Queso dip has always been my go-to snack for movie nights. I love how its cheesy goodness melts in my mouth. The combination of spices and peppers is irresistible.
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Queso Dip Recipe
Queso dip, or queso, is a rich, creamy, and cheesy Tex-Mex staple. It blends Mexican flavors with American cheese-based dips. The dip combines melted cheese and other ingredients like tomatoes, chili peppers, and spices.
The queso is a popular appetizer in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. It’s a must-have at parties, game nights, and Mexican restaurants across the U.S.
This smooth, velvety, and creamy dip is often served warm with tortilla chips. It’s also used as a topping for tacos, nachos, burritos, and even burgers. Some people also drizzle it over fries or roasted vegetables.
Queso Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk or half & half for extra creaminess
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes with green chilies Rotel works great!
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 small jalapeño finely chopped (optional, for spice)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and jalapeño, sauté until soft (about 2 minutes).
- Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir constantly for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Slowly whisk in milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Let it thicken for about 2 minutes.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and gradually stir in the shredded cheeses, one handful at a time. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Add diced tomatoes with green chilies, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped cilantro.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips, pretzels, or veggie sticks.
Notes
- Add extra jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy version.
- Use mild cheddar and skip the jalapeño to make it milder:
- If it thickens too much, stir in a splash of milk.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a little milk to loosen it up.
Nutrition
SIMILAR RECIPES
Pairing suggestions
Queso Dip goes well with many foods and drinks:
- Classic Pairings
- Enchiladas get their cheesy richness from queso.
- Tortilla chips contrast queso with salty crispness.
- Tacos gain creaminess with queso.
- Nachos use queso as a topping.
- Burritos gain flavor from queso topping.
- Elote gains indulgence from queso drizzle.
- Snacks and Proteins
- Vegetable sticks offer healthy queso dipping.
- Pretzels pair with queso’s saltiness.
- Potato wedges become loaded with queso.
- Chicken tenders dip well in queso.
- Grilled meats pair with queso dipping.
- Drink Pairings
- Margarita complements bold queso flavors with a tangy taste.
- Paloma contrasts queso’s richness with crisp grapefruit and tequila.
- Bloody Mary enhances spicy, cheesy queso flavors.
- Riesling balances queso’s spiciness with sweetness and acidity.
- Sparkling wines add celebration with crisp bubbles.
- Lager cuts queso’s richness.
- Pale Ale contrasts creamy queso with hoppy notes.
- Non-alcoholic Options
- Fresh juices refresh queso’s taste.
- Iced tea pairs with queso’s savory taste.
- Lemonade adds sweet tanginess.
Variations
Queso Dip has numerous variations. These variations often incorporate different cheeses, flavors, and additional ingredients. Here are some popular and creative versions of this dip:
- Cheese-Based Variations
- Queso Blanco is made with white cheeses like Monterey Jack, Oaxaca, and asadero. It is milder and creamier than yellow queso.
- Smoky Queso features smoked cheeses or smoked paprika.
- Ingredient Additions
- Chorizo Queso contains cooked, crumbled chorizo.
- Vegetable Queso includes diced tomatoes, green chilies, roasted corn, and sautéed onions.
- Brisket Queso incorporates shredded brisket.
- Flavor Twists
- Tex-Mex Queso combines queso with taco-seasoned beef or black beans.
- Pico de Gallo Topping adds freshness and tanginess to queso.
- Beer Cheese Queso incorporates beer for malty depth.
- Dietary Variations
- Vegan Queso is made with cashews, nutritional yeast, and almond milk.
- Low-Fat Queso uses reduced-fat cheese and Greek yogurt.
- Presentation Variations
- Layered Queso Dip combines queso with guacamole, salsa, or refried beans.
- Queso Fundido is often mixed with chorizo or mushrooms.
- Region Versions
- Italian-Inspired Queso includes mozzarella or ricotta with marinara sauce.
- Mediterranean Queso adds feta, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes.