As a Chicago favorite for decades, Portillos is expanding and we are excited to bring you this delicious Portillo’s cheese sauce recipe. It is easy to make and only takes about three quick steps and 10 minutes of your time. This fan favorite restaurant often serves hot dogs and other classic American dishes.
On top of these dishes is a sweet and salty melted cheese that makes my mouth water at the thought of it. The best thing about this Portillo’s cheese sauce recipe is that it goes well on most foods, not just hot dogs!
What Is Portillo’s?
Although the Portillo’s brand is rising and continuously opening new stores, they still have a long way to go. Actually, Portillo’s mainly operates and serves its community in Chicago. It was founded 59 years ago in 1963 in Illinois. This casual fast food restaurant continues to expand and grow.
Currently they have a total of 67 fast food locations and that number is expected to rise. Portillos sells a diverse range of food however the general theme is the American diner style. I personally have always enjoyed eating a hamburger at Portellos and drenching it in their famous cheese sauce!
If you aren’t much of a burger person that’s okay as they also sell ribs, fries, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches.
Different Ways To Use Portillos Cheese Sauce
Although this cheese is usually served on top of common dishes like hot dogs and hamburgers, you can still enjoy the sauce with many other foods! For example, the salty and savory sauce is smooth, making it perfect enough to dip chicken tenders or French fries in. Are you not a fan of these foods? That’s okay! The cheese sauce also goes well on larger meals like grilled chicken and rice. I
f you are someone that likes chips then you can use the cheese as you would with any other melted nacho cheese. For vegetable lovers, homemade cheese sauce and broccoli sounds delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of whole milk
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- 1 tsp of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of cornstarch
- 2 tbsp of salt
Equipment
- Measuring cups
- Large bowl
- Whisk
- Spoon
- Small pot
Step By Step Instructions For Portillo’s Cheese Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
The first step in this Portillo’s cheese sauce recipe is to properly prepare the ingredients. You will need to separate the cheeses into sections. Although this particular Portillo’s cheese sauce recipe only calls for cheddar cheese, you can add different types of cheese to your pot.
When doing this Portillo’s cheese sauce recipe, it is essential to store the cheese and perishable ingredients in the refrigerator. The cold temperature preserves the cheese and milk needed for this step. I find it easier to combine all cheese and dry ingredients into a zip lock bag, but this is not necessary.
Step 2: Boil the Cheese, Cornstarch, and Seasonings
During the second step in Portillo’s cheese sauce recipe, set your pan and butter it. The pan should sit on a burner on a medium high. This step is fast though, you will need to watch closely so that the melted cheese does not start to burn and stick to the bottom of the pan.
Add the cheese, cornstarch, and any additional seasonings. While Portillo’s cheese sauce recipe does not typically call for jalapenos or added peppers, you should add these additional toppings in the second step. Don’t forget to stir. Although you can combine all the ingredients together to simmer, this can make it hard for the cheese to melt.
Cornstarch when overheated burns. You need to mix the cheese and the cornstarch in this Portillo’s cheese sauce recipe as smoothly as you can. Take a whisk if the spoon does not work with bubbles of cornstarch.
Step 3: Add the Liquids and Simmer
Now, on to the last step! In the last step during your Portillo’s cheese sauce recipe, the process gets simpler! Add the remaining ingredients, which is typically butter, milk, and some kind of cream. The remaining ingredients are a soft liquid that does not need to be melted, but adds flavor and depth.
Bring down the heat to a low and simmer for a minimum of five minutes. As the delicious cheese sauce simmers, it is important to continue stirring slowly. There will be a yellow film that remains on top of the cheese sauce, this is normal!
Tips and Tricks for our Portillo’s Cheese Sauce Recipe
Although you can use any type of cheese in this recipe, it is best to choose one made with whole milk. Interestingly enough most cheese is made up of high concentrations of milk and water. Since milk is important that means the higher fat volume the better flavor and consistency.
Another tip and trick I have for you is to reheat the cheese. While it is tempting to use the microwave, using the oven and a small pan can bring out the flavors while warming the cheese slow enough so that it does not burn. When cheese burns the consistency changes and cracks making it hard to enjoy.
