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Easy Queso Blanco Recipe for Creamy, Smooth Dip

Easy Queso Blanco Recipe for Creamy, Smooth Dip

A quick Tex-Mex white queso dip made with white American cheese, milk, green chiles, jalapeño, and mild spices. Serve it hot with tortilla chips, pretzel bites, or fresh vegetables.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound White American cheese, rind or wrapping removed and cubed or shredded
  • ½–1 cup Whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter
Flavorings
  • 1 4-ounce can Diced green chiles, undrained or lightly drained
  • 2 tablespoons Finely diced pickled or fresh jalapeño
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon Garlic salt
Optional Garnishes
  • 2–3 tablespoons Finely diced tomato
  • 1–2 tablespoons Chopped cilantro

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Remove any rind or wrapping from the white American cheese and cut or shred it into small pieces. Smaller pieces melt more evenly and help the sauce come together quickly.
  2. Add the cheese, ½ cup milk or half-and-half, and butter to a saucepan or double boiler. Place the pan over low to medium-low heat and stir frequently.
  3. Continue heating until the cheese is smooth and glossy, but do not let the mixture boil. High heat can cause the dip to become greasy or grainy.
  4. Stir in the green chiles, jalapeño, cumin, and garlic salt. Continue heating gently for 1–3 minutes, stirring until the ingredients are evenly blended.
  5. Check the consistency and add more milk 1 tablespoon at a time if the queso is too thick. Stir well after each addition until the dip reaches your preferred texture.
  6. Serve immediately with tortilla chips and optional tomato and cilantro. Keep the dip warm over very low heat, stirring occasionally, and loosen it with a splash of warm milk if it thickens.

Notes

White American cheese from the deli counter usually melts very smoothly; ask for it to be sliced or cut into pieces. Do not boil the queso. If it thickens while sitting, stir in warm milk 1 tablespoon at a time rather than adding water.