Perfect Queso Dip Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This easy and delicious Queso recipe is made with only four ingredients and comes together in minutes! Make this rich and creamy homemade queso on the stove, slow cooker, or microwave for the best Mexican cheese dip ever! You’ll want to make this on repeat!
As a fan of Mexican food, appetizers like chips with salsa and guacamole are some of my favorites, but white queso cheese dip is at the top of the list!
I developed a recipe made with fresh, real cheeses that my family likes even better than the restaurant version. This homemade queso is so easy to make any time with just a few ingredients and a few different ways, too. Perfect to make ahead and keep warm in the slow cooker for serving a crowd!
Table of Contents
Homemade queso cheese dip is perfect for serving for everything from an easy weeknight supper to casual entertaining on the weekends. It just doesn’t get any easier than this recipe with the various ways to make it.
Recipe Tip
Make by any of Three Methods:
- Let it cook on the stovetop while preparing other dishes.
- Make in the slow cooker when you want to make ahead or let the slow cooker do the “work”. Great for entertaining since you can keep it warm in the crockpot too.
- Prepare it quickly in the microwave. It is easy for my son and his friends to make it in the microwave in just a few minutes when they want a tasty snack.
Ingredients
To make this queso, you need the following:
- jalapeno cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese – I find that it’s best to grate this yourself for the best results. Either of these types of cheese adds just enough “spice” or flavor to the white, melty cheese dip.
- white American cheese – This will most likely be found in slices, so it’s easy to stack the slices and cut them into smaller pieces. Melts easily for creamy queso.
- white queso blanco – Usually comes in a block, so grate it prior to making the recipe. It mixes well with the other cheeses for a delicious white, creamy cheese dip.
- whole milk or half and half – makes the queso a perfect consistency for dipping or eating atop favorite Mexican dishes.
If you need help finding any of these cheeses, ask your deli or dairy departments at the grocery store.
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
How to Make Queso {3 Easy Ways!}
As I mentioned, there are three easy ways to make this – the Stovetop, Slow Cooker, and Microwave.
Stovetop (Double Boiler Method)
- Add the grated cheeses and 1/2 of the half and half or milk to the double boiler over low heat.
- Stir as the cheese melts, and add more of the half and half or milk until the mixture reaches the desired consistency.
- The cheese sauce should be thin but still thick enough to coat a chip when dipped.
- You can either serve it immediately or pour it into a small slow cooker on the warm setting to serve so that it stays hot.
Slow Cooker
- Add all of the grated cheese and the half-and-half or the whole milk.
- Stir to combine and turn the slow cooker to Low setting.
- Heat for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Turn the slow cooker to the Warm setting to keep it hot for serving.
Microwave
When you are in a big hurry for queso or want the absolute easiest way to make it, it is ready in 5 minutes in the microwave. I’ve made it this way many times, and my son uses this method a lot.
- Add the cheeses and the half and half or milk into a large microwaveable bowl.
- Microwave for 3 minutes at 80% power, stopping and stirring after each minute. Remove from the microwave and stir vigorously to combine.
- If needed, continue microwaving for an additional 1 – 2 minutes or until the cheese is melted thoroughly and all of the ingredients are well blended.
- You can serve it immediately or pour it into a small slow cooker on the warm setting to keep it warm for serving. Delicious!
Storage Tips
To store. Place cooled queso in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat. Put the queso in a microwave-safe container and reheat 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Queso means “cheese” in Spanish. But it most commonly refers to Mexican cheese dip or Tex-Mex cheese dip.
Grab the tortilla chips and use queso as a dip. Pour it over nachos, burritos, or other Mexican food favorites.
What to Eat with Queso Dip
I enjoy adding queso and tortilla chips to these menu favorites:
Steak Fajitas or Chicken Fajitas
More Dip Recipes
If you tried this Queso Dip or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Perfect Queso Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese
- 1 cup grated white American cheese
- 1/2 cup grated white queso cheese
- 1/2 cup half and half or whole milk
Instructions
Stovetop Queso:
- Add cheeses and half of the half and half or milk to the double boiler over low heat. Stir as the cheese melts and add more of the half and half or milk until the mixture reaches the desired consistency. The cheese sauce should be thin, but still thick enough to coat a chip when dipped. Serve immediately or pour into a small slow cooker on the warm setting to serve.
Microwave Queso:
- Add cheeses and the half and half or milk into large microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 3 minutes at 80% power, stopping and stirring after each minute. Remove from the microwave and stir vigorously to combine.
- If needed, continue microwaving an additional 1 – 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted thoroughly and ingredients are well blended. Serve immediately or pour into a small slow cooker on the warm setting to serve.
Slow Cooker Queso:
- Add cheeses and half and half or milk to the slow cooker. Stir to combine and set on low setting for at least 30 minutes. Then, stir when the cheeses have melted and lower to the warm setting to keep warm while serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Do you buy shredded cheese or block cheese and shred it yourself? Just wondering if the salt preservative in pre shredded cheese would affect the dip?
Hi Gen,
I usually buy the block and just shred myself.
Sounds YUMMY!!! Can’t wait to try it!!!! Thanks for sharing!♡
Is queso fresco the same thing?
How long does it stay liquid enough for dipping if you don’t keep it heated?
I could not cind white american cheese in my grocery atore.Im going to substitute White Sharp Chedder, hope it works
The perfect queso recipe…where can I find white american cheese?????
I find it in near my deli counter at the grocery store. If you don’t easily see it, just ask the deli manager and they can help you!
I’m not familiar with white American cheese,although I see you also refer to it as white cheddar in comments. Are they interchangeable? Thanks!
Made this last night and it was a curdled soupy mess. The queso wouldn’t melt. Any idea why? I used Cabot sharp cheddar and Habenaro cheeses. I went well over the 3 min and the mixture was boiling. Such a bummer, but at least it was just the family who witnessed it.
Oh no! I’m so sorry it gave you trouble. I hate that! If it was boiling, then it does sound like the queso separated (the milk and the oils separated). At that point, I would recommend whisking it with a metal whisk until it comes back together. You might also have to add a bit more milk or half and half even to the mixture while whisking. Generally, dairy items that have separated can come back together if you reduce the amount of heat to them while whisking the dickens out of it. But sometimes, if they’ve gone too far, it is hard to recover them.
This looks so yummy! I’m going to make it for the SuperBowl but I wanted to ask… what is white queso cheese? Thanks!
Hi Sheryl,
White queso cheese, also called queso blanco, is a soft white Mexican cheese that hasn’t been aged. It is made from fresh cow’s milk or goat’s milk and is usually found in the dairy section of the grocery store. In some grocery stores, you can also find it in the specialty foods refrigerated section or deli. It just depends on the store. I hope that helps!
Robyn,
This is definitely guy food. I may have to try it for super bowl Sunday.
Annamaria