If you’ve ever wished your favorite steakhouse dressing came in a jar you could keep in the fridge, this homemade Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing is going to make your day. It’s creamy, tangy, and packs just enough peppery punch to wake up any salad!
What’s in the Mix
This creamy parmesan peppercorn salad dressing brings the sharpness of parmesan and the bite of black pepper together in an absolutely addictive way. A full list of ingredients with measurements is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Mayonnaise – The base that makes this dressing creamy and luscious. Choose one with a flavor you love since it’s doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
- Whole Milk – Milk loosens up the mayo just enough to make it pourable while keeping it rich and smooth.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated parm is the way to go for that nutty, salty kick of flavor.
- Ground Black Pepper – Peppercorn adds that signature spiciness. Don’t be shy with it — this is Parmesan Peppercorn after all!
- Red Wine Vinegar – Vinegar cuts through the richness with just the right amount of tanginess.
- Onion Powder – This spice adds subtle sweetness and savory flavor.
- Garlic Powder – This gives the dressing a little garlicky warmth.
- Coarse Kosher Salt – Salt balances out all the other flavors. Be sure to use Kosher, not table salt — it makes a difference in how it blends.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Just a splash brings umami and a hint of complexity that makes this dressing taste like it came from a fancy restaurant.
- Lemon Juice – Citrus brightens everything up. A tiny bit goes a long way, so don’t skip it.
This is How We Do It
This one’s easy peasy, which is part of what makes it such a go-to. Just a few minutes of mixing and you’ve got yourself a parmesan peppercorn salad dressing worth putting on everything.
- Combine. Grab a small bowl or a food processor and toss everything in. Stir or blend until smooth and creamy.
- Give it a chill. Cover the bowl and let it hang out in the fridge for a bit. This gives all the flavors time to mingle and deepen. Bonus: it thickens slightly while chilling, making it perfect for dipping or drizzling.
5S Philosophy 👩🏻🍳
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- Salt – Between the parmesan, Worcestershire, and Kosher salt, this dressing has layers of salty savoriness. Nothing bland happening here!
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- Seasoning – Garlic and onion powder bring their own unique flavors to the dressing. The pepper is the star, though — it brings a bit of heat that makes this dressing stand out.
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- Sauces – Worcestershire is the not-so-secret ingredient that gives this a little something extra. It’s the kind of thing you won’t notice right away, but you’d miss it if it wasn’t there.
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- Swaps – Try lightening it up using Greek yogurt instead of mayo. No red wine vinegar? White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can work in a pinch. And if you’re craving an extra kick, stir in a pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper.
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- Senses – This dressing has a velvety texture and a rich, savory scent that hits you the second you open the jar. It coats a crunchy romaine salad like a dream and turns even simple veggies into something craveable.
What Goes Great With It
This parmesan peppercorn salad dressing shines on a classic Cobb salad or wedge salad. It’s also amazing as a dip for fresh veggie sticks, pretzels, crackers, chicken tenders, or french fries.
You can also use it as a spread for burgers, paninis, and sandwiches — anywhere you want creamy, cheesy flavor with a peppery edge. We even like to spoon it over roasted potatoes or grilled shrimp.
Storage and Freezing
How to Store
Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Just give it a good stir or shake before using.
Can I Freeze Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing?
This one’s not a freezer-friendly recipe — creamy dressings tend to separate and lose their texture when frozen.
Ask Away: Recipe Insights
You can, but it won’t mix into the dressing as smoothly. Freshly grated parmesan has a better texture and more flavor, so it’s definitely worth the extra step.
It’s not spicy spicy, but it does have a solid pepper kick. If you’re sensitive to heat, you can dial back the pepper a bit.
You sure can! White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar will work in place of red wine vinegar. Each one will tweak the flavor slightly, but they’ll all be tasty.
More Mouthwatering Salad Dressings
If you’re looking to level up your salad game, you’ll want to check out these other popular dressings!
Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese freshly and finely grated
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, parmesan cheese, black pepper, red wine vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice in a small bowl or in a food processor.
- Cover and chill for 30 minutes before serving over your favorite salad or use as a dipping sauce.
Nutrition
