Cheese Dip: A Keto Diet's Best Friend?

Cheese dip is a delicious snack, but is it keto-friendly? The answer is yes, and there are several recipes to prove it. Most recipes use a combination of shredded cheese, heavy cream, and butter to create a thick and creamy dip. Some recipes add cream cheese, while others include vegetables like peppers, onions, and tomatoes for extra flavour and texture. This dip is perfect for those on a keto diet, as it is low in carbohydrates and high in fat. It can be served as an appetizer or snack and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Keto cheese dip ingredients

There are many different keto cheese dip recipes, and you can adjust the ingredients to your taste. Here are some common ingredients used in keto cheese dips:

Keto Queso Cheese Dip Ingredients:

• Grated Edam cheese
• Creamy Havarti cheese
• Heavy cream
• Almond milk or coconut milk
• Chicken stock
• Butter
• Spices (e.g., ground mustard seed, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, cayenne, black pepper)
• Bell peppers (red and green)
• Cilantro

Other Keto Cheese Dip Ingredients:

• Butter
• Onion
• Jalapeno
• Cumin
• Cream cheese
• Heavy cream
• Water
• Cheddar cheese
• Monterey Jack cheese

Keto Sausage Cheese Dip Ingredients:

• Italian sausage
• Diced tomatoes
• Jalapenos
• Cream cheese
• Cheddar cheese

Keto White Cheese Sauce (Queso Blanco) Ingredients:

• White cheddar cheese
• Pepper Jack cheese
• Green chiles
• Jalapeno juice
• Red pepper flakes
• Chili powder
• Salt

Keto cheese dip recipes

Keto Queso Cheese Dip

This keto cheese dip is perfect for those who enjoy a seasoned dip with a thin consistency. It is best served warm with low-carb vegetables and tortilla chips.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of grated Edam cheese
• 2 cups of heavy cream
• 1 cup of almond milk or coconut milk
• ⅓ cup of creamy Havarti cheese
• 1 to 2 cups of chicken stock
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of unsalted sweet cream butter
• ¼ teaspoon of ground mustard seed
• ¼ teaspoon of ground sage
• ⅛ teaspoon of dried thyme
• ⅛ teaspoon of dried oregano
• Dash of red pepper flakes
• ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ⅛ teaspoon of cayenne powder
• 1 small red bell pepper
• 1 small green bell pepper
• Ground black pepper to taste
• Olive oil for roasting peppers
• Fresh cilantro for garnishing

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Thinly slice the red and green bell peppers, place them on a tray, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven until tender.
• In a non-stick skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add the cream, almond milk, 1 cup of chicken stock, and grated Edam cheese. Stir and bring to a slight boil.
• Once the Edam cheese starts to melt, turn the heat to low and add the spices, including ground mustard seed, pepper flakes, garlic powder, cayenne, and ground black pepper. Also add half of the sage, thyme, and oregano. Continue stirring.
• If the dip is too thick, gradually add the remaining chicken stock.
• When you are happy with the texture, add the Havarti cheese and some chopped roasted bell peppers. Reserve a few pieces of bell peppers for garnishing.
• Continue stirring until the cheese melts and you achieve the desired consistency.
• Transfer the dip to a serving dish and top with the remaining roasted red and green bell peppers, as well as fresh cilantro.

Keto Queso

This keto queso dip is smooth, creamy, and easy to customize. You can adjust the spice level, add more vegetables, or skip the onions to suit your taste.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of butter
• ½ medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium jalapeno, minced
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• ¾ cup of heavy cream
• 8 ounces of cream cheese
• 8 ounces of shredded cheddar
• 4 ounces of shredded Monterey jack

Instructions:

• Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
• Stir in the onion, jalapeno, and cumin. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the vegetables have softened.
• Add the cream cheese, heavy cream, and water to the pan. Cook and stir over medium heat until the cream cheese has melted, which should take about 5 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded cheese a handful at a time, whisking constantly, until all the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
• Add additional water as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
• Top the queso with pico de gallo before serving.
• For a spicier version, add extra jalapeno, or omit it altogether for a milder taste.

Keto Sausage Cheese Dip

This keto-friendly sausage cheese dip is perfect for get-togethers and can be made in just one pan. It has a spicy kick from the jalapenos, but you can adjust the spice level to your preference.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces of bulk Italian sausage (you can use hot Italian or mild/sweet Italian)
• 1 cup of diced tomatoes
• 2 medium jalapenos, finely minced
• 8 ounces of cream cheese, cut into small pieces
• 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

• In a 10-inch skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage until cooked through, which should take about 8 to 10 minutes. Spoon out excess fat if the sausage is very greasy.
• Stir in the diced tomatoes and jalapenos and bring to a simmer.
• Remove from heat and add both cheeses. Stir until combined, then cover the pan and let it sit for about 5 minutes to help the cheese melt.
• Uncover and stir until well combined. Spread the dip evenly in the pan and serve warm with veggies and low-carb crackers.

