Gluten free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people choosing to avoid gluten for medical reasons or personal preferences. For those who love the tangy, creamy flavor of blue cheese dressing, finding a good gluten free option can be tricky.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about gluten free blue cheese dressing:
- Many mainstream brands like Ken’s Steak House and Brianna’s make gluten free blue cheese dressings.
- Always check the label to confirm the dressing is certified gluten free.
- Some dairy products may contain small amounts of gluten from processing. Opt for brands that are certified gluten free to be safe.
- Making your own homemade blue cheese dressing is a simple way to control ingredients. Basic recipes only require a few ingredients like blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and seasonings.
- Thicker Greek yogurt can be substituted for mayonnaise or sour cream to make a yogurt-based blue cheese dressing.
Gluten and Blue Cheese Dressing
For those avoiding gluten, the good news is that blue cheese dressing is naturally gluten free. The basic ingredients – blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, herbs and spices – do not contain any gluten. However, there are some important things to keep in mind when selecting a commercial brand of blue cheese dressing:
- Check the label to confirm the dressing is certified gluten free. Some brands may contain additives or thickeners that have gluten.
- Be aware that certain dairy products used in the dressing may contain small amounts of gluten. During processing, milk or cream may come into contact with gluten containing grains. Opt for brands that are certified gluten free to be safe.
- Avoid add-ins like croutons, breadcrumbs or wheat flour, which are sometimes added to commercial blue cheese dressings.
- Homemade blue cheese dressing avoids potential cross-contamination and gives you full control over the ingredients.
Major Brands of Gluten Free Blue Cheese Dressing
Fortunately, many major dressing manufacturers now produce gluten free blue cheese dressings. Here are some of the top brands to look for:
Ken’s Steak House
Ken’s is one of the most popular brands of blue cheese dressing and they have certified gluten free options. Ken’s Steak House Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing is made without gluten ingredients. Ken’s also makes a lower-calorie Lite Blue Cheese Dressing that is certified gluten free.
Brianna’s
Brianna’s makes a Home-Style Blue Cheese Dressing that is labeled gluten free. Brianna’s dressings are made without artificial ingredients. Their blue cheese dressing contains aged blue cheese from Jasper Hill Farm.
Tribe
Tribe Hummus makes a Wild Blue Greek Yogurt Dressing that is certified gluten-free. It’s made with Greek yogurt instead of dairy. This thicker yogurt-based dressing has the tangy blue cheese flavor with fewer calories.
Litehouse
Litehouse is another brand specializing in refrigerated dressings. They make a gluten free Blue Cheese Dressing that contains blue cheese from Rogue Creamery. It’s also lower in fat and calories than traditional blue cheese dressing.
Maple Grove Farms
Maple Grove Farms of Vermont Gluten Free Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing has a short ingredient list of blue cheese, buttermilk, sour cream, olive oil, vinegar, and spices. It contains no artificial preservatives or sweeteners.
Making Your Own Gluten Free Blue Cheese Dressing
Making homemade blue cheese dressing is an easy way to control the ingredients and avoid gluten. Here is a basic recipe and instructions for making it yourself:
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- 1 small shallot, finely minced
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream or yogurt, buttermilk, lemon juice and vinegar until smooth.
- Add the crumbled blue cheese and fold gently until just combined. Don’t overmix.
- Add the shallot, garlic, thyme and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper and lemon juice if desired. If dressing is too thick, stir in water 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend. Keeps refrigerated for up to 1 week.
This basic recipe can be tweaked with different additions:
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangy, lighter dressing.
- Add chopped fresh herbs like chives, parsley or dill.
- Stir in a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for extra tang.
- Add a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick.
- Swap the blue cheese for a different crumbly cheese like feta or gorgonzola.
Tips for Making the Best Gluten Free Blue Cheese Dressing
Here are some helpful tips for getting the tastiest results when making homemade blue cheese dressing:
- Use high-quality blue cheese – Splurge on a good artisanal blue cheese for the best flavor. Roquefort, Maytag, Stilton and Gorgonzola are all good choices.
- Don’t overmix – Gently fold the ingredients rather than vigorous mixing or whisking to keep the texture light.
- Add cheese at the end – Stir in the crumbled blue cheese once the liquid ingredients are blended so it doesn’t get overmixed.
- Keep it cold – Chill the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors marry and the texture thickens.
