How Do You Make Queso Cheese Dip

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What Cheese Is In Mexican Cheese

Queso Dip | How to make Mexican Cheese Dip | Queso Recipe

This fine-cut blend contains a combination of Sargento® Monterey Jack Cheese, Sargento® Mild Cheddar Cheese, Sargento® Queso Quesadilla Cheese and Asadero cheese. Sargento® 4 Cheese Mexican adds an authentic smooth, creamy flavor to enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas and all your favorite Tex-Mex entrées.

What The Dip Is Made Of/what Gives It Flavor

I swear its the best cheese dip ever! I had to come up with my own recipe because it can be really hard to find a good one in restaurants. Many use that fake cheese that has a terrible aftertaste. Theres nothing like the real thing using real cheese.

The dip usually has a kick to it so I use chili powder, cumin, and fire-roasted tomatoes. You can add cayenne pepper and jalapenos to really kick it up.

You will also need milk and half and half to get it creamy. You can use any milk you wish, but keep in mind the texture and taste of the milk will impact the recipe. The taste of your milk will carry into the dip, along with the texture. Milks that are thin, will thin out the dip and you will need to thicken it up using more cornstarch.

A lot of recipes use condensed milk, which is a combination of milk and sugar. I opted for milk and half and half, but feel free to use the same amount of condensed milk as the total amount of milk and half and half used in the recipe.

How To Make Cheese Dip

  • In a medium saucepan, whisk together half and half and cornstarch until smooth.
  • Bring to a light boil over medium-high heat stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer 30 seconds, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
  • Immediately stir in cheese and return to low heat and stir to fully melt cheese. Serve warm with tortilla chips for dipping.
  • Note that the sauce will not reheat well so scale as needed.

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Tips For This White Cheese Dip:

  • Heat on Low You dont want the milk to over cook in this recipe as this will cause your cheese dip to be grainy so ensure that you are simmering the dip and watching it closely so that the milk does not over cooke.
  • Stir, Stir, Stir This cheese dip does need to be stirred frequently so that the dip does not burn and melts evenly.
  • Control your Spice Level Everyone likes different level of spice in this cheese dip recipe. If you like spicier foods, add more cayenne or stir in some diced jalapeños to increase the spice level of this dip.

Is Queso Fresco A Good Melting Cheese

Homemade Queso Dip

Is queso fresco a good melting cheese? Queso fresco is the most widely used cheese in Mexican cooking. And although it softens, it does not melt when heated queso fresco is classically used in the filling for chile relleños and quesadillas. For a snack, heat some on corn tortillas and top with a dollop of salsa.

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What Is Queso Is It Just Melted Cheese

The literal translation of queso is cheese, but when we talk about it, were talking specifically about the melty, liquidy, amazing goodness that is queso DIP. I always think of the traditional kind you get at Mexican restaurants, which is why I wanted make this authentic white queso recipe.

This is truly the cheese dip of your DREAMS! Its a copycat recipe from your favorite restaurant. Ive loaded mine with green chiles, spices, and topped with cilantro, jalapeños, and tomatoes. Perfect!

Queso is meant for a Party

The Creamiest Queso Recipe

After experimenting and making 3 different test batches of homemade queso dip, Ive finally perfected this recipe so that it comes out luxuriously creamy every time. The secret ingredient?

Cream cheese.

The cream cheese holds all the melted shredded cheeses together and keeps the queso silky smooth for a longer period of time compared to using no cream cheese at all. Which means you can sit back and enjoy your queso without having to worry about it getting chunky or hard once you take it off the heat.

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How Do You Keep Homemade Queso From Hardening

There is no true way to keep your homemade queso recipe from hardening after it cools thats how homemade cheese dip works.

However, there is a secret ingredient to keep it from congealing and separating canned evaporated milk. When the dip cools, it stays smooth instead of a thick gloppy mess.

The top will still firm up after cooling, but it wont be congealed when you reheat and stir it.

I first discovered this trick when I posted about my Italian Nachos with a mozzarella cheese sauce.

If you dont want the queso to firm up at all, one solution is to keep it constantly warm in a small slow cooker. This method would be ideal if youre serving queso at a party.

Mexican Cheeses For Queso Dip

Queso Dip – Mexican-Style Warm Cheese Dip – Food Wishes

Authentic Mexican Queso Dip is made with real Mexican cheese. Although there are a few varieties of cheeses that can be used to make Queso Dip, I alternate using asadero cheese and quesadilla cheese. This cheese comes packaged in a round circle. Asadero Cheese is an excellent melting cheese with a creamy-smooth, velvety texture. Its also the cheese that authentic Mexican restaurants use to make their dip. Cacique brand cheese carries a lot of Mexican cheese varieties and I can usually find them by the specialty cheeses.

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Why You Will Love Queso Dip

Perfect for parties, football game days or just munching while watching a movie, the beautifully melting queso chihuahua cheese makes sure this dip is not only ready quickly but bite after bite is delicious.

Easy to alter: The flavors of the combined cheeses and spices keep the profile simple and authentic but to spice it up, its easy to add salsa, jalapenos, or chilies.

