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Home » Recipes » Appetizers

The Best Queso (Cheese) Dip

Published: Jul 7, 2021 · Modified: Mar 5, 2024 by Gitta Grether-Sweeney · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 1 review

Now you can make Queso (cheese dip) that you get at Mexican food restaurants at home. Queso is the perfect dip with tortilla chips or if you want a healthier snack, dip raw veggies like broccoli or cauliflower florets instead of the chips.

cheese dip in white bowl with hand dipping a chip into the sauce

Queso and tortilla chips are a favorite family appetizer at our house. Over the years, we perfected the recipe, and this is hands down the best Queso ever!

The dip is creamy and has a mild kick to it. We like it thick to get a lot of cheese on the chips. However, if you prefer a thinner dip, add chicken broth until you get the consistency that works for you.

Queso is easy to make. Saute onions and a can of Rotel tomatoes until the liquid is almost absorbed. Add the Velveeta cheese. Once the cheese has melted, add the Monterrey Jack Cheese, spices, and enough chicken broth until it is the consistency you want for dipping.

It is a delicious snack or appetizer any time of the year. Make enough for your family or a crowd.

Jump to:
  • Why I love this recipe
  • Easy Ingredient List
  • Let's make this Dip
  • Don't miss these tips
  • Common questions
  • Toppings
  • Storage Tips
  • Substitutions
  • Additional Serving Suggestions
  • 📋 Recipe
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • 💬 Comments

Why I love this recipe

  • It is easy to make and always important in a recipe!
  • Everyone loves it.
  • The queso is creamy with just a little bit of spice.
  • It is perfect for many occasions like game night, a birthday party, happy hour, or a backyard BBQ.

Easy Ingredient List

box of chicken broth, onion, can of rotel tomatoes, cumin and chili powder in a small glass bowl, Velveeta cheese, block of Monterey Jack Cheese
  • Velveeta-becuase of its melting attributes, this cheese ensures a smooth and creamy dip.
  • Monterey Jack Cheese balances the flavor of the Velveeta.
  • Diced Rotel Tomatoes-I normally use the original flavor however, if you want a dip with more heat, purchase the hot Rotel tomatoes. Canned Rotel tomatoes are normally found in your grocery store with canned tomatoes or in the Mexican food aisle. They are essential to this recipe so don't leave them out!
  • Onions-add nice flavor. In a pinch, you can substitute 1 teaspoon onion powder. If you don't like onions, leave them out of the recipe.
  • Chili powder and cumin are added to provide additional flavor.
  • Chicken Broth-the chicken broth thins the cheese mixture. Add enough to get the consistency you like for dipping your tortilla chips.

Let's make this Dip

diced onions on a plate
grated white cheese and box grater on a white plate
cubed Velveeta cheese

Prepare the ingredients

  • Dice the onions.
  • Cube the Velveeta Cheese
  • Shredd the Monterrey Jack Cheese
diced onions and tomatoes in a pan
Velveeta cheese cubs on tomato onion mixture in a pan
Monterey Jack cheese, cubin and chili powder in a pan
quesio dip in a pan
  • Cook the onions and tomatoes until most of the liquid has evaporated and the onions are translucent.
  • Add the Velveeta cheese.
  • Once Velveeta cheese has melted, add the Monterey Jack cheese, chili powder, and cumin.
  • Add enough broth to get the desired consistency.
Queso in a white bowl garnished with diced tomatoes, onions and cilantro.  Tortilla chips surround the bowl

Serve with tortilla chips. To lighten this appetizer, serve it with veggies such as broccoli or cauliflower.

Enjoy this tasty dip!

Don't miss these tips

  1. Don;t use pre-grated cheese, it won't melt due to the anti-caking addatives in the cheese. Instaed, purchase a block of Monterey Jack cheese and grate it on a box grater or in a food processor.
  2. Keep the queso warm in a small crockpot set on the lowest setting possible.

Common questions

Can I use cheddar cheese instead of Velveeta?

Cheddar cheese does not melt in the same way as Velveeta. I would not recommend replacing cheddar cheese with Velveeta.

I don't like onions; can I leave them out of the recipe?

Yes, you can leave the onions out of the recipe if you do not like them.

Can the recipe be doubled for a crowd?

Absolutely! Check out the recipe card to adjust the quantity.

Toppings

The queso dip is delicious on its own. However, the following toppings take it to the next level. Try one or more of them to change it up.

  • Cilantro
  • Diced onions
  • Fresh diced tomatoes
  • Jalapeno slices
  • Diced avacodo or guacamole
  • Taco meat
  • Chorizo

Storage Tips

Store the dip covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

To reheat, place the cheese dip in the microwave. Stir every 20 seconds. Heat it to 165°F. If the dip is too thick, thin it with chicken broth, whole milk, or heavy cream.

Substitutions

To make this vegetarian, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth.

Additional Serving Suggestions

  • Drizzle cheese sauce on nachos.
  • Top tacos or fajitas with cheese dip.
  • Roll it up with 2-3 tablespoons cheese sauce on a warm flour tortilla! This is a favorite way to eat it in our family.
  • Combine cheese sauce with cooked pasta such as elbow macaroni. This makes a delicious macaroni and cheese with a little kick!
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I hope you try this recipe! Please rate it and comment below. I love hearing from you! ❤️

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📋 Recipe

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Queso dip topped with tomatoes, onions and cilantro in a white bowl

The Best Queso (Cheese) Dip

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Gitta
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 mnutes
  • Total Time: 0 hours
  • Yield: 6-8 servings
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Description

This Queso Dip is the best!  It is creamy, smooth, and has the perfect level of spice.  Serve it with tortilla chips, or if you want a healthier option try broccoli or cauliflower florets.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • ½ cup diced onion
  • 1 can Rotel tomatoes (do not drain)
  • 1 pound Velveeta, cubed
  • ½ pound Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ¾-1 cup chicken broth


Instructions

  1. Combine diced onions and Rotel tomatoes in a medium saucepan.   Cook on medium heat until most of the liquid has evaporated and the onions are translucent.   Stirring occasionally
  2. Add the cubes of Velvetta.  Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the cheese has melted. Stirring occasionally.
  3. Add the grated Monterey Jack cheese, cumin, and chili powder and cook until the cheese has melted, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add ¾ to 1 cup of chicken broth until the dip is the desired consistency. 

Equipment

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Box Grater

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Chef's Knife

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Notes

  1.     Be sure not to use pre-grated cheese because it will not melt correctly and add a grainy texture which is not desirable.
  2.     Keep warm in a small crockpot.  

  *Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: Tablespoon
  • Calories: 72
  • Sugar: 1.5 g
  • Sodium: 298.9 mg
  • Fat: 5.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2.1 g
  • Protein: 4.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 17.7 mg

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  1. Wilma Grether

    March 09, 2023 at 9:00 am

    Gitta, I found your Queso appetizer to be the Best! I love the idea to spread it on a tortilla. I will have that for dinner today! Thank you for your brilliant and educational ideas!

    Reply
    • Gitta Grether-Sweeney

      March 09, 2023 at 10:35 am

      Wilma, Thank you for your kind comments. I am happy you like the queso recipe. What a great idea to spread it on a tortilla! Yum!

      Reply

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queso dip in a white bowl with tortilla chips