Description
Creamy Mexican restaurant style white cheese (queso) dip delivers authentic flavors straight from south of the border. Melted cheeses, green chiles, and smooth spices create an irresistible appetizer you’ll want to dip, drizzle, and devour with warm tortilla chips.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) white, deli-sliced American cheese
- 2/3 cup (158 milliliters) milk or half-and-half
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder (optional)
Additions:
- 3/4 tablespoons (11 milliliters) canned, chopped green chiles or jalapenos
Instructions
- Set up a slow cooker or large saucepan on low heat to ensure gentle, even melting of the cheese.
- Combine milk, diced green chiles, and aromatic spices in the cooking vessel, creating a flavorful base for the queso.
- Gradually introduce American cheese slices into the warm liquid, stirring consistently to prevent scorching and promote smooth incorporation.
- Continue stirring and allowing the cheese to melt completely, breaking down any potential lumps until the mixture transforms into a creamy, uniform consistency.
- Maintain low heat throughout the cooking process, which typically takes 15-20 minutes, to achieve the ideal silky texture without burning.
- Once the queso reaches a perfectly smooth and glossy appearance, remove from heat and transfer to a serving dish.
- For optimal enjoyment, serve immediately while the cheese remains warm and luxuriously melted, accompanied by tortilla chips or fresh vegetables for dipping.
- If the dip thickens during serving, gently reheat and stir in a small amount of warm milk to restore its original creamy consistency.
Notes
- Melting cheese slowly prevents separation and maintains a smooth, creamy texture, avoiding grainy or stringy consistency.
- For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with low-fat milk or almond milk, which still provides great flavor and creaminess.
- Add diced jalapeños or green chilies to boost heat and authentic Mexican restaurant-style flavor profile.
- Serve immediately after preparing to enjoy the optimal temperature and prevent cheese from hardening or becoming less smooth.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg