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Queso Blanco with Guacamole

May 30, 2023 by Jeri Mobley-Arias Leave a Comment

Queso blanco is a rich, creamy cheese sauce enhanced with fire-roasted peppers, spices, and a heaping side of fresh guacamole. Served hot from the stovetop, enjoy this Mexican white cheese dip with your favorite chips, or drizzled over burritos or rice bowls.

For more cheesy dips, try my Korean Corn Cheese, Queso Dip with Chipotle and Easy Rotel Dip next.

queso blanco in a bowl with guacamole in the center and topped with cilantro. Surround by tortilla chips on a platter

This content contains affiliate links which helps WhisperofYum.com to provide free recipes. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for support of the blog, Whisper of Yum!

Queso blanco is a luxuriously smooth, melty, gooey cheesy dip that’s also incredibly easy to prepare. Now you can enjoy the same dip your favorite Mexican restaurant makes from the comfort of your home.

What’s the secret to mouthwatering, silky-smooth homemade queso blanco dip? The answer is sodium citrate. As intimidating as it may sound, it’s super simple so keep reading to learn how to make the best queso blanco recipe with the perfect cheesy texture you’ve ever tasted!

Why This Queso Blanco Recipe Works

  • Easy to Make – The sauce itself takes only 10 minutes to prepare. The rest of the cooking time involves roasting the jalapeño and poblano peppers.
  • Great Party Appetizer – Serve these with a platter of tortilla chips at your next gathering and watch how quickly they disappear. This is perfect for birthdays, game days, and watch parties.
  • Versatile – Add ingredients to make it more or less spicy then get creative and use it as a dip, topping, or sauce on your favorite foods.

What is Queso Blanco?

Queso blanco is Spanish for white cheese. The most basic recipes include milk, white American cheese, and peppers. It’s easy, affordable, and super filling so it’s perfect for serving families and crowds. There is also a crumbly Mexican cheese with the same name but that’s not relevant for this recipe.

queso blanco in a bowl with guacamole in the center and topped with cilantro. Surround by tortilla chips on a platter

What Does Sodium Citrate do for Queso Blanco?

For silky smooth queso blanco, sodium citrate is an essential ingredient. Sodium citrate (made of baking soda and citric acid) is an emulsifier that lowers the acidity of the cheese, making it easier to blend with liquids as it heats up. It also prevents the cheese sauce from curdling, and the final result is a smooth, never grainy, consistency.

If you are looking for sodium citrate, this is the one I use. A little goes a long way and trust me when I say you will never have to worry about grainy queso again once you use this secret ingredient.

Tools You’ll Need

  • Medium Saucepan

Ingredients You Will Need for Queso Blanco

Queso blanco is made with milk, aromatics, seasoning, peppers, sodium citrate, and plenty of cheese!

  • Salted butter: For rich, buttery flavor.
  • Aromatics: Use diced white onion and fresh garlic cloves (minced) as the base of your sauce.
  • Peppers: I highly recommend charring and roasting jalapeño peppers and poblano peppers on the stovetop or in the oven for even more flavor.
  • Seasoning: I use kosher salt, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
  • Cream cheese: Ensure it is room temperature and full fat for best results.
  • Sodium citrate: This improves the overall texture of restaurant quality dip.
  • Whole milk: This enriches the sauce. For a thicker sauce use half and half, evaporated milk, or whipping cream. Avoid low-fat or nonfat milk because the sauce won’t be creamy enough.
  • Cheese: I use freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese and Monterrey jack cheese.

Guacamole

  • Avocados: Use ripe avocados.
  • White onion: Finely chopped.
  • Fresh jalapeño: Finely diced.
  • Garlic powder: Use for garlic flavor.
  • Lime juice: For a citrus twist that enhances the overall taste.
  • Kosher salt: Add to taste.

How To Make Queso Blanco

Make queso blanco by gradually adding each ingredient until you’re left with a delicious, spicy, savory melted cheese sauce.

