Keto cheese sauces are great because they are low carb and high fat. They are also very versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. The problem is that they tend to be watery and thin.
If you want to thicken them, you’ll need to add something else. Arrowroot starch is a good option, but you can also try other things such as tapioca starch, potato starch, or even gelatin.
You can use this method for any type of cheese sauce, not just the one I mentioned above. For example, if you wanted to make an eggplant Parmesan cheese sauce, you would simply replace the cream with heavy whipping cream (or half-and-half) and omit the Parmesan.
If you want to find out more about thickening your keto cheese sauce, keep on reading!
Is Cheddar Cheese Keto?
Cheese is an excellent source of protein and fat. You can use this as a substitute for meat when making recipes. However, there are some types of cheeses that aren’t considered “keto friendly.” Cheddar cheese is probably the most common cheese that people think about when it comes to being keto-friendly.
It’s true that cheddar cheese isn’t technically ketogenic, but it does have a lot of nutritional benefits. In fact, it has more calcium than milk! So, if you’re looking for a way to get your dairy without consuming too much sugar, then cheddar cheese is a great choice.
How To Thicken Cheese Sauce
Cheese sauces are made using roux. A roux is a mixture of flour (or cornstarch) and butter. This helps make the sauce thicker, richer, and smoother. You’ll notice that I use heavy cream instead of milk or water.
Heavy cream contains more protein than regular milk, making it an excellent substitute for milk when you’re following a low carb diet. Cheese and cream make a great combination. You should use this recipe if you want a silky smooth sauce.
Add more cheese as well as cream, and you will have a thicker sauce without the need for any flour.
You can adjust how thick or thin you want your sauce by adding more or less cream or almond milk. Cheese makes sauces thicker, but if you’re making a lighter sauce, you can omit it.
Is It Possible To Make A Cheese Sauce Without Flour?
Cheese sauces are usually made using flour as a base. This recipe uses cream cheese instead, and also contains heavy cream and cheddar cheeses. There is no need to use almond flour or other flours, making this recipe completely gluten free.
Cheddar is the most popular choice for keto cheese sauces because it tastes great when used with many foods. It also makes an excellent dip or topping for breads, vegetables, and other foods.
Monterey Jack cheese is a mild cheese used as a substitute for cheddar cheese in many dishes. It is usually found in American cuisine. It is made by combining cow’s milk with cream and rennet, then letting the mixture set until curds form.
In the United States, it is often called “jack” because of the Spanish pronunciation of the word “cheese”.
What Are Some Other Keto Thickeners?
Xanthan gum, guar gum, carrageenan, arrowroot powder, and others are all options for thickening cheese sauces. These ingredients work differently from each other, so you may find that one works better than another depending on what you’re trying to achieve.
Some of these ingredients are high in carbs, while others are not.
Xanthan gum is a natural polysaccharide extracted from Xanthomonas campestris bacteria. It is commonly used as a stabilizer and emulsifier in food products. Xanthan gum is typically added to salad dressings, dips, sauces, and desserts. It acts as a thickener, as well as an elasticity agent.
Guar gum is derived from the seeds of the legume Cyamopsis tetragonoloba. It is commonly used in baked goods, ice creams, and yogurts. It is especially useful in baking since it creates a light texture and adds volume to dough.
Carrageenan is a naturally occurring sulfate polysaccharide extracted primarily from red seaweeds such as kappa-carrageenan. It is commonly used to stabilize dairy products like yogurt. It has been shown to increase satiety and reduce body weight.
Arrowroot powder is a starch obtained from the rhizome of the tropical plant Moringa oleifera. It is commonly used for thickening sauces and gravies. It is very similar to cornstarch and potato starch. It has more carbs than some other keto options, so this one may not be your favorite option.
Add any of these thickeners to your cheese sauce. When it looks thin, add the thickeners, and whisk to remove any clumps. Next, make sure the thickeners have cooked off by cooking the sauce for a further few minutes.
What Doesn’t Work As A Thickener?
There are lots of low-carb keto thickeners you can use, but there are also some that you may not want to use. This includes almond flour, as well as coconut flour.
Almond flour is low carb, but it is not suitable for any sauces. This is because it will become gritty, and it is thicker and grainier than regular flour. Coconut flour is similar, but it is not as grainy. Coconut flour will make your sauce gritty rather than grainy.
How Do I Know Which Type Of Cheese To Use?
There are two types of cheese: hard and soft. Hard cheese includes Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, Swiss, Provolone, and others. Soft cheese includes mozzarella, brie, feta, cottage cheese, ricotta, and others.
The best option depends on your needs. If you are looking for a creamy cheese sauce, go with soft cheese. If you prefer a tangy cheese sauce, go with hard cheese.
Can I Add Spices To My Cheese Sauce?
Yes! You can add any spice you want to your cheese sauce. Just be careful about adding too much salt. Salt will make your cheese sauce taste salty. Adding spices will give your cheese sauce more flavor. Try cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, garlic, onion, chives, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley, etc.
How Long Does It Take To Cook?
The cooking time varies based on how thick your cheese sauce is. A thicker cheese sauce takes longer to cook. Start checking at 15 minutes and continue checking every 5 minutes after that. Once the desired thickness is reached, remove the pan from heat. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
How Should I Store Leftover Cheese Sauce?
Leftover cheese sauce should be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Make sure to cover the container tightly to prevent moisture loss.
How Do You Reheat Cheese Sauce?
You can reheat cheese sauce by placing it back into the pan over medium heat. Stir frequently until heated through.
How Do You Make Cheese Sauce Without Milk Or Cream?
If you don’t have milk or cream, try using coconut milk instead. Coconut milk is made from grated coconut meat mixed with water. It’s great because it tastes just like regular milk but contains less fat and calories.
If you don’t have coconut milk, you can use heavy whipping cream instead. Heavy whipping cream is simply a mixture of cream and skimmed milk. It is often sold in cartons labeled “heavy” or “whipping”. Be sure to check the label to ensure that it is only skimmed.
Final Thoughts
Cheese sauce is one of the most versatile keto recipes out there. There are many ways to prepare this recipe with different low-carb thickeners. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and techniques to create your own unique version of this classic dish.
