What is Mexican White Sauce?
Mexican white sauce is a light to medium weight sauce that accompanies a variety of Mexican cuisine main courses and side dishes. As an appetizer, it is often served with tortilla chips. There are many recipes available, using a variety of ingredients.
Classical Mexican white sauce is prepared with sour cream, jalapenos, garlic, cumin and oregano. Mayonnaise is included in many recipes that are served chilled. White salsa is another alternative, and it uses mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, cumin, oregano and crushed red pepper flakes.
White Mexican cheeses are often added to this sauce. Monterrey Jack or mozzarella cheese (queso blanco), mild white cheddar (Chihuahua) or Italian Parmesan (cotija) can be used. Adding grated cheese to the Mexican white sauce makes a thicker sauce with a stronger taste.
Blue cheese, Roquefort or Gorgonzola is common in many recipes. By including a hint of one of these cheeses, a meal is transformed into a unique signature dish. Simple blue cheese salad dressing is also served as a Mexican white sauce in many recipes. This recipe includes sour cream, blue cheese, garlic, lemon juice, salt and a touch of mayonnaise.
White chili is a unique specialty that is prepared using a white sauce base. The sauce consists of onions, garlic, cumin, cooking sherry, chicken broth, cream, chilies, jack cheese, sour cream, cilantro, basil oregano, thyme and cayenne. Chicken breasts, Spanish olives and white hominy are added to the sauce to create a nice consistency. It can be served as a chili dish or as a dip with tortilla chips.
Mexican white sauce is served drizzled over fish tacos, chili rellenos, chicken enchiladas, veggies, and green fried tomatoes. Whenever a cook wants a lighter sauce, this alternative can substitute a Mexican red sauce. For vegans and people who are lactose intolerant, silken tofu can be substituted for dairy products.
For those recipes that are served chilled, it is good to let the sauce flavors blend in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. For recipes that serve it warm, most suggest using a double boiler and only warming the sauce as it can split if it gets too hot.
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![Sour cream is an ingredient used in mexican white sauce.]()
By: ViktorSour cream is an ingredient used in mexican white sauce. -
![Mayonnaise is a common ingredient in Mexica white sauce.]()
By: AlexandraMayonnaise is a common ingredient in Mexica white sauce. -
![Mexican white sauce can be served over tacos.]()
By: Joshua ResnickMexican white sauce can be served over tacos. -
![White sauce can be used as a dipping sauce for tortilla chips.]()
By: Stuart MonkWhite sauce can be used as a dipping sauce for tortilla chips. -
![Mexican white sauce is often flavored with cilantro.]()
By: Amber DeGraceMexican white sauce is often flavored with cilantro. -
![Hominy is added to white sauce to create the right consistency.]()
By: Arnold GatilaoHominy is added to white sauce to create the right consistency. -
![Wedge of gorgonzola cheese, which is often included in Mexican white sauce.]()
Wedge of gorgonzola cheese, which is often included in Mexican white sauce. -
![Cooking sherry, which is used to make Mexican white sauce.]()
By: Jaroslaw GrudzinskiCooking sherry, which is used to make Mexican white sauce. -
![Queso blanco, which is included in Mexican white sauce.]()
By: osrodfe1Queso blanco, which is included in Mexican white sauce. -
![Herbs like basil are a common addition to Mexican white sauce.]()
By: NatikaHerbs like basil are a common addition to Mexican white sauce. -
![Monterey jack can be used in a Mexican white sauce.]()
By: Cheryl CaseyMonterey jack can be used in a Mexican white sauce. -
![Oregano is a basic ingredient of Mexican white sauce.]()
By: TaigaOregano is a basic ingredient of Mexican white sauce.
Discussion Comments
There's such a thing as white chili?! My world just expanded a bit, there! I knew there were white beans, but the sauce being white is a new one on me. Now I have to visit one of my local Mexican restaurants and see if they serve any white chili.
There is a little food truck that parks about a block from my work and they have absolutely amazing fish tacos. I think what really elevates them to the next level is the incredible white sauce. It is unlike any suave I've ever had. I've been to other places that served fish tacos and a lot of time the white sauce is an afterthought. What a shame. When done well this simple sauce can make even the simplest dish taste like it is gourmet.
Unfortunately most people that are only familiar with Mexican white sauce from their local Mexican restaurant have never tried the real thing. A lot of restaurants serve a weak imitation of the real thing.
I lived in southern Mexico for a year when I was in my 20s and I tried some absolutely amazing white sauces when I was down there. When they are done well they are an amazing combination of spice, creaminess and heat. They are really not like anything I have every tried before.
Here in America they are usually just disgusting blobs of melted cheese. If you are curious go to the most authentic Mexican restaurant you can find, a taqueria or something. Or if you are ambitious you can try and make it yourself. It is easy to make a basic version and you can keep it in your fridge for at least a week.
@grumpyguppy: There are actually two different "white sauces" served with the chips. One is a cheese dip and the other is a white salsa. Both are delicious.
Is the Mexican white sauce the same as the Mexican cheese dip that they serve with tortilla chips in Mexican restaurants?
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