Garlic and Asiago was a dip I could I pass up. But when I saw Hatch Chile & Jalapeño Cheese, Trader Joe’s was speakin’ my language. It’s $4.99 for a 10 oz. package. And it’s just heat and eat. My store suggested crackers on the shelf tag (for reals?!). They’d be fine, but for me, it had to be tortilla chips all the way.
It’s just a matter of peeling back the cellophane wrapper and throwing it in the microwave for 2 minutes. My microwave is getting old, so I went for 3 minutes. (There is also an oven alternative if you don’t have a microwave).
Three minutes may have been just a smidge too much, as the dip came out a little curdled looking. It didn’t actually separate, so I didn’t go completely overboard, but don’t expect industrially smooth cheese sauce, if you know what I mean. I could have put it in for 2 minutes, then given it a stir and gone back for one more, but I didn’t want to “ruin” the top for photos.
It may not look completely gorgeous, but it is tasty AF. To me, it’s got a mild kick. You definitely taste the jalapeño, but real chileheads might want to turn it up further. It’s thick enough that it doesn’t run off the chip. This dip is gonna be a problem. My only complaint is, it’s a pretty small amount of dip, so either plan on only two people or serve a bunch of other snacks along with!
Low-fat it is not, we’re talking sour cream, cream cheese and sharp cheddar here, but the ingredient list is pretty reasonable. It does have carob bean gum and guar gum stabilizers. But would I buy Trader Joe’s Hatch Chile & Jalapeno Cheese Dip again? Heck yeah, definitely. For game day, for a little get together, or even just to eat your feelings.
Check out some other We Tried’s from Trader Joe’s:
All Butter Shortbread Cookies (w/ Raspberry Filling)