This blue cheese dressing recipe is thick, creamy, tangy, and full of real blue cheese crumbles. It is the homemade salad dressing I reach for most often because it is simple to make and tastes wonderful on salads, vegetables, and chicken wings.
There is so much to love about a good homemade blue cheese dressing. This version has a rich, creamy base, a pleasant tang from buttermilk and white wine vinegar, and plenty of blue cheese pieces throughout. It is thick enough to feel hearty, but still smooth enough to pour over a crisp salad.
If you enjoy bold, savory dressings, this easy blue cheese dressing is a great recipe to keep in your kitchen rotation. It works beautifully as a classic salad dressing, especially on a Cobb salad, but it is also delicious served as a dip with fresh vegetables or alongside chicken wings. The texture is one of the best parts: creamy, chunky, and full of flavor in every spoonful.
Growing up, Italian dressing was often on the table, but once I started choosing my own dressings, blue cheese quickly became a favorite. Eventually, I decided to make it from scratch, and homemade has been my first choice ever since. The flavor is fresher, the texture is better, and you can decide exactly how chunky or smooth you want it to be.
Helpful tips
- You can use powdered buttermilk, fresh buttermilk from the store, or make a quick substitute at home. To make your own, add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 10 minutes before using it in the dressing.
- For a chunkier blue cheese salad dressing, gently stir the ingredients together and leave some of the cheese pieces intact.
- For a smoother dressing, use a fork to mash more of the blue cheese into the creamy base before chilling.
- Letting the dressing rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes helps it thicken and gives the flavors time to blend.
How to make blue cheese salad dressing
Pre-step
Set out a medium mixing bowl and a rubber spatula. You will also need a fork if you want to break up some of the larger blue cheese crumbles.
Step one
Gather the ingredients for the blue cheese dressing: blue cheese, sour cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, and garlic powder. Having everything ready before you begin makes the recipe quick and easy.
Step two
Prepare the buttermilk if needed. If you are using powdered buttermilk, mix it according to the package directions. If you are using fresh buttermilk, simply measure it out. If you are making a homemade substitute, combine milk with either apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Measure 1/4 cup of buttermilk or use the amount listed in the recipe card below.
Step three
Add the blue cheese, sour cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, and garlic powder to the mixing bowl.
Step four
Stir the ingredients with a rubber spatula until everything is combined. Then use a fork to gently break up some of the larger blue cheese pieces. You can mash only a few pieces for a very chunky dressing or mash more of them if you prefer a creamier consistency.
Step five
Transfer the dressing to a container, cover it, and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. The dressing will thicken as it chills, and the flavors will become even better.
Once chilled, pour the dressing over your favorite salad or serve it as a dip. It is especially good with a Cobb salad because the creamy blue cheese pairs so well with crisp greens, vegetables, and hearty toppings.
This homemade blue cheese salad dressing is quick, satisfying, and much fresher than most bottled versions. If you love a thick and flavorful dressing with plenty of blue cheese, this recipe is one to make again and again.
Other awesome dressings
- Avocado cilantro dressing
- Green Goddess dressing
- Vegan pesto sauce
I hope you enjoy this creamy blue cheese dressing recipe. May all your dishes be delish!
Best Blue Cheese Dressing Ever
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons buttermilk (.25 cup, fresh or homemade)
- 3 tablespoons blue cheese
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
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Prepare the buttermilk first if you are using powdered buttermilk or a homemade substitute.
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Add the buttermilk, blue cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, and garlic powder to a medium mixing bowl.
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Stir with a rubber spatula until the ingredients are fully combined.
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Use a fork to break up some of the larger pieces of blue cheese, leaving the dressing as chunky or as smooth as you prefer.
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Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes so the dressing can thicken.
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Transfer to a serving container, pour over salad, or serve as a dip.
Notes
Helpful tip: To make a simple buttermilk substitute, add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it rest for 10 minutes before using.