Published: August 3, 2020 Modified: August 27, 2024 by Cathy Trochelman 11 Comments

Queso Dip

Clock icon 20 minutes

The BEST Queso Dip! This easy recipe comes together in minutes and is a party favorite. Enjoy it as a dip for tortilla chips or try it as a topping for homemade nachos. Either way… it’s guaranteed to be a hit!

Overhead shot of Queso Dip in cast iron skillet

Is there anything better than a delicious Queso Dip? I think not. It’s the perfect blend of cheeses and spices in a creamy, dreamy dip… and once you try it, your life will never be the same!

I’ve always loved queso, but to be honest, I’m pretty picky about it. Because most recipes use processed cheese… which, to me, just doesn’t quite cut it. But THIS recipe. This one is different.

Made with all real ingredients, like shredded cheese, fresh jalapenos, diced tomatoes, and fresh cilantro, this is hands down the BEST QUESO EVER. And it’s made in just one pan and ready in no time at all!

Eat it with tortilla chips, drizzle it over nachos, or use it as a topping for your favorite tacos. No matter how you eat it, you’re going to love it! No questions asked.

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Close up of Queso Dip with fresh cilantro

🧀 Ingredients

A good Queso Dip is all about the cheese… and this recipe uses 5 different types! I used a Tillamook 4-Cheese Blend of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Queso Quesadilla, and Asadero cheeses, and for extra creaminess, I added some cream cheese.

As I mentioned, some Queso recipes get their creaminess from using processed cheese, but what I love about this recipe is that it’s made with all REAL ingredients… including the fresh veggies!

  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • 2 jalapeños, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 (8 ounce) bags shredded cheese (I used a 4-Cheese Mexican blend)
  • 1 cup diced tomato
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Queso Dip ingredients

📋 Instructions

You’ve got to love a recipe that’s made in just one skillet… and this is one of our favorites! Just be sure you have all your ingredients measured out and prepped, because once you start making it, it really does come together quickly!

Saute the veggies – Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, jalapeño, and garlic and saute until fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Add in the cream – Add cream cheese, milk, and salt. Stir until cream cheese is melted. Remove from heat.

Make it cheesy – Stir in shredded cheese.

Add more veggies – Add tomatoes and cilantro.

Enjoy! – Serve immediately with tortilla chips or veggies.

Red onion, garlic, and jalapeno in a cast iron skillet

🥓 Recipe variations

Looking to jazz up your queso even more? Here are some delicious ideas!

  • Stir in 1/2 cup cooked, chopped bacon
  • Add cooked chorizo
  • Add 1 can diced chiles
  • Use any blend of cheeses
  • Use a variety of peppers for added heat
  • Stir in 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Replace milk with half & half or heavy cream

Process shot of Queso Dip in cast iron skillet

♨️ Storing & reheating

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To reheat, add a small amount of milk and heat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring regularly until creamy and smooth.

🌽 Related recipes

Love dips as much as we do? Here are some of our favorites!

Tortilla chip being dipped into Queso

Queso Dip

The BEST Queso Dip! This easy recipe comes together in minutes and is a party favorite. Enjoy it as a dip for tortilla chips or try it as a topping for homemade nachos. Either way... it's guaranteed to be a hit!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: 57kcal
Author: Cathy Trochelman

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 small red onion diced
  • 2 jalapeños minced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 8 ounce bags shredded cheese (I used a Mexican blend)
  • 1 cup diced tomato
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, jalapeño, and garlic and saute until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add cream cheese, milk, and salt. Stir until cream cheese is melted. Remove from heat.
  3. Stir in shredded cheese.
  4. Add tomatoes and cilantro.
  5. Serve immediately with tortilla chips or fresh veggies.

Notes

Recipe variations:
  • Stir in 1/2 cup cooked, chopped bacon
  • Add cooked chorizo
  • Add 1 can diced chiles
  • Use any blend of cheeses
  • Use a variety of peppers for added heat
  • Stir in 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Replace milk with half & half or heavy cream

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 57kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 153mg | Sugar: 1g
Collage image of Queso Dip

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11 Comments

  1. I love all the small bits of veggies in this dip. Don’t get me wrong — all that cheesy, creamy goodness is amazing!

  2. This dip looks like it would be hard to resist! Passing the chips would be hard to do. I can’t wait to start dipping into this dip tonight!

  3. Made this for an afternoon snack, and it did not disappoint! A nice alternative than the average chips and salsa!

  4. Hi, the taste was pretty darn good. How ever, the cheese seemed to have coalesced to make small micro-bead type curds. It’s not bad but gives the dip a “gritty” feel instead of a creamy Velveeta type feel. Like you, I’d rather eat real cheese instead of processed but in this instance, it might be enough to have me switch from real to processed. Any thoughtsto help this?