To make queso, a creamy cheese dip, follow these general steps based on popular recipes:
Ingredients (common base)
- Evaporated milk (about 12 oz)
- Cheese (sharp cheddar, white American, pepper jack, or a mix)
- Butter
- Onion and garlic (minced or powder)
- Cornstarch (to thicken)
- Seasonings such as cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper
- Optional: diced tomatoes, green chiles or jalapeños, cilantro, cayenne pepper for heat
Basic Method
- Cook aromatics: Melt butter in a pot and sauté finely diced onions and garlic until soft and fragrant.
- Add liquids and thicken: Stir in evaporated milk and cornstarch to the pot. Heat gently and whisk until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Melt cheese: Gradually add shredded cheese in batches, stirring constantly over low heat until fully melted and smooth.
- Season and add extras: Mix in seasonings like cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add diced tomatoes, green chiles, or jalapeños for extra flavor and heat.
- Serve: Serve warm with tortilla chips. Optionally garnish with fresh cilantro, extra diced tomatoes, or jalapeños.
Tips
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting.
- Whisk constantly when melting cheese to avoid clumps.
- Adjust thickness by adding more milk or letting it cook longer.
- For a browned top, transfer queso to a skillet and broil briefly.
This process takes about 15 minutes and uses one pot for easy cleanup
