Blue Cheese Vinaigrette is brimming with olive oil, blue cheese, two types of vinegar and a unique blend of spices. It's inspired by a delicious salad dressing served at a restaurant called Buddy's. This vinaigrette is tangy and cheesy. Toss it with crisp lettuce greens for a memorable salad.
Buddy's Copycat
The recipe is inspired by the best blue cheese and olive oil-based salad dressing I've ever had. Scroll down for the story.
Ingredients to have on hand
Finding just the right balance of seasonings and spices is what took the longest time for me to "perfect" this blue cheese vinaigrette dressing.
- extra light olive oil
- white wine vinegar
- oregano
- garlic powder
- Tone’s Rosemary Garlic Seasoning Blend
- blue cheese - I recommend the Danish Blue variety
- garlic
- balsamic glaze
Salad Dressing Spices
This recipe includes a generous amount of dried oregano and fresh garlic, and the essence of rosemary from Tone's Rosemary Garlic Seasoning Blend. The combo of herbs and spice is a great companion to the distinctive, creamy blue cheese.
Blend the Dressing
I use an immersion blender to blend the ingredients. Honestly, that type of blender is my go-to kitchen appliance, especially when it comes to combining liquid ingredients.
As an option, using a counter blender will work just fine with this recipe. Be careful not to over-do it when blending. A quick few pulses of the blades are all you need to combine the blue cheese with the olive oil, vinegar and spices.
Choosing the Blue Cheese
Not all blue cheese varieties are equal. I recommend using Castello Danish Blue for this recipe, but any brand of the Danish Blue variety blue cheese will be delicious.
You should be able to find Danish Blue Cheese in your grocery store wherever the speciality cheeses are sold. I've made this using Gorgonzola blue cheese, but I've found that the flavor was a little too tangy and not as rich and robust as Danish Blue.
Balsamic glaze has a more intense flavor and the almost sweet taste is more robust than what we find in a balsamic vinegar. In this recipe, I've found that adding a ½ teaspoon of balsamic glaze helps to "soften" the tangy white wine vinegar. Be assured, you'll use the glaze beyond just this recipe. It's handy to have on hand and it's delicious drizzled on roasted brussels sprouts, fresh mozzarella and diced tomatoes. Yum!
Great Flavor the Next Day
This blue cheese vinaigrette is terrific served fresh and as soon as you make it. Toss it right away with those leafy greens. But the flavors blend beautifully after a day in the fridge and the "cheesy" flavor of the blue cheese is a little more dominant. So good!
The inspiration: Buddy's Salad Dressing
This is my copycat version of a VERY famous salad dressing from a beloved Italian restaurant in Pocatello, Idaho called Buddy's. I've been trying to create this version of salad dressing for a long, long time.
About 20 years ago, someone gave me what they thought was a copy of the actual Buddy's Salad Dressing recipe (it wasn't) and since then I've been dabbling with spices, blue cheese variations, olive oils and vinegar combinations to try and hit the mark.
I've gone through gallons of olive oil and vinegar trying to get this recipe just right. Now, at long last, I think I'm as close as I can get without actually working in their kitchen! But I would encourage you, if you are ever in Pocatello, to stop in at Buddy's and try the real thing!
The Crinkled Cookbook is not in any way affiliated with Buddy's Italian Restaurant. This recipe is simply my best guess at what their special recipe for delicious salad dressing might be.
What to serve with your salad
A crispy green salad always pairs well with pasta, meatballs and tomato sauces. Here are a few ideas that go great on the plate with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette Dressing:
Recipe
Susie says
We used to have this restaurant in Lubbock Tx, called Gardski’s Loft and they had an amazing blue cheese vinaigrette that was so good. I have been searching for a recipe. I am so glad that I found this, I can’t wait to make it tomorrow. Thank you!!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Those restaurant recipe memories are always so fond. 🙂 I hope this comes close and I hope you love this recipe!
L. Marques says
My sister introduced me to Buddy's over 20 years ago. Their salad is the best and reading this whole thing made my mouth water. I'm glad I found this. I'm definitely going to try it!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Yay! I hope you love this salad dressing recipe!! I make a big batch of it every few months, I serve it with spaghetti, meatballs and cheesy bread and we call it our "Buddy's Night."
