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Home » Appetizers » Homemade Queso Blanco Dip

Homemade Queso Blanco Dip

Created: April 27, 2020 Updated: January 7, 2023 by Lyuba Brooke 19 Comments

56.6K shares
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This Queso Dip is smooth, flavorful, made with real cheese and vegetables. It’s a spicy, cheesy dip made with two kinds of cheese, jalapenos, bell peppers, and green onions. No Valveeta here! Just the perfect match for your tortilla chips, crackers, and veggies. 

closeup of dipping tortilla cheese into the queso and tittle below.

Homemade Queso Blanco

Only a few days left ’till the big game and I hope you have all your food essentials. I always make sure we have the wings, chili, and plenty of Queso dip to last us all day. 

Personally, I can never get enough of Queso and I definitely don’t wait for the Super Bowl to make it. Cinco de Mayo is another holiday where I make sure to have extra Queso dip and a pitcher of Margaritas. But really, it could be like a Tuesday night when I get a craving some some of this warm, creamy, cheesy, gooey dip.

Doesn’t this dip look like the best overflowing cheesy goodness? You don’t have to make your dip literally overflow from the bowl because it’s figuratively overflowing with flavor. 

What Is The Best Cheese To Use In Queso?

My personal favorite combination is Pepper Jack and sharp white cheddar. Pepper Jack provides the spice, the creaminess, and it smooth when melted. Sharp white cheddar has a great flavor for a deeper cheese flavor.

There are a couple more options you can use if you don’t have access to certain cheese or simply want to go another way. Monterrey Jack is a great alternative to Pepper Jack and you can simply add a little extra jalapeno and/or other chili peppers. 

White American cheese can be a smooth and silky substitute to white cheddar cheese but the flavor will be quite different. I use it in my Queso Blanco with Chorizo dip and it’s amazing. Cheddar cheese is luckily a very easy cheese to find.

white queso dip in a brown crock with blue tortilla chips around crock.

Cooking Instructions:

This is a fast recipe so it’s best to prepare all ingredients before you start to cook. 

In a bottom-heavy sauce pot, melt butter over medium to medium-low heat and add diced peppers and garlic. Sauté until peppers start to soften and sprinkle flour over the top.

Stir to coat the peppers with flour and slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking slowly but continuously.

Add cheeses to the pot, one handful at a time, while slowly stirring. Continue stirring with the whisk until cheese is all melted and smooth. Season with some salt and cayenne pepper (if using) and take off heat. Serve right away with your favorite tortilla chips.

close up of holding a chip with queso dip above a crock filled with queso

Tips For The Best Results:

  • Use block cheese – block cheese is always best for cheesy sauces, cheese dips, and queso. Pre-shredded cheese is usually coated in cornstarch and separators, which won’t give you as smooth result as if you grate it yourself.
  • Don’t let it boil – depending on your stove, cook over medium or medium-low heat setting. You don’t want the cheese mixture to boil or it will scold. The goal it to get it smooth and melted and then take off heat.
  • Adjust the spice – you can make this dip more or less spicy, just the way you like it. Use older jalapenos for more spice and add a pinch more cayenne pepper. For less spicy queso dip, use Monterrey Jack cheese instead of Pepper Jack, use younger jalapenos, and omit cayenne pepper. 
  • Add some meat – don’t be afraid to add some meat to this dip! Add some sautéed chorizo sausage, bacon, or taco seasoned beef on top of cooked questo. You can also mix the meat right into the dip.

Storing and Reheating:

If you happen to have some queso dip leftover, make sure to store it in the refrigerator, in an air-tight food storage container. Properly stored, leftover queso should last up to 4 days.

I do not recommend reheating queso in the microwave! The best way to reheat it is on stove-top or in the oven. You need an even and steady heat. On stove-top, reheat queso over medium-low heat just until heated through. Make sure to stir often. In the oven, reheat it in an oven-safe baking dish or a skillet at 325°, just until heated through. (Note that reheating in the oven will take longer.)

view from above of homemade white queso dip in a brown crock with blue tortilla chips around crock. Queso is topped with green onion

Try More Cheese Dips Recipes:

Crab Dip

Creamy Beef Taco Dip

Cajun Shrimp Dip

Beer Cheese Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

homemade white queso dip in a brown crock with blue tortilla chips around crock. Queso is topped with green onion

Queso Blanco (No Velveeta!)

Spicy, cheesy dip made with two kinds of cheese, jalapenos, bell peppers and green onions
5 from 9 votes
Print SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 (makes about 3 cups)
Calories: 477kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 2 Tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 8 oz Pepper Jack cheese block
  • 4 oz sharp white cheddar cheese block
  • 2 jalapenos
  • 1/4 cup diced green onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 large red bell pepper
  • Pinch cayenne adjust the hear to your own preference
  • Salt
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Grate cheeses on the large grater and set aside. Dice jalapenos and discard the seeds. Smash and mince garlic. Dice bell pepper and green onions and set everything aside. (If you want spicier dip, use older jalapenos. Use younger jalapenos for less spice.)
  • Melt butter in a bottom-heavy sauce pot, over medium to medium-low heat.
  • Add diced peppers and garlic and saute until peppers start to soften.
  • Sprinkle flour over the top and stir to coat the peppers with flour. Slowly pour in heavy whipping cream while whisking continuously.
  • Add cheeses to the pot, one handful at a time, while slowly stirring. Continue stirring with the whisk until cheese is all melted and smooth.
  • Stir in green onions and season with some salt and cayenne pepper (if using) and take off heat. Serve right away with your favorite tortilla chips.

