This white queso recipe is my very favorite easy queso dip. I’ve always been a huge fan of queso blanco, and ever since I learned how to make homemade white queso, I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count. It’s so perfectly gooey, cheesy, and flavorful. I’m so proud that over 3000 home cooks have rated my queso dip 5 stars!
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This super popular homemade white queso dip has been a favorite at my house for years and years. This is my favorite shareable dip to make for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Tuesday, Super Bowl Sunday, or any time we need football snacks. If we are celebrating, we are making this queso dip recipe.
No Velveeta here; just real quality cheese and ingredients melted together and ready to dip. Learn how to make homemade white queso just like what you get at your favorite Mexican restaurant.
What’s in This White Queso Recipe?
- White American Cheese: This is the best cheese for white queso dip. Buy slices, or a block, and chop into small cubes so that it melts evenly.
- Mozzarella: I like to mix in some shredded mozzarella to add more depth of flavor. Shred your own cheese for the best results.
- Evaporated Milk: I’ve tested this white queso recipe with every option (whole milk, heavy cream, half and half), but evaporated milk has given the best results over the years, both for me and for readers. It has less moisture, so it creates a smooth and creamy consistency, and doesn’t separate while cooking. However, some people have luck with the other ingredients– you might need to adjust the amount of liquid or cornstarch.
- Cornstarch: Helps to thicken the queso sauce mixture to a perfectly dippable consistency. If you prefer a thinner consistency, skip the cornstarch at the start– but keep it on hand in case you need to thicken it later.
- Jalapenos: These add some heat and spice. You can also use green chiles.
- Spices: A mix of salt and pepper, red pepper flakes, chili powder or cumin, and nutmeg perfect the flavor.
Tips for Success
- Don’t let the milk overheat. Once the milk reaches a light simmer, immediately reduce to low. Never bring the heat over medium/low past that point. Cheese dip that gets too hot and overcooks can become grainy, and we don’t want that!
- It’s also best to use freshly chopped and shredded cheese, because pre-shredded cheese has ingredients that can make it grainy when melted.
- Always be stirring! As you add in batches of cheese to melt, be sure to whisk constantly to make sure it stays creamy and melts perfectly.
- It’s normal for queso to harden as it cools, so stir regularly and keep it warm while serving. I like to serve it out of a Crockpot at parties for this reason. After making queso blanco on the stovetop, pour it into a slow cooker, and set it to WARM. This will keep it hot, smooth, and creamy through the whole party.
- I love to mix in some chorizo, taco meat or ground beef, or even some rotisserie or shredded chicken (these ingredients should all be fully cooked first).
- I do not recommend freezing queso because it will be too grainy when thawed and reheated.
How to Store and Reheat
When I leftover cheese dip, I pour it into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, I add a splash of milk and heat in the microwave in 15-30 second increments, stirring between each increment to make sure it’s fully heated through.
Serving Suggestions
This white queso is made for dipping tortilla chips, homemade or store-bought.
And don’t stop at dipping, because this queso works as a sauce for all your favorite Mexican dishes. I love to pour it over chicken enchiladas, baked tacos, chicken quesadillas, chicken nachos, these smothered chicken fajitas. The possibilities are endless. My fridge is never without a batch of this white queso ready to go at any moment.
5-Star Reviews
“Made this today as written. Husband kept going back for more and more spoonfuls while we waited for the rest of the dinner to be done. Then he kept telling me different variation ideas. He loved it and was apparently very inspired by the taste. Will definitely make again soon.” – Kimber
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“I don’t know why I’ve never thought to make quest dip at home, but boy am I glad I eventually got around to it. This recipe is PERFECTION!” – Mara
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“This was my First time making, and it was a sure hit to the family. It has been ranked to the top 5 favorites. Thank you so much for sharing” – Liz
White Queso Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces evaporated milk (1 can)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¾ pound white american cheese
- 4 ounces freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped canned jalapenos or chopped green chiles
- 1 teaspoon chili powder or cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Chopped fresh cilantro, tomatoes, and jalapenos for garnish
Instructions
- Heat evaporated milk over medium-high heat in a small saucepan. Stir in the cornstarch and whisk to combine.12 ounces evaporated milk, 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Once simmering (bring it to just before boil–when it starts bubbling up the sides, it's ready), immediately reduce heat to low.