- Thin with buttermilk/yogurt – For a thinner consistency, stir in a bit more buttermilk or yogurt instead of water.
- Season carefully – Go easy on extra salt until after tasting. Blue cheese can be quite salty on its own.
Storing and Serving Gluten Free Blue Cheese Dressing
To get the most out of your gluten free blue cheese dressing:
- Store homemade dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days. It may thicken once chilled; stir in a bit of buttermilk or water to thin.
- Store unopened bottles of store-bought dressing for several weeks past any use-by date.
- Let dressing sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving for best flavor.
- Give dressing a stir before pouring to redistribute the blue cheese crumbles.
- Drizzle over salads, wings and burgers or use as a tasty veggie dip.
- Jazz up basic vinaigrettes by swapping out half the oil for blue cheese dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hidden Valley or Kraft blue cheese dressing gluten free?
No, traditional Hidden Valley and Kraft blue cheese dressings contain flour or wheat ingredients and are not gluten free. However, Kraft and Hidden Valley Organic brand blue cheese dressings are made without gluten ingredients. Always check labels to be sure.
Can you freeze blue cheese dressing?
Yes, homemade or store-bought blue cheese dressing can be frozen for longer term storage. Freeze dressing in airtight freezer containers or bags. Thaw in the fridge before using and stir well, adding buttermilk or water if needed to thin out.
What thickens blue cheese dressing?
The main thickening agents in blue cheese dressing are mayonnaise and sour cream or yogurt. The emulsifying properties of these ingredients help thicken and stabilize the dressing. Some recipes also add a small amount of flour, cornstarch, xanthan gum or other thickeners.
What oil is used in blue cheese dressing?
Blue cheese dressing gets some of its creamy texture from the oil in mayonnaise, which is typically soybean or canola oil. Extra-virgin olive oil is sometimes used instead for its flavor. Most blue cheese dressings don’t contain much additional oil.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes, Greek yogurt makes an excellent substitute for sour cream in blue cheese dressing recipes. Plain Greek yogurt has a rich, creamy texture that helps thicken and add tang. Choose full-fat Greek yogurt for the best consistency.
Best Uses for Gluten Free Blue Cheese Dressing
A flavorful gluten free blue cheese dressing has so many versatile uses. Here are some of the top ways to use it:
On Salads
Drizzle blue cheese dressing over any green salad for an instant flavor boost. It’s especially good on wedge salads and pairs well with romaine lettuce, tomato and bacon bits.
As a Veggie Dip
Use gluten free blue cheese dressing as a thick, creamy dip for raw vegetables. It’s delicious with cucumber slices, carrot sticks, celery sticks, radishes, cauliflower and broccoli florets.
On Burgers
Dollop blue cheese dressing on beef burgers, turkey burgers, bison burgers or veggie burgers instead of ketchup for extra flavor. The creaminess helps balance the richness.
As a Marinade or Sauce
Mix some blue cheese dressing into the marinade for chicken, pork, or steak. It also makes a quick sauce for grilled or pan-seared meats when whisked with a bit of chicken or beef broth.
On Wings and Drums
Use as a dip for baked chicken wings and drums along with the classic buffalo sauce. It nicely cools the heat and adds extra tang.
On Sandwiches
Spread some blue cheese dressing on sandwich bread or rolls in place of mayo or mustard. It’s great with deli meat sandwiches, burgers and grilled cheese.
With French Fries
Use as an excellent dip for french fries in place of boring ketchup. It also pairs well with baked potato wedges, tater tots and roasted potatoes.
Nutrition Information
Here is the nutrition information for a 2 tablespoon serving of basic homemade blue cheese dressing made with reduced fat Greek yogurt:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110 |
| Total Fat | 10g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 240mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 2g |
| Protein | 2g |
Blue cheese dressing is high in fat from ingredients like cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream or yogurt. However, homemade dressing allows you to moderate fat and calories by using reduced fat dairy options. Store-bought brands may also offer lower fat or lighter versions.
Conclusion
Finding or making delicious gluten free blue cheese dressing is simple with so many healthy options. Be sure to always check labels and ingredients when purchasing dressing. Making your own dressing allows for total control over the ingredients. A homemade dairy-free version can also easily be whipped up using olive oil, nut or seed butters, lemon juice and other substitutions in place of mayo or sour cream. With its cool, creamy and pungent flavor, blue cheese dressing can take salads, dips, sandwiches, wings and more to the next level.