Who doesnt love chips and dip? There are a million ways to make delicious cheese dips and this is just one that you must try as well.

Frequently Asked Questions Easy Queso Blanco Recipe

WHAT IS QUESO BLANCO?

The history of Queso Blanco is a Mexican soft, unaged fresh cheese usually made out of pure cows milk. The term queso blanco in Spanish means, white cheese but similar cheeses have their own names in different regions. Find out More here about this delicious white cheese dip.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE DIFFERENT CHEESES IN THIS EASY APPETIZER?

Many white cheese can be used for example, mix in pepper jack, monterey jack, or mozzarella.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE DOUBLED OR HALVED?

Of course, make the amount that you need for your gathering but I recommend making extra it is so popular.

HOW CAN I USE THIS QUESO BLANCO DIP?

Really, it can be used on almost anything you can imagine. It is obviously a fabulous dip for chips, vegetables or any other item you may want to dip it in. Or for things such as:* Try it on the top of burgers with some sliced Jalapenos.* Above all it is a cheese sauce therefore use it to make scalloped potatoes.* Additionally, use it to top your everyday vegetables like Broccoli.* Even Steak skewers on the grill with peppers and onions and dip them in the Queso Blanco like you would a fondue.

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How To Reheat Queso

We recommend reheating this queso just like you cooked it on the stovetop.

  • Transfer it back into a medium saucepan.
  • Turn the heat to medium/low and stir as the cheese melts.
  • Add a little bit of milk to thin things out.
  • Microwave Instructions: if youd like to reheat in the microwave, transfer the queso into a microwave-safe bowl. Add a little milk and microwave on high for 60 seconds. Stir and continue microwaving until warm.

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    What Type Of Pan Do You Need For This Recipe

    White Queso Dip

    Now to make your life easier, I highly recommend a double boiler to melt your cheese. It will go much smoother and will melt more evenly and you dont have to stress about the cheese accidentally burning.

    You dont have to use a double boiler for this recipe. You can use a small saucepan, just make sure to watch it closely as youre preparing this cheese to ensure that the cheese does not burn on the bottom of the pan.

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    What Is The Difference Between Queso Fresco And Ranchero Queso Fresco

    Queso fresco or fresh cheese is the quintessential embodiment of Mexican cheese. Traditionally made from raw cows milk, ranchers wake early each day to begin the process of making queso fresco. Ranchero Queso Fresco is a soft, moist, curd-style fresh cheese thats bright, creamy, and pleasantly milky.

    Do You Shred Queso Fresco

    Keep in mind that Queso Fresco doesnt melt when heated. You can soften it up with some heat but it wont melt like Mozzarella or Queso de Oaxaca. Youll probably want to crumble it before adding it to your dishes. I find it easiest to pull a knife across a chunk and it will usually crumble into bits.

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    What You Need For Queso Dip

    • Butter: butter is used to fry up the jalapeño and garlic.
    • Jalapeños: jalapeños add spice, but you can either omit these or swap for green chiles.
    • Garlic: garlic adds a savory flavor.
    • Whole milk: whole milk helps make this queso dip extra creamy.
    • Cream cheese: cream cheese is an easy-to-melt cheese and important for this recipe.
    • Pepper jack: pepper jack adds a kick.
    • Velveeta: make sure not to skip the velveeta! Its made from a processed cheese and what is going to make your queso dip extra smooth and creamy.
    • Ground cumin and salt: cumin and salt add a nice flavor.

    Does This Stay Smooth And Creamy As It Cools

    How To Make Queso Dip – Best Game Day Queso Recipe

    The evaporated milk helps this Mexican cheese dip stay creamy, but it will still harden as it cools . So if youre not going to be inhaling this in 10 minutes, follow these tips to keep it nice and warm .

    To keep it warm:

    • After making it, move it into a slow cooker and set it to WARM. You can easily serve the dip straight out of the crock pot, AND keep it warm, smooth, and creamy through the whole party.
    • Otherwise, just heat it up in the microwave for 30 seconds and stir generously once it starts to get cold.
    • It reheats beautifully after refrigerating too! Add a bit of milk while stirring and reheating on the stove to help hydrate it and add creaminess back in.

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    Easy Queso Blanco Dip With Chorizo

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    This super easy queso blanco dip will be the star of your next party! This cheese sauce has added oomph in the form of spicy chorizo, black beans and corn this is a dip that needs to be shared! Serve with tortilla chips for a crowd pleasing appetizer!

    Does anything get much better than a hot cheese dip? I think not, which is why Im sharing this mouth watering party dish with you today! Grab those tortilla chips and dig in!

    How To Make Queso On The Stovetop

    “This was very delicious. For smooth results I added a few tablespoons of cheese at a time and whisked constantly. I didn’t have salsa, so I improvised with an equal amount of chopped red onion and sriracha.”Allrecipes member Mochi Puffs

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter.
  • Thoroughly stir in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
  • Stir in ¾ cup sour cream, then once the mixture becomes hot and bubbly, mix in 1 cup of cheese and 1 tablespoon of your preferred spice-level of salsa.
  • Continue stirring until all of the cheese has melted and mixture begins to thicken, about 10 minutes. Serve warm.
  • Get the recipe:Slow Cooker Chili con Queso

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    What Are The Best Peppers For Queso

    Believe it or not, the best peppers for queso come in a can!

