Cheese dips and cheese sauces are both creamy, cheesy condiments that can be used to enhance the flavor of various foods. However, there are some key differences between the two:
What is Cheese Dip?
Cheese dip is a type of dip or spread that is made with cheese as the primary ingredient. It has a thick, creamy consistency and is served cold or at room temperature.
Some common types of cheese dips include:
- Queso dip – Made with melted cheese like cheddar or Monterey jack, tomatoes, chili peppers, and spices.
- Spinach artichoke dip – Contains spinach, artichokes, Parmesan, mayonnaise, sour cream.
- Crab dip – Features crab meat in a creamy cheese sauce.
- Buffalo chicken dip – Shredded chicken in a hot sauce and cheese mixture.
- Beer cheese dip – Cheese blended with beer, garlic, and spices.
Cheese dips are thicker than cheese sauces. They are typically used as a dip with tortilla chips, crackers, cut vegetables, or other dippers. Cheese dips can also be used as a spread on sandwiches, burgers, nachos, etc.
How is Cheese Dip Made?
The basic method for making cheese dip is:
- Grate, shred, dice, or melt the cheese.
- Combine the cheese with other dip ingredients like sour cream, mayonnaise, or Greek yogurt to form a creamy base.
- Season with spices, herbs, hot sauce, etc.
- For hot dips, heat the mixture over low heat while stirring until warm, creamy, and combined.
- For cold dips, simply mix everything together then refrigerate until thickened.
- Transfer to a bowl or dipping dish to serve.
The specific ingredients vary based on the type of cheese dip. But the method remains similar. Cheese gives these dips their distinctive texture.
What is Cheese Sauce?
Cheese sauce is a creamy, cheesy sauce made by melting cheese into a hot liquid like milk or stock. It has a thinner, more pourable consistency than cheese dip.
Some popular cheese sauces include:
- Nacho cheese sauce – Made with melted cheddar, American, or pepper jack cheese.
- Alfredo sauce – Parmesan and romano cheese melted into heavy cream.
- Mornay sauce – Béchamel with shredded cheese stirred in.
- Fondue – Emmental and gruyère melted with wine.
- Cheese whiz – Process cheese sauce popular for nachos and cheesesteaks.
Cheese sauces tend to be more liquidy and pourable than dips. They are commonly served warm over foods like pasta, vegetables, nachos, potatoes, etc.
How is Cheese Sauce Made?
Basic cheese sauce steps include:
- Make a white sauce by melting butter, adding flour to make a roux, then whisking in warm milk.
- Add shredded, diced, or crumbled cheese and stir until fully melted and smooth.
- Season with salt, pepper, spices, etc. to taste.
- For thicker sauce, use more cheese or less milk. For thinner sauce, reduce the amount of cheese.
- Keep sauce warm over low heat until ready to serve.
- Pour sauce over cooked foods like pasta, steamed broccoli, french fries, etc.
The melted cheese gives the sauce its signature creamy, gooey texture. Cheese choice depends on sauce type.
Main Differences Between Cheese Dip and Cheese Sauce
Some of the key differences between cheese dips and cheese sauces include:
| Cheese Dip | Cheese Sauce |
|---|---|
| Thick, scoopable texture | Thinner, more pourable texture |
| Served cold or at room temp | Usually served warm |
| Used as a dip or spread | Poured over other foods as a topping |
| Doesn’t require a roux | Often starts with a roux |
| More cheese by volume | Less cheese by volume |
So in summary, cheese dips are thicker, used cold as a dip, contain more cheese, and don’t need a roux. Cheese sauces are thinner, served warm on foods, use less cheese, and start with a roux.
Cheese Choices for Dips vs. Sauces
The best cheese choices also differ slightly between dips and sauces:
Good Cheeses for Dips
- Cheddar
- Monterey Jack
- Pepper jack
- Cream cheese
- Blue cheese
- Goat cheese
These cheeses have good melting properties while still giving a thick texture. Sharp cheddar and pepper jack add bold flavor.
Good Cheeses for Sauces
- Cheddar
- Swiss
- Gruyère
- Parmesan
- American cheese
- Velvetta
These cheeses melt very smoothly. Parmesan and Swiss don’t completely melt, so they thicken the sauce. American cheese and Velveeta give a perfect smooth, creamy sauce.
Serving Suggestions
How can you serve cheese dips vs. cheese sauces? Some ideas include:
Cheese Dip Serving Ideas
- With tortilla chips, pita chips, crackers
- On sandwiches instead of mayo or mustard
- As a burger topping
- With raw vegetables for dipping
- Stuffed into mushrooms or peppers
- Spread on a baked potato
Cheese Sauce Serving Ideas
- Over pasta, macaroni and cheese
- Over steamed, roasted, or fried vegetables
- Over nachos, potato skins, french fries
- In casseroles or pot pies
- Over meat like chicken breast or fish
- As a pizza sauce
Get creative with unique flavor combinations! Try cranberry cheese dip during the holidays or cauliflower cheese sauce for a low carb option.
Conclusion
Cheese dip and cheese sauce both deliver that ooey-gooey cheesy flavor. But they have a different texture and uses.
Cheese dip is thick and scoopable, perfect for chips and veggies. Cheese sauce is thin and pourable, ideal for drizzling over a wide variety of foods.
Knowing when to use dip vs. sauce comes down to the consistency you want and how you plan to serve it. Keep these differences in mind, and you can easily determine which cheesy condiment the recipe calls for.