HOMEMADE QUESO DIP is a must in our house on taco night! We love how creamy and flavorful this queso recipe is. There’s no Velveeta lurking inside, but it’s still perfectly smooth and creamy thanks to my secret ingredient!
I absolutely love the month or so leading up to Cinco de Mayo, because it means that I’m furiously creating and testing allllll of the Mexican recipes I can for you guys.
It’s safe to say that the next few weeks here on the blog will have plenty of Mexican inspired recipes for you to test out in your own homes. Get excited!
This queso dip is one of those recipes that I make often, but have somehow never managed to share on here. Shame on me!I have a 3 ingredient white queso dip that we make alllllll. the. time. It’s super quick, totally simple, and tastes like the white cheese sauce you get at my favorite Mexican joint. It’s perfect for those nights when you don’t want to fuss with anything.
But, when we want something with a little more oomph, something to really wow friends, and something with a little more flavor and texture, well…this is the recipe!
It’s creamy dreamy perfection, you guys! Don’t forget to serve this next to my refried bean dip and restaurant style salsa for a really fabulous Taco Tuesday!
How to make queso:
This queso starts with by softening up onions and jalapeno in a skillet with a little butter.
Once those have softened, you’ll stir in some garlic and spices. This vegetable mixture adds loads of flavor and a nice little texture to our queso dip.
My secret ingredients to making super creamy queso are evaporated milk and cream cheese. They both work together to make an ultra creamy, smooth cheese sauce that just works beautifully.
Once you’ve got the cream cheese all melted, you’ll stir in handfuls of monterey jack and cheddar until the queso is smooth and melty.
This recipe really cooks quickly and it is the perfect thing for dipping those chips!
We like to thin ours out with a little bit of milk and then sprinkle the top of the queso with some pico de gallo. A scoop of guacamole right on top is really good too!
More Mexican Inspired Recipes:
- Chicken Chimichanga
- Taco Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
- Mexican Cauliflower Rice
- Mexican Chicken Casserole
Homemade Queso Dip
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 medium jalapeno minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 12 ounces canned evaporated milk
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar
- 4 ounces shredded monterey jack
- 1/4 cup milk see note
- salt to taste
- Pico de gallo for serving
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in the onion and jalapeno and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until vegetables have softened.
- Add the garlic, cumin, and onion powder and cook for 30 seconds more.
- Add the evaporated milk and cream cheese to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until the cream cheese has melted, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and add the shredded cheese a handful at a time, whisking constantly, until all of the cheese has been added and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add additional milk as desired to reach the consistency you prefer. Season with salt to taste.
- Top with pico de gallo before serving.
Kristine says
Trying this today, so excited! Have you tried putting it in a crock pot?
Karly says
No, I haven’t, but I think it’d do great on the warm setting for a bit. 🙂
Lindsey says
Absolutely delicious!! Better than any restaurant I’ve been to! Your recipe is amazing, and I can’t wait to try some others!
Karly says
Thanks so much, Lindsey!
Carlene murphy says
We love this recipe! Only one I could find without a processed cheese, it’s so creamy. Family favorite
Karly says
Thanks, Carlene!
Kelly W. says
This queso recipe was a huge hit! I made it as part of a game day food spread. The guys devoured it. It went so fast I almost didn’t get any- haha! Will definitely be making this again!
Karly says
Love to hear that! 🙂
Chris says
I used nonfat cream cheese (it was all I had) and it was way too thick. I thinned it with a lot of extra milk but then it was bland, so I added Tajik seasoning. It was very good!
Kathy says
This was flavorless. It was creamy but I would never make it again.
Sabrina says
love this from scratch, thank you, this is the kind of recipe you usually order or get out of a jar, so it’s nice to be able to control what goes in it!
Karly says
It’s kind of dangerous to know how easy it is to make yourself. Queso for every meal! 🙂
Rick Reed says
Hello . Recipe looks great .Will definitely try. I love a good Taco nite. However ,I did read an article where some of the best recipes for Queso in Mexico use Velveeta cheese. Even the top restaurants use it . Amazing .
Karly says
I love Velveeta too, but we try to use real cheese where possible. But Velveeta plus Rotel will always have a place in my heart! 🙂