Blue Cheese Ranch
Blue cheese or ranch, the age old debate. If you are like me you love both and this recipe gives you exactly that. Creamy, herby, tangy and packed with real blue cheese flavor all in one dressing that goes with just about everything. Once you make this from scratch you are going to wonder why you ever bought a bottle.
This dressing comes together in less than 5 minutes and the fresh herbs are what make it. Freshly chopped chives, dill and parsley give it a brightness and depth that you simply cannot get from dried herbs out of a jar. It is that attention to detail that takes this from a basic dressing to something genuinely special.
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Blue Cheese Ranch
Difficulty: Easy1 1/2 Cups
10
minutesNone
(Total 10 minutes)Creamy, herby, tangy and packed with real blue cheese flavor all in one dressing .
Ingredients
Dressing
- Mayonnaise - 1/4 Cup
- Sour Cream - 1/4 Cup
- Buttermilk - 1/4 Cup
- Blue Cheese Crumbles - 1/3 Cup
- Fresh Dill - 1 Tsp (Chopped)
- Fresh Chives - 1 Tsp (Chopped)
- Fresh Parsley - 1 Tbsp (Chopped)
- Salt - 1-2 Tsp (To Taste)
- Black Pepper - 1 Tsp
- Garlic Powder - 1 Tsp
- Onion Powder - 1 Tsp
- Dijon Mustard - 1 Tsp
- Lemon Juice - 1/4 Lemon
Method
Assembly:
Add the mayo, sour cream and buttermilk to a bowl and give it a good whisk until smooth and combined. Season with salt and pepper then add in the freshly chopped chives, dill and parsley. Go in with the garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice and Dijon mustard and stir everything together. Fold in the blue cheese crumbles and mix well. Taste and adjust the salt to your liking.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Letting it sit allows all of the flavors to come together and makes a noticeable difference in the final result.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
-Always use fresh herbs for this dressing. Fresh chives, dill and parsley give you a brightness and depth that dried herbs simply cannot replicate. The fresh herbs are what make this dressing stand apart from anything you would buy at a store.
-Let the dressing sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. It comes together and the flavors deepen significantly as it chills. If you can make it the day before it will taste even better.
-Adjust the thickness to your preference by adding a little more buttermilk to thin it out or a little more sour cream to thicken it up. The consistency is totally up to you and how you plan to use it.
-Do not over mix after adding the blue cheese crumbles. You want to fold them in gently so some chunks remain intact throughout the dressing. Those pockets of blue cheese in every bite are a big part of what makes this so good.
-Salt to taste and do not be afraid to taste as you go. The salt level will depend on how salty your blue cheese crumbles are so start with 1 teaspoon and adjust from there.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS:
-This dressing is the perfect pairing for chicken wings of any flavor but especially buffalo. The cool creamy dressing and a hot crispy wing is one of the best combinations in food.
-Use it as a dip for fresh veggies like celery, carrots and cucumber for a simple snack that is way more satisfying than anything store bought.
-Drizzle it over a salad or use it as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, wraps or sandwiches. This dressing is incredibly versatile and makes everything it touches better.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
You can in a pinch but fresh herbs are strongly recommended for this recipe. Dried herbs are more concentrated so if you do substitute use about one third of the amount. The flavor and color will not be as vibrant as the fresh version but it will still taste great.
How long does this dressing keep?
Stored in an airtight container or jar in the fridge this dressing will keep for up to 5 days. Give it a good stir before each use since the ingredients can settle as it sits. The flavor actually gets better over the first day or two as everything continues to meld together.
Can I make this without the blue cheese?
Yes and it becomes a straight up homemade ranch at that point. Skip the blue cheese crumbles and you have a creamy herby ranch that is just as good on its own. Both versions are incredible so make it your way.
Can I substitute the buttermilk?
Yes. If you do not have buttermilk you can make a quick substitute by adding one teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1/4 cup of regular milk. Stir it and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it curdles slightly. It works as a solid substitute and gives you a similar tangy result.
Can I make this thicker for a dip?
Absolutely. Just reduce the buttermilk to 2 tablespoons and increase the sour cream slightly. This gives you a thicker consistency that works great as a dipping sauce for wings, veggies or anything else you want to dunk in it.
