Creamy and tangy with a peppery punch, this Parmesan Peppercorn Dressing will dress up any salad! Just like your favorite steakhouse!
Gather This
You might just have most of these parmesan peppercorn dressing ingredients already on hand! 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 thin and pourable while keeping it rich and smooth.
- Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated parmesan 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. You can swap for minced dried onion too.
- Garlic powder – This gives the dressing a little garlicky warmth without having to mince fresh garlic.
- 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.
Let’s Make It
Making this parmesan peppercorn salad dressing couldn’t be easier! Just follow these simple steps!
- Combine ingredients. 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.
- Chill. Cover and chill dressing before serving over your favorite salad or use as a dipping sauce.
5S Philosophy 👩🏻🍳
- Salt – The parmesan and Worcestershire are both quite salty, but we do add kosher salt to bring out the other flavors. Nothing bland happening here!
- 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.
- Swaps – You can swap the mayo for plain greek yogurt. 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.
- Senses – This dressing is bold, creamy, and irresistibly zesty. The sharp aroma of aged parmesan blends with the bite of cracked black pepper, hitting your nose with a savory, mouthwatering punch. Its rich, velvety texture coats every leaf or dip with a tangy, salty depth, finishing with a peppery kick that lingers on your taste buds.
Perfect Pairings
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 leftover dressing 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?
Unfortunately this dressing is not a freezer-friendly recipe — creamy dressings tend to separate and lose their texture when frozen.
More Homemade Dressing Recipes
If you know me, you know how much I love a good homemade sauce or condiment. Here are some of my favorites.
Parmesan Peppercorn 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 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 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
