Blue cheese dressing is the classic accompaniment for buffalo wings. The cool, tangy flavor of the blue cheese balances out the spicy heat of the buffalo sauce. When you dip the hot wings in the creamy dressing, it cools your mouth and allows you to taste the nuances of the sauces and seasonings better. The combination just works wonders together.
What are buffalo wings?
Buffalo wings were invented in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. The story goes that one night the bar had extra chicken wings on hand and the owner, Teressa Bellissimo, decided to fry them up and toss them in a spicy hot sauce made with cayenne pepper and butter. She served the wings with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks, and a legendary appetizer was born.
Traditional buffalo wings are deep fried chicken wings that are coated in a sauce made from hot pepper sauce (usually Frank’s RedHot) and butter. The sauce gives the wings a spicy, buttery flavor. Buffalo wings are typically served with a side of blue cheese dressing and celery sticks. The blue cheese cools the heat of the spicy wings.
Common buffalo wing sauces
- Traditional Buffalo sauce – Frank’s RedHot and butter
- BBQ buffalo – Buffalo sauce with BBQ sauce
- Teriyaki buffalo – Buffalo sauce with teriyaki sauce
- Garlic Parmesan – Buffalo sauce with garlic and parmesan
- Mango Habanero – Buffalo sauce with mango and habanero peppers
- Honey Sriracha – Buffalo sauce with honey and sriracha
The traditional buffalo sauce consists of a 2:1 ratio of hot sauce to butter. This helps temper the heat a bit. The butter also gives the sauce a nice richness. Most restaurants tweak the traditional sauce by adding extra flavors like garlic, honey, or chipotle.
Why serve buffalo wings with blue cheese?
The pairing of hot buffalo wings with cool and creamy blue cheese dressing provides the perfect flavor balance. The spicy heat of the buffalo sauce is offset by the pungent, tangy flavor of blue cheese. Here are some of the reasons why blue cheese dressing complements buffalo wings so well:
Cools the heat
Buffalo wings are meant to be spicy. The presence of capsaicin in hot sauces like Frank’s RedHot triggers pain receptors on the tongue. The creamy texture and mild flavor of blue cheese dressing helps neutralize this heat. The fat in the blue cheese coats your mouth and provides relief from the burning sensation.
Adds moisture
Eating plate after plate of buffalo wings can dry out your mouth, especially if the wings are overly breaded or fried. The high-fat content in blue cheese dressing helps add needed moisture. The thick, creamy texture also clings to the chicken better than thinner ranch dressing.
Contrasting flavors
From a taste perspective, blue cheese balances out the flavors of hot buffalo wings. The pungent, salty, funky flavor of blue cheese contrasts with the vinegary, spicy heat of the hot sauce. This allows you to taste the nuances of both flavors more fully. The blue cheese doesn’t fully cut the heat but balances it out.
Cuts the richness
Buffalo wings tend to be fatty from being deep fried and tossed in butter sauce. The tangy flavor of blue cheese helps cut through the richness by cleansing the palate. It resets your tastebuds after each bite of wings.
Other common buffalo wing accompaniments
While blue cheese dressing may be the most popular dip for wings, it’s not the only one. Here are some other common dips and sides for buffalo wings:
- Ranch dressing – Cool and creamy like blue cheese. Buttermilk ranch has a milder flavor.
- Celery sticks – Provides crunch and moisture. Acts as a palate cleanser.
- Carrot sticks – Alternate vegetable for dipping instead of celery.
- Bleu cheese crumbles – Sprinkled on top of wings or served on the side.
- Sour cream – Adds a cooling effect. Not as pungent as blue cheese.
- French fries – Starch helps temper spicy heat. Cheese fries work even better.
While all of these options pair well with buffalo wings, most people still prefer the classic combo of blue cheese dressing and celery sticks. The blue cheese flavor is much more assertive and capable of balancing the intense spicy flavor.
Different types of blue cheese for wings
Traditional buffalo wing blue cheese dressing is made with crumbled blue cheese. But there are many different types of blue cheese that work well:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Gorgonzola | Italian blue cheese. Crumbly texture with pungent, funky flavor. |
| Roquefort | French blue made from sheep’s milk. Aged in caves causing blue veining. |
| Stilton | English blue cheese. Known for its complex aroma and creamy texture. |
| Maytag Blue | American artisanal blue cheese. Buttery flavor with blue veining throughout. |
Gorgonzola is one of the most popular types of blue cheese to use in traditional buffalo wing dressing. It has a nice pungent, sharp flavor that stands up to spicy wings. Roquefort or Stilton offer even stronger blue cheese flavor. Maytag blue is a good domestic option that provides a good balance of creaminess and blueness.
Making blue cheese dressing
The traditional way to make blue cheese dressing is to combine crumbled blue cheese with mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper. The specific ingredients can be adjusted based on your preferred thickness and flavor.
For buffalo wings, you want the dressing to have a nice thick, creamy dipping consistency. Letting the dressing chill for a few hours in the fridge allows the flavors to fully develop.
If you want an extra zing, consider adding some hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot to the dressing itself. You can also garnish the dressing with extra crumbled blue cheese, chives, bacon bits or other toppings.
Should you put blue cheese dressing on the wings?
Most restaurants serve buffalo wings and blue cheese dressing as separate items to allow you to dip the wings in the dressing. However, some people enjoy the flavor when the blue cheese dressing is actually tossed with the hot wings.
Slathering the wings in dressing adds an extra layer of tangy creaminess in every bite. It creates a sauce coating reminiscent of chicken fingers with blue cheese dipping sauce. The dressing also helps adhere any extra toppings like blue cheese crumbles or bacon bits.
The main downside to tossing the wings in dressing is it can make them soggy if too much is used. Dipping preserves the crispy texture better. But both techniques result in a tasty blue cheese buffalo wing experience.
Other foods to dip in blue cheese dressing
While crafted as the perfect complement to spicy buffalo wings, blue cheese dressing also pairs well with many other foods:
- French fries
- Chicken fingers or nuggets
- Fried mozzarella sticks
- Fried zucchini sticks
- Potato skins
- Grilled or roasted vegetables
- Beef sliders or burgers
The cool and creamy blue cheese dressing works magic when dipped with any hot, crispy, fatty, or salty foods. The pungent blue cheese flavor cuts through the richness. Next time you make or order any appetizers, don’t forget the blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Fun blue cheese dressing hacks
Blue cheese dressing is endlessly adaptable beyond just a dip. Here are some fun ways to use it:
- Use as a sandwich spread
- Toss with hot chicken wings
- Drizzle on top of burgers or steaks
- Mix into mashed potatoes
- Use as a veggie dip
- Toss with fried chicken bites
- Blend into mac and cheese
With its creamy texture and assertive flavor, blue cheese dressing can enhance all types of dishes. Keep a bottle on hand in your fridge to instantly elevate snacks, appetizers, and meals.
Conclusion
When it comes to spicy buffalo wings, creamy and pungent blue cheese dressing is the perfect partner. The blue cheese cools the heat of the buffalo sauce and balances the flavors beautifully. Its creamy texture and bold flavor work together to cut through the richness of the fried wings. While ranch dressing has its fans, most buffalo wing purists will always opt for true blue cheese dressing as the accompaniment of choice.