• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
5 Secrets to Mexican Cooking

sign up to get my top 5 secrets to help you master mexican meals at home!

trending now: March Cooking Challenge!
  • About
  • Press/Advertise
  • Contact

Isabel Eats

Easy Mexican recipes for home cooks

  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Dinner
      • Sides
      • Desserts
      • Appetizers
      • Drinks
      • Soups & Stews
      • Salads
      • Salsas
      • Sauces and Condiments
    • Diet
      • Gluten Free
      • Low Carb
      • Paleo
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • Meat
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Chorizo
      • Pork
      • Turkey
      • Seafood
    • Occasion
      • Christmas
      • Cinco De Mayo
      • Easter
      • Game Day
      • Summer
      • Thanksgiving
    • Type
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • Mexican Basics
      • Freezer Friendly
      • Grilling
      • Healthy
      • Instant Pot
      • Slow Cooker
      • Enchiladas
      • Tacos
  • Dinners
  • Kitchen Tips
  • Life
  • Shop
  • About
  • Subscribe!

    sign up to get my top 5 secrets to help you master mexican meals at home!

Browse by Course/Type/Diet

  • by course
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Sides
    • Desserts
    • Appetizers
    • Drinks
    • Soups & Stews
    • Salads
    • Salsas
    • Sauces & Condiments
  • by type
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • Mexican Basics
    • Freezer Friendly
    • Grilling
    • Healthy
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Enchiladas
    • Tacos
  • by meat
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Chorizo
    • Pork
    • Turkey
    • Seafood
  • by diet
    • Gluten Free
    • Low Carb
    • Paleo
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • by occasion
    • Christmas
    • Cinco De Mayo
    • Easter
    • Game Day
    • Summer
    • Thanksgiving
Jump to latest Browse All Recipes
HomeRecipesAppetizers

Easy Queso Dip Recipe

rate recipe Shareshare
Share on:
8186 shares
By: IsabelPosted: 1/28/19

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclaimer.

Jump to Recipe

This homemade Queso Dip recipe is easy to make and comes out creamy and smooth every time! Now you can make your favorite restaurant queso at home!

Bowl of queso dip surrounded by tortilla chips.

Table of Contents

  • The Creamiest Queso Recipe
  • How to Make Queso Dip
  • Tips for making The Best queso
  • More Recipes
  • Easy Queso Dip Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Isabel’s Tips
  • Nutrition Information

Getting an order of chips and queso whenever I go to a Mexican restaurant is an absolute must. What’s not to love about melted cheese paired with fresh tortilla chips? And a margarita on the side, of course. I just can’t help myself – it’s one of my favorite things in the world!

Growing up, I used to make the classic Velveeta cheese dip. You know the kind I’m talking about. A block of Velveeta, a jar of chunky salsa and a splash of milk. I used to love that stuff. In fact, I still do! But today I want to use the real stuff. 100% real cheese.

I’ve made it my mission to come up with the best queso dip recipe I can possibly make. And I’m proud to say that I finally did it.

How to make queso
How to make queso
A saute pan with shredded cheese and cream cheese.

The Creamiest Queso Recipe

After experimenting and making 3 different test batches of homemade queso dip, I’ve finally perfected this recipe so that it comes out luxuriously creamy every time. The secret ingredient?

Cream cheese.

The cream cheese holds all the melted shredded cheeses together and keeps the queso silky smooth for a longer period of time compared to using no cream cheese at all. Which means you can sit back and enjoy your queso without having to worry about it getting chunky or hard once you take it off the heat.

How to Make Queso Dip

  1. Heat a large saute pan over low to medium heat. Add butter and melt.
  2. Add onions, garlic, jalapeno and salt. Saute for 5 minutes, until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
  3. Add 3/4 cups of milk and cream cheese. Stir continuously until cream cheese has melted and is mostly smooth, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
  4. Add shredded cheeses in small increments, stirring each increment into the mixture until it has completely melted before adding the next.
  5. Stir in the remaining 3/4 cups of milk until fully combined. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the red salsa. Serve immediately.
Large saute pan with melted mexican queso dip.

Tips for making The Best queso

  • Buy block cheese instead of the pre-shredded kind. The pre-shredded cheese at the grocery store is often covered with additives that are meant to reduce clumping, which doesn’t always produce the best texture when melted.
  • For the creamiest results, use whole milk.
  • If the queso dip is too thick, stir in a splash of milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
Mexican queso dip with a tortilla chip dipped in it.

More Recipes

  • Guacamole Salsa
  • Easy Carnitas
  • Queso Fundido
  • Easy Guacamole Recipe
  • Cheesy Sheet Pan Nachos
  • Easy Chicken Tacos

Recipe

4.43 from 151 votes

Easy Queso Dip Recipe

Serves: 8 servings
Print
Rate
Bowl of queso dip surrounded by tortilla chips.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total : 35 minutes
This Mexican Queso Dip recipe is easy to make and comes out creamy and smooth every time! Like your favorite restaurant queso at home!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ medium onion, minced (yellow or white)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, minced (seeds removed if you don’t want it spicy)
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 ½ cups milk, divided
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 6 ounces mild cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 6 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 2 tablespoons red salsa*, plus more to taste

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a large sauté pan or deep skillet over medium heat.
  • Add in the onion, garlic, jalapeño and salt and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and become very fragrant.
  • Add in ¾ cups of milk and cream cheese. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has melted and is mostly smooth, about 5 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to low and add in the shredded cheeses in batches, stirring each batch into the mixture until it has completely melted before adding the next.
  • Stir in the remaining ¾ cups of milk until fully combined.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the salsa. Taste and add more if desired. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.

