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Easy Jalapeno Cheddar Dip Recipe (Creamy & Smooth)

Warm and creamy jalapeno cheddar dip with melted cheese, fresh jalapenos, and tortilla chips.
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This easy Jalapeno Cheddar Dip is a warm, creamy game-day appetizer made with sharp cheddar, evaporated milk, American cheese, and fresh jalapenos. Ready in approximately 20 minutes, this smooth and flavorful cheese dip is perfect for tortilla chips, soft pretzels, and nachos.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Base

  • 2 1/2 cups (250 g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 slices processed American cheese, white or yellow
  • 1 can (12 ounces / 354 ml) evaporated milk
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Jalapenos and Seasonings

  • 2 medium fresh jalapeno peppers, finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. With the heat off, pour the evaporated milk into a saucepan. Whisk in the cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt until dissolved.
  2. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring continuously for approximately 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  3. Reduce the heat to low. Tear the American cheese slices into smaller pieces and stir into the warm milk until melted.
  4. Remove the saucepan from direct heat. Add the grated sharp cheddar in three batches, stirring gently after each addition until smooth. If needed, return briefly to very low heat without boiling.
  5. Fold in the finely diced jalapeno peppers. Remove the seeds and inner ribs before chopping for a milder dip.
  6. Transfer to a warm serving bowl or small slow cooker on the warm setting. Serve immediately with tortilla chips, soft pretzels, or nachos.

Notes

Recipe Tips

  • Freshly grated cheddar generally melts more smoothly than packaged shredded cheese.
  • Whisk cornstarch into cold evaporated milk to prevent lumps.
  • American cheese provides emulsifying salts that help maintain a smooth sauce.
  • Add the sharp cheddar gradually after taking the saucepan off the heat.
  • Use gentle heat to reduce the risk of a grainy or oily texture.
  • Remove jalapeno seeds and white ribs for a milder result.
  • Serve warm. Cheese dip naturally thickens as it cools.

Troubleshooting

  • If the dip becomes grainy, avoid further high heat. Stir gently over low heat.
  • If it looks oily, remove from heat and whisk in a little warm evaporated milk. This may help, although severe separation cannot always be repaired.
  • If it becomes too thick, stir in a little milk while gently reheating.
  • If it is too thin, gently simmer the cornstarch-thickened base while stirring.

Storage and Reheating

  • Refrigerate leftovers promptly in an airtight container for up to 4 days, as recommended in the supplied recipe.
  • Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat with approximately 1 tablespoon milk if needed.
  • Contains milk.
  • Nutrition figures are estimates from the supplied draft and are not independently verified.

Nutrition

Keywords: jalapeno cheddar dip, jalapeno cheese dip, game day cheese dip

Find it online: https://recipenly.com/jalapeno-cheddar-dip/