Marsha Rutherford says
This recipe is so similar to a grandmas from Italy years ago. I’m trying it today to see how close it tastes like hers! Thanks for posting.
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Wow, I would be honored if this recipe even comes close to an Italian grandma's recipe!! Please let me know what you think. 🙂 Thanks Marsha!
Dexter McBride says
Love Buddy’s and this is as close as you could hope for. Thanks!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Thank you Dex! I know you are a big, big fan of Buddy's so this five star review means the world to me!!
Joline says
Melinda, I have never, ever commented on a recipe before! I went to the store yesterday to buy the ingredients for this dressing because I love making my own dressings. I have to tell you that this was simply outrageously delicious!!! In fact, I'm going to be enjoying it for several days! I plan to use it tonight on a grilled skirt steak! Thank you sooooo much!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
I'm happy to hear this! I also love Blue Cheese Vinaigrette with steak and agree, it's a tasty combo. Thank you for your lovely comment Joline!
Jeff Stack says
You omitted when to add the Balsamic Glaze
Also, I was skeptical with the amount of oregano, but as it turns out it's the perfect amount and not overwhelming at all. As a matter of fact, the garlic has a more 'lingering' effect.
Over-all a delicious recipe and will make this often.
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Thank you Jeff, I'm glad you enjoyed this and will make it again! And GREAT catch on the balsamic glaze! I've made that fix in the recipe. 🙂
Kathy says
Would love to try this recipe. Where can I get Tones Rosemary garlic seasoning? I live in Florida.
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Hi Kathy! I buy it on Amazon. There's an affiliate link in the recipe post, in case that's helpful. 🙂
Kathy says
Thank you. I just found it at Sams today. Will be trying it soon.
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Excellent! Glad you found it at the store. That makes it easy! Please keep me posted too. 🙂
Tiffany says
Is there something you suggest if I don't have the Tone's seasoning?
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Hi Tiffany! Tone's rosemary garlic seasoning adds a very distinctive flavor to the dressing. Alas, I don't have a substitution. Thanks for the question. 🙂
Jeff Stack says
I just chopped up half teaspoon of dry rosemary to 1tsp of granulated garlic and worked perfectly.
Amanda P. says
I’m from Pocatello and have always loved Buddy’s! I’ve long since moved away but stop there for pizza and salad anytime I’m passing through. I’m so anxious to try this recipe!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Hi Amanda, I'm so excited to hear what you think! My number one recommendation is to be picky about the blue cheese, it DOES make a difference. Danish Blue is the variety that I think provides the best "Buddy's" taste. 🙂
Stephanie says
Absolutely a favorite recipe of mine. Delicious and I make it all the time.
Nayomi says
I love a lil bit of blue cheese. This will be amazing with a grill chicken salad. Can't wait to try it?
Toni says
This dressing quickly became a staple at my house! So good! Thank you!
Angela says
I love this dressing. It is a nice change to have a blue cheese dressing that isn't creamy. Delicious!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Thanks and I feel the same way!! 🙂
Gloria says
Well isn't this the gourmet dressing? Homemade salad dressings are the best. So much better than anything you can get in a bottle. This would make a great take-along to a bbq party as a host/hostess gift.
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Thank you! And I LOVE your idea of offering a jar of the salad dressing as a hostess gift. ❤️
Janice says
I’m on the hunt for a delicious balsamic dressing however, I can’t do blue cheese. Will feta also work?
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Thanks for the question. I've not made this using feta so can't say for sure. Feta has a more mild taste than blue cheese, but I know some folks interchange the two varieties with good results in other recipes. Please let me know here in the comments if you try the salad dressing making that substitution. Good luck!
Jason says
I felt like I was back at Buddy’s in Pocatello. I’ll be using this recipe over and over! Even my 13-year-old liked it and he’s more of a ranch dressing type. Thank you! .
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Yay. I'm so happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed it Jason!! Thank you! 🙂