Shout it from the rooftops: this is the best queso recipe around. It’s made with just 5 simple ingredients (while also being really customizable), it’s ready in just 5-minutes, it’s a vegetarian-friendly appetizer, and is made with real cheese (no Velveeta this time!).
It’s smooth and creamy and stays oh-so-dippable for a good amount of time. Once it does cool off, while it yes thickens, it doesn’t become hard and inedible. Rather, it turns into a thicker cheese dip that’s just as delicious. Heat it up or continue to enjoy it at any temperature…
It’s the party dip of party dips, and now you can have restaurant-style queso right in the comfort of your own kitchen…so turn on the TV, grab a bag of chips, and pour yourself a drink, because the party is here!
What is Queso?
The word queso is Spanish for “cheese”, also known as chile con queso, or cheese with peppers is the melted cheese dip which, as the name states, often has a blend of chili peppers, too. It’s often found in Tex-Mex and Mexican restaurants in the United States and served as an appetizer with tortilla chips.
It’s smooth, creamy, and oh-so cheesy. While it is served as a warm dip, it can also be drizzled on entrees such as tacos, enchiladas, or fajitas.
5 Simple Ingredients for Easy Queso Dip
Yep, 5 simple ingredients to queso perfection.
Now, you can get all fancy and add all sorts of ingredients to queso, but for this recipe, we are sticking with the basics for making a creamy cheese dip. Feel free to add in other flavorful additions (more on that in a minute) but these 5 ingredients are the perfect place to start.
- Evaporated Milk: using evaporated milk instead of half-and-half or cream ensures a smooth, creamy texture. Sometimes other dairy products can separate or become grainy in cheese dips. Using evaporated milk results in the perfect texture every time.
- Cornstarch: helps to thicken the dip and keep the consistency.
- Pepper Jack Cheese: we’re multitasking with this cheese; it’s a creamy white cheese AND has peppers, so the dip gets a little kick without needing to find extra ingredients. Be sure to buy a block and shred it yourself!
- To make it without the few chilis that come with pepper jack cheese, try Monterey Jack or white American cheese instead.
- Garlic and Onion Powder: instead of sauteing onion for the dip, adding a little of each powder delivers flavor without time or chopping. That’s a win when you’re just craving queso ASAP!
- Salt: definitely be sure to taste test and add salt as needed to bring out the flavors in the dip. Remember, your chips will (likely) be salty, too, so keep that in mind. Hey…why not just taste test with a chip? 😉
Do not use pre-shredded cheese; it has a potato starch coating that inhibits smooth melting. Buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself for the best results.
How to Make Pepper Jack Queso Recipe
The simple run-down of this queso dip recipe looks like this:
As always, be sure to see the full recipe card below!
- Whisk together the evaporated milk, cornstarch, salt, garlic, and onion powder. Bring it to a simmer, stirring frequently, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for a minute or two to start to activate the corn starch.
- Add shredded pepper jack cheese in batches, stirring between each addition until it’s melted. This helps ensure the cheese is fully incorporated and melts evenly.
- Taste test, adjusting salt levels as needed.
- Transfer to a serving dish (or not), dig in, and enjoy!
If you prefer queso in a skillet, you can absolutely make this in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, or transfer it into one, and then stick it under the broiler for a little golden brown action on top.
Queso Garnishes
One of the most fun ways to mix up queso blanco is by adding garnishes! Yes, toppings to add additional texture, if that’s your thing, flavor, and even a little more spice.
Here are some yummy ideas and variations, mix-and-match and see what’s your favorite!
- Jalapeno – thinly sliced or finely chopped and stirred in for extra spice
- Cilantro – chopped or roughly torn
- Diced Green Chiles – these would also be excellent stirred into the queso
- Diced Tomatoes – fresh, or add a dollop of pico de Gallo, or even stir a can of Rotel into the queso
- Avocado
- Spicy Black Beans – if you’re looking for a more texture-filled dip, similar to when ground taco meat is sometimes added
- Stir in some taco seasoning for an added kick.
Keeping Queso Warm
If you’re on my side of normal, when a bowl of queso and tortilla chips are placed in front of you, they are inhaled in approximately 7.82 seconds.
Now, if you’re more reasonable, do note that as the cheese cools, it does become thicker and less drippy. There’s nothing wrong with this, however, if you’d like to keep it warm you have a few options:
- Place it in the microwave for about 30 seconds once it’s cooled and give it a good stir to heat back up.
- Place the cooked dip in a small crockpot or slow cooker on warm.
- If you’re enjoying it straight out of the cooking vessel, place it back on a burner over low, while stirring, until warmed again.
