Blue Cheese Dressing

Creamy, tangy, and packed with bold flavor, this Blue Cheese Dressing is the perfect way to elevate salads, sandwiches, and dips.

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Blue cheese may be offputting for some, but it’s also packed with rich, complex flavors which many people adore. And when blended into a creamy dressing, it becomes a velvety smooth topping that can take your salads and sandwiches to the next level. Traditionally made with blue cheese, mayonnaise, and either buttermilk, sour cream, or Greek yogurt, this dairy lover’s dream dressing is both tangy and savory. Best of all, it takes just 10 minutes to whip up and lasts for days in the fridge.

The dressing itself gained popularity in the U.S. sometime in the early 20th century, with one of the earliest known recipes for something resembling this dressing appearing in Fannie Farmer’s Boston Cooking School Cook Book in 1918. However, its exact origins remain a bit of a mystery.

When I first tried blue cheese dressing, I was genuinely surprised. I thought I’d hate it, but it turns out the mold is what gives it that signature fragrant, zesty flavor. It’s smooth, cheesy, and just the right amount of pungent—perfect for jazzing up any salad. Whether you slather it on butter lettuce, kale, or a classic iceberg wedge, this decadent dressing makes everything taste better.

Is Blue Cheese Dressing Healthy?

This blue cheese dressing contains ingredients that provide calcium and protein, however, it’s also high in fat and sodium, so it might not fit into every diet. Luckily, you don’t need much of it to add a flavorful boost to your salads. If sugar is your concern, simply opt for unsweetened yogurt and mayo when making it from scratch.

The Science Behind Blue Cheese

Blue cheese gets its signature blue-green veins from a special mold— either Penicillium roqueforti or Penicillium glaucum. These molds are completely safe to eat and actually enhance the cheese’s flavor and texture. The process begins by introducing the mold into the cheese, followed by piercing the cheese using stainless steel rods to create an open texture for the mold to grow. The subsequent aging process creates blue cheese’s distinct marbling, sharp taste, and pungent aroma.

FAQs & Tips

How Do I Store Leftovers?

Refrigerate blue cheese dressing in an airtight container for up to 10 days. A Mason jar works great for keeping the dressing fresh. Make sure to date the top so you can keep track of how long it’s been in the fridge.

What’s A Good Alternative For Mayo?

If mayonnaise isn’t your thing and you’d like to try something else, I suggest using plain yogurt instead. This will go smoothly with the Greek yogurt, without sacrificing the creamy texture or rich flavor.

Why Is There Lemon Juice In This Blue Cheese Dressing?

Lemon juice isn’t always included in blue cheese dressing, but in this recipe, it enhances the tangy flavor and balances the richness of the dairy. The citrusy brightness helps cut through the bold, pungent notes of the blue cheese, creating a more well-rounded taste. It also adds a refreshing lift, making the dressing feel lighter and more vibrant.

Serving Suggestions

Drizzle blue cheese dressing over any of your favorite greens, such as butter lettuce, Kale Salad, 7-Layer Salad, or Zucchini Salad. It also makes a great topping for Roasted Red Potatoes, Shaved Brussels Sprouts, or Roasted Tomatoes. Last but definitely not least, my favorite way to spruce up an Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich is by spreading blue cheese dressing on the bread before toasting it. It’s such a fancy lunch!