Recipes, Salads and Dressings

Creamy Parmesan Dressing

Why use the store-bought dressings when this creamy Parmesan dressing is in your recipe box? This dressing blends the nutty flavor of Parmesan cheese with sour cream and a touch of the tangy, probiotic goodness of milk kefir for a dressing that’s both delicious and bright. Perfect for drizzling over your favorite salads, roasted veggies, or as a dip, this recipe proves that homemade truly is best.

Creamy Parmesan Dressing

  • Servings: makes 1½ cups of dressing
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Source: cloverandthyme.com
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Ingredients

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 tsp. white vinegar
  • 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp. basil
  • 4 tbsp. parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 1-2 tbsp. milk or plain milk kefir

Directions

  1. Mix first 6 ingredients well.
  2. Add milk or milk kefir to thin the dressing to your desired consistency.
  3. Chill in the fridge overnight for best flavor, and store in the fridge to use over the next five to seven days.

Tips and Variations:

This Creamy Parmesan Dressing is simple and delicious as is, but it’s also versatile enough to tweak to your taste preferences. Utilize the following tips and variations to make it your own.

  • Fresh Parmesan is key: Pre-grated Parmesan often contains anti-caking agents that can make your dressing less smooth. Freshly grated Parmesan (preferably Parmigiano Reggiano) will give you the best flavor and creamy consistency.
  • Adjust tanginess: Feel free to adjust the amount of vinegar to your preferred level of tanginess, or substitute in lemon juice instead.
  • Add herbs: For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding 1-2 teaspoons of fresh chopped herbs like parsley, chives, or oregano.
  • Make it lighter: You can substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter version, though it may alter the tanginess slightly.
  • For a Caesar-like twist: While this isn’t a traditional Caesar, the flavors are similar. For a more authentic Caesar taste, you can add a small amount of anchovy paste (about ½ teaspoon) to the dressing.

We most recently enjoyed this dressing served on greens harvested from our little patio raised bed.

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