This Buttermilk Parmesan Dressing is a must-have for adding a burst of flavor to your meals! It's rich and tangy with a perfect blend of Parmesan cheese, garlic, and fresh chives. Whether you're drizzling it over a crisp salad, using it as a dip for veggies, or adding it to your favorite sandwich, this dressing is a delicious addition that you'll want to keep on hand.
This parmesan salad dressing is super easy to make and packed with flavor! It starts with a creamy mix of mayo, buttermilk, and sour cream. Then, you stir in Parmesan, garlic, and a bit of lemon juice for that perfect tangy kick. Some coarse black pepper, salt, and fresh chives round it all out.
After chilling in the fridge for a bit, it's ready to go! Pour it over fresh tomatoes, atop a wedge salad with homemade croutons, use it as a dip, or spread it on a sandwich. Simple, tasty, and totally versatile!
This creamy parmesan dressing recipe is a go-to at our house. Homemade dressing is always better than store-bought dressing and we are putting it on everything these days, our favorite being with fresh veggies, smashed potatoes and chicken. I even catch my kids sneaking spoonfuls of it. Seriously, it’s that good! You might want to whip up a double batch because it disappears fast!
If you are looking for more lunch and dinner recipes, try: Parmesan Roasted Red Potatoes with Rosemary, Crispy Parmesan Oven Roasted Potato Wedges or Simple Parmesan Panko Baked Cod.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This is a breeze to make—just mix together mayo, buttermilk, and sour cream, then toss in Parmesan and a few seasonings. It takes minutes to whip up and tastes even better after chilling in the fridge.
- You can get creative with this dressing by tossing it with fresh veggies, using it as a zesty topping for baked potatoes, or even as a creamy sauce for grilled meats or french fries. It adds a delicious kick to a wide range of dishes.
- This dressing is great for making ahead. Just let it chill in the fridge, and it’ll taste even better. Whip it up in advance, and you’ll have a tasty, ready-to-go addition whenever you need it.
Ingredients Needed
Here are notes about some of the ingredients needed to make this buttermilk dressing. For the full recipe and measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Mayonnaise: I prefer full fat mayonnaise for the best flavor, but you could use light mayonnaise if you prefer.
- Buttermilk: You can use full fat, low fat or fat free. Full fat will provide a thicker and creamier texture but all will give a similar tangy flavor.
- Sour cream: I like to use full fat sour cream for the best texture and flavor but light or fat free would work.
- Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic will provide the best flavor.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice will provide the best flavor.
- Chives: Fresh chives will be best, but I sometimes use dehydrated chives out of convenience.
- Salt & black pepper: Use coarse black pepper for the best flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Parmesan cheese: Try Pecorino Romano or Asiago for a different cheese flavor.
- Garlic: Use garlic powder or roasted garlic if you prefer a milder taste.
- Chives: Substitute with green onions or fresh herbs like parsley or dill for a different herby flavor.
This easy recipe has not been tested with these substitutions or variations. If you give any of these a try, please let me know how it worked out in the comments below!
Recipe Variations
- Mix in a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Adjust the ingredient quantities to match your flavor preference. More or less garlic, parmesan cheese or chives can change the flavor to be more to your liking.
- If you want to add even more tang, add some lemon zest.
Equipment Needed
- Whisk: A good whisk is an essential tool for every kitchen.
- Large jar: I prefer to store this dressing in a large mason jar so it stays fresh for several days.
Step by Step Instructions
STEP 1: In a medium sized bowl, combine the mayonnaise, buttermilk and sour cream. Whisk to combine.
STEP 2: Add the parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, chives, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
STEP 3: Pour the dressing into a large mason jar, secure the cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
STEP 4: Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Here are some tips and tricks for making this creamy dressing:
- Instead of whisking all of the ingredients together in a bowl, feel free to add all the ingredients to a large jar and just shake it to mix.
- If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a bit more buttermilk. For a thicker texture, use less buttermilk or add a bit more sour cream.
- Taste the dressing before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice based on your preference.
FAQ
This dressing typically lasts up to a week in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. Always give it a good stir before using, as ingredients may settle or separate slightly over time.
Yes, you can make this dressing without buttermilk by using regular milk with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice. To mimic the tangy flavor and acidity of buttermilk, add about 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to ¾ cup of milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes before using. This creates a buttermilk substitute that works well in the recipe.
Yes, you can easily make a vegan version of this dressing by swapping out the dairy ingredients for vegan alternatives. Use vegan mayonnaise in place of regular mayonnaise, and substitute the Parmesan cheese with a dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast to achieve a cheesy flavor. For the buttermilk, use plant-based milk (like almond, soy, or oat milk) with a bit of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to mimic the acidity. This way, you can enjoy a creamy, flavorful dressing without any animal products.
Storage
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Eat within one week.
Freezer
Freezing is not recommended.
More Recipes To Try
To use leftover buttermilk and sour cream, try one of these recipes:
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Recipe
Buttermilk Parmesan Dressing
Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅔ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon chives
- ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine the mayonnaise, buttermilk and sour cream in a medium sized bowl.¾ cup mayonnaise, ¾ cup buttermilk, ½ cup sour cream
- Add the parmesan cheese, lemon juice, garlic, pepper, chives and salt. Stir well to combine.⅔ cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chives, ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt
- Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Nutrition Information
Please note that these nutrition facts are approximations and may not be entirely precise.
Ashlyn Meredith says
We love this with carrots, potatoes and on salads, of course!