Amelia Grace A good blue cheese dressing should be rich and properly tangy, with actual pieces of cheese running through it rather than just a hint of flavour somewhere in the background.
This is the dressing I make when a plain vinaigrette simply isn’t going to cut it — draped over a wedge of crisp iceberg lettuce, tossed through a hearty salad, or served alongside a plate of hot wings as a proper dip.
It takes barely any time to put together, and the quality of the blue cheese you use makes all the difference to the final result.
Why the Type of Blue Cheese You Use Matters So Much
Blue cheeses vary enormously in strength, saltiness and texture, and this dressing will taste quite different depending on which one you reach for.
A milder blue like Danish blue gives you a softer, creamier dressing with a gentler tang, while something like Stilton or Roquefort brings a much stronger, saltier, more pungent character to the finished dressing.
Neither is right or wrong, but it’s worth knowing that swapping the cheese changes the whole personality of the dressing, so it’s worth choosing one you genuinely enjoy eating on its own.
Ingredients for Delia Smith Blue Cheese Dressing
- 100g blue cheese, crumbled (Stilton, Danish blue, or Roquefort)
- 100g soured cream
- 100g mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 small garlic clove, crushed
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- A splash of milk, to loosen if needed
How to Make Delia Smith Blue Cheese Dressing — Step by Step
Step 1 — Mash Some of the Cheese
In a mixing bowl, mash about half the crumbled blue cheese with a fork until it starts to break down into a paste. This helps it blend smoothly into the dressing base.
Step 2 — Combine the Base
Add the soured cream, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar and crushed garlic to the mashed cheese. Whisk together until smooth and well combined.
Step 3 — Fold in the Remaining Cheese
Fold in the rest of the crumbled blue cheese, keeping these pieces a little chunkier for texture and visual appeal.
Step 4 — Season
Taste and season with salt and pepper, remembering that blue cheese is already quite salty, so go easy on the salt until you’ve tasted it.
Step 5 — Adjust the Consistency
If the dressing feels too thick, whisk in a splash of milk, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Step 6 — Chill Before Serving
Cover and chill for at least 20 minutes before serving, to let the flavours settle and meld together.
My Top Tips for the Best Delia Smith Blue Cheese Dressing
Mash some of the cheese and leave some chunky. This gives you both a smooth, well-blended base and lovely pockets of cheese throughout, rather than one uniform texture.
Use a good quality blue cheese you’d genuinely enjoy eating. Since it’s the main flavour here, this really isn’t the place to reach for the cheapest option in the fridge.
Taste before adding salt. Blue cheese brings plenty of saltiness on its own, so it’s easy to over-season if you don’t check first.
Let it chill before serving. Those 20 minutes in the fridge make a genuine difference, allowing the garlic and vinegar to mellow slightly and the flavours to properly come together.
Make it a day ahead if you can. This dressing keeps well and often tastes even better the next day, once everything has had longer to meld.
Serving Suggestions
Drizzle generously over a wedge of iceberg lettuce with crispy bacon bits, serve alongside hot chicken wings as a proper dip, or toss through a hearty salad with pears and walnuts for something a bit more substantial.
How to Store Delia Smith Blue Cheese Dressing
In the fridge: Store in an airtight container or jar for up to 5 days.
At room temperature: Not suitable — this dressing contains dairy and should be kept chilled.
In the freezer: Not recommended — the mayonnaise and soured cream base can split and separate once frozen and thawed.
Delia Smith Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Mash half the blue cheese with a fork.
- Whisk in soured cream, mayonnaise, vinegar and garlic until smooth.
- Fold in the remaining crumbled cheese for texture.
- Season with salt and pepper, tasting first.
- Loosen with a splash of milk if needed.
- Chill for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions About Delia Smith Blue Cheese Dressing
Can I make this dressing thinner for drizzling?
Yes, simply add a little more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches a pourable consistency suitable for drizzling over a salad.
Which blue cheese is best for this recipe?
It really comes down to personal taste. Danish blue gives a milder, creamier result, while Stilton or Roquefort brings a much stronger, saltier flavour. Choose whichever style you enjoy most.
Can I make this without mayonnaise?
Yes, you can replace the mayonnaise with extra soured cream or Greek yoghurt for a lighter version, though the dressing will be slightly less rich and creamy.
How long does this dressing keep in the fridge?
It keeps well for up to 5 days in an airtight container, and the flavour often improves after the first day, once everything has had time to meld together.
