This Easy Homemade Queso Cheese is the best Mexican-inspired restaurant-style dip. It's made with creamy, melted cheese, fire-roasted tomatoes, cilantro, and the perfect spices to keep everyone wanting more.
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Table of Contents
What the Dip is Made Of/What Gives it Flavor
I swear it's the best cheese dip ever! I had to come up with my own recipe because it can be really hard to find a good one in restaurants. Many use that fake cheese that has a terrible aftertaste. There's nothing like the real thing using real cheese.
The dip usually has a kick to it so I use chili powder, cumin, and fire-roasted tomatoes. You can add cayenne pepper and jalapenos to really kick it up.
You will also need milk and half and half to get it creamy. You can use any milk you wish, but keep in mind the texture and taste of the milk will impact the recipe. The taste of your milk will carry into the dip, along with the texture. Milks that are thin, will thin out the dip and you will need to thicken it up using more cornstarch. (Steps documented in the notes of the recipe in the recipe card.)
A lot of recipes use condensed milk, which is a combination of milk and sugar. I opted for milk and half and half, but feel free to use the same amount of condensed milk as the total amount of milk and half and half used in the recipe.
What Kind of Cheese to Use
I use a combination of cheddar cheese (mild or sharp) and pepper jack cheese. You can use whatever you wish. I recommend you purchase the cheese in block form and grate it yourself.
Pre-shredded cheese has potato starch and chemical preservatives. It doesn't melt as well and won't get the dip super creamy.
How to Make Homemade Queso Cheese Dip
Detailed instructions and measurements can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Place a saucepan on medium-high heat. Add butter, stir until melted.
- Add in onions and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Reduce the heat and add in the remaining ingredients. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted.
Is the Dip Spicy?
The pepper jack cheese will give it a kick. Substitute cheddar or whatever you like, if you don't want spicy. If you use a chili powder that has spicy elements, you may think the dip is spicy, in which case omit it. It's only really spicy if you add cayenne pepper and/or jalapenos.
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How to Melt the Cheese
It takes 5-7 minutes of constant stirring on medium heat to fully incorporate the ingredients and get the cheese to melt down. If you use quality cheese (that isn't pre-shredded) it will met up easily and nicely.
How to Thicken the Dip
I add cornstarch to the cheese which will help thicken up the dip as the ingredients are incorporated and melt on the stove. It takes about 10 minutes to get the sauce to thicken and it will thicken even more as the cheese dip cools.
If you like it even thicker, create a slurry using ½ tablespoon of cornstarch and ½ tablespoon of water. Combine the two until it creates a white paste and add it to the dip and stir. After several minutes it will thicken more.
Can You Add Meat?
Absolutely! I would cook the meat separately using my Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe. Once cooked add it to the queso. You can use chorizo, sausage, ground beef, ground turkey, chicken breasts, or whatever you prefer.
How to Store the Dip
Store it in the fridge tightly covered and sealed for 3-4 days. For gatherings keep it warm in a Crockpot.
Can You Freeze it?
I wouldn't. Milk and dairy ingredients separate upon thaw. The consistency won't be the same.
What to Dip Besides Chips
- Carrots
- Celery
- Pretzels
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Air Fryer French Fries
Pair Queso With These Recipes
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
Pollo Asado Recipe
Smoked Salsa Recipe
Leftover Turkey Nachos
Leftover Taco Bowls
Air Fryer Taco Egg Rolls
Steak Stir Fry
Oven Baked Roasted Corn on the Cob
More Dip Recipes
Keto Guacamole
Million Dollar Dip
BLT Dip
Crab Rangoon Dip
Hot Crab Dip
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
Queso Cheese Dip
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese Omit and use additional cheddar if you don't desire spicy.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup finely chopped onion I use white or red onion.
- 2-3 garlic cloves Minced.
- 15.5 oz fire roasted tomatoes
- 4 oz green chilies
- 1 ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup half and half
- ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the shredded cheese to a bowl with the cornstarch and stir. Set aside.
- Place a saucepan on medium-high heat. Add the butter, stir until melted.
- Add in the onions and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add in the remaining ingredients. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted.
- Taste repeatedly and add additional salt and pepper to taste if necessary.
- It will take about 10 minutes for the dip to thicken. Remove the dip from heat. It will thicken up more as it cools.If you like it even thicker, create a slurry using ½ tablespoon of cornstarch and ½ tablespoon of water. Combine the two until it creates a white paste and add it to the dip and stir. After several minutes it will thicken more.
Video
Notes
- The pepper jack cheese will give it a spicy kick. Substitute cheddar or whatever you like, if you don't want spicy. If you use a chili powder that has spicy elements, you may think the dip is spicy, in which case omit it. It's only really spicy if you add cayenne pepper and/or jalapenos.
- You can use an immersion blender to smooth out the tomatoes if you wish.
- You can use any milk you wish, but keep in mind the texture and taste of the milk will impact the recipe. The taste of your milk will carry into the dip, along with the texture.
- You can substitute flour for the same amount of cornstarch used in the recipe.
- Pre-shredded cheese has potato starch and chemical preservatives. It doesn’t melt as well and won’t get the dip super creamy. I recommend block cheese that you grate yourself.
