Creamy homemade salad dressings always seem to taste so much better than anything from the store, and this Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing, is no exception. It is rich, tangy, packed with cracked black pepper, and loaded with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for that bold steakhouse-style flavor. The combination of creamy ingredients with the sharp bite of peppercorns creates a dressing that works with so much more than just salads.
This dressing is especially good on wedge salads, grilled chicken salads, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, and even as a dip for vegetables or crispy potatoes.
Why You Will Love This Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing Recipe
- Restaurant-style flavor: This creamy Parmesan peppercorn dressing tastes like something you would get at a steakhouse, or favorite salad restaurant.
- Easy homemade dressing: Made with simple pantry ingredients in just a few minutes.
- Perfect for salads and more: Use this creamy peppercorn dressing for salads, wraps, sandwiches, burgers, grilled vegetables, or as a dip.
- Rich and creamy texture: The combination of mayo, sour cream, and Parmesan cheese creates a thick and creamy dressing that coats greens beautifully.
- Packed with flavor: Cracked black peppercorns, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Parmesan cheese create a bold, savory dressing with incredible flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Mayonnaise: Substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing.
- Sour cream: Plain Greek yogurt works well as a replacement.
- Buttermilk: Use regular milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream, if needed.
- White wine vinegar: Fresh lemon juice or champagne vinegar can be used instead.
- Garlic powder: Substitute with a small, crushed garlic clove for a stronger garlic flavor.
- Parmesan cheese: Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese can be used for a slightly different flavor.
- Black peppercorns: Fresh cracked black pepper works if whole peppercorns are unavailable.
How to Prepare Creamy Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing
- Place the black peppercorns in a zip-top bag and lightly crush them using the bottom of a heavy pan or rolling pin. You want them coarse, not finely ground.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, 1 1/2 tablespoons buttermilk, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and Worcestershire sauce, until smooth.
- Stir in the crushed black peppercorns.
- Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and mix until fully combined.
- If the dressing is too thick after adding the Parmesan cheese, stir in the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of buttermilk, until the desired consistency is reached.
- Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend together.
How to Serve and Store
- Serve this Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing over wedge salads, Caesar salads, chopped salads, grilled chicken salads, steak salads, or pasta salad.
- Use as a dip for vegetables, chicken tenders, fries, or potato wedges.
- Spread onto sandwiches, burgers, or wraps for extra flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Stir before serving as the dressing may thicken slightly while chilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
This dressing is creamy, tangy, savory, and slightly sharp from the cracked black peppercorns. The Parmesan cheese adds a rich, nutty flavor that balances the pepper beautifully.
Yes. In fact, the flavor gets even better after chilling for a few hours in the refrigerator.
Whole peppercorns give the best flavor and texture, but freshly cracked black pepper can also work in a pinch.
The Parmesan cheese and mayonnaise naturally thicken as they chill. Simply stir in a splash of buttermilk before serving if needed.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts into the dressing better and gives the best texture and flavor, but pre-grated Parmesan can work if needed.
Absolutely. This creamy Parmesan peppercorn dressing works really well as a spread for roast beef sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and grilled chicken sandwiches.
If you are looking for a creamy homemade salad dressing with bold flavor, this Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing is an easy recipe that tastes better than store-bought dressing. Made with cracked black peppercorns, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, mayo, sour cream, and Dijon mustard, this creamy dressing is perfect for salads, sandwiches, wraps, grilled vegetables, and steakhouse-inspired meals.
Print
Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
Description
Creamy Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing made with cracked black pepper, Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, and buttermilk. Perfect for salads, wraps, and sandwiches.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons black peppercorns, roughly crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place the black peppercorns in a zip-top bag and lightly crush them using the bottom of a heavy pan or rolling pin. You want them coarse, not finely ground.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, 1 1/2 tablespoons buttermilk, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and Worcestershire sauce, until smooth.
- Stir in the crushed black peppercorns.
- Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and mix until fully combined.
- If the dressing is too thick after adding the Parmesan cheese, stir in the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of buttermilk, until the desired consistency is reached.
- Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend together.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Freshly cracked black peppercorns provide the best flavor and texture.
- Start with 1 1/2 tablespoons of buttermilk and add more only if needed after mixing in the Parmesan cheese.
- The olive oil can be optional, but it gives the dressing a silkier texture.
- For a thinner dressing, add additional buttermilk, one teaspoon at a time.
- Letting the dressing chill before serving helps mellow the pepper and develop the flavor.
- This dressing pairs especially well with steak salads, grilled chicken, crispy potatoes, and burgers.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dressing, Dip
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
GET TO KNOW ME!
WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
Our life has changed dramatically in the past few years with the passing of our two goldendoodles, Vegas and Viva. We were lucky enough to have Vegas for five years (totally wish it was longer). Most recently, losing our Viva to a brain tumor in July of 2020. We welcomed our mini goldendoodle 7, almost seven years ago. We just added the amazing Hazel! Of course, I am always posting tons and tons of photos! Be sure to check out my recipe for Pet Bone Broth! This broth is super rich in nutrients and will provide your pet with a multitude of health benefits!
In addition, I’m so very excited to announce I have published my first e-book and paperback, “Mastering Thanksgiving – A Guide to Perfecting Your Thanksgiving Dinner.” Your support would mean the world to me.
Let’s Get Social!
Be sure to follow me on social media! I’m always talking food, fashion, and family! I also love sharing some of my favorite Amazon Finds too. Click here to check out my Amazon page! Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Pinterest and YouTube! Check out my LTK to find out what I’m wearing! THANK YOU!
No comment yet, add your voice below!