This Greek Yogurt Blue Cheese Salad Dressing combines few and simple ingredients but is packed full of flavour. It makes the perfect salad dressing or dipping sauce and takes anything from burgers or chicken wings to a whole other level!
I’m not going to lie – I’m a ranch girl through and through. For all of my life, if I’ve ever had to choose between blue cheese or ranch for saucing or dipping (pretty much anything), I’m always going with ranch. But, fast forward to now, and I’m wondering if I can start saying that statement in the past tense. You see, ever since moving to the Island from Toronto (could it be my old age???!!), I’ve gained this profound love for all things blue cheese. And while I’m still a loyal consumer of ranch, I’ve really began to love blue cheese (dare I say it) just AS MUCH?!?!
If you know me at all, then you know I have an undying love for chicken wings. What’s more? My undying love for SAUCY AF chicken wings. Especially when I’m indulging in one too many beers. Or, better yet, have already indulged in one too many beers and that’s why I need as many saucy AF wings as I can get in the first place. My love for Allstar Wings is no secret, either. And the fact that it doesn’t exist here in BC is ALMOST enough to make me pack it all up and move back to Toronto.
Buuuuut, thankfully, there is ONE saving grace. One so big that it trumps all and really makes me forget that there ain’t no allstar wings around here. I have none other than Vancouver Island to thank for introducing me to what they like to call Blue Moon Chicken Wings. Now, you may not be able to find over 100 different kind of wing flavours in any bar or restaurant around here. But what you will find, guaranteed on every single menu that sells chicken wings, is the flavour Blue Moon. A simple (but delicious, creamy and finger lickin’ good) mixture of Franks Red Hot Sauce and Blue Cheese Dressing. WHO KNEW?!?!?!
Needless to say, I’ve been in love ever since. And anytime I’m serving up wings at home, Blue Moon has become a mandatory flavour. Especially if I have someone visiting (I NEED to show them the Blue Moooooon!!!) But, I don’t know if it’s just me but there seems to be a shortage of blue cheese dressing in the grocery stores as of late because I cannot find it anywhere!!! So, does that mean no blue moon chicken wings for the foreseeable future?! Well, no..of course not! But does it mean put on your ninja kitchen hat, gather up a few simple ingredients and whip up your own in no time at all?!
Why yes, yes it does.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE GREEK YOGURT BLUE CHEESE SALAD DRESSING
Yup. That’s it. That’s all. 8 simple ingredients – and that’s if you’re counting salt and pepper – come together to form this creamy, luscious, velvety and tasty AF blue cheese dressing that doubles as a dipping sauce. Let’s get into them in a little bit more detail down below:
- Greek Yogurt: A strained yogurt with a thicker texture and higher protein content compared to regular yogurt. It adds a creamy base to the dressing without as much fat as traditional mayonnaise. However, with that being said, you can use mayo or sour cream as alternatives or in combination with Greek yogurt in your blue cheese dressing. Mayo will give you a richer and creamier texture. While sour cream will give you a tangier flavour and a slightly different texture.
- Blue Cheese: A type of cheese that has distinct blue or blue-green veins of mold. It has a strong, tangy flavour and a pungent, rich smell. Crumbling it into the dressing adds a rich and bold taste.
- Buttermilk: The liquid left behind after churning butter. It has a slightly tangy flavour and is often used in dressings to add a creamy consistency without adding a lot of fat. If you don’t have any buttermilk on hand, whole milk will get the job done just fine.
- Lemon Juice: Provides a bright and citrusy element to the dressing. It adds a touch of acidity, balancing the richness of the yogurt and blue cheese. Freshly squeezed lemon juice works best in this recipe.
- Garlic: Contributes a savory and aromatic flavor to the dressing. It’s minced to ensure even distribution of its taste throughout the mixture. Fresh garlic works best in this recipe. However, if all you have on hand is garlic powder, use 1/2 a teaspoon instead of the 2 fresh cloves.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a zesty and slightly spicy flavour to the dressing, enhancing its overall taste. Because of its distinct tangy taste, I wouldn’t recommend using a different kind of mustard in this recipe for blue cheese dressing.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavour of the dressing. Adjust the amounts based on your personal taste preferences.
HOW TO MAKE BLUE CHEESE DRESSING FROM SCRATCH (KEY TIPS)
You can find full instructions for how to make this healthy recipe for blue cheese dressing in the recipe card down below, but here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:
- Use good, fresh and high quality ingredients. Choose high quality blue cheese, Greek yogurt and other ingredients for the best flavour. Since there are so few ingredients in this recipe for blue cheese salad dressing, fresh, good quality ingredients will make a significant difference.
- Ensure the garlic is finely minced to avoid large, overpowering bites of garlic. You can use a garlic press or finely chop it with a sharp kitchen knife.
- Adjust the consistency of the dressing by adding more or less buttermilk (or whole milk) until you reach your desired thickness. This allows you to customize it to your liking. EXTRA TIP: Start of little by little. You can always add more to thin out the dressing but you can’t take it out if you’ve added too much.
- Make sure all of the ingredients are evenly distributed and very well combined. I like using a large bowl for this just to ensure I can stir it sufficiently instead of cramming it all into the jar and trying to stir it from there.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the salt, pepper, and other seasonings to achieve a well balanced flavour. Remember that blue cheese is already salty, so start with a small amount of salt and add more if needed.
- Let the dressing chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for best and tastiest results. This allows the flavours to meld and the dressing to thicken slightly.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As a long time lover of ranch and a new lover to blue cheese, I can firmly and confidently say that no, blue cheese dressing is not just ranch dressing with blue cheese. While blue cheese dressing and ranch dressing share some similarities, they are distinct condiments with different flavours and ingredients. Both dressings typically have a creamy base and are used as dips or dressings for salads, vegetables or other dishes, but there are key differences.
Ranch dressing has a base of buttermilk and mayonnaise or sour cream, seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices like garlic, onion, dill, and parsley. It has a tangy and herby flavour profile. Blue cheese dressing, on the other hand, has a base of ingredients like Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, or sour cream, combined with blue cheese crumbles. It has a rich, tangy, and distinctive blue cheese flavour.
Ranch dressing does not traditionally contain blue cheese. Instead, it relies on herbs and spices for its flavour profile. While blue cheese dressing, as the name suggests, prominently features blue cheese, contributing to its unique taste and crumbly texture. Therefore, ranch dressing tends to have a smoother and creamier texture. Blue cheese dressing often has a chunkier texture due to the crumbled blue cheese.
The healthiness of blue cheese dressing, like any other dressing, depends on various factors, including its ingredients, portion size and how it fits into your overall diet. As with any food, moderation and balance are key. Incorporating blue cheese dressing into a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet can be part of a healthy eating plan. This recipe for homemade blue cheese dressing uses Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise or sour cream making it a lower calorie, higher protein and healthier alternative.
Homemade blue cheese dressing can sometimes become watery due to a few reasons.
The ingredients in the dressing may separate over time, with the liquid portion settling at the bottom. This can be more pronounced if the dressing is stored for an extended period.
PRO TIP: Before serving, give the dressing a good stir to recombine the ingredients. If separation is a persistent issue, you can try using an immersion blender or food processor to achieve a more stable emulsion.
Ingredients like Greek yogurt, mayonnaise or sour cream can have varying moisture content. If these ingredients release water over time, it can lead to a watery dressing. PRO TIP: Choose thick and high-quality ingredients. Greek yogurt with a higher fat content tends to be creamier and less prone to separation.
Overmixing or overprocessing the ingredients, especially if using a blender or food processor, can contribute to a thinner consistency. PRO TIP: Mix the ingredients until just combined. If using a food processor or blender, pulse briefly to avoid overprocessing.
Using too much buttermilk or other liquid ingredients in the dressing recipe can result in a thinner consistency. PRO TIP: Gradually add liquid ingredients, and adjust the quantities based on your desired thickness. You can always add more liquid, but it’s challenging to thicken an overly watery dressing.
If your blue cheese dressing is too thin and you want to thicken it, there are several methods you can try. Here are some effective ways to achieve a thicker consistency:
Incorporate additional crumbled blue cheese into the dressing. The cheese will not only enhance the flavour but also contribute to a thicker texture.
If you used buttermilk or a thinner base, consider adding more Greek yogurt or sour cream to increase the thickness. These ingredients provide a creamy texture without making the dressing overly watery. If you’re not concerned about the additional calories, you can add some mayonnaise to increase the creaminess and thickness of the dressing.
Refrigerate the dressing for an extended period, preferably a few hours or overnight. This allows the ingredients to meld and the dressing to thicken naturally.
Store your homemade blue cheese dressing in an airtight container or clean and sterilized jar with a tight fitting lid. As a general guideline, it should last for about 1-2 weeks. If the dressing separates, give it a good stir before using. Separation is normal, especially if the dressing contains ingredients with different consistencies.
GREEK YOGURT BLUE CHEESE SALAD DRESSING
This Greek Yogurt Blue Cheese Salad Dressing combines few and simple ingredients but is packed full of flavour. It makes the perfect salad dressing or dipping sauce and takes anything from burgers or chicken wings to a whole other level!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
- 1/2 cup Blue Cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup Buttermilk or Whole Milk
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Dijon Mustard
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, crumbled blue cheese, buttermilk, lemon juice, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard. Mix the ingredients well until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 564Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1647mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 23gProtein: 48g
Nutrition is only an estimate and calculated using Nutritionix.
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