Storage & Reheating
I’m honestly not sure what leftover queso is, but if you happen to have any extra, simply place it in an airtight container in the fridge. Queso will last in the fridge for up to 4 days.
You can enjoy it cold, as a thick cheese dip, or reheat it until warm.
To reheat queso, place it in a microwave-safe container and microwave in intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. The intervals help to make sure the dip doesn’t bubble over or burn; if you have a little bit left, I recommend 15-second intervals. For a more substantial bowl, you can go up to 30 seconds.
Alternatively, place the queso in a small saucepan and heat over low until warmed through, stirring frequently.
If the leftover queso seems a bit dry, add a splash of milk or cream while reheating. I will say, I haven’t had this issue, it has reheated well for me without any additional liquid.
Dietary Considerations
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, as long as the cheese you purchase is not made with animal rennet.
Queso is also gluten-free, however, always be sure to check the specific ingredients you purchase to be sure they are in fact gluten-free if needed. And be sure to use specific gluten-free corn tortilla chips for serving.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review in the form below. I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!
Get the Recipe 5-Ingredient Queso (so easy!)
Ingredients
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 1 Tablespoon corn starch, reduce to 3/4 TBSP for a thinner sauce
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼-½ teaspoon garlic powder, see note
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, more or less to taste
- 8 ounces pepperjack cheese, freshly shredded
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together evaporated milk, corn starch, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt until combined. Start with half the salt amount if you'd like, adding the rest to taste.12 ounces evaporated milk, 1 Tablespoon corn starch, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼-½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Bring just to a light simmer (no more – don’t boil!) for 1-2 minutes while frequently stirring.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese in batches, allowing each addition to melt completely. Taste test, adding additional salt as needed. If adding diced chiles or tomatoes, you can stir them in now, or transfer the dip to a serving dish and garnish as desired. Enjoy with tortilla chips.8 ounces pepperjack cheese
Notes
- Garlic Powder: if you prefer more of a straight-up cheese flavor, reduce the garlic powder to 1/4 teaspoon. We love garlic around here, so 1/2 teaspoon is perfect for us, but you can taste the garlic. If you’re not sure, start with 1/4 and increase as you prefer.
- Do not boil; once it reaches a simmer, reduce the heat to low. When cheese-based dips or soups get too hot to the point of boiling, they can become grainy.
- Keep stirring to ensure the cheese melts smoothly and the dip remains a consistent temperature.
- Storage: place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop until warmed through, stirring as needed.
I love queso and have hesitated to make it from scratch because it seems so daunting. Your recipe was super easy and OMG delicious! I’ll be making this again and again!
I’m so glad to hear you gave it a try and loved it!
I made this recipe but instead of all pepper jack cheese i did half pepper jack and half queso cheese because I don’t like a lot of spice and it was delicious! I am actually making another batch tonight to go with my roasted veggie nachos. I like to have some queso sauce along with the cheesy sauce on them.
Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Sounds absolutely delicious – nothing better than queso and nachos! So glad you enjoy it, thanks, Carol!
I’ve tried so many queso recipes with flour/butter/milk, but never quite liked them enough to make it in lieu of store bought (I usually like a local small batch at Whole Foods). This recipe blows them all out of the water and now I never have to buy at the store again! Thank you!
Wow, what a compliment! Thanks so much for sharing (and making!), I really appreciate it, and am so glad you love it!
Can I keep this in a mini crock pot on warm for a party?
Hi Betsy – yes, that should work!
This was the best chesse dip I have ever eaten. My family enjoyed this, and I found it easy to do. It tastes just like the expensive sauce at our favorite restaurant. Thank you very much for sharing. Keep up the good work.
This made my day! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your review, Renee, I really appreciate it!
This was absolutely delicious!! My family could not get enough of it and we are making it again today.
I love that!! Thanks so much for sharing, Shari!
I just made this queso with sliced Monterey Jack and Swiss cheeses because that’s what I had on hand. It is very tasty and quick to make. Thanks Becca 😊
Awesome, thanks so much for sharing, Candace! I’m glad you enjoyed!!
This has a weird floury mouth feel and lacks any tang. To me it’s a waste of ingredients.
Hi Mary, I’m really sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the recipe. Thanks for your feedback.
Looks like you take down unfavorable comments. How disingenuous
Hi again Mary – your comment wasn’t taken down actually, it was awaiting moderation. Because replying to comments isn’t the bulk of my work, I’m generally not able to respond to immediately. I hope this helps clear up any confusion.
Not good, do not waste your time with this recipe
Hi Beth – Lots of us have loved it so I’m really sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy it. Hope you find one that works for you!