Frederic Melton
Dairy Queen, an American fast-food chain, offers a variety of cheese-based dishes on its menu. One of their signature items is the cheese curds: deep-fried, battered, melted, and poppable pieces of cheese. In addition, they also serve pretzel sticks with zesty queso, a spicy cheese dip, and burgers with processed sharp American cheese and white cheddar. With a range of cheesy options, Dairy Queen caters to customers seeking indulgent, savory treats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Natural White Cheddar Cheese Curds, Process White Cheddar, Processed Sharp American Cheese, Aged Cheddar Cheese |
| Cheese Curds Coating | Bleached Wheat Flour, Water, Yellow Corn Flour, Wheat Flour, Dextrose, Salt, Nonfat Dry Milk, Soy Protein Isolate, Soybean Oil, Dried Whey, Dried Yeast, Leavening (Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Dried Egg Whites, Mono & Diglycerides, Dried Garlic, Paprika Extract (Color) |
| Pretzel Sticks with Zesty Queso | Enriched Wheat Flour (includes Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Fructose, Vegetable Shortening (Palm), Sugar, Yeast, Natural Flavor, Barley Malt (Wheat Flour, Dextrose, Malted Barley), Salt, Dough Conditioner (Wheat Flour, Calcium Sulfate, Salt, Enzymes), Bicarbonates And Carbonate Of Soda |
| Nutritional Information | High in fat, salt, and calories |
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What You'll Learn
- Dairy Queen's cheese curds are made from natural white cheddar cheese curds
- Fried chunks of battered, melted cheese
- Cheese curds contain 34 grams of fat (regular) and 67 grams (large)
- Pretzel Sticks with Zesty Queso use aged cheddar cheese
- Process White Cheddar and Sharp American Cheese in Two Cheese Deluxe Stackburger
Dairy Queen's cheese curds are made from natural white cheddar cheese curds
The result is a delicious, indulgent snack that has gained a lot of popularity. However, as with many fried cheese snacks, Dairy Queen's cheese curds are high in fat and sodium. A regular portion contains 34 grams of fat and 990 milligrams of sodium, while a large portion contains 67 grams of fat and 1,960 milligrams of sodium. These values are well above the daily recommended intake for a 2,000-calorie diet.
Additionally, the cheese curds are also calorie-dense. According to the USDA's Dietary Guidelines, a regular size of Dairy Queen's cheese curds will consume 500 calories, while a large will consume 1,000 calories. This is a significant portion of the daily recommended intake for women (2,400 calories) and men (3,000 calories).
Despite the nutritional concerns, Dairy Queen's cheese curds remain a popular treat for those craving something cheesy and indulgent. The combination of warm, melted cheese and a crispy coating creates a unique and satisfying sensory experience.
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Fried chunks of battered, melted cheese
Dairy Queen's cheese curds are described as fried chunks of battered, melted cheese. These poppable pieces of cheese are battered and fried until they are warm, melty, and crisp. The cheese curds are made with natural white cheddar cheese curds, which are then battered and fried. The result is a delicious, gooey mouthful that has become a favourite among Dairy Queen fans.
While cheese can be a good source of calcium, protein, and vitamins A and B12, the deep-fried cheese curds at Dairy Queen are not exactly a health food. A regular portion of these cheese curds contains 34 grams of fat, while a large portion contains 67 grams, which is almost the entire 77-gram daily allowance recommended for a 2,000-calorie diet. In addition, the sodium levels in the cheese curds are quite high, with a regular portion containing 990 milligrams of sodium and a large portion containing 1,960 milligrams. This is a significant portion of the 2,300 milligrams of salt that the CDC recommends as the daily upper limit for Americans.
Despite the high fat and sodium content, Dairy Queen's cheese curds have become a popular menu item. They are described as an "exquisite display of cheesy expression" and have a dedicated following among those who crave the unique combination of gooey, fried cheese. The cheese curds are also a good source of calcium and protein, so they do offer some nutritional benefits.
In addition to the cheese curds, Dairy Queen also offers other cheesy menu items. For example, their pretzel sticks come with a zesty queso dip that is made with aged cheddar cheese, soybean oil, and green chiles. This dip has a slightly spicy flavour profile that pairs well with the salty, soft pretzel sticks.
Overall, Dairy Queen's fried chunks of battered, melted cheese, also known as cheese curds, have become a beloved menu item despite their high fat and sodium content. They offer a delicious, gooey, and crispy cheese experience that has satisfied the cravings of many cheese lovers.
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Cheese curds contain 34 grams of fat (regular) and 67 grams (large)
Dairy Queen's cheese curds are poppable pieces of battered and fried cheese. They are made from natural white cheddar cheese curds, which are then battered and fried until warm, melty, and crisp. While cheese does offer some nutritional benefits, such as being a source of calcium, protein, and vitamins A and B12, the deep-fried cheese curds at Dairy Queen are not particularly healthy.
A regular portion of Dairy Queen's cheese curds contains 34 grams of fat. This is quite a significant amount, especially considering that the recommended daily allowance of fat for a 2,000-calorie diet is 77 grams. A regular serving of these cheese curds will use up almost half of that recommended allowance.
Furthermore, a large portion of Dairy Queen's cheese curds contains 67 grams of fat. This is an extremely high amount of fat, using up almost the entire daily allowance of fat for a 2,000-calorie diet in one serving. It's important to note that the recommended daily calorie intake varies between 2,400 and 3,000 calories for women and men, respectively, according to the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
In addition to the high fat content, the sodium levels in Dairy Queen's cheese curds are also a concern. A regular portion contains 990 milligrams of sodium, while a large portion contains 1,960 milligrams. The CDC recommends that Americans consume less than 2,300 milligrams of salt per day. Therefore, the cheese curds at Dairy Queen are quite high in sodium, which is something to be mindful of when consuming these tasty treats.
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Pretzel Sticks with Zesty Queso use aged cheddar cheese
Dairy Queen's Pretzel Sticks with Zesty Queso are a delicious snack featuring warm, soft pretzel sticks with a sprinkling of salt, served with a generous portion of zesty queso dipping sauce. The pretzel sticks are made with enriched wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid. They are also made with water, fructose, vegetable shortening, sugar, yeast, natural flavour, barley malt, dough conditioner, bicarbonates, and carbonate of soda.
The zesty queso dipping sauce is made with aged cheddar cheese, which gives it a creamy and tasty texture. The full list of ingredients in the queso sauce includes water, aged cheddar cheese (milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), soybean oil, modified cornstarch, green chiles, jalapeno peppers, and a small amount of cornstarch, salt, sodium phosphate, natural flavouring, DATEM, mono- and diglycerides, yeast extract, and butter-flavoured oil.
The aged cheddar cheese in the zesty queso sauce is made with milk, cheese culture, salt, and enzymes. The cheese is first curdled, and then the curds are cut and stirred to release moisture. The cheese is then drained and pressed into a block, where it is aged for several months to develop its distinct flavour and texture.
The soft pretzel sticks and zesty queso sauce combine to create a delicious snack with a unique flavour profile. The pretzel sticks are salty and soft, while the queso sauce adds a creamy and slightly spicy kick. The snack has about 330 calories per serving and is perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own. It is one of Dairy Queen's most popular delivery items and is available at participating DQ locations.
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Process White Cheddar and Sharp American Cheese in Two Cheese Deluxe Stackburger
Dairy Queen's Two Cheese Deluxe Stackburger contains two types of cheese: Process White Cheddar and Processed Sharp American Cheese.
Process White Cheddar
This type of cheddar is a processed cheese, meaning it has been modified to improve its melting characteristics and extend its shelf life. It is made from a combination of milk, cream, water, sodium citrate, salt, cheese culture, sorbic acid (as a preservative), citric acid, enzymes, and soy lecithin. The addition of sodium citrate and citric acid helps to improve the melting properties of the cheese, giving it a creamy and smooth texture when melted.
Processed Sharp American Cheese
This cheese is also processed and has a sharper, more pronounced flavour than mild American cheese. It contains similar ingredients to the Process White Cheddar, including milk, cream, water, sodium citrate, salt, cheese culture, sorbic acid, citric acid, enzymes, and soy lecithin. The "sharp" in its name indicates that it has undergone a longer ageing process, resulting in a stronger flavour.
Both of these cheeses are designed to melt easily and complement the other ingredients in the Two Cheese Deluxe Stackburger, creating a balanced and tasty cheeseburger experience.
It is worth noting that Dairy Queen's menu and ingredients may vary by location, so it is always a good idea to check the specific ingredients used in your local Dairy Queen's offerings.
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Frequently asked questions
Dairy Queen uses natural white cheddar cheese curds made from pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, and calcium chloride.
Dairy Queen serves Pretzel Sticks with Zesty Queso, which includes aged cheddar cheese in its queso sauce. Their Two Cheese Deluxe Stackburger also includes processed sharp American cheese and processed white cheddar.
According to Dairy Queen's nutrition report, a regular portion of cheese curds contains 34 grams of fat, while a large portion contains 67 grams.
While cheese is a source of calcium, protein, and vitamins A and B12, Dairy Queen's deep-fried cheese curds are high in fat and salt. A regular portion contains 500 calories, and a large portion contains 1,000 calories.