  1. Fire roast – Below are two ways to fire roast the jalapeño and poblano pepper.
    • Stovetop – Using medium-high to high heat, cook the ingredients over an open flame rotating as it chars until blackened all over. Set aside until cool to the touch, then remove charred pieces. Seed, devein, dice poblano, and finely chop jalapeño. Set aside for later use.
    • Broiler – Place jalapeño and poblano pepper on a quarter baking sheet and cook 6 inches below the broiler on BROIL mode, keeping a watchful eye and occasionally flipping to ensure all sides are charred (about 10-15 minutes.) Remove from the oven and set aside until cool to the touch, then remove charred pieces. Seed, devein, dice poblano, and finely chop jalapeño. Set aside for later use.
  2. Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and add butter. Add garlic and onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, until onions are softened.
  3. Add finely chopped jalapeño and diced poblano and cook for another 3 minutes.
  4. Add seasonings, stir, and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add cream cheese and milk. Stir until completely smooth. Next, add sodium citrate and stir until blended.
  6. Lower heat to low and add grated cheese in small (1 cup) batches and whisk until completely smooth. Repeat until all cheese is added. Be careful to not allow the mixture to get too hot or boil.
  7. Adjust seasoning with salt, if needed. If you prefer to thin out the sauce, add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time.
  8. Top queso blanco with preferred toppings and serve with tortilla chips.
garlic-onion-sauteing
process step of queso fully melted in a medium saucepan

Guacamole

Mash avocados in a bowl, then add the remaining ingredients. Adjust taste with more lime juice and kosher salt, if necessary.

Assembly

In a medium-sized bowl, place guacamole in the center, creating a dome shape. You want some of the guac to poke above the queso. Next, add warm queso and garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired. Enjoy warm.

Tips and Tricks

  • Shred your own cheese. Preshredded cheese has a waxy coating that prevents it from sticking together. Shred a block of cheese for the best results. It melts easier and tastes better.
  • If the dip begins to curdle, add a tablespoon of milk.
  • Don’t limit this to dip. Use it as a sauce or topping on a variety of dishes.

Variations

  • Cheese: Traditional queso blanco recipes use white American cheddar so feel free to use that for this recipe. If you can’t find it in the dairy section of your grocery store, go to the deli counter. White Velveeta is another alternative.
  • Spice Level: Use green chiles for mild spice. If you want an extra kick of spice, add serrano pepper, cayenne pepper, or some dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
  • More Add-Ins: You can add chorizo, diced tomatoes, or pickled jalapeños.

Leftovers

After the queso blanco dip has completely cooled, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat it, warm it up on the stove over medium-high heat. You may need to add a splash of milk to loosen it up because the sauce will thicken as it cools.

queso blanco in a bowl with guacamole in the center and topped with cilantro. Surround by tortilla chips on a platter

Frequently Asked Questions

Is queso blanco spicy?

This recipe is moderately spicy. However, you can adjust the ingredients to make it more or less hot.

What should I serve with queso blanco?

Pairing this with guacamole makes it an even more satisfying dip. Serve it with tortilla chips, pretzels, or sliced fresh veggies. You can also use drizzle it on top of burritos, rice bowls, or on grilled chicken. Get creative because the possibilities are endless!

Looking for More Party Appetizer Recipes

  • Caramelized Onion Dip
  • Whipped Feta with Charred Scallions
  • Crispy Parmesan Potatoes
  • Cheddar Bay Biscuits
  • Mozzarella Sticks

Loving this White Queso Dip Recipe?

There’s a reason this recipe is loved by all! Leave a comment below and share your love for this recipe on Instagram and Pinterest. We love to see you get down in the kitchen. Thank you for supporting Whisper of Yum and happy eating!

queso blanco in a bowl with guacamole in the center and topped with cilantro. Surround by tortilla chips on a platter

Queso Blanco with Guacamole

Queso blanco is a rich, creamy cheese sauce enhanced with fire roasted peppers, spices and a heaping side of fresh guacamole. Served hot from the stovetop, enjoy this Mexican white cheese dip with your favorite chips, or drizzled over burritos or rice bowls.
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes minutes
Total Time 40 minutes minutes
Servings 5 people
Author Jeri Mobley-Arias
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American, Mexican

Equipment

  • Medium Sauce Pan

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • ½ medium white onion, diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large jalapeño pepper
  • 1 large poblano pepper
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1½ teaspoons cumin, ground
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature, full-fat
  • 1¾ teaspoons sodium citrate
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, white block, grated
  • 4 ounces monterrey jack cheese, grated