Possibly the best tip I can give you is to use multiple different styles of cheese. Instead of using cheddar cheese, you can also use a Mexican style fiesta blend. Within these blends, there are multiple types of cheeses that all add a delicious layer.
Personally, I like getting creative when I make this style of melted cheese. There is nothing better than making a copycat version of the scrumptious Portillos cheese sauce.
Serving and Preparation Time for this Portillo’s Cheese Sauce Recipe
|
Cook Time |
Preparation Time |
Serving Size |
|
5-15 Minutes |
10 Minutes |
8 |
Conclusion
All in all, this portillos cheese sauce recipe is one for the books! Avid fans of this amazing eating establishment should be excited at the chance to recreate the cheese sauce at home with natural and fresher ingredients. What do you think about this portillos cheese sauce recipe?
If you have any questions or thoughts let us know in the comments below! We are always excited to see new readers interested in diverse recipes. Do you know anyone else interested? Send then our way!
FAQs
Can you buy Portillos cheese sauce?
No! Sadly, you cannot buy Portillo's cheese sauce outside of the store. There is a delicious cheese sauce fountain available for catering though!
What is cheese sauce made of?
Cheese sauce is made of simple ingredients like whole milk, cornstarch, cheese, and powder seasonings. It is important to note that every cheese sauce is made in their own unique way.
What is Portillo?
Portillo is a Chicago based restaurant that is growing in numbers! Most of the food they serve is American diner style.
What is Portillos cheese sauce called?
Portillos cheese is also called Jumbo cheese sauce and you can purchase it for dine-in, pickup, and delivery!
Portillos Cheese Sauce
Equipment
- Measuring cups
- Large Bowl
- Whisk
- Spoon
- Small Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of whole milk
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- 1 tsp of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of cornstarch
- 2 tbsp of salt
Instructions
- The first step in this Portillo's cheese sauce recipe is to properly prepare the ingredients. You will need to separate the cheeses into sections. Although this particular Portillo's cheese sauce recipe only calls for cheddar cheese, you can add different types of cheese to your pot.
- When doing this Portillo's cheese sauce recipe, it is essential to store the cheese and perishable ingredients in the refrigerator. The cold temperature preserves the cheese and milk needed for this step. I find it easier to combine all cheese and dry ingredients into a zip lock bag, but this is not necessary.
- During the second step in Portillo's cheese sauce recipe, set your pan and butter it. The pan should sit on a burner on a medium high. This step is fast though, you will need to watch closely so that the melted cheese does not start to burn and stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Add the cheese, cornstarch, and any additional seasonings. While Portillo's cheese sauce recipe does not typically call for jalapenos or added peppers, you should add these additional toppings in the second step. Don't forget to stir. Although you can combine all the ingredients together to simmer, this can make it hard for the cheese to melt.
- Cornstarch when overheated burns. You need to mix the cheese and the cornstarch in this Portillo's cheese sauce recipe as smoothly as you can. Take a whisk if the spoon does not work with bubbles of cornstarch.
- Now, on to the last step! In the last step during your Portillo's cheese sauce recipe, the process gets simpler! Add the remaining ingredients, which is typically butter, milk, and some kind of cream. The remaining ingredients are a soft liquid that does not need to be melted, but adds flavor and depth.
- Bring down the heat to a low and simmer for a minimum of five minutes. As the delicious cheese sauce simmers, it is important to continue stirring slowly. There will be a yellow film that remains on top of the cheese sauce, this is normal!
Notes
- Although you can use any type of cheese in this recipe, it is best to choose one made with whole milk. Interestingly enough most cheese is made up of high concentrations of milk and water. Since milk is important that means the higher fat volume the better flavor and consistency.
- Another tip and trick I have for you is to reheat the cheese. While it is tempting to use the microwave, using the oven and a small pan can bring out the flavors while warming the cheese slow enough so that it does not burn. When cheese burns the consistency changes and cracks making it hard to enjoy.