What are the ingredients in Great Value nacho cheese sauce?

December 5, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, roughly one-third of all cheese produced in the United States consists of processed cheese and processed cheese products. Great Value Nacho Cheese Sauce, a shelf-stable, commercially prepared product, relies on a combination of real cheese, oils, water, and several additives to achieve its signature smooth texture and long shelf life.

Quick Summary

Great Value nacho cheese sauce contains water, real cheese, vegetable oil, modified food starch, and a blend of emulsifying salts and flavorings. Key ingredients like sodium phosphate prevent separation, while natural flavors and spices create its distinct cheesy taste. The formulation is designed for shelf stability and a consistent texture when heated.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: The sauce is composed primarily of water, real cheddar cheese, and vegetable oil, rather than being a pure dairy product.
Emulsifying Salts: Additives like sodium phosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate are crucial for creating the sauce's smooth texture and preventing it from separating when heated.
Flavor Enhancers: The cheese flavor is supplemented by natural flavors and yeast extract to create a robust, savory profile.
Thickening Agents: Modified food starch, corn starch, and xanthan gum are used to achieve the desired creamy consistency.
Coloring: Natural extracts like annatto and paprika are added to give the sauce its characteristic orange color.
Long Shelf Life: The combination of ingredients and pasteurization allows the unopened product to be stored at room temperature for an extended period.
Processed vs. Natural: While containing real cheese, it is technically a 'pasteurized process cheese product,' distinguishing it from a sauce made with only natural cheese.

A Breakdown of Great Value Nacho Cheese Sauce Ingredients

Great Value Nacho Cheese Sauce is a popular, affordable staple for topping nachos, fries, and other snacks. As a processed cheese product, its ingredient list differs significantly from a traditional homemade cheese sauce made with natural cheese, milk, and a roux. The commercial formula is specifically engineered for an extended shelf life and a consistently smooth, creamy texture that melts perfectly without separating or becoming grainy. The ingredients for the Great Value Nacho Cheese Sauce, as listed on a 106-ounce can label, include water, cheddar cheese, vegetable oil, modified food starch, salt, corn starch, and less than 2% of numerous other components such as jalapeño peppers, natural flavors, nonfat dry milk, sodium phosphate, and annatto extract.

Key Functional Ingredients in the Sauce

The Role of Emulsifying Salts

Processed cheese relies on emulsifying salts for its texture. These salts bind to calcium in natural cheese, which prevents the protein network from breaking down upon heating and keeps fats and proteins stable, ensuring a smooth sauce. Ingredients like sodium phosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate serve this purpose in the Great Value sauce.

Flavor and Color

The sauce's taste comes from a mix of cheddar and blue cheese, natural flavors, and yeast extract to boost savory notes. Annatto extract and paprika oleoresin provide the characteristic orange-yellow color.

Thickeners and Stabilizers

Modified food starch, corn starch, and xanthan gum contribute to the sauce's creamy consistency. Cellulose gum and datem further help stabilize the emulsion and prevent separation, maintaining a uniform texture.

Other Notable Additives

Additional ingredients like distilled vinegar, lactic acid, and citric acid regulate pH and add flavor. Salt enhances flavor and aids preservation. Butter oil and cultured cream add richness, while jalapeño peppers provide a subtle spice.

Great Value vs. Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce: A Comparison


Feature	Great Value Nacho Cheese Sauce (Processed)	Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce (Natural)
Key Cheese	Cheddar, Blue Cheese (listed with additional dairy products)	Mild or sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, or a blend
Thickening Method	Modified food starch, corn starch, xanthan gum	Flour-based roux (butter and flour) or cornstarch slurry
Emulsification	Sodium phosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, datem	Relies on gradual melting or a small amount of acid (like lemon juice)
Stability	Highly stable; engineered to prevent separation when heated	Less stable; can become grainy or separate if overheated
Shelf Life	Long, unrefrigerated shelf life before opening	Very short shelf life; best consumed fresh
Flavor Profile	Enhanced with natural flavors, yeast extract, and spices	Depends solely on the quality and variety of cheese used
Texture	Uniformly smooth and creamy due to emulsifying salts	Can vary in texture and smoothness depending on technique

The Function of Each Ingredient Category

The ingredients can be categorized by function. The base consists of water, milk solids (nonfat dry milk, whey, cultured cream), and vegetable oils for liquid, dairy flavor, and fat. Cheddar and blue cheese provide the primary cheese flavor, enhanced by natural flavors and yeast extract. Thickeners like modified food starch, corn starch, and xanthan gum create the creamy texture, with xanthan gum also acting as a strong stabilizer. Emulsifying salts, including sodium phosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate, are vital for preventing separation and ensuring a smooth, pourable consistency. Annatto extract and paprika oleoresin provide the orange color. Acidifiers (citric acid, lactic acid) and salt balance flavor and function as preservatives.

Conclusion: A Blend of Dairy, Science, and Convenience

Great Value Nacho Cheese Sauce is designed for consistency and convenience, utilizing a blend of real cheese, vegetable oils, water, and specific additives. Emulsifying salts and thickeners are key to its smooth, stable texture, distinguishing it from homemade sauces. Classified as a processed cheese product, its detailed ingredient list reflects the engineering needed for mass production and shelf life. The convenience and cost make it a popular choice, balancing processed ingredients with ease of use and a satisfying cheesy flavor. For a complete list of ingredients, see {Link: Instacart https://www.instacart.com/products/20645640-great-value-nacho-cheese-sauce-106-oz}.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Great Value nacho cheese sauce is made with real cheese, specifically cheddar and blue cheese, along with other dairy products. However, it is classified as a 'pasteurized process cheese product' because it also contains water, vegetable oils, and other additives.

The primary ingredient in the sauce is water, followed by real cheese. Water provides the bulk of the liquid, which is then blended with the cheese, oils, and other ingredients.

The sauce's smoothness comes from emulsifying salts like sodium phosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate. These additives prevent the milk proteins from clumping and the fats from separating, which would otherwise result in a grainy or oily texture.

Yes, the sauce contains ingredients that act as preservatives and stabilizers. The processing itself (pasteurization) and ingredients like citric and lactic acid, as well as salt, contribute to its long shelf life.

The ingredient list is longer for commercially produced sauces to ensure stability, a long shelf life, and a consistent product. Homemade sauces, in contrast, use a few natural ingredients but are not shelf-stable and can separate easily.

The orange color of the sauce comes from natural food colorings, specifically annatto extract and paprika oleoresin, which are derived from plant sources.

No, the sauce contains milk, cheese, and whey, which are all dairy products. It is not suitable for individuals with a dairy allergy or intolerance.