- Immediately stir in the cheese in batches, starting with the white american cheese. As you stir in the cheese, increase heat to medium/low and whisk CONSTANTLY while the cheese melts. Once each batch is melted and creamy, add more. Don't stop stirring–you have to whisk the entire time while adding cheese.¾ pound white american cheese
- Once done with the white American cheese, add in the shredded Mozzarella. Again, whisk CONSTANTLY while the cheese melts, insuring you have a creamy blend. If you prefer the cheese a bit thicker, add a bit more Mozzarella.4 ounces freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- Once all the cheese is melted, stir in the jalapenos, chili powder, nutmeg, red pepper, and salt and pepper (see note).2 tablespoons chopped canned jalapenos, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- (Optional) If you want the queso to be a bit browned (as pictured), pour the queso into a skillet and place in the oven. Broil for 3-4 minutes, or until cheese begins to bubble and brown.
- Top with cilantro, tomatoes, and more jalapenos if desired.Chopped fresh cilantro, tomatoes, and jalapenos
- Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!
Video
Becky’s Tips
- Some readers don’t like the extra spice from the cumin and nutmeg, so feel free to skip or change the spices as you see fit. If you’re not sure, try adding a smidgen of these spices at a time, and make sure you like it before adding the full amount. If you prefer just the cheesy taste, leave them out completely. Thank you to the readers that have given me such good feedback to help make this the best queso recipe!
- Set slow cooker to HIGH and add in the evaporated milk/cornstarch and all of the cheese.
- Cover and let the cheese fully melt, stirring regularly.
- Once melted, switch cooker to LOW and stir in any add-in ingredients and spices.
- Keep it in the slow cooker while serving (great option for parties) on warm, and be sure to stir it occasionally.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Homemade White Queso Step by Step
Heat the Milk: Heat 12 ounces (1 can) of evaporated milk over medium-high heat in a small saucepan. Stir in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and whisk to combine.
Melt the White American: Once simmering (bring it to just before boil–when it starts bubbling up the sides, it’s ready), immediately reduce heat to low. Immediately stir in ¾ pound of white American cheese in batches. As you stir in the cheese, increase the heat to medium/low and whisk CONSTANTLY while the cheese melts. Once each batch is melted and creamy, add more. Don’t stop stirring–you have to whisk the entire time while adding cheese.
Add the Mozzarella: Once done with the white American cheese, add in 4 ounces of freshly shredded Mozzarella. Again, whisk CONSTANTLY while the cheese melts, ensuring you have a creamy blend. If you prefer the cheese a bit thicker, add a bit more Mozzarella.
Season the Queso: Once all the cheese is melted, stir 2 tablespoons of chopped canned jalapenos, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper.
(Optional) Broil the Queso: If you want the queso to be a bit browned, pour the queso into a skillet and place it in the oven. Broil for 3-4 minutes, or until cheese begins to bubble and brown. Top with cilantro, tomatoes, and more jalapenos if desired. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!
Would this recipe freeze well if you made it into smaller servings to enjoy later?
I made this as an app for a dinner party we hosted a few weeks ago and it was sooo good. Making again this weekend when guests come. It’s so easy and I love how you can add anything based on your taste. My husband used what was left of the app on his fajitas. Yum!
Yay! I am glad your crew loved it!
Becky, try, Fontina, Mozzarella, Parmesan and Contadina peeled tomatoes, with Italian Sausage! I in live New Mexico but 1/2 Italian! Use Marjoram not Oregano!
Sorry you didn’t like the taste! Everyone’s tastes are different. Glad the tips were helpful.
Tried this for the first time today for a party. I added 1 lb of Jimmy Dean sausage like others did. The only ingredients I used from the recipe is, evaporated milk, gluten free flour, white American cheese and mozzarella cheese. Lots of kids at this party so I kept it simple. It was very think before the mozzarella. The mozzarella made it super think and I like that so it’s not so messy. It was the only recipe I found with the mozzarella. It is excellent! I put it in a round stainless chaffer that has a candle under to warm it and it get very hot. The chaffer has two compartments. Next time I will make this recipe and one without sausage for the other compartment. This recipe only filled up one compartment. Will def make again.
This doesn’t take so long to cook, anyone like cheese can’t ignore it. Thanks for sharing the recipe
I’ve made this recipe many times and I LOVE it. I always used whole milk instead of half and half which worked great for me. In the original recipe was the amount of half and half the same as the amount of evaporated milk listed in the updated recipe?
I made this for Cinco De Mayo and it was amazing. It’s a definite keeper. I was looking for an alternative to Velveta. I doubled the recipe for a large group and used a large size cast iron skillet. I was also thinking about adding no bean chili to replicate Chilli’s queso dip.
Why would you give a recipe one star that you’re not willing to try? Not everyone likes everything, and that’s totally fine. No reason to be rude.
Really great! I shared it with my friends and they enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing the recipe to do it, please do it more
Thanks for sharing! Great to hear you and your friends enjoyed it.