Way

Blue cheese dressing emerges as culinary magic from Ina Garten’s kitchen, revealing sophisticated flavor combinations that elevate simple salads.

Complex yet approachable, this creamy condiment transforms ordinary greens into gourmet experiences.

Smooth textures blend tangy blue cheese with rich buttermilk, creating depth beyond standard dressings.

Delicious results come from patient preparation and quality ingredients.

Kitchen adventurers can easily craft this signature recipe – sharing culinary passion becomes irresistible when results look this spectacular.

Scroll down, click those like and share buttons, and spread deliciousness with fellow food enthusiasts!

Why This Blue Cheese Dressing Is Better Than Any Store-Bought

• Elevate Your Salad Game: This blue cheese dressing transforms ordinary greens into a gourmet experience with its rich, tangy flavor profile that makes every bite exciting.
• Creamy Texture Perfection: The combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk creates an ultra-smooth, luxurious dressing that clings beautifully to salad ingredients.
• Quick and Customizable Preparation: With just a few simple steps, you can whip up this restaurant-quality dressing in minutes, adjusting thickness and flavor to your exact preference.
• Make-Ahead Magic: The dressing develops deeper, more complex flavors when refrigerated, making it an ideal prep-ahead option for busy home cooks looking to save time and enhance taste.

What You Need for This Creamy, Tangy Dream

• Mayonnaise: Creamy foundation that provides smooth and rich texture for the dressing.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy flavor and helps create a silky consistency.
• Buttermilk: Provides classic tang and helps adjust the dressing's thickness.

• Blue Cheese: Sharp, distinctive cheese that gives the dressing its signature bold taste, best when using high-quality creamy varieties.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds deep umami and complexity to the overall flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acid that balances the richness and adds fresh brightness.

• Chives, Parsley: Fresh herbs that provide color, mild onion or grassy notes, and a pop of freshness.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complements the strong blue cheese flavor.

How to Whisk Up Dressing Perfection

Step 1: Gather Your Creamy Companions

Collect all ingredients: mayonnaise, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, blue cheese, buttermilk, chives or parsley, and black pepper.

Step 2: Whisk the Smooth Base

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Worcestershire sauce
• Lemon juice

Whisk these ingredients until they create a smooth, well-blended mixture.

Step 3: Crumble the Blue Cheese Magic

Add blue cheese to the mixture, gently crushing some pieces while leaving others in delightful crumbles. This technique ensures a rich, textured dressing with intense cheese flavor.

Step 4: Create the Perfect Consistency

Slowly pour in buttermilk, stirring continuously. Adjust the amount until you reach your desired thickness – some prefer a thicker dressing, while others enjoy a more pourable version.

Step 5: Enhance with Fresh Herbs

Finely chop chives or parsley and sprinkle into the dressing. Grind fresh black pepper to add a subtle kick and depth of flavor.

Step 6: Taste and Adjust

Sample the dressing and fine-tune the taste. Add extra Worcestershire sauce for tang or lemon juice for brightness if needed.

Step 7: Chill and Develop Flavors

Cover the dressing and refrigerate for at least one hour. For maximum flavor development, let it rest for 24 hours. The dressing will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-5 days when stored in an airtight container.

Pro Tip: The longer the dressing sits, the more the flavors will meld and intensify, creating an incredibly delicious condiment.

Ina Garten Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing showcases Ina Garten’s signature elegance with tangy blue cheese and rich buttermilk. Her classic recipe delivers bold flavor that elevates salads and transforms simple greens into a gourmet experience you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ to ¾ cup (2 to 3 ounces) crumbled blue cheese
• 2 to 8 tablespoons (1/8 to ½ cup) buttermilk

Flavor Enhancers:

• ½ to 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ to 3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon snipped chives
• freshly-ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, and freshly squeezed lemon juice in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to create a smooth base.
2. Gently crumble blue cheese into the mixture, using a fork to break some pieces while leaving larger chunks for added texture and robust flavor.
3. Gradually pour buttermilk (236 milliliters or 8 fluid ounces) into the dressing, stirring consistently until achieving desired consistency and creaminess.
4. Finely chop fresh chives or parsley and sprinkle into the mixture, then season generously with freshly ground black pepper.
5. Taste the dressing and fine-tune the flavor profile by adding extra Worcestershire sauce or lemon juice to enhance tanginess and depth.
6. Transfer the blue cheese dressing to an airtight glass container, ensuring a tight seal to preserve freshness.
7. Refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a more complex flavor, with optimal taste emerging after 24 hours.
8. Store the dressing in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, maintaining its creamy texture and vibrant taste when properly chilled.

Notes

• Craft your dressing ahead of time to let flavors meld and intensify, creating a more robust taste profile.
• Chill ingredients before mixing to maintain a crisp, cool texture that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Customize heat levels by gradually adding hot sauce, tasting as you go to match your personal spice tolerance.
• Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for up to five days.
• Experiment with different blue cheese varieties like Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or local artisan options to discover unique flavor dimensions.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg