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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer » Dip

    Queso Recipe

    Modified: Aug 2, 2023 · Published: Jun 30, 2021 by Tonia Larson

    This post may contain affiliate links.

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    The ultimate Queso Recipe with melted cheeses, spicy peppers, and Mexican seasonings! This popular restaurant cheese dip is a party favorite.

    wooden tray with queso in a bowl surrounded by tortilla chips

    If there’s one appetizer everyone agrees on, it is chips and melted cheese! From queso to nachos, we all love snacking on the cheesy, crunchy combination. With this easy recipe, you can make your favorite dip at home.

    What You’ll Find In This Post

    • Queso Recipe Ingredients
    • Additional Optional Ingredients
    • How To Make Queso
    • Ways To Use This Queso Recipe
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Serving, Storage, and Reheating
    • More Dip Recipes To Make
    Labeled ingredients in bowls on a stainless steel countertop.

    Queso Recipe Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you will need to make this crave-worthy queso recipe. I’ve included substitutes for some of the ingredients just in case you don’t have something on hand.

    • Diced Green Chilies: The canned diced green chiles add just the right amount of spice without being too spicy for kids. We prefer pureeing them with the jalapenos to keep the pieces smaller.
    • Diced Jalapenos: We blended a tablespoon of canned diced jalapenos with the green chiles to give the queso a bit of heat. If you prefer mild queso, you can skip the jalapenos, and if you want it spicy, you can add more.
    • Half and Half: The liquid in this recipe is half and half, known as half cream in some countries. You could also use heavy cream, but half and half works too and is lighter.
    • Pepper Jack Cheese: Buy the cheese in block form and shred it yourself for the best meltability.
    • Velveeta: We also used Velveeta cheese. It melts so well and gives you a smooth cheese dip. Substitutes for Velveeta include American cheese and shredded cheddar, but your queso may not be as smooth.
    • Butter: The butter helps thin the cheese dip and adds a little salt and some flavor.
    • Minced Cilantro: Adding minced cilantro to your queso brings the flavor and brightness up a notch, but it can be left out if you don’t have any on hand.
    • Onion Powder and Garlic Powder: We chose onion powder and garlic powder to give the queso flavor. You swap out the powdered spices with the minced version if you prefer.
    • Spices: This queso recipe uses chili powder, ground cumin, and black pepper for heat, flavor, and color!

    Additional Optional Ingredients

    We like to garnish the queso with a little cotija cheese, a dash of chili powder, or a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. As far as additional stir-ins, try some of the following:

    • diced tomatoes
    • corn
    • diced sweet peppers
    • cooked chorizo pork sausage
    • chicken tinga
    • cooked taco meat

    How To Make Queso

    puree peppers

    Puree: Start by pureeing the diced green chiles and diced jalapenos in a food processor.

    queso ingredients in a pot

    Add To Pot: Add all of the ingredients to a large pot.

    stirring cheese sauce

    Melt: Slowly stir the mixture over medium-low heat until the cheese melts and a smooth queso dip appears. Scrape the bottom of the pot with your stirring spoon to prevent the cheese from sticking to the bottom. Turn the heat to low if necessary.

    spoonful of queso

    Serve: Serve the queso warm; reheat and stir as needed.

    nachos with chicken, salsa, and cheese on top

    Ways To Use This Queso Recipe

    The most popular way to use queso Mexican cheese dip is as a dip for tortilla chips. Restaurants serve it alongside pico de gallo and salsa. But there are so many additional ways to use queso, such as a topping on tacos or rice bowls. Whip up a batch of nachos at home and drizzle warm queso over the top of them. You can also use it as a cheese sauce on top of pasta or veggies.

    We like using this queso recipe as fondue! Serve it with protein dippables such as meatballs, chipotle chicken, and grilled steak. Add fresh vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. Green apples, grapes, and pineapple are also delicious when dipped in cheese. Finally, be sure to add tortilla chips and toasted bread cubes.

    a bowl of restaurant style queso

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is queso?

    Queso means cheese in Spanish.

    What is queso dip made of?

    Queso dip is made of melted cheese, cream, and spices.

    What is the difference between cheese and queso?

    In Spanish, queso means cheese. In America, queso is typically thought of as a melted cheese dip with Mexican flavors.

    Can queso be made ahead of time?

    Yes, you can make this queso recipe ahead of time, store it in the refrigerator (or freezer), and reheat it over low heat, stirring constantly, until heated through.

    homemade queso in a bowl surround by chips

    Serving, Storage, and Reheating

    Serving: The queso will thicken as it cools, so it should be served warm. You’ll want to serve it right after making it. Or if you are preparing it to serve at a party, you can keep it warm in a fondue pot or in a crockpot on the lowest setting.

    Storage: Allow the queso to cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freezer for up to four months. Thaw frozen cheese dip in the refrigerator.

    Reheating: Reheat the queso on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often, until heated through. It can also be reheated on low in the microwave, stirring occasionally. Add more half and half, a little at a time, if needed.

    tortilla chip being dipped in queso

    More Dip Recipes To Make

    • Serve Mango Salsa with chips or on top of mango chicken or fish!
    • This Corn Dip is the perfect appetizer to share with friends.
    • Cowboy Caviar is a flavorful dip that includes beans!
    • This Easy Queso Blanco Recipe is a white cheese dip!
    A chip dipped in homemade queso.

    Queso Recipe

    The ultimate Queso Recipe with melted cheeses, spicy peppers, and Mexican seasonings! This popular restaurant cheese dip is a party favorite.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 cups
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    Equipment

    • Calphalon Sauce Pan
    • Food Chopper

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups half and half
    • 2 tablespoon canned diced green chiles
    • 1 tablespoon canned diced jalapenos
    • 8 oz block pepper jack cheese shredded
    • 1 lb Velveeta cubed
    • ¼ cup minced cilantro
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
    • ¼ teaspoon cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Puree the diced green chiles with the diced jalapenos (add more or less depending on how spicy you want the dip).
    • Put the half and half, shredded pepper jack cheese, cheese cubes, pureed peppers, minced cilantro, butter, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, and black pepper into a saucepan.
    • Melt over medium-low heat stirring often until smooth.
    • Serve warm. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat over low heat in a saucepan stirring often.

    Video

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    Notes

    Storage:

    Allow the queso to cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freezer for up to four months. Thaw frozen cheese dip in the refrigerator.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 637kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 2270mg | Potassium: 592mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 2227IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 1179mg | Iron: 1mg
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Author: Tonia Larson

    More Dip

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      Blueberry Salsa
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      Dill Pickle Salsa
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      Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip
    • Slow cooker buffalo chicken dip on a platter with veggies and chips.
      Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

    About Tonia Larson

    Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 14+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

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    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    Tonia Larson from The Gunny Sack.

    Hi, I'm Tonia! Welcome to The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 14+ years! Meet Tonia Larson →

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