This hot, cheesy white queso dip is perfect for game day! Loaded with two types of cheese, along with jalapenos, tomatoes and onions, this restaurant-style white queso recipe is the perfect appetizer anytime you want a great snack!
If you love ordering white queso dip with tortilla chips at your local Tex-Mex restaurant, know that you can now make it easily at home.
Perfect for watching the game at home, or gathering with friends for margaritas, this delicious homemade queso will quickly become your new favorite party recipe.
What do I need to make homemade queso?
Here’s a quick-reference check list of the ingredients you’ll need to queso at home:
- Olive oil – this is for sautéing the onion and peppers in the skillet.
- Yellow onion – adds a great flavor and body to the dip.
- Jalapeno peppers – when the peppers are seeded and diced, much of the heat is removed, making this dip on the mild side. If you would prefer to not use jalapenos, you can substitute a very mild, unspicy green bell pepper.
- White Cheddar Cheese – adds a great sharpness to the dip. If you would prefer a more creamy dip, you can swap out the white cheddar for white American cheese.
- Monterrey Jack Cheese – melts great and comes together nicely with the cheddar.
- Half and Half – very helpful when melting the cheeses together. It will keep the dip consistency cream and thick.
- Rotel diced tomatoes with chilies – a great addition to the dip and adds some nice color and volume.
- Tortilla chips for dipping – choose your favorite corn or tortilla chips. We recommend a thicker chip that can hold up to this thick, delicious dip!
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post to the recipe card. Thanks!
The best way to chop jalapenos for dip:
This recipe calls for two diced jalapenos. Jalapeños are naturally very spicy and acidic. If any of the juices come in contact with your face or hands, you’ll likely experience burning and extreme irritation.
To safely and effective chop jalapenos, I recommend two things; disposable latex gloves and a sharp pairing knife. The glove will keep your hands safe from any acidic juices. Wearing gloves is also a helpful reminder to NOT touch your face while preparing the peppers.
A sharp pairing knife is very helpful in slicing and removing the inner seeds and dicing the outer flesh.
Another recipe that you’ll love jalapenos with are my Cream Cheese Corn Dip, Sheet Pan Steak Nachos or my Chipotle Sauce Recipe!
How do I make white queso dip?
To make white queso dip, you’ll first need to sauté diced onions and jalapeno peppers. When adding the jalapenos make sure to NOT include the seeds, as the seeds can make it especially hot. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or just until the onions become translucent.
Next, add in the diced tomatoes along with the shredded cheeses. Heat over medium heat as you continually stir the mixture. Gradually add in the half and half as the mixture melts together.
Be sure to not over heat. The heat level should be no higher than medium. If heating too hot, too quickly the cheese will seize and become lumpy, dry and unappetizing.
FAQ’s about making white queso dip:
The cheese dip served at many Mexican restaurants is made of melted cheeses (American, Monterrey-Jack and or White Cheddar) and often includes chilies, jalapeno peppers and tomatoes or salsa.
If you would rather not use Velveeta to make queso, you can use a mixture of Monterry-Jack, White Cheddar and or Mozzarella cheeses. The cheese dip will be very thick, so use half and half or evaporated milk to thin out while melting.
To make queso dip more spicy, you can add additional jalapenos, and 1-2 tablespoons of your preferred hot sauce to give it some additional kick.
I recommend using a crock pot or slow cooker to keep the queso dip warm. It can be served right out of the crock pot. Let your guests serve themselves, and be sure to have lots of tortilla chips on hand. Having a Halloween party? Check out my 25 Easy Halloween Buffet Food Ideas.
What can I serve with queso dip?
Drinks that would be perfect with chips and queso are margaritas, daquiris, Pina Coladas and mojitos. Here are some of our most popular drink recipes that would be fantastic with this white queso recipe:
- How to Make a Skinny Margarita
- Raspberry Margarita
- Coconut Margarita
- Skinny Malibu Pina Coladas
- Pineapple Daiquiri
- Saint Nickarita Christmas Margarita
- Blueberry Coconut Mojito
Looking for some other party appetizer recipes? Check out some of our favorite recipes to serve at a party:
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Video
White Queso Dip
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet This Lodge Cast Iron Skillet is a mainstay in my kitchen!
