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What is canned nacho cheese sauce made of?

Canned nacho cheese sauce is a popular condiment used for nachos, fries, chips, and more. With its creamy orange color and tangy, spicy flavor, nacho cheese sauce is a go-to topping for adding a cheesy kick to snacks and appetizers. But what exactly is in the bright orange cheese sauce that comes out of a can? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that go into canned nacho cheese sauce.

The Main Ingredients

The base of canned nacho cheese sauce is simple – milk, cheese, and chili peppers. Here are the key ingredients:

  • Milk: Canned nacho cheese sauce uses milk as the primary liquid ingredient. The milk gives the sauce a creamy, smooth texture. Whole milk or skim milk may be used depending on the brand and variety of nacho cheese sauce.
  • Cheese: What would nacho cheese sauce be without cheese? Cheddar cheese is typically used to provide that quintessential orange cheese color and sharp, tangy cheese flavor. Cheese gives the sauce thickness and richness.
  • Chili peppers: Chili peppers provide canned nacho cheese sauce with a spicy kick. Jalapeño peppers are commonly used. Ground red chili pepper may also be used to add heat and flavor.

In addition to the core ingredients of milk, cheese, and chili peppers, canned nacho cheese sauce contains thickeners, emulsifiers, preservatives, and other additives to give it the perfect smooth, scoopable texture.

Thickeners

Canned nacho cheese sauce needs thickeners to give it a thick, creamy consistency that clings to nachos and doesn’t drip off. Here are some common thickeners used:

  • Modified food starch: This is extracted from corn and used to thicken the cheese sauce and prevent separation.
  • Whey protein concentrate: A protein extracted from milk whey that acts as a thickener.
  • Xanthan gum: A thickener and stabilizer derived from fermented sugars.
  • Guar gum: Extracted from guar beans, this is another thickening agent.

Emulsifiers

Oil and water don’t like to mix. Emulsifiers allow the water-based and oil-based ingredients to blend together smoothly and prevent separation. Common emulsifiers in canned nacho cheese sauce include:

  • Mono and diglycerides: Helps oil and water mix, comes from fats and oils.
  • Sodium phosphate: An emulsifying salt derived from phosphoric acid.
  • Polysorbate 80: A synthetic emulsifier made from sorbitol and oleic acid.

Acidulants

For tangy, sharp cheese flavor, acidulants are added. Some acidulants you may see on ingredients lists include:

  • Lactic acid: Gives a tangy flavor, naturally found in cheese.
  • Citric acid: Used as a flavoring and preservative, naturally found in citrus fruits.
  • Sodium phosphate: Helps control pH levels in addition to emulsifying.

Preservatives

To allow for long shelf life and prevent microbial growth, canned nacho cheese sauce contains preservatives such as:

  • Sodium citrate: Prevents cheese proteins from separating and preserves flavor.
  • Sodium phosphate: Preserves color and stabilizes proteins.
  • Sorbic acid: Prevents mold, yeast, and bacteria growth.

Colorings

The vibrant orange color of nacho cheese sauce largely comes from annatto. Annatto is a natural coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree. Other colorings may also be added such as:

  • Paprika: Adds flavor and orange/red color.
  • Turmeric: Provides a yellow-orange hue.
  • Yellow #5 and Yellow #6: Artificial food colorings for bright orange color.

Flavors & seasonings

What would nacho cheese be without that tangy, spicy flavor? Canned nacho cheese contains ingredients like:

  • Whey protein concentrate: Adds a cheesy, umami flavor.
  • Salt: For seasoning.
  • Onion powder: Provides subtle onion flavor.
  • Garlic powder: Adds a hint of garlic.
  • Spices: Such as paprika, chili powder, cumin, and oregano.

The exact blend of seasonings varies between brands, but spices are added to give canned nacho cheese that signature hearty, Tex-Mex flavor profile.

The Full Ingredient List

To see all the ingredients that go into canned nacho cheese sauce, let’s look at a typical nutrition label:

Ingredients
Whole milk, water, modified food starch, cheddar cheese (milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), whey protein concentrate, maltodextrin, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, sodium phosphate, contains less than 2% of lactic acid, onion powder, sodium citrate, garlic powder, dipotassium phosphate, polysorbate 80, spice, yellow 5, yellow 6, sorbic acid, citric acid, natural and artificial flavor.

As you can see, there is quite a lengthy list of ingredients that go into creating the perfect nacho cheese sauce from milk, cheese, emulsifiers, thickeners, preservatives, colorings, and flavorings. While it may seem like a processed food with a long ingredient list, each additive serves a specific purpose in creating that ideal smooth, thick, tangy nacho cheese consistency and long shelf life.

Types of Cheese

While cheddar is the most popular cheese used in canned nacho cheese sauce, some products may use other cheese varieties as well. Potential cheese ingredients include:

  • Cheddar cheese: The most commonly used cheese, provides color and sharp flavor.
  • Monterey Jack cheese: A creamy white cheese that adds mild flavor.
  • Asadero cheese: A Mexican white cheese that melts smoothly.
  • Queso quesadilla cheese: A Hispanic-style cheese blend that melts well.
  • American cheese: Processed cheese that provides creamy texture.

