This spicy queso dip is a great recipe that is perfect for game day, family gatherings or any night of the week! The perfect dip for the next super bowl party as well. It’s a quick and simple recipe that uses only a handful of ingredients. You can also make it ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about cooking on the big day. Plus, your guests will be wowed by this unique twist on traditional cheese dip.
Spicy Queso Recipe
This recipe for homemade queso with a kick is absolutely amazing. With only a few ingredients this dip comes together in no time. You can use this dip with tortilla chips, veggies like carrots, celery or peppers, or even on a sandwich.
What is Queso?
Queso is a Mexican cheese dip made with American cheese and Pepper jack cheese combined with seasonings, milk and in this case jalapeños. Some recipes use other cheese as the base of the recipe but I have found that this is the best combination for my spicy queso.
What’s the Best Cheese for Queso Dip?
Some queso dips use different types of cheese, but to me the best is a combination of American and Pepper Jack. I love how the cheese melts together and I love how to flavors combine perfectly. Plus since I am adding jalapeños to this recipe to make it spicy, the bite of the pepper jack is perfect.
How to Store Cheese Sauce
Queso can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. I usually make it on the weekend and then have some leftover for the week. You will want to keep it in an airtight container to keep it from drying out.
How to Reheat Queso?
To reheat, simply cover with a paper towel and microwave on high for one minute until hot. Stir as needed. You can also reheat the cheese sauce on the stove top. You will want to make sure to stir the queso often so that it does not burn.
How do you make spicy queso dip?
I am adding jalapeños to the queso in order to add flavor and make it spicy. You want to cook the jalapeños, along with the onions, first so that they are tender before adding the remaining ingredients. You want to remove the seeds and the membranes in order to keep the queso from being too spicy.
How to Thicken your Cheese Sauce?
If the cheese sauce is too thin, you can add cornstarch to the queso in order to thicken it. You can also use flour or roux, but I find that the cornstarch mix with cheese is just perfect and make a nice sauce for dipping chips into! You can also cook the cheese sauce longer until it thickens.
Can I Use Rotel Instead of Tomatoes
I like to use fresh jalapeños and fresh tomatoes in order to give the queso the best flavor. If you truly want to use something canned, you can use Rotel instead of the fresh tomato and you can use jarred jalapeños. Or you can use the Rotel that has jalapeños already in the can, just make sure to drain the liquid.
Spicy Queso Dip Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion, diced
- Jalapenos, diced
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic
- Tomato
- American cheese
- Pepper jack cheese
- Milk
(Actual measurements are in the recipe card below.)
How to Make Spicy Queso Dip
- In a large frying pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add finely diced onions and jalapeños. Cook until tender then add garlic and finely chopped tomatoes and continue cooking for an additional minute or two.
- Next, add both types of shredded cheese and reduce to medium low heat stirring until cheese has melted then add milk. Stir.
- Continue cooking until hot and bubbly, season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with sliced green onions and cilantro, if desired, and serve immediately with tortilla chips.
Try This Delicious Queso Recipe Today
Here are a few more delicious game day appetizers that can be found on the blog:
- Cream Cheese Avocado Bacon Bites
- Cheese Ground Beef Empanadas
- Chicken Fried Steak Bites
- Hot Corn Salad
And here is a delicious 7 Layer Bean Dip from Deliciously Seasoned you might enjoy as well.
Spicy Queso Dip
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 jalapeƱos, stems and seeds removed, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tomato, finely chopped
- 3 cups American cheese, freshly shredded
- 1Ā½ cups Pepper Jack cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 cup milk
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large frying pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add onions and jalapeƱos. Cook until tender then add garlic and tomatoes and cook for an additional minute or two.
- Reduce heat to low, add both types of cheese. Stir until cheese has melted then add milk. Stir.
- Continue cooking until hot and bubbly, season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with sliced green onions and cilantro, if desired, and serve immediately with tortilla chips.
Here are a few pics that are the perfect size for pinning to Pinterest.
Enjoy, Terri
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so Velveeta? Thanks
Donna
Hi what do you call American Cheese? Velveeta? I am a Canadian, we have lots of cheeses but none called American.. Thanks! Donna
Hi Donna,
Here we can purchase American cheese in a block form, not just slices (like Kraft American cheese slices). So it’s like a block of cheddar or mozzarella. I hope that answers your question. :)