Perfect Queso Dip Recipe
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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
AMAZING! Our local supermarket ran out of jarred refrigerated queso so we quickly pivoted with a recipe search and yours popped up. The kids love it! They dip fresh dough pretzels into it and couldn’t get enough! Thanks for the awesome recipe.
I’m so happy you found my recipe and that you and your kids love it. I hope you find many more recipe here that you love. xo
This is the BEST recipe – no Velveeta, no cream cheese, no cornstarch…just pure ingredients, and it is SO good. Bravo for coming up with this recipe. We’re going on a ski trip up Canada next week, and I just have to figure out how to increase the amount of ingredients (and that should be easy).
Thanks, Liz. Hope you have a great ski trip.
This dip is super delicious! I over bought the ingredients. Can I pre make batches, then freeze them in freezer bags to use other times?
Kornelia, I have never frozen the Queso dip but I think you should be able to freeze it. I would freeze in the size batch you think you would use at one time. You can reheat in the microwave at 30 second intervals when ready to serve. Let me know if this works for you.
Is Queso Fresco the same as Queso Blanco?
Queso Fresco and Queso Panella are not the same as Queso Blanco. Only Queso Blanco melts properly to be used for a dip.
Hi Robyn,
Well I have loved some of your dips so this must be great too. However—I too have never heard of queso cheese, am wondering what American cheese is and am glad to see that one can create jalapeño cheddar by adding jalapeños (in the grocery stores here there is jalapeño havarti but not jalapeño cheddar). Perhaps this recipe is one you’ve been able to create because of what is accessible to you in your area.
But it does inspire me to make a cheese dip by using other cheeses. Thanks!
Elizabeth,
I have added photos of the cheeses I used in this recipe to my post. You may be able to find these or other brands in your grocery stores. Sometimes I can’t find the brand that I prefer so I improvise, too. Hope you enjoy this recipe!
I live in Texas and still cannot find the queso Blanco aka white queso cheese at the grocery store that’s not in a can. Could you add a photo of the cheese you are referencing?
Teague,
I just ask for white queso cheese at my deli in my grocery store so have used different brands. Maybe someone in your deli could help you find it.
Where – do you find jalapeño cheddar? I’ve never seen that … or what brand do you use? Thanks!
Do not use package shred. It will not melt and blend properly for this application.
What is queso cheese? I’ve never seen that in the cheese section. Is it one that you get at the deli?
Queso cheese is a Mexican cheese that has a very nice flavor and melting quality. Depending where you live it should be in the Hispanic food section of your store.
I don’t know what Queso cheese is, we live in Canada and I have never seen it in our grocery stores.
is there a substitute??
Love the Cheese dips.. Thanks
try a local latin/mexican/spanish market
My trick is to stick blend everything together. The cheese never liked to melt nicely for me so using a stick blender really helped it all come together and to be nice and smooth.