The cheese ingredients will affect the color, texture, melting properties, and flavor of the final nacho cheese sauce product. Cheddar imparts that quintessential orange color while cheeses like Monterey Jack and queso quesadilla cheese give the sauce better melting abilities.

Nutritional Profile

Canned nacho cheese sauce is high in calories and fat. Here is the typical nutrition information per serving (about 2 tablespoons or 28g):

Nutrition Facts Per Serving
Calories 90
Total Fat 7g
Saturated Fat 4.5g
Cholesterol 15mg
Sodium 380mg
Total Carbohydrates 2g
Dietary Fiber 0g
Protein 3g

As you can see, nacho cheese sauce is high in calories, total fat, saturated fat, and sodium. The fat comes from the dairy ingredients like cheese and milk. The sodium is added through all the emulsifying salts, preservatives, and flavorings. There are minimal carbohydrates, fiber, or protein. Due to the high amounts of fat and sodium, nacho cheese sauce should be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.

Storage and Shelf Life

Unopened cans of nacho cheese sauce are extremely shelf stable. Stored in a cool, dry pantry, unopened canned nacho cheese sauce will keep for 9-12 months past the “best by” date printed on the can. Once opened, the cheese sauce should be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator where it will keep for about 1 week after opening. The sauce may start to separate slightly and lose texture, flavor, and color over time. Discard any nacho cheese sauce that develops mold, has an unpleasant odor, or looks abnormal in color or texture.

For best quality and safety, follow these storage guidelines:

  • Unopened: Store in pantry up to 12 months past “best by” date.
  • Opened: Transfer to airtight container and refrigerate up to 1 week.
  • Do not freeze, as freezing may cause separation and texture changes.
  • Discard if moldy, smells bad, or has changed color/texture.

How to Use

Canned nacho cheese sauce is ready to use straight out of the can. Here are some serving tips:

  • Nachos: Drizzle liberally over tortilla chips.
  • Quesadillas: Use as a filling and for dipping.
  • Burgers: Top cheeseburgers for extra cheesy flavor.
  • Fries: Drizzle over French fries, tater tots, or potato wedges.
  • Veggies: Dip carrots, celery, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.
  • Tostadas: Top ground beef tostadas with cheese sauce.

For best results, serve the cheese sauce warm to bring out the flavors and creamy melted cheese texture. It can be gently warmed in the microwave or on the stovetop. Use within 1 week for freshest taste and texture.

Buying Tips

When purchasing canned nacho cheese sauce, here are some tips for getting the best quality product:

  • Check the expiration or “best by” date and choose the furthest out date.
  • Avoid cans with dents, damage, or rust.
  • Make sure there are no leaks.
  • Give the can a shake – the sauce should move smoothly with no clumping.
  • Look for a brand you trust with high quality ingredients.
  • Compare nutrition labels and choose a lower sodium version if preferred.
  • For convenience, buy individually sized portions or resealable pouches.
  • Purchase multiple cans if you will use it frequently to have it stocked.

Common Brands

Popular brands of canned nacho cheese sauce include:

  • Frito-Lay
  • Tostitos
  • Taco Bell
  • Ricos
  • Valley Fresh
  • Rosarita
  • Old El Paso
  • Jose Olé
  • Fonda
  • El Sabor

Grocery stores and big box stores like Walmart and Target have their own private label brands as well. Try out a few different brand names to see which cheese sauce flavor and texture you like best.

Homemade vs. Canned

Making homemade nacho cheese sauce from scratch can allow you to control the ingredients. However, canned nacho cheese sauce offers convenience – it is ready to use straight from the can. Canned versions also have a longer shelf life of up to a year unopened. Homemade sauce usually lasts 1-2 weeks refrigerated. While the flavor of homemade can be outstanding, canned nacho cheese sauce offers a quick, easy cheese fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is canned nacho cheese sauce real cheese?

Yes, canned nacho cheese sauce contains real cheese such as cheddar, Monterey jack, queso quesadilla, or American cheese. However, it has added ingredients like emulsifiers and thickeners to give it a smooth, scoopable texture.

Is nacho cheese sauce gluten free?

Most canned nacho cheese sauces are gluten-free, but always check the label to confirm. Some may contain wheat ingredients.

Can you freeze nacho cheese sauce?

It’s best not to freeze canned nacho cheese sauce. Freezing may cause it to separate and become grainy or watery when thawed. Refrigerate leftover cheese sauce for up to 1 week.

What’s the difference between queso and nacho cheese sauce?

While often used interchangeably, queso is a Hispanic-style white creamy cheese dip while nacho cheese sauce has a brighter orange color and more spicy flavor profile. However, many queso products are now labeled as nacho cheese sauce.

Is canned nacho cheese bad for you?

In moderation, nacho cheese sauce can be fine as part of an overall healthy diet. But it is high in saturated fat and sodium, so it should not be a daily staple.

Conclusion

Canned nacho cheese sauce may seem simple on the surface, but actually contains a complex blend of ingredients like real cheese, milk, spices, emulsifiers, thickeners, colorings, and preservatives to achieve its signature creamy orange color and tangy, spicy flavor. While it can be high in fat and sodium, nacho cheese sauce is an indulgent, convenient condiment to top off snacks and appetizers. Follow storage guidelines for optimum freshness and safety. Drizzle, dip, and dunk to your heart’s content, but practice moderation to keep this creamy cheese treat in balance.