- Serrated Utility Knife I LOVE this Henckels Utility Knife – I use it for everything!
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup yellow onion diced
- 2 medium jalapeno peppers diced (about 1/4 cup)
- 16 oz. Monterrey-Jack cheese shredded
- 8 oz. White Cheddar cheese American cheese can be substituted
- 1 10 oz. can, diced tomatoes and chilies (like Rotel)
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup half and half
- 1 Tablespoon hot sauce optional
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, add the olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the diced jalapenos and onion, and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until the onions are translucent.
- To the sauteed onions and peppers, add in the shredded cheeses, tomatoes and optional hot sauce. Reduce the heat to medium, and continually stir. As the cheeses melt, gradually add in the half and half to keep the mixture smooth. Note: be sure to keep the heat moderate to low – DONT use high heat. A high temperature will cause the cheese to seize up and become lumpy, dry and separate.
- Serve the dip right away while hot. Enjoy with your favorite tortilla chips.
Notes
Nutrition
This looks so good! Pinned and tweeted. Thanks for coming to our party and sharing such an amazing recipe! I hope to see you next Monday @7 because we love to party with you! Happy Friday! Lou Lou Girls
Thank you Erin for linking up this delicious Hot Queso Blanco Dip at the Creative Muster Party and hope you’ll stop by this Tuesday at 6 pm EST to party with us again! This post has been shared on Google+ with my followers. 🙂
Heather
MySweetMission.net
Yum!! I love cheesy dips!
Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty!
This looks fantastic! Even better than mine, I have to admit! Thanks for sharing this with us on Throwback Thursday, and we’ll be sure to pin it to our Throwback Thursday Board! 🙂
Mollie
That queso dip looks so so good! It’s perfect for Game Day too (I might claim it for myself!)
Definitely need to try those Corn chips… I love the sound of them.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us at #SaucySaturdays! I hope you join us again this week! 🙂 Pinned and Sharing!
Can’t wait to try this recipe! Looks delicious!
Looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up!
I love queso! Thanks for sharing your recipe at Motivation Monday on Mom Home Guide!
I want to have a party just so I have a reason to make this. Thanks for partying with us on #TastyTuesdays
Oh, I love cheese dip! This looks amazing, and I will definitely be trying this soon. Thanks so much for sharing!
I love Queso more than any other appetizer.
I felt like you needed to know that.
Thanks for making my pants tighter this winter.
😉
This is my family’s all-time favorite dip. I’ll be surprising them this weekend with your version. Thanks for sharing at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link Party.
This looks so yummy. I love queso. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it.
Me! I love cheese and this has my mouth watering! Thank you so much for sharing it with us at Funtastic Friday!
I just pinned your awesome dip, it will be great for the big game days. Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday.
Miz Helen
Delicious…perfect for dipping EVERYTHING!!!
Love this! Thanks for sharing this at the DI & DI Link Party.
This is my favorite. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it. It’s great having you.
I love this skillet of delicious Queso Blanco Dip! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing you awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Cheese dips are always a hit! Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you for sharing it over at Food Friday! Hope to see you again! 🙂
game day or not, this looks great, love this, thank you!
I so pinned this! SOUNDS AMAZING! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
It’s super bowl time! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner link up!
I agree that homemade Queso is the best. I love the colored tortilla chips–they really class up the dish.
I love a good queso and this looks wonderful. Yum!
Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
I’ll have to try this! Thanks for joining the To Grandma’s House We Go link party! Hope to see you next week.
Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
I love queso and I do love those chips! Thanks for sharing the recipe with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I would love to dive into this dip right now! It looks so delicious! Thank you for sharing with our Merry Monday party – I’ll be featuring your queso dip recipe at our upcoming party. I hope you’ll stop by and link up again!