The Best Queso Dip – Mexican Cheese Dip

Cheesy and delicious! The Best Queso Dip isn’t store-bought. This easy appetizer dip is made with 3 cheeses, onion, garlic, spices; and topped with jalapeños and tomatoes. Great with tortilla chips or raw vegetables, it’s the perfect snack for a get together or Superbowl Sunday.

For those that have had true Queso, you’ll know it’s very much unlike the jarred stuff that you get from the grocery store. Some attempts to recreate this popular Tex-Mex dip result in plain melted Velveeta cheese or fake processed cheese.

The issue with these aside from the questionable processed ingredients, is when cooled, it loses it’s silky and rich texture. So you have to keep up that temperature, and reheating isn’t an option.

This recipe holds the magic combination of evaporated milk, cornstarch and cheese. This trio makes the dip silky and smooth without a floury taste nor grainy texture.

This Best Queso Dip reheats perfectly making it a great make-ahead dip, and is a leftover friendly cheese dip.

Flavor packed with a creamy texture and a perfect blend of cheeses, this queso dip is just like what you’d get at your favorite Mexican restaurant.

This is an easy homemade Queso that is sure to be a hit at your next party. Take it a step further and make our Homemade Pico de Gallo alongside this delicious cheesy dip!

They are both so delicious topping our Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos recipe.

Ingredients and Notes

• Butter – to cook the garlic and onion, adds flavor
• Garlic – for flavor
• White Onion – adds flavor
• Evaporated Milk – the secret ingredient for keeping it silky and smooth
• Cornstarch – tho thicken the dip
• Cheese – I like to use a blend of Cheddar Cheese, White Cheddar Cheese. Yet there are options to this, which I will go over later in the post.
• Cream Cheese – helps to make it creamy.
• Spices – I use Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cumin, and Salt
• Milk – used to adjust the consistency.

Toppings for Queso Dip

I love that the toppings for Mexican Cheese Dip add texture, flavor, and some colour. They are:

• Fresh Cilantro
• Roma Tomato
• Jalapenos
• Hot Sauce – served on the side as an option for those that like spicy cheese dip

These are optional, yet strongly suggested. You can top with them all, a couple, or make it your own.

Optional Add-Ins for Queso Dip

Our Easy Queso Dip is absolutely great on its own. Yet it has a lot of room to change it up to suit preferences.

Add Protein: You can make queso dip with meat by adding some cooked taco meat, chorizo, shredded chicken, or ground beef to the sauce.

Add Vegetables: Add in some rotel tomatoes, green chiles, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, corn or beans.

Cheese Options: If you want to substitute the cheese, use types of cheese with similar hardness to cheddar. Suggestions are colby jack, pepper jack cheese, or Monterey Jack cheese.

How to Make Queso Dip

As always, the full cheese dip recipe is in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan to large saucepan (or skillet) over medium heat to high heat.
2. Saute the garlic and onion until translucent.
3. Whisk in the evaporated milk and cornstarch until mostly smooth.
4. Turn heat to low and add in the shredded cheese and cubed cream cheese, continue whisking until smooth again.
5. Stir in all of the spices.
   
   
   
6. Add in more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
7. Serve and top cheese sauce with desired toppings!

What to Serve with Queso

This Queso recipe is perfect for dipping tortilla chips or corn chips. Yet you can use whatever chip or cracker you’d like, even our homemade Air Fryer Potato Chips. Other suggestions are pita chips or toasted bread.

Queso is a great appetizer dip for parties and events such as Super Bowl Sunday or for a game day snack.

Yet keep in mind that it’s also a wonderful side dish for meals like Chicken Enchiladas, Margarita Grilled Chicken, or Quesadillas.

You don’t need an excuse such as Cinco de Mayo or Taco Tuesday, this favorite dip can be made and enjoyed anytime!

How to Store and Reheat Queso Dip

Storage: Leftover cheese dip should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. It’ll keep for 3-4 days.

This queso dip recipe can also be made ahead of time and reheated. Or, the leftovers reheated for another time.

To Reheat Queso: Microwave in 30 second increments and stirring each time. When heated completely through, it’s ready to enjoy.

Queso does thicken as it cools, so I suggest adding a splash of milk when reheating to get a better consistency.

I do not recommend freezing queso. The texture after freezing and reheating is not preferred.

Queso FAQs

Can I use different cheeses to make Queso?

Of course you can, but they should have the same hardness as cheddar cheese to work well. Suggestions are monterey jack or colby jack. Mozzarella may also work, but has not been tested.

Do I need to add the onion and garlic, or can I simply increase the onion and garlic powder?

The fresh vegetables help provide a better tasting dip. However, if you do not have those on hand, increase the garlic powder to 1 teaspoon and the onion powder to 1 ½ teaspoons.

Does the diced onion and minced garlic make this dip chunky, or is it completely smooth?

No, the garlic and onion do not make this dip chunky, the only things that may make this dip chunky are the tomato and jalapeno toppings.

I accidentally added too much milk to Queso, can this be fixed and become thick again?

Yes! There are two things you can try to do to fix this issue:
– Allow it to cool and see if it thickens.
– Add more cornstarch, 1 teaspoon at a time, stirring over heat until smooth. Cornstarch is a great way to thicken any sauce or dip.

More Dip Recipes to Try