Queso Dip (Printable format)

Enjoy a creamy, spicy, and cheesy dip ideal for game day or any party. Simple to prepare, always a favorite appetizer.

# What You Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
02 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
03 - 1 cup whole milk
04 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
05 - 2 tbsp cream cheese

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 small jalapeño, finely diced, seeds removed for less heat
07 - 1 small tomato, seeded and diced
08 - 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
11 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/4 tsp chili powder
13 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
14 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Garnishes

15 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
16 - 1 tbsp sliced green onions

# How-To Steps:

01 - Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and jalapeño; cook stirring until softened, approximately 2 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
03 - Pour in milk and add cream cheese. Whisk continuously until cream cheese is completely melted and mixture is smooth.
04 - Gradually incorporate shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, stirring constantly until fully melted and texture becomes velvety.
05 - Mix in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, kosher salt, and black pepper until well blended.
06 - Stir in diced tomato and cook for 1 minute just to warm through.
07 - Transfer to a serving bowl or warm slow cooker. Garnish with cilantro and green onions if desired. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • This comes together in 20 minutes flat, which is basically magic when you have unexpected guests or just serious cheese cravings
  • The texture is restaurant quality silky smooth, but without any weird ingredients you cant pronounce
02 -
  • Dumping all the cheese in at once will give you a gloppy mess instead of smooth queso, so take it slow and add it in batches
  • If the dip gets too thick, whisk in a splash of warm milk one tablespoon at a time until it is silky again
03 -
  • Grating your own cheese from blocks makes a huge difference in how smoothly everything melts
  • Room temperature cream cheese incorporates much faster than cold straight from the fridge
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