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Homemade Queso DipHomemade Queso Dip
October 31, 2021 | Updated September 28, 2022 | Laura
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This homemade queso dip is one of my favorite snacks! It is made with sharp cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese which is a delicious combination. Some Velveeta is added to make a queso with the best consistency. This cheesy dip is the perfect appetizer and addition to any meal!
Cheesy, Creamy, and Addicting
I could eat this whole bowl of queso by myself. I love it.
There's a lot of opinions floating around the internet about what should and shouldn't go into a cheese dip. As a queso connoisseur, there was only one way to put an end to all the madness- make a bunch of different queso recipes and try them side-by-side.
So, that's exactly what I did. Some may disagree with me, but I followed and trusted my tastebuds to lead me to the best cheese combination.
Let's get into what my tastebuds consider 'The Best Homemade Queso Dip'.
Homemade Queso Dip Ingredients
*Some of these ingredient links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*
✽ Butter: We need to make a roux in order for the cheese dip to thicken so a good start to that is butter, and it tastes so good!
✽ Onion, Jalapeño Peppers , + Garlic: Add great fresh flavor plus some spiciness. I chose to use fresh onion and garlic rather than garlic powder + onion powder for better flavor! My recipe calls for 2-4 jalapenos depending on how much spicy you want. You can keep the seeds in for more spiciness or remove the seeds for a milder cheese dip.
✽ Flour: We'll use flour to make the roux and is what makes this dip thick.
✽ Half-and-Half: Helps thin out the cheese dip and makes it creamy. I found that heavy cream made the dip too thick while whole milk made it too thin. Half-and-half was the perfect consistency! You can also replace the 4 cups of half-and-half with 2 cups heavy cream + 2 cups whole milk.
✽ Hot Sauce: Adds a bit of spiciness and flavor to the dip.
✽ Seasonings: Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Cayenne, Chili Powder, kosher Salt, Black Pepper. One of my favorite combinations of spices that pairs so well with cheese.
✽ Sharp Cheddar Cheese: I like to use extra sharp cheddar cheese. Make sure to buy the block of cheese, and grate your own rather than using pre-shredded. This will create a smoother queso dip. I love cheddar cheese, and it will make the queso oh so good. It's also great because it has a relatively low melting point.
✽ Pepper Jack Cheese: Monterey Jack cheese helps contribute to the creaminess of the dip. I chose to use Pepper Jack for a small added kick and great flavor.
✽ Velveeta: Here's the controversy. Some say it belongs, some say it doesn't. Mine and my husband's tastebuds both led us to the dip made with velveeta. I even compared it right next to one that had all the same ingredients but the Velveeta was substituted with Boar Head's white American cheese from the deli counter. There wasn't a huge difference in taste, but the Velveeta one tasted more like queso dip to both of us so here we are.
✽ Tomatoes: Adds freshness to the dip. I highly recommend using the fresh tomatoes for better taste, but, if needed, you could substitute the tomatoes and canned green chiles with a can of Rotel.
✽ Green Chiles: For taste and heat.
How to Make Homemade Queso
➊ First, we must make a roux. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup chopped yellow onions and 2-4 chopped jalapenos. You can leave in the seeds for a spicier queso or remove the seeds. Cook for about 3-5 minutes until the onions begin to soften.
Add in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
➋ Whisk in 1/4 cup of flour. Whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until the flour is a light golden color and fragrant.
While whisking, slowly pour in 4 cups of half-and-half. It should take you about 15-20 seconds to pour in all of the half-and-half. While whisking, bring the mixture to a boil and turn the stove down to medium-low heat to maintain a simmer.
Stir in 1 teaspoon hot sauce, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon each of smoked paprika, chili powder, and kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne.
Continue to simmer, whisking constantly, for 5 minutes. Make sure the sauce is not scorching the bottom of the pan by whisking the entire time.
➌ We'll be adding in 12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) of shredded sharp cheddar cheese (use extra sharp cheddar for a stronger flavor) and 10 ounces (1 1/4 cups) of shredded pepper jack cheese. Stir in half of each of the cheeses and stir until melted. Then add in the rest of the cheese, and stir until melted.
➍ Now add in 10 ounces of Velveeta cheese, and stir until melted. Lastly, stir in 4 medium diced tomatoes and 4.5 ounces of canned chopped green chilies. Pour into a large bowl or serving dish.
You can add any toppings you like to the queso. My favorites are a little bit of cotija cheese, cilantro leaves, sour cream, and hot sauce!
This queso dip is best served immediately. It can become thicker when it sits out at room temperature too long. Simply just put back on the stove over medium heat, stirring, until melted and creamy again.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
What to Serve with Homemade Queso Dip
✽ Bag of Tortilla Chips; The best chip is one that's covered in queso. Amirite?
✽ Tofu Tacos; Any Mexican type of food would be good with this queso, but these tofu tacos especially!
✽ Black Bean Dip; The only thing better than queso is bean dip and queso together.
✽ Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita; This spicy watermelon margarita is so delicious when paired with a side of homemade queso.
Looking for more great recipes?
→ Check out all of my favorite dip recipes!
Best Queso Recipe: Questions
✽ Why do you add the shredded cheese in sections?
I mix the different kinds of cheese together and add in half at a time. If too much cheese is added at one time the sauce can split or become unstable. Adding in small amounts will prevent the grease in the cheese from separating out.
✽ What's the best way to make a roux in order to ensure success?
For best results, it is so important to whisk constantly after adding in the flour to break up clumps and prevent burning. When you add in the milk, make sure to add slowly while you are whisking. It should take you 15-30 seconds to add in all the half & half. Keep a close eye on the sauce and whisk often while it simmers so you don't scorch the bottom!
✽ How do I make this cheese dip not be spicy?
You can take out the seeds of the jalapeno pepper or omit the jalapenos all together. You can also omit the hot sauce, green chiles, and/or cayenne, if desired.
✽ Why do you add Velveeta?
First off, the taste. I made multiple batches of queso where I kept a lot of the ingredients the same but changed up the melting cheese. The velveeta won over my husband and I's tastebuds, and I trust my tastebuds. I'm just as shocked as you are, trust me. But if it's good, it's good!
Second, the main reason why an ingredient like Velveeta is added is because it melts so good. This will help all the ingredients to combine together and make your queso super creamy.
Homemade Queso Dip
By Laura | Laura the Gastronaut
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
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This homemade queso dip is one of my favorite snacks! It is made with sharp cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese which is a delicious combination. Some Velveeta is added to make a queso with the best consistency. This creamy cheese dip is the perfect appetizer and addition to any meal!
*Some of these ingredient links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*
Ingredients
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
• 2-4 jalapenos, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup flour
• 4 cups half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) pepper jack cheese, shredded
• 10 ounces Velveeta
• 4 medium tomatoes, diced
• 4.5 ounces canned green chiles, diced
• Optional: cotija cheese, hot sauce, cilantro leaves, +/- sour cream, for topping
Instructions
➊ In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add in onions and jalapenos, and cook until softened, about 5-8 minutes. Add in garlic, and cook an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
➋ Whisk in flour, and cook 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly, until the flour turns a light golden color and is fragrant. In a small stream, slowly whisk in the half-and-half. Continue whisking until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a simmer, and stir in hot sauce and all the seasonings. Continue to simmer for 5 minutes, whisking constantly.
➌ Add in half of the sharp cheddar cheese and half of the pepper jack. Stir until melted. Add in the rest of the shredded cheese, and stir until melted.
➍ Stir in the velveeta until melted. Then stir in the diced tomatoes and green chiles. Pour into serving bowl, and top with cotija, hot sauce, cilantro leaves, and/or sour cream, if desired.
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Category: Appetizers and Snacks, Vegetarian, Super Bowl, Cinco de Mayo Cuisine: American
Keywords: recipe for homemade queso, pepper jack queso, delicious recipe for queso, homemade cheese dip, homemade queso recipe, how to make your own queso, melted cheese dip
More Delicious Appetizer Recipes:
✽ Fava Bean Dip (a creamy and tangy dip made from dried fava beans- best served with pita chips)
✽ Crab Rangoon Dip (all the tasty flavors of a crab rangoon inside of a dip)
✽ Avocado Jalapeno Dip (a spicy creamy green dip that is perfect when scooped up with tortilla chips)
→ Check out all of my snack recipes!
Bon appétit!
October 31, 2021 by Laura Ehlers
*This Homemade Queso Dip blog post and recipe may contain some Amazon affiliate links. These link to products that I personally use and recommend. If you purchase anything using my links, it will not cost you anything. It will though give laurathegastronaut.com some financial support which helps me keep this blog running. Thank you for reading my blogs and your continued support.