- Be sure to stir the dip as the cheese melts to prevent the cheese at the bottom of the pan from burning.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Nyssa says
I have a slight obsession with queso so I ran to make this dip. It’s easy to make, quick and delicious. This will definitely be my go to dip from now on.
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad to hear it.
Beejal says
AMAZING!! Who knew it was so fast and easy to make REAL queso! Flavorful, creamy and delicious I wont be going back to using anything else but this recipe! So fast and so good!! Thanks again Brandi!!
staysnatched says
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Emily says
Never buying store bought again!
staysnatched says
haha! I love to hear it.
Cierra H. says
This queso was quick and easy to make but FULL of flavor!! This is my new favorite for sure!
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it's easy!
Terita says
Okay so after watching this 50-11 times on your IG stories… I wondered out loud if I had the ingredients on hand. Check of the fridge and pantry and I had everything that I needed plus a ton of fresh tomatoes and jalapeños from the garden for topping. A few quick chops of a knife, a shake of spices, a heating of the sauce pan, air frying of some tortillas Boom done in about 5-10 mins! This is super easy and quick!
staysnatched says
Awesome! These are all ingredients I always have on hand as well!
Lainie says
Fantastic Recipe!! I’m a Queso lover who has tried many processed cheese-free queso recipes through the years & this one is the best! Easy to follow instructions make it simple to achieve a nice silky texture queso when so many others leave you w. a separated mess. And sooooo yum.
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Shunta Grant says
So so so so so so good! This queso is so good, I added ground beef to about half and ate the other half without and both were perfection! I had stopped buying store bought queso and not only is this MUCH better but also I know exactly what's in it. Thanks Brandi for another amazing recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
Tiffany says
I cannot get enough queso and have tried to make my own with less than desirable results. Now, enter Brandi's recipe, Deliciousness! I will be making this again and again again. Thank you so much for the detailed instructions. As always, your recipes never disappoint, except when it's all gone.
staysnatched says
haha! I'm glad it's gone. Time to make more!
Coby says
Delicious, quick, easy, and REAL! I love that it didn’t leave me feeling gross the way processed queso does. I will definitely come back to this recipe!
staysnatched says
haha! Gotta be real!
Ashley says
This was so good and easy to make! I wanted to make a quick dinner and was craving nachos. I added butcher box ground beef and some guacamole to my plate with the queso and some siete chips. I will be making this again- I’ve thought to make queso before.
staysnatched says
That sounds so good!
Gabe says
I made this for some friends during a nacho bar night - it was a hit! We will definitely be making it again to try out all types of peppers cheeses!
staysnatched says
Awesome! I'm glad to hear it was a hit.
Felicia says
I don’t why it took me this long to make my own queso. Long story short pregnancy ruined Qdoba for me. I LOVED their queso. 4 years later I still can’t eat there. When I say this queso is THE BEST QUESO I have had believe me! The ingredients list was intimidating but honestly it came together easy. Thank you for this great recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Kelley York says
NO MORE FAKE CHEESE!!!! OMG it’s like “no more wire hangers… ever! This was so easy and delicious! I used @slowcookerqueen recipe to cook chicken breast and shred to put in the homemade queso. Amazing!
staysnatched says
ha! No fake cheese!
Kelley York says
Let me tell you about this queso!!! I combined this recipe with @fitslowcookerqueens for chicken sliders (only the process and seasoning of the meat) and ooh we… banging! All smiles in my house. I even taught the college kids how to make when they’re back at school. Thank you Brandi for being recipe undefeated!
staysnatched says
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Shaundrika says
Love that you use real ingredients I have on hand! This dip was delicious! My husband kept going back for more this is going into rotation for sure 🙂
staysnatched says
I'm glad to hear it will be in the rotation.
Kristin says
No more velveeta in this house! Very creamy and flavorful!
staysnatched says
Yes! Love to hear it!
Cathy says
So easy to make that there’s no excuse to buy the stuff that comes in a jar! I’ve been smothering chicken in it and my taste buds are so happy.
staysnatched says
Yes! I totally agree!
Heather says
This was so tasty! I’d never made queso before and was nervous to try, but it doesn’t get better than this. If you’re looking for a way to enhance your meal prep TRY THIS. I put it on everything for the week - tacos, burgers, nachos, and even my veggies 🤣
staysnatched says
That's such a good idea!
Maggie says
SO good, and so easy to make! It was my first time making queso, but the recipe and instructions were super detailed and easy to follow. My husband, who basically refuses to eat left overs, ate every last ounce of this dip in the following days. Will definitely make again!
Jalisa W says
I've had this saved on the app to make and it did not disappoint. Another quick recipe that I will be making again! Nothing beats the REAL cheese flavor.
staysnatched says
Glad to hear it!
Clair says
Sounds awesome good! Would it be ok to use heavy cream instead of milk and half and half?
staysnatched says
I assume so. I haven’t tested it.
Hattie says
Make this dip!! This was perfect for the taco bar I put together this past weekend. Grated the cheese myself like the instructions highlight and it was incredibly flavorful and smooth! Can't wait to eat the leftovers tonight.
staysnatched says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Heather says
I’ve been desperate for a good recipe for homemade queso and this did NOT disappoint. This is also so easy to adjust and make a slightly different flavor profile (like for chili cheese fries). Thank you!!
staysnatched says
You’re welcome!
PAT says
All Great Recipes Brandi
staysnatched says
Thank you so much!