This Mexican cheese dip is a copycat recipe from your favorite Mexican restaurant. Only 4 ingredients and 5 minutes for an EASY and authentic queso blanco dip.
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Mexican cheese dip is everyone's favorite Mexican appetizer. Get your tortilla chips ready for dipping, or drizzle the queso blanco over your favorite Mexican dishes. My recipe is so easy, it comes together within 5 minutes in the microwave, and then keep the dip warm in a small crock pot. Everyone LOVES my recipe for white cheese dip!
Ingredients
My recipe for white queso dip uses only 4 ingredients and you can have it done in 5 minutes! Here's what you need to make the best queso dip.
Grocery list for queso blanco:
- White American cheese -- This is the kind of cheese used in the Mexican restaurants for white cheese dip believe it or not! I verified with the sources.
- Milk -- Or you can substitute with half and half or whipping cream for a thicker creamier dip, and/or add up to 1/2 cup of water to make it more runny. Evaporated milk works here, too.
- Green chiles -- These are from a can and gives the white cheese dip an extra kick! Use more or less to taste.
- Pickled jalapeños -- I typically use the canned or jarred variety, and make sure to stir in some of the juices for a little more flavor.
Click here for full recipe ingredients and instructions.
Mexican Restaurant Cheese Dip
When developing and testing this white queso recipe, I quickly made up my mind to start with the recipe a reader shared from her restaurant since it seemed the most promising. It didn't call for authentic (good quality) Mexican cheese as some of the other readers suggested. Instead, the Mexican restaurants use ONLY white American cheese and very few other ingredients.
The original queso blanco recipe I tested years ago also used white American cheese and added shredded Monterey Jack. I didn't love that recipe and thought it needed something more. What I didn't expect was that it really needed a bit of something less!
Aiming for the easiest method, I took the ingredient list, sliced it in half and decided to throw it all into the microwave in my trusty batter bowl. Worked like a charm! After five minutes in the microwave (stirring after every minute) the cheese was completely melted and perfectly runny. The thickens a little after cooling a bit, but not nearly as much as other recipes I've tried.
How to Make White Queso Dip
For a quick guideline, watch the video tutorial attached above, but the general steps are as follows:
- Cut the block of American cheese into cubes. Microwave cheese with milk (and water, optional) for 5 minutes on high, stirring every 1 minute.
- Remove bowl from the microwave and stir in the chiles and jalepeños.
- Serve immediately by dipping tortillas or drizzling over your Mexican dish. Or transfer to small crock pot to keep warm during a party.
You will love how easy this white queso recipe is, especially because you do not shred the cheese and you can serve it in the bowl in which it was prepared. Only one dirty dish!
Scroll to the end of this post for the full recipe.
Top Tips and Tricks
Where to find White American cheese.
My preference is Land o' Lakes brand that you should be able to find in most stores in the deli area. If you cannot find it, I've had great success with Boar's Head, too. Other brands should work just fine, too, so don't give up if you can't find these two.
Substitute half and half for milk and water.
The final texture may be different (thicker or more runny) but will taste just as delicious! I sometimes use just half and half, and sometimes I add in up to 1/2 cup water to make a runnier dip. You can also use a can of evaporated milk.
Where to find pickled jalapeños.
Find canned or jarred jalapenos in the ethnic aisle of your grocery store. This is also where you can find the green chiles.
Recipe Variations
- Crock pot white cheese dip. You can make this white queso recipe in the crock pot. Place all ingredients in a small crock pot and heat on low for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Once it's ready, lower the heat setting to warm. No fuss, no mess!
- Adjust the spice. The amount of heat can be adjusted to your preference. For me, I added an extra pickled jalapeno and it was exactly the temperature we wanted (reflected in the recipe card).
- Stir in other ingredients. Toss in other ingredients, like diced tomatoes and sausage bits! However, if you are someone who is in search for the runny white cheese dip you enjoy in the restaurants, then I highly recommend you just start with the basic and very simple recipe below. I'm confident you will be pleased.
What to Serve With White Queso
Not only is this a dip, but these Mexican recipes go great with queso blanco drizzled over them or incorporated into the dish.
- Ground Beef Wet Burritos
- Chipotle Shredded Pork Enchiladas
- Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
- Easy Mexican Rice
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
- One Pot Taco Bowls
- Walking Tacos
- Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa
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This white queso recipe was originally published November 2011 and most recently updated February 2021.
⭐Recipe Card
Mexican Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 1 lb white American cheese , cut into cubes
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water , optional for a thinner dip
- 4 oz can diced green chiles
- 2 pickled jalapenos (from a can or jar) , chopped
- 1 ounce pickled jalapeno juice (from the can or jar)
- pinch of cumin (optional)
Instructions
Microwave Method:
- Combine the cheese cubes and milk (and optional water) into a large glass microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, stirring every minute. The mixture might seem watery during the first few stirs, but will come together as a nice runny dip after all the cheese is melted. Remove from the microwave and stir in the rest of the ingredients.
- Serve immediately as a dip with tortilla chips or as a sauce over your favorite Mexican dish. If using for a party dip, keep warm in a small Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Method:
- Combine all ingredients in a small Crock Pot. Set on low for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Once melted, reduce setting to warm.
Reheating Instructions:
- Store any leftover cheese dip in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until creamy and hot.
Video
Notes
- White American cheese is found at most deli counters in your local grocery store. Land o' Lakes is my preferred brand, however, I have had great results with Boar's Head, too.
- For a runnier dip, add up to 1/2 cup water with the cheese and milk. For a thicker and creamier dip, use 1 cup half and half instead of the milk and water.
- If after 5 minutes in the microwave your cheese is not all melted, give it an additional 30 seconds and stir again. Repeat until melted, up to 1 additional minute. You may also use a wire whisk if clumps remain.
Nutrition
