Is it really a party without queso? Originated in San Antonio, this cheesy dip is now a staple on almost every Tex-Mex menu (and game day party spread) for very good reason. Why do we love this dip so much? It comes together in under 30 minutes, is perfectly smooth and cheesy, and is practically a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. If you’re looking to make this party dip, follow our top tips to master our ultimate cheesy, flavorful queso:
The base.
This dip is all about the cheese, but the flavor of this party dip comes from our veggies: onion, garlic, jalapeño, tomatoes, and green chilis. If you’re more of a queso purist, then try it out with a little less of the veggies before you decide to knock them all to the curb!
What's the best cheese for queso?
For our favorite queso, we used a mix of shredded American cheese and Pepper Jack. The American cheese keeps it melty and creates the perfect dip consistency, while Pepper Jack adds sharpness with a bit of extra heat. While we HIGHLY recommend American over cheddar, if you prefer it, just use some extra milk to help thin it out, and cook it for a little longer on a lower heat.
Can I use Velveeta?
Sure! Velveeta will act the same as American cheese for this queso. Just cut into cubes and add it when the American cheese is called for, and add the milk slowly (you might not need it all with Velveeta). Velveeta can also be saltier than American cheese, so add a little less salt than you normally would, then taste and adjust seasonings from there. If you think Velveeta in cheesy dips is an absolute must, check out our Crockpot queso recipe or Rotel dip!
Top tips for perfect queso:
— Always shred your own cheese. Pre-packaged cheese does not melt as well as a block of cheese, so we don't recommend any pre-shredded cheeses for this queso. They often have added anti-caking agents like cellulose, which will prevent your cheese from melting and emulsifying fully.
— Adjust the heat if necessary. If your pan is too hot, you run the risk of your queso separating. Turn down the heat if your queso starts to bubble, or looks like it's separating.
Serving ideas.
Serve this along with our favorite salsa and tortilla chips for the perfect satisfying app. If you really want to take this over the top, why not bake your own tortilla chips (or keto tortilla chips)?
Made it? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!
extra-virgin olive oil
small onion, chopped
cloves garlic, minced
jalapeño, minced
American cheese, shredded
Pepper Jack, shredded
milk
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
medium tomato, diced
(4-oz.) can green chilis
freshly chopped cilantro
Tortilla chips, for serving
Makinze is currently Food Editor for Delish, where she develops recipes, creates and hosts recipe videos and is our current baking queen.. Reigning from Oklahoma, she's also our go-to for all things regarding Midwestern cuisine. She's also our expert pie crimper.