Keto Queso Blanco (White Cheese Sauce)

This keto queso blanco is a white cheese sauce that can be used on almost anything, from vegetables and salads to meats and snacks. It is best served warm with pork rinds, celery, carrots, radishes, homemade keto chips, or baked vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of white cheddar cheese
• ½ pound of pepper jack cheese
• ¼ cup of finely chopped green chiles
• 1 tablespoon of jalapeno juice (from canned pickled jalapenos)
• 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of pink salt

Instructions:

• Heat the heavy cream, sour cream, and jalapeno juice over medium heat.
• Add the shredded cheese and keep mixing until it is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
• Add the remaining ingredients and stir until fully combined.
• For a crockpot/slow cooker option, add all the ingredients at once, set the temperature to low heat, and stir every 30 minutes until smooth and creamy.

Keto cheese dip nutritional information

Keto cheese dips are a great appetizer for get-togethers and parties. They are easy to make and can be served with low-carb vegetables, keto crackers, and tortilla chips.

Nutritional Information

Keto cheese dips are generally considered low-carb as they use ingredients that are relatively low in carbohydrates. The nutritional information for keto cheese dips can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. Here is the nutritional information for a few different keto cheese dips:

Keto Queso Cheese Dip:

• Calories: 162
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 49mg
• Sodium: 263mg
• Potassium: 80mg
• Vitamin A: 680IU
• Vitamin C: 10.5mg
• Calcium: 209mg
• Iron: 0.1mg

Keto Cream Cheese Dip:

• Calories: 68
• Calories from Fat: 63
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 21mg
• Sodium: 109mg
• Potassium: 26mg
• Vitamin A: 205IU
• Calcium: 30mg
• Iron: 0.1mg

Keto Sausage Cheese Dip:

• Calories: 183
• Calories from Fat: 124
• Carbohydrates: 2.5g
• Protein: 9g
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 44mg
• Sodium: 397mg
• Potassium: 149mg
• Vitamin A: 344IU
• Vitamin C: 4mg
• Calcium: 147mg
• Iron: 0.4mg

Keto Low Carb Queso:

• Calories: 298kcal
• Carbohydrates: 3g
• Protein: 10g
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 82mg
• Sodium: 523mg
• Sugar: 2g
• Net Carbs: 3g

Keto cheese dip storage and reheating

Storing and reheating keto cheese dip depends on the type of dip and how long it has been stored. Here is a guide to help you with storage and reheating:

Storing Keto Cheese Dip:

• Refrigeration: Leftover keto cheese dip can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, it tends to harden when refrigerated, so you may need to reheat it before serving again.
• Freezing: While it is possible to freeze cheese dip, it may affect the texture, so it is not recommended.

Reheating Keto Cheese Dip:

• Stovetop: Reheat the dip in a skillet or saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, until it melts together again. This is the best method to ensure the dip retains its flavour and texture.
• Microwave: Alternatively, you can reheat the dip in the microwave, but be careful not to overheat it, as this can cause the dip to separate or become grainy. Start with short intervals of 30 seconds to 1 minute and stir well between each interval.
• Slow Cooker: If you are serving the dip at a party, you can keep it warm in a slow cooker on the low or keep-warm setting.

Keto cheese dip serving suggestions

There are many keto-friendly dips and dippers to choose from. Here are some ideas for your next get-together:

Keto Cheese Dip Ideas:

• A basic cheese dip with a combination of grated Edam and Havarti cheese, heavy cream, almond milk, and spices.
• Keto Queso: a smooth and creamy Mexican-inspired dip with cream cheese, cheddar, and Monterey Jack.
• Spicy Sausage Cheese Dip: a hearty dip with Italian sausage, diced tomatoes, jalapenos, cream cheese, and cheddar.

Dippers:

• Low-carb tortilla chips: cut low-carb flour tortillas into triangles, spritz with oil, sprinkle with salt, and bake until crispy.
• Pork rinds: these make great dippers for cheese dips and are also delicious on their own.
• Low-carb crackers: there are many keto-friendly cracker options available, such as RealPhat keto crackers or keto cheese crackers.
• Vegetables: celery, cucumber, peppers, radishes, and jicama slices are all great options for dipping.
• Keto bagels or keto hot dog buns: cut into strips and toasted in the oven for a crunchy dipping option.
• Meatballs: especially delicious when served with a hot cheese dip in a fondue pot.

So, whether you're looking for a cheesy, spicy, or meaty dip, there are plenty of keto-friendly options to choose from. Enjoy experimenting with different combinations and finding your favorites!

Frequently asked questions