Storing:

  • If you happen to have some queso dip leftover, make sure to store it in the refrigerator, in an air-tight food storage container. Properly stored, leftover queso should last up to 4 days.

Reheating:

  • I do not recommend reheating queso in the microwave! The best way to reheat it is on stove-top or in the oven.
    On stove-top, reheat queso over medium-low heat just until heated through. Make sure to stir often.
    In the oven, reheat it in an oven-safe baking dish or a skillet at 325°, just until heated through. (Note that reheating in the oven will take longer.)

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 477kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 378mg | Potassium: 165mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2186IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 463mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles
collage of two images of queso blanco dip in a brown pot.

Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles on January 29, 2015.

LYUBA

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

56.6K shares

Filed Under: Appetizers, Cinco de Mayo, Dips, Gluten Free, Mexican and Tex-Mex, Snacks, Super Bowl Recipes

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

Comments

  1. Steve says

    November 4, 2022 at 12:32 am

    5 stars
    Just made it and it’s AMAZING! I added a little extra Jalapeno and a little extra whipping cream at the end to thin it out just a tad. But overall, what an awesome dish. Thank you!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      November 4, 2022 at 9:21 am

      So glad you liked it, Steve!

      Reply
  2. Claire says

    June 5, 2022 at 2:24 am

    5 stars
    “Hello Lyuba,

    I have so much cheese lying around most times that I don’t know what to do with it. Your Queso Dip looks healthy and brings so many ideas to my head. I am a big broccoli fan; do you feel I can include it?
    “

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      June 6, 2022 at 3:23 pm

      Hi Claire,

      Sure you can add broccoli if you like, but I would blanch or sautee them before adding them to the dip.

      Reply
  3. kathy L brown says

    April 25, 2021 at 1:31 pm

    5 stars
    left over cheese sauce can it be frozen and reheated? if not how long is the sauce good for in refrigerator.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      April 26, 2021 at 12:06 pm

      I do not recommend freezing this cheese dip. It will break down and separate after freezing and thawing. Microwaving is the easiest way to heat up this dip but make sure to set it on half the power or it will scald the cheese and cause it to break up. You can also reheat it in a saucepot, over medium-low heat. Just make sure when heating up you do it slowly. It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

      Reply
  4. CraftingNeice says

    March 3, 2021 at 8:58 am

    5 stars
    Yum Yum Yum…best Queso I’ve ever had! Easy to make too! Now that I’m ordering my cheeses in bulk from Azure Standard I’m always looking for great ways to use my healthy cheeses for meatless meals that hubby will eat. This one was a true winner! I loved your picture so much I’m even going to order some organic blue chips for the dipping!!!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      March 3, 2021 at 5:03 pm

      I am so glad you liked it!

      Reply
  5. Kim says

    January 25, 2021 at 9:14 pm

    5 stars
    Lyuba, this dip looks and sounds perfect. I would happily it enjoy it with chips, or maybe all I would need is a spoon. Thanks for all the great tips!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      January 28, 2021 at 11:47 am

      You are so welcome, Kim! Thank you for the compliment, I hope you enjoy the dip!

      Reply
  6. diane rockman says

    January 24, 2021 at 4:25 pm

    5 stars
    haven’t made it yet but will soon. also liked your tip on having this dip with margarita’s. i love your web site. you have alot of good recipes that i am going to make.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      January 25, 2021 at 1:39 pm

      Thank you, Diane, for the sweet compliment! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

      Reply
  7. mimi says

    April 30, 2017 at 8:06 pm

    Well I have to say that I’ve never had. Nachos with. Shrimp. Brilliant idea! And such pretty pics

    Reply
    • Lyuba says

      May 2, 2017 at 10:08 pm

      Thank you, Mimi!

      Reply
  8. Shilpa says

    March 16, 2015 at 10:52 am

    Will this dip last a few hours warmed in a slow cooker/crockpot? If like to keep it warm while serving at a party.

    Reply
    • lyuba says

      April 9, 2015 at 4:28 pm

      Hi Shilpa!
      I’m so sorry for such a late response. I believe this will be okay in a warm crock pot, set on the warm setting. I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  9. Sinea Pies says

    January 31, 2015 at 9:38 am

    I love hot dips. This looks like a winner! Pinned it 🙂
    Hey, stop by my party this Tuesday night after 7pm ET to share it?

    Reply
  10. Liz says

    January 31, 2015 at 9:11 am

    Sounds so good – thank you and have a great weekend.

    Reply
  11. Sonali- The Foodie Physician says

    January 30, 2015 at 5:49 am

    5 stars
    This looks like ooey gooey cheesy perfection! I love spice, so I’d toss in a little more cayenne and go to town. Enjoy the game!

    Reply

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Well, hey there!

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read More.

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