Crème Fraîche Dressing made from crème fraîche, fresh herbs, garlic and a little squeeze of lemon juice will soon be your new favorite salad dressing and dip.
Use it on salads, served with fresh veggies or as an ingredient. There’s no end to the versatility of Crème Fraîche Dressing.
What is Crème Fraîche?
Crème Fraîche originates from France and literally means ‘fresh cream.’ Pronounced “krem fresh”, it is a thickened cream made by fermenting cream with a special culture of bacteria, like the bacteria used in buttermilk. The result of this fermentation, is a slightly tangy flavored and creamy, velvety textured cream.
How Can Crème Fraîche Dressing Be Used?
Substitute ranch, blue cheese and other cream or dairy based dressings with Crème Fraîche Dressing. It can be used in the following ways:
- As a dip for fresh veggies.
- Use as a spread for crackers, crostinis and bread.
- Make Crème Fraîche pasta – throw some into drained cooked pasta to form a unique creamy sauce, with herb, lemon and garlic flavors.
- Forego butter, sour cream or cream and make mashed potatoes with Crème Fraîche – delicious!
- Spread this Crème Fraîche Dressing on salmon before it is grilled or oven roasted. It works on other meaty fish too like halibut and swordfish.
- Use it on a wedge salad for something different.
- As an ingredient when making Flammkuchen!
Crème Fraîche Alternatives
The best substitutes for Crème Fraîche, ordered from the best to acceptable, are yogurt, sour cream, whipped cream cheese, quark, heavy whipping cream, and mayonnaise.
For a vegan option, choose any of the above options and swap out the Crème Fraîche.
Where Can I Buy Crème Fraîche?
In Ireland and the UK, grocery stores such as Tesco, Dunnes, Aldi, and Lidl sell Crème Fraîche. In the U.S. Crème Fraîche is available at Fred Meyer, Safeway, Walmart, Publix, Trader Joes and Whole Foods. For online delivery, try Amazon.
Ingredients for Crème Fraîche Dressing
- Crème Fraîche – Vermont Creamery Crème Fraîche is particularly popular in the U.S. I highly recommend it!
- Herbs – fresh, around 3 types is a good variety.
- Lemon juice – preferably fresh, but bottled will also work.
- Garlic.
What Herbs Should I Use?
Use any herbs you would like. Keep it simple, use about 3-4 herbs. Remember garlic and lemon juice will be added to the Crème Fraîche Dressing.
Chives, thyme, oregano, parsley, chervil, dill, and mint are all great additions.
While technically not herbs, don’t rule out baby celery leaves, micro greens and carrot tops to add flavor to the Dressing. I used carrot tops. Cutting them off my still maturing carrots does not affect their growth. They are tender, slightly sweet and have a delicate carrot flavor.
How to Make Crème Fraîche Dressing.
Wash and chop all the herbs. Use a sharp knife or culinary scissors. Cut the lemon and peel the garlic.
Squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl, then grate the garlic cloves into the bowl.
Add the Crème Fraîche to the bowl.
Finally, add the chopped herbs and salt and pepper. Mix well.
Storage
Refrigerate Crème Fraîche Dressing for up to 5 days. Do not freeze.
Got Questions?
I’ve got answers – hopefully!
Crème fraîche has a slightly tangy taste with a creamy velvety texture. It has a mild and slightly sweet flavor, so it can be used in both savory and sweet dishes.
Crème fraîche is made by fermenting heavy cream with a bacterial culture. The best and easiest bacterial culture to use, is buttermilk.
It is milder in tanginess when compared with yogurt and sour cream although it has the same smooth silky texture.
Crème Fraîche Dressing
Ingredients
- 8 oz crème fraîche
- 6 tbsp fresh herbs scroll above to see herb options to include
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic
Instructions
- Wash and chop all the herbs. Use a sharp knife or culinary scissors. Cut the lemon and peel the garlic.
- Squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl, then grate the garlic cloves into the bowl.
- Add the Crème Fraîche to the bowl.
- Finally, add the chopped herbs and salt and pepper. Mix well.
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