Steakhouse Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe

There’s something about a steakhouse dinner that feels indulgent, from the sizzle of a perfectly cooked steak to the crisp snap of fresh salad greens. And while I’ll always avow that a good steak needs no embellishments, I must confess that I have a not-so-secret love affair with a robust, tangy, and delectably creamy steakhouse blue cheese dressing.

As an ardent fan of homemade dressings that can transform a simple salad into a gourmet experience, I’m thrilled to share with you a recipe that takes me back to a cozy booth in the corner of my favorite steakhouse, with soft lighting and the clinking of wine glasses in the background. I’m talking about a blue cheese dressing so luxuriously creamy, so perfectly balanced that it elevates even the most basic of lettuce leaves to a revelatory bite.

How to make steakhouse blue cheese dressing

Steakhouse blue cheese dressing is a creamy salad dressing typically served in steakhouses, as the name suggests. It is made primarily from a base of mayonnaise or sour cream combined with crumbled blue cheese, vinegar (often white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar), garlic, and various seasonings such as salt, pepper, and sometimes herbs like chives or parsley.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup buttermilk (see tip below if you don’t have buttermilk)
• 1 small garlic clove, minced or grated
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)

Instructions

1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk.
2. Add the minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, ground black pepper, and salt to the mixture. Whisk together until smooth and well incorporated.
3. Gently fold in crumbled blue cheese with a spatula or spoon, ensuring the chunks are distributed evenly throughout the dressing.
4. Taste the dressing and adjust seasonings if needed. For a thicker dressing, you can add more blue cheese, or for a thinner consistency, you can add a bit more buttermilk.
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
6. Before serving, stir the dressing well and drizzle over your favorite greens or dip for vegetables or grilled meats. Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

• If you don’t have buttermilk, you can easily create a substitute by adding 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a 1/4 cup of milk. Stir and let it sit for 5 minutes before using it in the recipe.
• When choosing a blue cheese for your dressing, consider using a high-quality cheese for the best flavor. Some popular blue cheese options include Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton.
• Feel free to adjust the amount of blue cheese in the dressing to your preference. Some people prefer it stronger, while others like it more subtle. The beauty of a homemade recipe is that you can customize it to your liking.
• This dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. But trust me, it’s so delicious that you’ll probably devour it all before then!

What to serve with

Steakhouse blue cheese dressing is incredibly versatile and can be served with various dishes. This tantalizing dressing will elevate any meal from salads to appetizers and main courses. Below, discover some delicious and creative ideas for pairing your homemade blue cheese dressing.

1. Classic Wedge Salad: A timeless favorite, the classic wedge salad involves a crunchy iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and crispy bacon bits. Drizzle your homemade steakhouse blue cheese dressing over the top and garnish with chives to complete this satisfying starter.

2. Grilled Steak or Chicken: Complement the rich flavors of grilled meats by serving a side of blue cheese dressing as a dipping sauce for your steak or chicken. The tangy, creamy dressing enhances the smoky flavors of the grilled meat for an unbeatable combination.

3. Crudité Platter: Many fresh, crunchy veggies such as carrots, celery, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas, cucumber, and even blanched green beans or asparagus are perfect for dipping into your blue cheese dressing. This makes a great appetizer or a healthy snack for gatherings.

4. Buffalo Wings: For a fun twist on the classic pairing of buffalo wings and blue cheese, serve your steakhouse blue cheese dressing as a dipping sauce for your wings. It creates a delightful balance of tangy, spicy, and creamy flavors.

5. Cobb Salad: Take your Cobb salad to the next level with your homemade blue cheese dressing. The combination of grilled chicken, avocado, chopped eggs, bacon, and blue cheese dressing meld together into a mouthwatering and satisfying meal.

6. Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle your blue cheese dressing over roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or cauliflower for an added zing. This can elevate even the simplest of roasted vegetable dishes.

7. Loaded Baked Potatoes: Swap out the traditional sour cream for your blue cheese dressing on a loaded baked potato. Add your favorite toppings like bacon bits, chives, or even diced fresh tomatoes for a hearty and delicious side dish.

8. Burgers: This decadent blue cheese dressing can add incredible depth and flavor to your favorite burger recipe. With its unique combination of creamy and tangy, it pairs well with various toppings such as caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms.

9. Sandwiches and Wraps: Spread some of your homemade blue cheese dressing on sandwiches and wraps to imbue them with a delightful tanginess. It pairs particularly well with roast beef, grilled chicken or turkey, mixed greens, and sliced tomatoes.

10. Pasta Salad: Incorporate some of your steakhouse blue cheese dressing into a cold pasta salad with grilled chicken, crisp veggies, and cooked pasta of your choice. The sharp flavors of the blue cheese dressing mix well with the pasta and vegetables for a delightful dish perfect for picnics or potlucks.

Ingredient Substitutes

When crafting the perfect steakhouse blue cheese dressing, you may need substitutes for certain ingredients, either due to dietary restrictions, allergies, or simply because you’ve run out of an item. Here’s a detailed guide on potential substitutes for each component of the recipe:

Mayonnaise

• Greek Yogurt: For a healthier, protein-rich mayonnaise alternative, try plain Greek yogurt. It offers a similar creamy texture with a tangy flavor.
• Avocado: Mashed avocado mixed with a little lemon juice can replace mayonnaise to make your dressing creamier and add a dose of healthy fats.

Sour Cream

• Plain Yogurt: Plain, unsweetened yogurt can substitute sour cream in a 1:1 ratio, bringing a similar taste and texture to the dressing while being lighter.
• Crème Fraîche: Although higher in fat, crème fraîche is an excellent substitute for sour cream, offering a rich taste and creamy consistency.

Buttermilk

• Milk and Acid: If you don’t have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar per cup necessary. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to curdle and thicken slightly.
• Milk and Yogurt: Mix three parts milk to one part of yogurt to create a buttermilk substitute with a similar tanginess.

Garlic

• Garlic Powder: A pinch of garlic powder can substitute fresh garlic, especially if you want to avoid bits of garlic in your dressing. Use 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder for every clove.
• Garlic-Infused Oil: If you’re sensitive to fresh garlic, garlic-infused oil can add a milder garlic flavor.

Lemon Juice

• White Vinegar: If you’re out of lemons, white vinegar can serve as a suitable acidic substitute in salad dressings.
• Lime Juice: This can be an equal exchange for lemon juice, bringing a slightly different but still vibrant acidity to the dressing.

Worcestershire Sauce

• Soy Sauce: A dash of soy sauce can provide a similar depth of umami flavor if you don’t have Worcestershire sauce. It’s saltier, so you might want to adjust the added salt in your recipe.
• Anchovy Paste: Since Worcestershire sauce has anchovies as one of its components, using a bit of this paste can resemble the sauce’s savory depth.

Black Pepper

• White Pepper: If you’re out of black pepper, white pepper makes a reasonable substitute, providing a slightly milder flavor.

Blue Cheese

• Feta Cheese: If blue cheese is too strong for your preferences, feta can be a milder, yet still tangy, alternative.
• Gorgonzola Cheese: For a milder blue cheese flavor, gorgonzola is creamier with less sharpness than other blue cheeses.

Final Thoughts

Now that you’ve got all the ingredients, instructions, and tips for creating the ultimate steakhouse blue cheese dressing, it’s time to get in the kitchen and whip up this luxurious concoction. Your salads and taste buds will thank you!

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