Ina Garten’s Creamy Buttermilk Salad Dressing Recipe – So Simple

Ina Garten’s buttermilk salad dressing transforms ordinary greens into a tantalizing culinary experience with its creamy, zesty profile.

Her signature blend harmonizes rich, smooth ingredients that dance across your palate with unexpected sophistication.

Silky and robust, this dressing carries complex flavor notes that elevate even the simplest salad arrangement.

Home cooks adore its versatility, which stretches far beyond typical leafy accompaniments.

Professional and amateur chefs alike appreciate the straightforward technique that produces such remarkable results.

When you whisk these ingredients together, magic happens in mere moments.

The secret lies in balancing each component with precise proportions and careful technique: dive in and create something delicious.

Wrapping Up the Buttermilk Dressing Journey

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s simple buttermilk dressing, blending tangy and creamy notes into pure kitchen perfection.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, creating an effortless condiment that elevates salads from ordinary to extraordinary.

Whisking ingredients becomes a moment of pure culinary joy, transforming fresh greens into gourmet experiences.

Refrigeration allows flavors to meld and intensify, promising a delightful accompaniment to countless dishes.

Share this recipe with passionate food enthusiasts, comment below with your favorite salad pairing, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms!

What’s So Special About Ina Garten’s Buttermilk Dressing

• Effortless Whisking: Blend all ingredients in minutes with just a simple whisk, making this dressing a breeze to prepare for anyone from kitchen newbies to seasoned cooks.
• Flavor-Packed Versatility: This buttermilk dressing delivers a tangy, creamy punch that transforms ordinary salads into extraordinary culinary experiences, perfect for jazzing up fresh greens or as a dip for crispy vegetables.
• Chill and Serve Convenience: Prepare ahead of time and store in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify, making meal prep a stress-free and delicious experience that saves you precious time during busy days.
• Customizable Seasoning: Easily adjust the taste by tweaking seasonings to match your personal preference, giving you complete control over the final flavor profile of this delightful homemade dressing.

Ingredients That Make Ina’s Dressing Pop

• Buttermilk: Creamy and tangy base that gives the dressing its signature smooth texture and bright flavor.
• Mayonnaise: Adds richness and helps create a thick, creamy consistency for the dressing.
• Sour Cream: Provides extra tanginess and helps balance the overall flavor profile.

• Chives, Dill: Fresh herbs that bring a light, herbal brightness and complexity to the dressing.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle, warm background flavor without the sharp bite of fresh garlic.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and round out the overall taste of the dressing.

• Dijon Mustard: Introduces a subtle sharp and tangy note that helps bind the ingredients together.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides depth and a hint of umami to complement the creamy base.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a fresh, citrusy brightness that cuts through the richness of the creamy ingredients.

Easy Instructions for Buttermilk Dressing

Step 1: Gather Fresh Ingredients

Collect buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, herbs, and seasonings from your kitchen counter or refrigerator.

Step 2: Combine Creamy Base

• Buttermilk
• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream

Step 3: Enhance With Herbs

Finely chop or mince fresh herbs like chives, dill, and parsley. Sprinkle them into the creamy mixture.

Step 4: Season with Flavor Boosters

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

Step 5: Whisk Until Smooth

Use a wire whisk to blend all ingredients thoroughly, ensuring no lumps remain and everything is well incorporated.

Step 6: Taste and Adjust

Sample the dressing and add extra seasonings if needed to balance the flavors perfectly.

Step 7: Chill and Store

Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Drizzle over crisp salad greens or use as a delicious dip for fresh vegetables.

Tips to Elevate Ina’s Buttermilk Dressing

• Boost Herb Freshness: Chop herbs right before mixing to release maximum flavor and aroma into the dressing.
• Maximize Garlic Kick: Grate fresh garlic instead of mincing for more intense and evenly distributed flavor throughout the dressing.
• Blend for Silky Smoothness: Pulse ingredients in a food processor to create a creamy, well-integrated texture that coats salad greens perfectly.
• Temperature Matters: Let dressing sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop richness.
• Storage Solution: Refrigerate leftover dressing in an airtight container for up to 5 days, giving it a quick shake before each use to restore consistency.

Storing Your Buttermilk Dressing the Smart Way

• Glass Jar Method: Transfer dressing to a clean, wide-mouth glass mason jar with a tight-sealing lid. Shake vigorously before each use to recombine separated ingredients and maintain creamy consistency.
• Vacuum-Sealed Container Method: Pour dressing into a vacuum-sealed container to maximize freshness and prevent air exposure. Remove air completely using a handheld vacuum sealer to extend storage life up to 7 days.
• Temperature Control Method: Keep dressing consistently chilled at 40°F or below in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf. Avoid storing near the door where temperature fluctuates, which can compromise the dressing's quality and breakdown dairy components.

Flavorful Twists on Ina Garten’s Dressing

• Fresh Herb Burst: Chop fresh dill, chives, and parsley into the dressing for a vibrant, garden-fresh flavor profile that elevates any salad.
• Spicy Kick Version: Add a dash of sriracha or finely minced jalapeño to create a zesty, bold dressing that brings heat and excitement to your greens.
• Roasted Garlic Edition: Blend in two roasted garlic cloves for a rich, mellow undertone that transforms the classic buttermilk dressing into a more complex condiment.
• Greek-Inspired Blend: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and dried oregano to give the dressing a Mediterranean-style character with tangy, earthy notes.

Ina Garten Buttermilk Salad Dressing Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s buttermilk salad dressing offers a creamy, tangy twist to elevate any green ensemble. Fresh herbs and smooth dairy create a light, zesty companion perfect for crisp salads and summer gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
• ¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann’s or Duke’s

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried dill
• ¼ cup finely chopped fresh chives
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Additional Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• Few dashes of Tabasco sauce, optional

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Instructions

1. Gather a medium-sized mixing bowl and combine all ingredients, ensuring thorough integration of flavors.
2. Utilize a whisk to blend the components, creating a smooth and uniform consistency that evenly distributes each element.
3. Conduct a taste test to evaluate the seasoning profile, carefully adjusting with additional spices or condiments as required to achieve the desired flavor balance.
4. Transfer the prepared mixture to the refrigerator, allowing it to chill and meld flavors until the moment of serving or incorporation into your culinary creation.

Notes

• Blending magic transforms ordinary ingredients into a creamy, vibrant dressing that hugs every salad bite.
• Garlic lovers can amp up the intensity by adding an extra clove, creating a bold and zesty flavor profile.
• Refrigeration helps meld flavors, making the dressing taste even more delicious after resting for an hour.
• Substituting herbs like basil or cilantro can introduce exciting new taste dimensions to the classic recipe.
• Storing in an airtight glass container extends the dressing’s freshness for up to a week in the refrigerator.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 85
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 170 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg