Dreamy Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe à la Ina Garten
Creamy, tangy, and utterly irresistible, this Ina Garten buttermilk blue cheese dressing recipe delivers a punch of flavor that turns ordinary salads into extraordinary culinary moments.
blue cheese lovers will swoon over the robust, sharp notes dancing through each silky spoonful.
The combination of buttermilk and pungent cheese creates a dressing that’s both luxurious and surprisingly simple to whip up.
Every ingredient has been carefully selected to ensure maximum taste and texture.
Garten’s touch brings depth and character to this classic condiment.
She masterfully balances the bold blue cheese with smooth, creamy elements that make this dressing absolutely addictive.
Drizzle this sensational dressing over crisp greens and prepare for a taste sensation that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Calories: 130 kcal
Servings: 8
Ingredients for Ina Garten Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing
For Creamy Base:
Mayonnaise: Provides rich, smooth foundation for the dressing, choose a high-quality brand for best flavor.
Sour Cream: Adds tangy depth and silky texture, opt for full-fat version for maximum creaminess.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Blue Cheese: Delivers bold, sharp taste, select a creamy variety with intense blue veining for robust character.
Worcestershire Sauce: Introduces complex umami undertones, look for traditional aged versions for deeper flavor profile.
Lemon Juice: Brightens the entire dressing, use fresh-squeezed for vibrant, zesty kick.
For Fresh Finishing Touches:
Buttermilk: Thins the dressing and adds subtle tanginess, seek out local or organic options for best taste.
Chives: Provides gentle onion-like freshness, choose bright green, firm stems for maximum flavor.
Parsley: Offers light herbal notes, select crisp, deep green leaves for best visual and taste appeal.
Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and warmth, freshly ground provides most intense flavor experience.
Equipment for Ina Garten Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing
Mixing bowl: Medium-sized vessel for combining ingredients smoothly.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurate liquid and ingredient proportions.
Measuring spoons: Precise tool for adding Worcestershire sauce and seasonings.
Whisk or fork: Perfect for blending dressing ingredients thoroughly.
Spatula: Helpful for scraping sides of bowl and ensuring complete mixing.
Cutting board: For chopping fresh chives or parsley.
Sharp knife: To finely chop herbs with clean, precise cuts.
Airtight container: Ideal for storing dressing in refrigerator.
How to Mix Ina Garten Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing
Creamy Blue Cheese Delight
Flavor Foundation Whisk together tangy mayonnaise, rich sour cream, zesty Worcestershire sauce, and bright lemon juice in a medium mixing bowl until smooth and well combined.
Cheese Magic Crumble fresh blue cheese into the creamy base, deliberately breaking some chunks while keeping others intact for wonderful textural contrast.
Smooth Adjustment Slowly pour buttermilk into the mixture, stirring gently until you achieve your preferred consistency – some like it thick, others more pourable.
Herbal Finish Sprinkle finely chopped chives or parsley across the surface, then dust with freshly ground black pepper for a subtle kick.
Flavor Harmony Taste and fine-tune the dressing, adding extra Worcestershire sauce or lemon juice to enhance the overall depth and brightness.
Chill and Develop Seal the dressing in an airtight container and refrigerate. Allow the flavors to mingle and intensify for at least one hour, though overnight will create an even more robust taste experience.
Adjustments to Ina Garten Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing
Experiment with different blue cheese varieties like Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Danish blue to create unique flavor profiles.
Fold in extra blue cheese crumbles just before serving for added tangy chunks and visual appeal.
Swap full-fat ingredients with Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream for a healthier dressing without sacrificing creamy goodness.
Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs like dill, tarragon, or thyme to introduce subtle aromatic notes that complement the blue cheese's sharpness.
Prepare the dressing up to three days in advance, allowing flavors to intensify and develop a deeper, more complex taste in the refrigerator.
Serve Ina Garten Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing Fresh
Drizzle Over Fresh Salads: Generously pour this creamy blue cheese dressing onto crisp mixed greens, creating a tangy and rich flavor profile that elevates simple vegetables.
Dip Veggie Delights: Serve alongside crunchy raw vegetables like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips for a protein-packed and zesty appetizer experience.
Transform Chicken Wings: Coat grilled or fried chicken wings with this dressing, providing a bold and creamy complement that adds depth and excitement to classic wing recipes.
Enhance Burger Toppings: Spread a thick layer on juicy burgers or use as a sophisticated condiment that brings a sharp, creamy kick to your favorite grilled meat.
Store Ina Garten Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing Well
Store Smartly: Keep dressing in an airtight glass container to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
Chill and Enhance: Refrigerate for minimum one hour before serving, allowing blue cheese and herbs to develop deeper, richer taste profiles.
Track Freshness: Consume within 3-5 days for optimal flavor and texture, checking for any separation or unusual odors before use.
Mix Before Serving: Gently stir dressing before each use, as natural ingredients might slightly separate during refrigeration.
Ina Garten’s buttermilk blue cheese dressing elevates salads with rich, tangy flavors from creamy ingredients. Chefs can drizzle this classic dressing over crisp greens or use as a robust dip for fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
½ to ¾ cups (2 to 3 oz) blue cheese, crumbled
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
2 to 8 tbsps (1/8 to ½ cup) buttermilk
½ to 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ to 3 tsps fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp snipped chives
freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Blend Base: In a medium bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice until smooth and homogeneous.
Cheese Integration: Crumble blue cheese into the mixture, maintaining a variety of chunk sizes to ensure textural complexity and flavor intensity.
Liquid Incorporation: Stream buttermilk into the dressing, stirring continuously to achieve a creamy, pourable consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
Herbal and Seasoning Enhancement: Fold in finely chopped chives or parsley, then generously season with freshly ground black pepper to elevate the overall taste profile.
Flavor Calibration: Taste and adjust the dressing’s brightness by introducing additional Worcestershire sauce or lemon juice, balancing tanginess and depth.
Storage and Maturation: Transfer to an airtight glass container and refrigerate for at least one hour, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, with peak taste developing after 24 hours.
Preservation: Maintain the dressing in the refrigerator, consuming within 3-5 days to ensure optimal freshness and vibrant flavor characteristics.
Notes
Cheese Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, authentic blue cheese like Roquefort or Gorgonzola for intense, rich flavor and authentic taste.
Texture Technique: Break blue cheese chunks purposefully – some fine crumbles for even distribution, larger pieces for bold flavor bursts.
Chill for Flavor Depth: Refrigerating the dressing allows ingredients to marry and develop more complex, sophisticated taste profiles.
Freshness Window: Consume within 3-5 days for optimal taste and creamy consistency, always keeping the dressing refrigerated.
Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning
Education
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Diploma: Grand Diplôme®
Focus: Intensive training in classic French cuisine and pastry techniques, combining the Diplôme de Cuisine and Diplôme de Pâtisserie.
Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.
At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.
Isabella Rodriguez
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Pastry Arts and Dessert Innovation, French and European Baking Techniques, Food Writing and Blogging, Culinary Event Planning
Education
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Isabella Rodriguez is the co-founder and pastry chef at wd-50.com. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she earned the Grand Diplôme®, a top award in both cooking and baking. After working in fancy bakeries and as a personal pastry chef, Isabella now shares her love for desserts in an easy way for home bakers to enjoy.
At wd-50.com, Isabella creates recipes for cookies, cakes, tarts, and more, always with clear steps and helpful tips. She believes baking should be fun, not stressful, and she hopes her recipes bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.