How To Make Easy Queso Fresco Fresh Mexican Cheese
It’s easy to make fresh Mexican cheese in your own kitchen.
If you’ve ever enjoyed Mexican food sprinkled with crumbles of mild, white cheese, then you’ve tasted queso fresco. Also known as “fresh cheese,” queso fresco is a semisoft unaged cheese with a moist and creamy texture and a mild, lightly salty flavor, and it’s often featured in Mexican and other Latin American cuisines. But, did you know it’s incredibly easy to make in your own kitchen? I’ll show you how to do it.
How To Make Queso
Once you learn how to make queso, youre likely to never order it from a restaurant again. It takes no more than the right combination of ingredients, a microwave and five minutes.
The BEST Queso Blanco Dip starts with combining white American cheese, chopped green chiles and pickled jalapenos in a bowl. Milk, water, cumin and just a little juice from the pickled jalapenos are added before the whole thing goes in the microwave.
Ive used Boars Head and Land o Lakes brands of white American cheese with good success. This cheese is usually found in the deli section of the grocery store. Be sure not to confuse it with the shelf-stable American cheese product.
When youre making queso dip in the microwave, its extremely important to pause after every minute or so to stir everything together. The first couple of times you pull the bowl out to stir the queso, it will look watery. Dont worry the cheese dip will come together and thicken after a few minutes.
It takes my Queso Blanco recipe about five minutes in the microwave to get fully melted and combined. Yours may take more or less time depending on the strength of your microwave. When the dip is thick and creamy, you know its ready.
Serve this dip piping hot and dont be surprised when it disappears quickly, especially if you have a household full of cheese lovers like us.
This is wonderful on all kinds of tacos from Red Chile Chicken Tacos to Bacon and Egg Breakfast Tacos.
What Is Mexican White Sauce
Sometimes referred to as salsa blanca, this Mexican white sauce is similar to ranch and is served with salsa at many Mexican restaurants in the Hampton Roads Virginia area. According to the Virginian Pilot, its thought to have originated from a restaurant named El Toro and actually was first served as a salad dressing.
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How To Serve Queso Dip
Homemade Queso Dip is the quintessential Mexican side dish to serve on top of tacos, burrito bowls, tamales, taquitos, enchiladas, and to smother over other classic Mexican dishes. I make my own tacos bowls with ground beef, Mexican rice, beans, sour cream, tomatoes, lettuce, pickled jalapenos, and top it all with queso dip. Next, I use salt-free tortilla chips to dip into the taco bowl and eat it all together! Its pure bliss and its something I make frequently. Get ready because Ill be sharing my homemade burrito bowl recipe next with an Instant Pot Taco Bowl recipe.
White Asadero Mexican Cheese Dip also doubles down as the perfect appetizer to serve for Game Day. I love to serve this cheesy dip with guacamole, salsa, and 7-layer taco dip. The combination of Mexican dips on a platter is commodity throughout the year.
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.
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Crock Pot Queso Cheese Dip Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This Crock Pot Queso Cheese Dip is a real crowd pleaser. Great for any gathering, from last minute parties to game night. Easy to make and irresistible, this smooth and creamy cheese dip is perfect for your favorite chips, bread or nachos!
- Pin this recipe for later!
What Milk To Use
Evaporated milk is the best choice because is has the least amount of water.
You can use milk, water, half and half, or evaporated milk to melt the cheese but the more water in the liquid the more likely it will separate.
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Copycat Panchos Cheese Dip Recipes
Make and share this Copycat Pancho’s Cheese Dip recipe from Food.com.
Recipe From food.com
Number Of Ingredients 4
PANCHO’S CHEESE DIP
For many, many years, there was only one Mexican restaurant in town. For ‘starters’, they placed a big bowl of tostados on the table, along with a very commonplace tomato salsa — and an absolutely fabulous cheese dip. Everybody wanted the recipe, but it was a closely-guarded secret. After the Tex-Mex craze hit and this restaurant started marketing a plastic version of their wonderful dip, I obtained the original recipe by nefarious means. 🙂 Please do not be put off by the fact that it’s based on Velveeta. This is ‘cheese food’ raised to a new level. Addictive! May I add that it is impossible for a cheese dish with such strong savory seasonings to have a ‘sweet’ undertone. And it’s so thick you won’t believe. When you rate 7 recipes and give 6 of them 1*, one wonders….
Recipe From food.com
Number Of Ingredients 7
COPYKAT PANCHO DIP FROM WEST MEMPHIS,AR
I have worked with this dip for years and Its as close as you will come to the orginal. Of course I think Mine Taste exactly the same and its so good!! And Easy to Make.
Recipe From justapinch.com
What Is White American Cheese
White American Cheese is a cheese made from a blend of milk, milk fats and solids, with other fats and whey protein concentrates. At first it was made from a mixture of cheeses, more often than not Colby and Cheddar. Sometimes, instead of the word cheese, it is called as American slices or American singles.
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Walk On The Wild Side With Queso Blanco
White queso is a popular alternative to yellow queso, and it is typically flavored with some onions and green chile. Its a zesty and creamy cheese dip that is easy to put together and is the perfect addition to any party menu.
Its creamy smooth, delightfully spicy and everyone will be totally addicted to scooping it up with a big pile of tortilla chips. Other great dipping options are triangles of flour tortillas or assorted veggies.
White Queso Dip Variations
This white queso dip is fabulous as-is, but you can add other ingredients to make it your own. Its the perfect mix and match dish. Here are a few suggestions:
- Meaty Queso Dip: Add 1/2 pound cooked chorizo or crumbled ground beef.
- Bean and Cheese Dip: Add 1 cup drained and rinsed beans, such as pinto or black beans.
- Bacon Queso Dip: Add 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon on top of the dip.
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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
What Kind Of Cheese Is Used In Mexican Restaurants
There are several kinds of cheese traditionally used in Mexican and Latin American dishes:
- Chihuahua: white, mild, and melts well like American cheese.
- Oaxaca: mild, stringy and made similar to mozzarella, melts okay.
- Queso Fresco: white, soft and tangy, does not melt well.
- Cotija: white, crumbly, salty, doesnt melt well. Closest similarity to feta.
Queso Chihuahua is rather difficult around here to find, but not just any cheese will substitute. Most restaurants dont have access to all the brands that we do at the grocery store. I find that they use Land o Lakes White American Cheese, but it only comes in 4-lb bricks for restaurant use. Our grocery store deli carries the same cheese, and they can slice 1lb.
If your local deli doesnt carry Land o Lakes, then Kraft Deli Deluxe White American works great too. Not the Kraft American singles that come in packaged individual slices. This has a blue foil wrap and is usually found with the other sliced cheeses like Swiss and Cheddar. Velveeta queso blanco also works too, but I have not used it because my stores dont carry it.
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The Best Cheeses For Homemade Queso Dip
It honestly depends of which queso youre making, but here are a few options!
- Cheddar + Monterrey Jack: If you are making a regular Yellow Queso Dip, Id suggest using a combo of cheddar cheese and Monterrey jack or just a straight cheddar cheese.
- White Cheddar + White American Cheese: If youre make White Queso Dip Id suggest a white cheddar cheese or white american cheese.
- Cream Cheese: Adding cream cheese to this mixture will really make things smooth and creamy. Plus it will help it not seize up like most quesos do when they are removed from heat.
In Recipes Sauces0 Comments
What is Oaxaca cheese dip? As its name suggests, it is a dip sauce made from Oaxaca cheese. You might wonder, what is Oaxaca cheese anyway? It is a Mexican-born cheese, coming long way from Oaxaca County in the southern Mexico. Its white color and semi-hard texture makes it perfect to make it as a queso dip, as it also has similar texture like mozzarella string cheese. Oftentimes, Oaxaca cheese is interchanged with asadero cheese. However, Oaxaca is different as it got more moisture.
As we know, Oaxaca cheese is often used in many Mexican cuisines, like in quesadillas or empanadas. In both delicacies, Oaxaca cheese is melted and is combined with other ingredients, such as squash flowers and huitlacoche. You can make Oaxaca cheese dip in less than 30 minutes. Just make sure these ingredients are ready, and you are good to go. Here is the recipe.
- 10 ounces of Oaxaca cheese
- 4.5 ounces of chopped green chilies
- ¾ cups of milk or half & half
- 2 ripe tomatoes, small diced
- ¼ cup of jalapeno, chopped
- ¼ cup of chopped cilantro
Cooking Instructions:
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How To Reheat Cheese Dip
The best method for reheating quesos and cheese dips depends on the type of dip.
- If its a simple queso dip, its easy to reheat it on the stove by just heating it over low-medium heat and stirring regularly until fully heated through.
- If its a chunkier cheese dip with lots of ingredients, sometimes its better to place it in a baking dish and reheat in the oven.
- If the dip was originally made in the crockpot, I find the best way to reheat it is to just put it back in the slow cooker and warm it up.
- You can also reheat most dips in the microwave for a quicker approach. Just make sure to use a microwave-safe dish and something to cover it . Reheat about 10 seconds at a time and stir until its fully heated through.
Are Queso And Cheese Dip The Same Thing
I dont make the rules, but heres what makes them different in my opinion:
- Queso is more of a smooth melted cheese dip that tends to have things like peppers, salsa, and spicier elements mixed in .
- While cheese dip can be any number of dips with a cheesy element.
- I would call queso a cheese dip, but I wouldnt call every cheese dip queso.
However, Ill sort of be using the terms interchangeably in this post, since Im sharing both types of recipes .
What type of cheese should I use for queso?
Any easily-meltable cheese will do, but white cheeses, pepper jack, or sharp cheddar work well.
How long will homemade cheese dip last in the refrigerator?
Most will keep about 4 days in the refrigerator, but it depends on the full ingredients list. Be sure to store dips in airtight containers to keep them fresh.
How do you thicken cheese dips?
The best way to thicken queso and cheese dip is to mix in a bit of cornstarch .
How do you keep queso warm?
The best way to keep queso warm during a party is to keep it and serve it out of a slow cooker. Place it in the cooker and set it to the WARM setting.
Is queso keto?
Cheese is low on carbs and high on fat, which makes it good for the keto diet. So most quesos or plain cheese dips will work.
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Make White Queso Dip Like Mexican Restaurants
We have all been to a Mexican restaurant and enjoyed delicious chips and queso. Who doesnt love to dip a tortilla chip into a bowl of ooey-gooey queso?
The real secret here is using white American cheese as the base, you can always add in some additional Monterey Jack cheese, and some places add onions, jalapenos as well. The American cheese provides a dependable base for queso without the cheese becoming stringy or separating over time.
What To Add To Queso Dip
- Meats: 1/2 lb.Ground sausage, ground beef, or a mixture of both can be added to this dip. Cook and crumble it first, then set it aside and mix it in at the end.
- Red Onions, Black Beans, and diced tomatoes are other great additions. Quantities added can be based on your preference.
- For a dip recipe thats loaded with beef, beer, beans, and more, try my Velveeta Queso Dip!
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How To Make Mexican White Cheese Dip/sauce
Step 1: Place the butter, milk, and cheese in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook until the cheese has melted, stirring constantly to ward off from sticking.
Step 2: Stir in the cumin, garlic powder, green chillies, cayenne pepper, and onion pepper until incorporated.
Step 3: If the dip is too thick, add in some more milk. Adjust according to your liking. Continue to simmer until heated through.
Step 4: Once done, allow to cool at room temperature.
Step 5: Best serve over burritos or nachos. Enjoy!
Notes:
Why This Is The Best Queso Recipe
White Queso Dip is the stuff dreams are made of. A great salsa or queso recipe can be life changing!
Ive been on the hunt for the perfect white cheese dip recipe for years and years, and this one has finally completed me. If you havent made homemade queso blanco before, then today is the day.
I feel like Ive been searching for the perfect restaurant style queso recipe to serve on Taco Night, Super Bowl, and Cinco de Mayo my entire life. One thats smooth, creamy, cheesy, and just perfect for dipping, nachos, and pouring over my favorite Tex-Mex dishes.
Ive made so many queso and cheese dip recipes, and this is hands down my go-to option! Its become a reader favorite since I first posted this and Im certainly not surprised.
Making restaurant style Mexican cheese dip is SUPER EASY and amazingly addictingso youve been warned.
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Why This Is Life Changing
This Queso Dip recipe is for everyone out there who has attempted to make a Mexican cheese dip like what you get at Mexican restaurants and found it lacking. If you want the dip to be silky smooth like the stuff you get in jars, then the recipes call for fake cheese Velveeta or other processed cheeses.
Other recipes are made starting with a roux butter & flour which is used to make a béchamel sauce into which cheese is added. While this makes a terrific cheese sauce for pouring over vegetables, in lasagna, gratins etc, it doesnt have that truly silky and rich texture of a cheese dip.
Some recipes call for real cheese and varying combinations of cream / sour cream / mayonnaise but the problem with these is that when the dip cools down, the cheese congeals. Its super tasty but you need to keep it warm. And it has a tendency to split when rewarmed.
The solution? Evaporated milk + cornflour/cornstarch + cheese = silky smooth rich cheese dip / sauce. Truly. It works.
Actually, I shared Nachos Cheese Dip a couple of years ago which is a simpler version of this dip. This Queso Dip is my copycat of the fake cheese dip I tried in Canada and the ultra addictive dips served at Tex Mex restaurants in America.
Dont make this Queso Dip when youre home alone. Im supposed to be on my Post Holiday Health Kick and its taken astronomical will power to hold back.
Ive got 3 batches of this Mexican Cheese Dip in my fridge. Im planning to offload them tomorrow. Nagi x