Isabel’s Tips:

  • Red salsa: You can use your favorite smooth or chunky red salsa. For a smoky flavor, use 2 tablespoons of minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce instead.
  • If the queso dip is too thick, stir in a splash of milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
  • For the creamiest results, use whole milk.
  • I recommend buying block cheese and shredding it yourself instead of buying pre-shredded cheese. The pre-shredded cheese at the grocery store is often covered with additives that are meant to reduce clumping, which doesn’t always produce the best texture when melted.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving Calories: 319kcal (16%) Carbohydrates: 8g (3%) Protein: 13g (26%) Fat: 26g (40%) Saturated Fat: 16g (80%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g Monounsaturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 91mg (30%) Sodium: 705mg (29%) Potassium: 183mg (5%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 4g (4%) Vitamin A: 1050IU (21%) Vitamin C: 7.4mg (9%) Calcium: 390mg (39%) Iron: 1.1mg (6%)
Author: Isabel Eats
Course:Appetizer
Cuisine:Mexican
Bowl of queso dip surrounded by tortilla chips.
Did you Make my Easy Queso Dip Recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @isabeleats on social media!
@isabeleats

You may also like…

  • Mixed with cream cheese, Mexican spices and diced jalapenos, this creamy bean dip recipe is easy to make and is the perfect appetizer or snack!
    The Best Creamy Bean Dip
  • This Healthy Taco Dip made with 5 layers of delicious ingredients is ready in under 10 minutes and is the perfect appetizer for any party!
    Healthy Taco Dip
  • This easy, cheesy and super creamy Salsa Verde Queso Dip made in the slow cooker is the perfect no-fuss appetizer for your next game day party! (gluten free, vegetarian, low carb, crock pot)
    Salsa Verde Queso Dip
  • Mexican Corn Dip
free ebook!

download my top 10 recipes book

Subscribe and receive a free e-cookbook of our Top 10 Easy Mexican Recipes!

Get My Copy!

Download my top 10 easy Mexican recipes!

Roasted butternut squash soup in a white bowl.
Previous Post
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
This Homemade Salsa recipe is made with fresh ingredients like tomatoes, onions and cilantro and is ready to eat in only 5 minutes!
Next Post
5-Minute Fresh Homemade Salsa

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love hearing from you and seeing what you made!
Recipe Rating:




  1. Mike Binder says

    Posted on 3/9 at 1:38 pm

    5 stars
    Everyone loved it

    Reply
  2. Randy says

    Posted on 2/25 at 2:42 pm

    5 stars
    This is my go-to Queso recipe, hands down. The only change I make is to reduce the cream cheese from 8 oz to about 6 oz. I also prefer the original version, which called for one 10 oz can of Rotel chopped tomatoes with green chilis, drained as opposed to the red salsa. If you have issues with the texture, I can almost guarantee that you have the heat too high. I’ve made that mistake before and the result is not delicious. That said, follow the recipe; start on medium low and then reduce to low, stirring constantly. Perfect every time!

    Reply
    • Ana @ Isabel Eats says

      Posted on 3/7 at 11:36 am

      Thank you so much for sharing Randy!

      Reply
  3. Mike says

    Posted on 2/21 at 6:04 pm

    5 stars
    I would say if it came out lumpy, it’s on you. It’s a delicious queso.

    Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Isabel Orozco-Moore, Founder of Isabel Eats
¡Hola!

i’m isabel

A first-generation Mexican American who loves to cook! Here at Isabel Eats, you’ll find a mix of all your favorite authentic Mexican recipes with a twist!

Read More

Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.

free email series!

5 Secrets to Mexican Cooking

My top 5 secrets to help you master Mexican meals at home in no time!

Sign me up!

Sign up to get My top 5 secrets to help you master Mexican meals at home in no time!

Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.

Authentic Recipes

This Mexican Pork Chile Verde is made of tender pieces of pork simmered in a flavorful tomatillo and chile broth. Serve in a bowl or with a side of rice for an authentic Mexican meal! (low carb, gluten free, paleo)

Chile Verde Recipe

Masa for Tamales

Masa for Tamales

Six bolillo breads on a baking sheet ready to eat.

Bolillo Bread (Mexican Rolls)

Pozole verde in a bowl topped with shredded cabbage, sliced radishes, cilantro, and lime juice.

Chicken Pozole Verde

Pozole Rojo (Red Posole) recipe

Pozole Rojo Recipe

Cooked Mexican rice in a pot with peas mixed in.

Authentic Mexican Rice

Reader Favorites

Beef empanadas on a plate served with a side of guacamole.

Beef Empanadas

Chile relleno on a plate with red salsa.

Chile Relleno Recipe

Cooked canned black beans with tomatoes, onions and garlic in a bowl.

How to Cook Canned Black Beans

Chicken enchiladas in a baking dish topped with cilantro.

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

Juicy pork carnitas in warm corn tortillas topped with cilantro, onions and limes.

Easy Carnitas Recipe

Conchas in a bowl ready to be eaten.

Conchas (Mexican Sweet Bread)

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

5-star faves

Frozen margaritas in glasses topped with lime wedges.

Frozen Margaritas

These were absolutely delicious. So fresh and the perfect amount of sweetness.

A bowl of borracho beans

Borracho Beans

These beans are delicious! Garlic, onion, beer and bacon…you can’t go wrong, lol! I loved these!

Chile Colorado

This recipe is so perfect and delicious. My entire family loved it! Big kudos to you for such an authentic masterpiece!

follow along @isabeleats

Favorites

  • Tacos
  • Sides
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Desserts
  • Drinks
  • Salsas

Browse By Meat

  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Pork
  • Seafood
  • Turkey
  • Chorizo
Back to Top
  • About
  • Press
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
© 2023 Isabel Eats Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled