Copycat Culver's Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Description
This Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Sauce Recipe is a Culver's copycat that's silky, sharp, and ready in 10 minutes. Pour it over fries, cheese curds, burgers, or pretzels.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 2 cups Wisconsin sharp cheddar, freshly shredded
- 2 slices American cheese, torn into pieces
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper, optional
Instructions
- Make the roux: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add the milk: Slowly whisk in the warm whole milk until smooth, then whisk in the evaporated milk.
- Thicken: Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes, whisking often, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Season: Whisk in the dry mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and cayenne.
- Melt the cheese: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the American cheese, then add the cheddar a handful at a time until melted and smooth.
- Serve: Remove from heat, taste for salt, and serve warm over fries, cheese curds, or burgers.
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- Wire whisk
- Box grater
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Notes
- Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheddar contains anti-caking starch that makes the sauce grainy.
- Keep the heat low once the cheese goes in. Boiling will make the sauce oily or clumpy.
- Adjust thickness with a splash of milk to thin, or a little more cheddar to thicken.
- Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended.
- Reheating: Warm over low heat with 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk, whisking until smooth, or microwave in 20-second bursts.
- Make it spicy: Stir in 2 tablespoons diced pickled jalapeños.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 207kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 10gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 374mgPotassium: 128mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 528IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 335mgIron: 0.2mg