For those following a ketogenic diet, finding delicious and versatile dressings can sometimes be a challenge. This keto blue cheese dressing recipe offers a thick, luscious, and flavorful experience without any unwanted ingredients. Packed with flavor, this chunky dressing is incredibly easy to make and can be used in a variety of ways.
Why Make Your Own Keto Blue Cheese Dressing?
Many store-bought dressings contain unhealthy oils, fillers, and starches. By making your own, you can control the ingredients and ensure it fits perfectly into your keto lifestyle. This recipe is not only keto-friendly but also tastes significantly better than the bottled versions.
Is Blue Cheese Dressing Keto-Friendly?
Yes, especially when homemade! This recipe contains only 0 net carbs per serving, making it an excellent choice for a keto salad dressing. Even store-bought options can be relatively low in carbs, but strict keto dieters will appreciate the ability to avoid soybean oils, hidden sugars, and starches by making it themselves.
Key Ingredients and Their Roles
This recipe uses a combination of ingredients to achieve the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Understanding the role of each component can help you customize the recipe to your liking.
- Blue Cheese: The star of the show! Gorgonzola is a great choice for its creamy and not-too-sharp flavor, which balances well with the other ingredients. You can use regular blue cheese.
- Mayonnaise: Provides a creamy base and rich flavor. Homemade mayonnaise is recommended for the best taste.
- Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and contributes to the creamy texture.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens the flavor and adds a touch of acidity. White or cider vinegar can be used as substitutes.
- Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps to achieve the desired consistency.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Provides a savory depth of flavor.
- Black Pepper: Adds a hint of spice.
- Dijon Mustard: Emulsifies and adds flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this keto blue cheese dressing is incredibly simple and takes only a few minutes.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, heavy cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and half of the blue cheese until smooth. Don't worry about breaking up all the blue cheese.
- Add Blue Cheese Crumbles: Gently crumble the remaining blue cheese into the sauce. Avoid over-mixing to maintain a chunky texture.
- Mix Gently: Stir in the remaining blue cheese crumbles and parsley.
- Chill: For optimal flavor, refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Variations and Substitutions
- Spice it Up: Add a dash of Sriracha sauce or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Adjusting Consistency: If the dressing becomes too thick, add a splash of cream, milk, or half-and-half until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Almond Milk: The milk thins out the dressing. I used store-bought unsweetened almond milk, but you could make almond milk at home, or use any milk you prefer (dairy milk, coconut milk, heavy cream, half and half, etc).
Serving Suggestions
This keto blue cheese dressing is incredibly versatile and can be used in numerous ways:
- Salads: Drizzle over iceberg lettuce or your favorite salad greens. It's especially delicious on a wedge salad with bacon, cheese, egg, cucumber, and tomato.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve as a dip for fresh vegetables, spicy wings, or cold roast beef.
- Sauce: Use it as a cold sauce for burgers or sandwiches.
- Soup and Salad: Pair it with a hearty soup for a complete meal.
- Casseroles: You can use over salads, in casseroles or as a dipping sauce.
Creative Ways to Use Blue Cheese Dressing
Beyond the typical salad dressing, here are some creative ways to incorporate this flavorful condiment into your meals:
- Buffalo Chicken Wings: The quintessential dipping sauce for Buffalo Chicken Wings.
- Keto Salad: You can customize it using your own favorite ingredients.
- Elevate Your Grilled Chicken Salad: Elevate your grilled chicken salad with the rich and tangy flavors of this dressing. Creamy dressings add instant flavor to your meals!
Nutritional Information
(Per serving, approximate values)
- Calories: 122
- Fat: 12.3g
- Protein: 2.5g
- Net Carbs: 0.9g
- Fiber: 0.0g
Note: Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value, and accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar.
Tips for Success
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the dressing will taste. Opt for full-fat sour cream and mayonnaise for the best flavor and texture.
- Make Ahead: If possible, make the dressing a few hours or even a day in advance to allow the flavors to develop fully.
- Adjust to Taste: Don't be afraid to adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences. Add more or less blue cheese, lemon juice, or spices to create your perfect dressing.
- Homemade Mayonnaise: Homemade mayonnaise produces scrumptious results. See the Atkins recipe for Mayonnaise.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
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