Guacamole

  • 2 large ripe avocados
  • 2 tablespoons white onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh jalapeño, finely diced
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1½ tablespoons lime juice
  • ½ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

Instructions

  • Fire roast – Below are two ways to fire roast the jalapeño and poblano pepper.
    Stovetop – Using medium-high to high heat, cook the ingredients over an open flame rotating as it chars until blackened all over. Set aside until cool to the touch, then remove charred pieces. Seed, devein, dice poblano, and finely chop jalapeño. Set aside for later use.
    Broiler – Place jalapeño and poblano pepper on a quarter baking sheet and cook 6 inches below the broiler on BROIL mode, keeping a watchful eye and occasionally flipping to ensure all sides are charred (about 10-15 minutes.) Remove from the oven and set aside until cool to the touch, then remove charred pieces. Seed, devein, dice poblano, and finely chop jalapeño. Set aside for later use.
  • Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and add butter. Add garlic and onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, until onions are softened.
  • Add finely chopped jalapeño and diced poblano and cook for another 3 minutes.
  • Add seasonings, stir and cook for 1 minute.
  • Remove saucepan from the heat and add cream cheese and milk. Stir until completely smooth. Next, add sodium citrate and stir until blended.
  • Lower heat to low and add grated cheese in small (1 cup) batches and whisk until completely smooth. Repeat until all cheese is added. Be careful to not allow the mixture to get too hot or boil.
  • Adjust seasoning with salt, if needed. If you prefer to thin out the sauce, add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time.

Guacamole

  • Mash avocados in a bowl, then add remaining ingredients. Adjust taste with more lime juice and kosher salt, if necessary.

Assembly

  • In a medium sized bowl, place guacamole in the center, creating a dome shape. You want some of the the guac to poke above the queso. Next, add warm queso and garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired. Enjoy warm.
Keywords authentic queso blanco recipe, best queso blanco recipe, easy queso blanco, how to make queso blanco, is queso blanco spicy, Queso Blanco, queso blanco chipotle, Queso Blanco dip, Queso Blanco recipe, queso blanco recipe without american cheese, queso recipe
Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @whisperofyum on Instagram and hashtag it #whisperofyum!

Filed Under: Recipes, Sauces + More, Starters, Super Bowl, Vegetarian Tagged With: appetizer, easy

Queso Dip with Chipotle

March 14, 2023 by Jeri Mobley-Arias Leave a Comment

This queso dip with chipotle is a lusciously creamy, spicy, cheese dip that blends three cheeses, tomatoes, and peppers for a delicious appetizer or starter. Grab a bag of tortilla chips and prepare this quick and easy queso dip for game nights, potlucks, and casual snacking.

Looking for more party dip recipes? Try my Korean Corn Cheese, Queso Blanco with Guacamole, Easy Rotel Dip, this Caramelized Onion Dip and Whipped Feta with Charred Scallions.

queso-dip

This content contains affiliate links which helps WhisperofYum.com to provide free recipes. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support of the blog, Whisper of Yum!

If you’ve ever had queso dip at a Mexican restaurant then you know how gooey and irresistible it is, in all its cheesy glory. This Tex-Mex hot cheese blend is velvety smooth (without Velveeta) and enhanced with chipotle peppers, jalapeños, and fresh tomatoes for a full-flavored dip that’s perfect for any occasion.

Why This Queso Recipe Works

  • Better Than the Jarred Stuff – This queso dip made from scratch tastes like restaurant quality so you won’t want to buy the jarred cheese ever again.
  • Perfect for Any Occasion – Serve this as a starter at your next event because no one can resist hot, melted cheese. Just think of all the things you can dip it with: tortilla chips, pretzels, veggies, the list goes on!
  • Customizable – You can choose everything from the cheese to the spice level so make this dip your own!
queso-cheese-dip

What is queso?

Queso is the Spanish word for cheese. Queso dip is cheese melted down to a liquidy substance. Serve it as a dip or pour it over nachos, fries, and hot dogs.

Tool You’ll Need

  • Saucepan
  • Whisk

Ingredients You Will Need

This section details what you will need to make this recipe, the use of each ingredient, and substitution options. For the exact measurements, see the recipe card below.

