Bleu Cheese Dressing: A Keto-Friendly Condiment?

Blue cheese dressing is a popular salad dressing with a tangy, salty, and creamy flavor. It is typically made with a combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, and blue cheese crumbles, along with various seasonings and additives like lemon juice, garlic, and milk. But is it keto-approved?

The good news is that blue cheese dressing is generally considered keto-friendly, even the store-bought variety. However, it's always a good idea to check the labels for hidden sugars and non-keto ingredients like soybean oil, canola oil, corn starch, and maltodextrin. Making your own blue cheese dressing at home ensures you know exactly what's in it, and it's easier than you might think! Most recipes only require a handful of ingredients and take just a few minutes to prepare. So, if you're following a keto diet and craving some creamy blue cheese goodness, go ahead and indulge—just be mindful of portion sizes and read those labels carefully.

Ingredients

Blue cheese dressing is typically made with a combination of blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, and simple seasonings. Here is a list of ingredients that you can use to make your own keto-approved blue cheese dressing:

• Blue cheese crumbles: These provide texture and a powerful, intense flavour. You can also use Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, or Cambazola.
• Mayonnaise: Store-bought or homemade mayonnaise can be used. Greek yoghurt can be substituted, but the flavour will be different.
• Sour cream: This adds a tangy flavour to the dressing. Greek yoghurt can also be used as a substitute.
• Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice or bottled lemon juice can be used, depending on your preference.
• Milk: Any type of milk can be used to thin out the dressing, including almond milk, dairy milk, coconut milk, heavy cream, half-and-half, or buttermilk.
• Sea salt and black pepper: These are added to taste.
• Garlic powder: This adds flavour to the dressing.
• White wine vinegar: This can be used instead of lemon juice to add a tangy flavour.
• Worcestershire sauce: This adds a savoury flavour to the dressing.
• Fresh parsley: This adds both colour and flavour to the dressing.
• Heavy cream: This can be used instead of milk for a richer, creamier dressing.
• Greek yoghurt: This can be used as a substitute for sour cream.
• Apple cider vinegar: This can be used instead of white wine vinegar.

With these ingredients, you can make a delicious, keto-approved blue cheese dressing that is perfect for salads, dipping sauces, or spreading on sandwiches and burgers.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup Sour cream
• 4 oz Blue cheese crumbles
• 1 tsp Lemon juice
• 1/4 cup Unsweetened almond milk (or any milk of choice)
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt (to taste)
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

• Stir all ingredients together in a bowl or jar.
• Use a spoon or spatula to press the blue cheese pieces against the side of the bowl or jar to help the flavour incorporate with the other ingredients.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

This recipe yields 16 servings, with each serving being 2 tablespoons.

Storage

Storing blue cheese dressing

Blue cheese dressing is a popular salad dressing and dipping sauce. It is easy to make at home and is best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The dressing will last for up to a week if stored correctly.

To store blue cheese dressing, transfer it to an airtight container or jar and keep it in the fridge. The dressing will last for 5-7 days if stored in this way. Some sources suggest that it can be kept for up to two weeks. However, if you are not planning to eat it within a week, it is better to halve the recipe and make a fresh batch when needed, as it only takes a few minutes to prepare.

Freezing blue cheese dressing is not recommended as it will separate and no longer be creamy when thawed.

It is important to note that homemade blue cheese dressing will not last as long as store-bought dressing. You will know your blue cheese dressing has gone off when it develops a very strong pungent flavour and mould starts to develop on the dressing and the container.

Serving suggestions

Blue cheese dressing is a versatile dip and salad dressing that can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

Salads

Blue cheese dressing is a classic pairing for a wedge salad or cobb salad. It also goes well with grilled chicken salad, a fresh chopped salad, or a baby gem lettuce salad with bacon.

Buffalo Flavours

Blue cheese dressing is the perfect accompaniment to buffalo wings, buffalo chicken tenders, buffalo cauliflower bites, or baked buffalo chicken.

Veggie Dip

Use blue cheese dressing as a dip for raw or cooked vegetables, such as cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, celery, carrots, or bell peppers.

Burgers and Steaks

Add a zing to your burgers and steaks by topping them with blue cheese dressing. It goes especially well with bacon burgers and grilled ribeye or New York strip steaks.

Other Dishes

Blue cheese dressing can also be used in soups, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, and chilli.

Substitutions

• Greek yoghurt can be used instead of sour cream.
• Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, and Cambazola can be used instead of blue cheese.
• Lemon juice can be freshly squeezed or bottled.
• Any milk can be used to thin the dressing, including almond milk, coconut milk, dairy milk, heavy cream, or buttermilk.
• Sea salt can be used instead of regular salt.
• Apple cider vinegar can be used instead of white wine vinegar.
• Feta cheese can be used instead of blue cheese.

Frequently asked questions