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 makes this condiment 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 enchiladas, tacos, nachos, burritos, elote, and even burgers. Some people also drizzle it over fries or roasted vegetables, pretzels, and potato wedges. It also complements chicken tenders and grilled meats.
This dip can be enjoyed with different drinks, like the classic margarita, Paloma, Bloody Mary, sweet Riesling, lager, or pale ale. Non-alcoholic options like fresh juice, iced tea, or lemonade provide bright, balanced pairings.
Here’s how to make the queso dip:
Queso Dip
Nutrition
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.
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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.