Queso Blanco Dip

Servings: 6 Total Time: 15 mins Difficulty: Beginner
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Introduction

Queso Blanco Dip is a creamy, cheesy, and slightly spicy Mexican-style dip that’s perfect for parties, game nights, or just a fun appetizer with family. Made with white American cheese, green chilies, jalapeños, and a touch of milk or cream, it delivers a silky-smooth texture that pairs beautifully with tortilla chips, soft pretzels, or fresh veggies.

I love this recipe because it’s comfort food at its finest—rich, gooey, and irresistibly cheesy. Unlike store-bought queso, this homemade version tastes fresh, customizable, and keeps its velvety texture without turning grainy.

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Creamy & Smooth: The white cheese melts perfectly for that silky dip texture.
  • Customizable Heat: You can keep it mild or kick it up with extra jalapeños.
  • Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone gathers around the queso bowl—it’s always the first snack to disappear.
  • Restaurant-Style Quality: Tastes just like (or better than) your favorite Mexican restaurant dip.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

This dip is a must-try because it’s:

  • Versatile: Serve with chips, drizzle over tacos, or spoon on nachos.
  • Quick & Easy: Just 15 minutes from start to finish.
  • Perfect for Entertaining: A guaranteed hit at parties, game nights, or holiday gatherings.

Prep & Cooking Time

  • Preparation Time: 5 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings & Nutrition

  • Servings: 6–8 people (as an appetizer)
  • Calories: ~180 calories per serving

Cuisine & Course

  • Cuisine: Mexican / Tex-Mex
  • Course: Appetizer, Snack, Party Food

Ingredients

  • 1 lb white American cheese, cubed or shredded
  • 1 cup half-and-half (or whole milk, for thinner consistency)
  • 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
  • 1–2 fresh jalapeños, finely diced (optional, for heat)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped (optional, for flavor)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Simple Cooking Directions

  1. Sauté onion and jalapeños in butter.
  2. Stir in flour to make a light roux (optional for thick queso).
  3. Slowly whisk in half-and-half until smooth.
  4. Add cheese gradually, stirring until melted.
  5. Stir in green chilies, garlic powder, cumin, and seasoning.
  6. Keep warm in a skillet or slow cooker.

Step-by-Step Recipe Method

  1. Prep Ingredients – Dice jalapeños, onions, and cube the cheese.
  2. Sauté Aromatics – In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and jalapeños, cook until soft (about 2–3 minutes).
  3. Make Base – Add flour and whisk to form a smooth paste (optional, for thickening). Slowly whisk in half-and-half until creamy.
  4. Melt Cheese – Lower the heat, add cheese cubes gradually, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
  5. Add Flavor – Stir in green chilies, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  6. Adjust Consistency – Add extra milk if too thick or more cheese if too thin.
  7. Serve Warm – Transfer to a warm bowl or slow cooker set on “warm.” Garnish with cilantro.

How to Serve

  • With tortilla chips, pita chips, or fresh veggies
  • As a topping for tacos, burritos, or enchiladas
  • Drizzled over loaded nachos or fries
  • With soft pretzels as a cheesy dip

Additional Recipe Tips

  • Use real cheese: White American cheese gives the best melt.
  • Keep it warm: Queso thickens as it cools—serve in a slow cooker or fondue pot.
  • Spice it up: Add chipotle peppers for smoky heat.
  • Make ahead: Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk.

Variations

  • Queso with Chorizo: Stir in cooked Mexican chorizo.
  • Spicy Queso: Add extra jalapeños, hot sauce, or diced habaneros.
  • Veggie Queso: Mix in roasted corn, peppers, or black beans.
  • Beer Queso: Swap half the milk for a light beer for a pub-style dip.

Freezing & Storage

  • Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk, stirring until smooth.
  • Freezing: Not recommended, as cheese sauces tend to separate after thawing.

Special Equipment Needed

  • Medium saucepan or skillet
  • Whisk (for smooth queso)
  • Slow cooker (optional, for serving)

Conclusion

Queso Blanco Dip is the ultimate Tex-Mex appetizer—creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor. Whether you’re dipping tortilla chips, drizzling over nachos, or adding it to tacos, this dip is guaranteed to steal the show. It’s quick, customizable, and absolutely irresistible—a must-have recipe in your party food collection!

Queso Blanco Dip

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 10 mins Total Time 15 mins
Servings: 6 Calories: 180 calories

Description

Queso Blanco Dip is a creamy, cheesy, and slightly spicy Mexican-style dip that’s perfect for parties, game nights, or just a fun appetizer with family

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Prep Ingredients : – Dice jalapeños, onions, and cube the cheese.
  2. Sauté Aromatics :– In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and jalapeños, cook until soft (about 2–3 minutes).
  3. Make Base : – Add flour and whisk to form a smooth paste (optional, for thickening). Slowly whisk in half-and-half until creamy.
  4. Melt Cheese :– Lower the heat, add cheese cubes gradually, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
  5. Add Flavor :– Stir in green chilies, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  6. Adjust Consistency :– Add extra milk if too thick or more cheese if too thin.
  7. Serve Warm : – Transfer to a warm bowl or slow cooker set on "warm." Garnish with cilantro.
Keywords: Queso Blanco Dip
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Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:

Q: Can I use other cheeses?

A: Yes! Monterey Jack or mozzarella can work, but white American cheese melts the smoothest.

Q: How do I keep queso from becoming grainy?

A: Use low heat and stir constantly—overheating causes cheese to break.

Q: Can I make it ahead of time?

A: Yes, prepare it, store in the fridge, then reheat gently with extra milk to restore creaminess.

Q: Is this gluten-free?

A: Skip the flour and thicken with cornstarch if needed.

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