Queso.This creamy, cheese sauce is made with REAL cheese! Enjoy the classic Tex Mex Queso at home with this easy to make recipe!
How do you make Queso with real cheese?
The trick to making Queso with real cheese is to use a combination of cornstarch and evaporated milk. NOT CONDENSED MILK. This is a trick I learned from the food geniuses at Serious Eats. If you’re into the science behind it you can check out the article on Smooth, Stable Cheese Sauces.
To make homemade queso:
Shred cheese of choice.
Coat with cornstarch.
Saute diced onion in medium size skillet. Add in minced garlic, diced tomato and diced green chiles.
Add in the evaporated milk. Stir.
Add the cheese, stir until melted.
What cheese do you use to make queso?
The best cheeses to use are cheeses that melt nicely. Which are mild cheddars, Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack. I have found that sharp cheddars are tasty, but they give a slightly gritty texture. It’s not overpowering, but it is noticeable. If you don’t mind that then go for the sharp cheddar!
Use cheese that you have to shred yourself since the bagged pre-shredded cheeses come with powder on them that can give a gritty texture to your end result.
What to serve with Queso?
The best choice is going to be some tortilla chips! Dipping chips in Queso served with a margarita is my idea of a perfect meal!
Chips and Queso are also a great appetizer for any classic Tex Mex meal like these Ground beef tacos. OR these slow cooker carnitas.
Want to add some extras to this Queso dip? Here’s some ideas:
Ground beef
Cooked Mexican chorizo
Jalapeños (dice some up and saute with the onions in the first step)
Don’t use pre-shredded cheese, this cheese will have a powder on it that creates a gritty texture.
Some cheeses like sharp cheddar or sharp white cheddar will give a gritty texture also. If you have bad luck with a particular cheese take note and let us know in the comments.
Evaporated milk is necessary since it has less water content to it and more milk proteins.
To reheat: add leftover queso to a skillet and heat over low heat, once it starts to melt, add a bit more milk to it. You can adjust the amount needed to get the desired consistency.
Add the shredded cheese to a medium size bowl. Sprinkle with cornstarch and stir briefly to ensure all the cheese is coated with the cornstarch.
Heat the oil in a medium size skillet over medium heat. Add in the diced onion and jalapeno. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent.
Add in the minced garlic, diced tomato Cook briefly for 1 minute while stirring.
Add in the seasonings (oregano, cumin, salt, chili powder) stir to combine.
Stir in the evaporated milk, scrape the pan to ensure all veggies are released from the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
Add in the shredded cheese. Cook over low heat stirring while the cheese melts.
Serve immediately, while warm.
Video
Notes
Can substitute the jalapeño with diced green chiles or a fresh poblano pepper if desired. If using diced green chiles, add these to the skillet when adding in the tomato.
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Hi! Have you ever put this in a Crock-Pot to keep it warm? I’m bringing it to a pot luck and trying to figure out the best way to serve it warm. Thanks!
Hi Trish! Prepare the queso as directed on the stovetop and add to the crockpot. I would keep it on your lowest setting or keep warm setting and stir it up often.
Making recipe today an see that it calls for minced garlic, but there is no listing of how much. Could you please post how much? I’ll wing-it this time. Thank you!
Oh my goodness, that is so funny and yet so wrong at the same time! You will definitely show them who knows their queso when you bring this. That pork chorizo really does complete it!
I have lived in the south since I was 2, but my parents are from the midwest and I STILL feel like a fraud when I say ‘ya’ll’. If you can pull it off you are doing better than me!! Also. This dip looks amazing. You certainly pulled queso off!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one Heather! I feel like a complete fraud when I try it out. I’m waiting for someone to tell me to just give up. And thanks so much 🙂 At least I can do my best to master southern cooking if I can’t pull off the accent and phrases right?
I hope you give it a try! Possibly a better snack than chips and salsa!
welcome to my kitchen!
Welcome to my Texas Kitchen. My name is Serene Herrera. I love tacos, queso and BBQ. Tex Mex is my favorite, and I comfort myself with classic Southern foods. I am here to share my love of Texas foods with all y’all. So that you can feel excited to get into the kitchen to create home cooked meals for your family!
Hi! Have you ever put this in a Crock-Pot to keep it warm? I’m bringing it to a pot luck and trying to figure out the best way to serve it warm. Thanks!
Hi Trish! Prepare the queso as directed on the stovetop and add to the crockpot. I would keep it on your lowest setting or keep warm setting and stir it up often.
Making recipe today an see that it calls for minced garlic, but there is no listing of how much. Could you please post how much? I’ll wing-it this time. Thank you!
I would totally allow you to provide me with this queso!! 😉 It looks and sounds crazy good!
Thanks Jocelyn! 🙂
Thanks so much Amy 🙂
Thank you so much Kelly! Thanks for the sweet comment 🙂
This sounds wonderful! So much more special than salsa and sounds better than just the cheese with some salsa mixed in!
Thanks Chloe 🙂
Yes please, to everything about this! I could eat a whole thing of queso by myself. Seriously, melted cheese? THE BEST!
Thanks so much Rachel, you’re too sweet! Melty cheese IS the best, I agree 😉
This looks so cheesy and delicious!
Thank so much Bri xo
Oh my goodness, that is so funny and yet so wrong at the same time! You will definitely show them who knows their queso when you bring this. That pork chorizo really does complete it!
Thanks Mary Frances 🙂 And it was definitely funny! I’m hoping everyone loves it and I’m allowed to do the queso again!
WOW, this queso looks amazing! And the bowl is super cute, I think I need to make a trip to WorldMarket very soon! 🙂
Thanks Jenn 🙂 WorldMarket is a dream for a food blogger! They have so many cute dishes!
Yep, we always have the cheese dip as one given app at every gathering here in Louisiana too! I’ve never put pico in mine, but I love this idea!!
Thanks so much Jaren! I just love how fresh the pico is, I loved using it instead of the canned stuff. Definitely a winner for us!
I love queso… this looks terrific.
Thank you Pam 🙂
I love me some queso dip! The pico and chorizo are the perfect addition to spice it up, perfect for bringing to parties!
Thanks so much Danae!
This has my name all over it! Yum!
Thank you so much Serena!
Ahh….that look so good! Could totally go for a bite right now. Pinning!
Thank you so much Melanie!
I agree…cheese is a necessity at parties! This looks fab. 🙂
Thank you so much Tina! I agree, cheese is a necessity!
I have lived in the south since I was 2, but my parents are from the midwest and I STILL feel like a fraud when I say ‘ya’ll’. If you can pull it off you are doing better than me!! Also. This dip looks amazing. You certainly pulled queso off!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one Heather! I feel like a complete fraud when I try it out. I’m waiting for someone to tell me to just give up. And thanks so much 🙂 At least I can do my best to master southern cooking if I can’t pull off the accent and phrases right?
Can I just eat this for breakfast? I am hungry and this looks incredible!
Absolutely! And thanks so much Ashley 🙂
That looks so delicious, I can’t believe I’ve never tried it… Delicious food always makes a great party even better :).
I hope you give it a try! Possibly a better snack than chips and salsa!