Whether it's for a big gathering or a quick snack, this quick and easy homemade white queso dip recipe will impress your friends, family, and tastebuds! You only need 5 ingredients and 15 minutes to make it.
🥰 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's a cheesy dip that tastes like your favorite Mexican restaurant's queso, but you don't have to leave your home.
- The steps are short and so easy that even the most novice of foodies can make them.
- 5 Simple ingredients that are easy to find.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Whole Milk- Whole milk helps to make the queso creamy, but 2% or nonfat milk is a good substitute.
American Cheese - American cheese melts so easily and is so smooth. It makes the best queso! Get your cheese from the deli section for the best quality and taste.
Onion & Garlic Powder - Adds a more complex flavor to your queso. If you only have one of them, then add 1 teaspoon of garlic or onion powder to your queso.
Add-Ins- I topped my queso with Pico de Gallo. You can also use diced green chilies, pickled jalapenos, chorizo, or diced tomatoes.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
What cheese is used to make white queso dip in Mexican restaurants?
Most restaurants use White American Cheese, and I really do think it's the best cheese for queso blanco. Some other people use Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Velveeta.
How to Make White Queso Dip
Step 1: Pour milk into a large pot over medium heat. until it begins steaming.
Step 2: Once the milk begins to steam, add your cheese in batches. Whisk until the cheese melts, don't add the next batch until the one before it melts completely.
Step 3: Once you have a smooth consistency, mix in the onion powder and garlic powder. pour the mixture into a bowl.
Step 4: Pour your queso into a bowl and top it off with Pico de Gallo or diced green chiles.
Serve it quickly after preparing it because the homemade queso will thicken the longer it's left out. If it becomes too thick, pop it in the microwave for 15-30 seconds.
Tips
- I recommend using White American Cheese for the best-tasting Queso Blanco that is thick and creamy.
- When heating the milk, make sure it doesn't boil. If you see it starting to boil, reduce the stove to medium-low heat.
- Make sure each batch of cheese is melted completely before adding the next batch.
How to Store and Reheat Your Queso
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals until warm.
What to Serve with Queso
There's always the classic tortilla chips, or you could mix it up with a soft pretzel.
Queso also goes great with other Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes like crispy chicken tacos or chicken quesadillas.
Variations
- Do a 50/50 mix with White American Cheese and Pepper Jack (or Monterey Jack) Cheese.
- Mix up the Toppings: Use diced green chilies, pickled jalapenos, chorizo, or diced tomatoes.
- Try Different Chips: We are all used to yellow corn tortilla chips, but white and blue corn tortilla chips can add a new spin on a classic queso dip. If it's October, why not try a big soft pretzel?
Best White Queso Dip
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup whole milk
- ½ pound white American cheese cut into squares
- ½ teaspoon onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic Powder
- ¼ cup Pico de Gallo or diced green chilies
Instructions
- Heat milk in a large pot over medium heat.
- Once it starts to steam, add cheese in batches and whisk continuously. Make sure the milk does not boil. If it does reduce the heat low. Make sure the first batch of cheese melts completely before adding the next batch.
- Once the queso is smooth, mix in onion and garlic powder.
- Pour queso into a bowl and top with Pico de Gallo or diced green chilies.
- Serve immediately. The queso will thicken slightly as it cools. If it becomes too thick, microwave it for 10-30 seconds.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!