    Rotel is a great brand of canned diced tomatoes with diced green chilies. It makes quick work of queso. Some grocers carry a store-brand, so keep your eyes peeled for that, too.

    What I like about using canned peppers is that it can be stored in the pantry for queso in a hurry. With it, my prep time is cut down significantly as theres no need for more chopping just open the can, drain, and add it to the dip. The spiciness of canned chilies is usually listed on the label. Keep it mild, or go ahead and get spicy if you want too!

    If you dont have access to Rotel, you can use either fresh chilies and tomatoes or canned tomatoes and canned chilies.

    • To use fresh peppers and tomatoes: If you opt for fresh, just use one minced jalapeño and half a poblano pepper with one cup diced fresh tomato. Make sure you sauté them with the onions and garlic in step one.
    • To use canned tomatoes and chilies: If Rotel isnt available in your area, you can substitute it with one 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes and a small four-ounce can of diced green chilies. Drain both the same as you would if you were using the Rotel.

    How To Make Cheese Dip Thinner 3 Different Methods

    Easy Queso Blanco Recipe

    July 13, 2021// by Leah Greenstein//

    You have a small gathering at your place and youve made your famous dip. However, the texture seems a little thick. Want to know if there is a way to fix it? Well, there is, so lets find out!

    So, how to make cheese dip thinner?

    .Dairy products such as milk and melted butter can be a great option. You can also use mascarpone, cream cheese sauce, whipped cream, or half and half instead. Also, you can use various types of alcohol such as beer, wine, or bourbon. But if you dont have any of these ingredients on hand, you can use water or jalapeno pickle juice!

    Well, these were just the ingredients list. We have an entire segment on the proportions and mixing. So come check it out and lets perfect your cheese dip!

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    To Reheat In The Microwave:

    Place the desired amount of dip into a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second increments, stirring every 30 seconds until the cheese dip is warmed thoroughly.

    If you have any questions about this recipe, I would be happy to answer them in the comments down below! To get a hold of us, you can shoot us an email or leave a comment down below! We can also be found on,,, or

    The Original Mexican Restaurant Cheese Dip Recipe

    When developing and testing this white cheese dip recipe YEARS ago, I started with a recipe a reader shared from her restaurant because it seemed the most promising. It didn’t call for expensive Mexican cheese as some of the other readers suggested. Instead, the Mexican restaurants here use ONLY white American cheese.

    Aiming for the easiest method, I took the ingredient list, sliced it in half and decided to throw it all into the microwave in my trusty batter bowl. Worked like a charm! After five minutes in the microwave the cheese was completely melted and perfectly runny. It thickens a little after cooling a bit, but not nearly as much as other recipes I’ve tried.

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    Can You Reheat Queso

    Queso dip is perfect for get togethers just make this up and put it in a crock pot on low to keep it nice and fluid. And dont worry about how much this makes! You can easily reheat it so youll be able to eat on it for days.

    Store any leftover cheese dip in the fridge. Reheat slowly in the crock pot before serving. Typically homemade Queso lasts up to three days in the fridge in an airtgith container

    What Is Queso Fresco Dip

    Authentic Mexican Restaurant Style Queso Cheese Dip

    Queso fresco dip is made from queso fresco, crema Mexicana, lime juice, cilantro, and a little Greek yogurt to thicken it up.

    It is different from classic queso dip which is made from American, processed cheese. Queso Blanco comes out much thinner, whereas queso fresco dip is thicker.

    Is this dip served warm or cold? We recommend serving queso fresco dip cold. If you try and heat it up on the stovetop, it will curdle.

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    How To Make Queso

    I make this sometimes on the stovetop while Im preparing other dishes, but most often, especially when I want to make it a bit ahead of time, I love using my slow cooker! My son and his friends can make it in the microwave in just a few minutes when they want scrumptious snack.

    Like I mentioned, there are three super easy ways to make this favorite recipe.

  • Stovetop
    • jalapeno cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese grated
    • white American cheese grated
    • white queso blanco grated
    • whole milk or half and half

    If you have any problems finding any of these cheeses, just ask your deli or dairy departments at the grocery store.

    What Kind Of Cheese Is Mexican Queso Dip Made From

    What kind of cheese should I use for queso? To get that classic Mexican restaurant queso blanco, use white American cheese. I also mixed in a small amount of Mozzarella to enhance the texture and flavor. You could also mix in pepper jack, Monterey jack, or another type of cheese instead of Mozzarella.

    How do you melt fresco cheese?

    Use It As a Filling Queso fresco gets soft when heated, but its difficult to melt. You can melt it over low heat for a while in order to make a cheesy dip or sauce, but it may remain chunky. In its soft state, it is commonly used as part of a filling for chiles relleños , quesadillas, and burritos.

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