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Keto Cheese Sauce

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This homemade keto cheese sauce is the perfect sauce for just about anything - chips, crackers, roasted vegetables, steak, chicken, eggs, you name it. It is rich and creamy and easy to customize based on the ingredients you have on hand. Best of all, it comes together in less than 10 minutes.

a white sauce bowl with homemade cheese sauce and a white spoon.
Table of Contents show

Ingredients in Keto Cheese Sauce

ingredients in individual bowls - cheese, cream, mustard, hot sauce, black pepper

Ingredient Notes

  • Cheese: For this keto cheese sauce recipe, I use sharp cheddar cheese. However, this sauce works with just about any shredded cheese. See below for some of my favorites.
  • Heavy cream: The heavy cream is what gives this homemade cheese sauce a silky, smooth consistency. You can also use half and half, but the sauce may not turn out as thick.
  • Dijon: If you do not have dijon on hand, you can also use ½ teaspoon dried mustard powder.
  • Hot Sauce: You can use any hot sauce you prefer. My favorite keto-friendly hot sauces are Cholula and Tapatio. This does not make the sauce spicy, but it adds a nice depth of flavor. You can also use a pinch of cayenne instead.
  • Garlic: If you do not have fresh garlic on hand, you can substitute 2 teaspoons of dried minced garlic, or 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.

How to make the Best Homemade Cheese Sauce

a sauce pot with heavy cream, shredded cheese, mustard, garlic, hot sauce, salt and pepper

Step by Step Directions

STEP 1: Place the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, garlic, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted and the ingredients are well incorporated.

a white sauce bowl with homemade cheese sauce and a white spoon.

Recipe Tips and Variations

  • Storage: Store leftover homemade cheese sauce in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • Reheating: Reheat leftover cheese sauce in a sauce pan on the stove top. It may be necessary to add some extra cream to bring the sauce back to life. 
  • Consistency: If the cheese sauce feels too thick, add more heavy cream a little at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. If it is too thin, add more cheese.
  • Change up the cheese: This keto cheese sauce is delicious with just about any type of cheese you might have on hand. Some of my favorites are smoked mozzarella, gruyere, sharp white cheddar, cream cheese, mozzarella, or parmesan cheeses. Even better, use a mixture of multiple cheeses.
  • Turn it into keto queso dip: To make a delicious gluten-free nacho cheese sauce, swap out half or all of the cheddar cheese for pepper jack cheese, and 1 drained 10 ounce can of diced tomatoes and green chiles, and 1 tablespoon of this Taco Seasoning.
a white gravy bowl, pouring cheese sauce into a smaller ceramic bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cheese is best to use for cheese sauce?

My favorite cheeses to use for homemade cheese sauce are cheddar, gruyere, havarti, Swiss, and parmesan.

How to thin out or thicken keto cheese sauce

If your cheese sauce is too thick, add a little extra cream or stock. If it is too thin, add more cheese.

What to serve with cheddar cheese sauce

I like to serve this with a veggie tray, with chips, over top of roasted vegetables, on eggs, on steak, and on chicken. The possibilities are endless.

oven roasted cauliflower steaks, topped with cheese sauce, bacon, and green onions

What to serve with this keto cheese sauce

egg based omelets cooked in a waffle iron, topped with ham, sausage, peppers, onion, mushrooms, green onion and cheese sauce.

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a white sauce bowl with homemade cheese sauce and a white spoon.

Keto Cheese Sauce

★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Kyndra Holley
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 ½ cups 1x
  • Diet: Diabetic
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Place the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, garlic, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted and the ingredients are well incorporated.

Notes

  • net carbs per serving: 1g
  • Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • Reheating: Reheat leftover cheese sauce in a sauce pan on the stove top. It may be necessary to add some extra cream to bring the sauce back to life. 
  • Consistency: If the cheese sauce feels too thick, add more heavy cream a little at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. If it is too thin, add more cheese.
  • Change up the cheese: This keto cheese sauce is delicious with just about any type of cheese you might have on hand. Some of my favorites are smoked mozzarella, gruyere, sharp white cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan cheeses. Even better, use a mixture of multiple cheeses. 
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Condiment recipes
  • Method: Simmer
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: ¼ cup
  • Calories: 175
  • Fat: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 1
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 8g

Keywords: keto cheese sauce, low carb cheese sauce, homemade cheese sauce, the best cheese sauce recipe, cheddar cheese sauce, how do you make cheese sauce

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Reader Interactions

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  1. Penny Reveile says

    Make this sauce NOW! It is so simple to make and the taste is amazing! Served it over broccoli and over some meatloaf. Yummy either way!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  2. Sharon says

    I made this recipe . Very easy to make . It will b my go to for cheese sauce from now on TY

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  3. Laurie says

    My favorite cheese sauce, for sure. The Dijon and hot sauce make it perfect!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  4. Jessie Trahler says

    This is so dang good. I have been eating it on everything. We had it last night on top of steak with crab and asparagus. EXCELLENT!

    ★★★★★

    Reply