  • Butter – Use this in order to sauté the veggies.
  • Medium yellow onion and fresh garlic cloves – These are finely chopped and sauteed as the base flavor of the queso dip.
  • Jalapeño – Use this for a spicy kick. Finely chopped.
  • Roma tomato – This adds a pop of color and fresh flavor. Finely chopped.
  • Cream cheese – This adds a delightful creaminess while also preventing the cheese from curdling. Use full-fat cream cheese.
  • Whole milk – This makes the dip creamy. Use whole milk for this recipe.
  • Seasoning – I season it with kosher salt (Diamond Crystal brand), ground cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce – This adds a smoky, savory heat to the dip that makes the flavor more complex. Want more smoky flavor with a kick? Add more chipotle peppers, prepared finely chopped.
  • Cheese – You need cheeses that melt well. I use freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, Monterrey jack cheese, and pepper jack cheese. Do not use.
queso-mexican-dip

Toppings

  • Sour cream
  • Jalapeño, minced
  • Tomato, minced
  • Cholula Hot Sauce, optional
  • Valentina Hot Sauce, optional

How To Make Queso Dip

Making homemade queso dip is so easy. All it takes is a little patience as you stand over the stove, watching cheese melt down into a tasty golden dip.

garlic-onion-sauteing

Sauté Aromatics

Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and add butter. Add garlic and onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, until onions are softened.

Then add jalapeño and tomato and cook for another 3 minutes until soft.

Add seasonings, stir and cook for 1 minute. Then remove the saucepan from the heat and add cream cheese and milk. Stir until completely smooth.

Add grated cheese in small (1 cup) batches and whisk until completely smooth. Repeat until all cheese is added. Be careful to not allow the mixture to get too hot because the cheese mixture will turn out grainy.

Adjust seasoning with salt, if needed. If you prefer to thin out the sauce, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time.

Finally, top with preferred toppings and serve with tortilla chips.

tomato-saute

Tips and Tricks

  • Do not use pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains a waxy coating that prevents it from clumping (therefore making it difficult to melt). Instead, grate the cheese yourself.
  • Keep queso dip warm by transferring it to a slow cooker. Set it to warm while serving.
  • Keep the heat low when adding the milk. The milk should never never come to a rolling boil. If too hot, it will cause the queso dip to become grainy.
  • Add the cheese in batches and keep the heat low. When adding the cheese in batches, whisk until the cheese completely melt. Repeat with remaining cheese. Keep the heat on low or alternate removing the pan from the hot surface while you whisk the cheese.
  • If the milk begins to curdle, add a tablespoon of whole milk and whisk as this will help emulsify the cheese.
how-to-make-queso-dip

Queso Dip Recipe Variations

  • White Queso Dip (Queso Blanco Dip). Use white American cheese and mozzarella for a melty, white cheese dip.
  • Seasoning. Keep it simple and just add a taco seasoning packet for seasoning.
  • Queso Dip with Meat. Bulk up your queso dip by adding precooked sausage, ground beef, diced chicken, or chorizo.
  • Crock Pot Queso Dip. Set it to high and add the milk and cheese. Stir occasionally as it melts. Once it’s melted, switch it to low heat and add in the other ingredients.
easy-queso-dip

Leftovers

Store leftover queso dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To reheat, cook it over low heat on the stove or microwave it in a bowl in 30-second intervals. You may need to add a splash of milk and stir to rehydrate and thin the dip.

best-queso-dip

Frequently Asked Questions

Is queso just melted cheese?

Queso dip is a combination of cheese, milk, and spices. Every queso dip recipe has variations so those ingredients can vary from mild to spicy, non-fat to full-fat, and so on.

What cheeses melt well for queso?

The best cheeses for queso dip are cheddar, Monterey jack, Colby, mozzarella, and pepper jack. Do not use pre-shredded gives as it is processed with anti-caking agents which prevent it from clumping, but also affect the melting consistency of the cheese.

Can you freeze queso dip?

I don’t recommend freezing this dip because the texture will change drastically when it is thawed.

How long does homemade queso last?

If properly stored in an airtight container, homemade queso can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

queso-dip-recipe-easy

Looking for More Appetizer Recipes

  • Cheddar Bay Biscuits
  • Crispy Parmesan Potatoes
  • Mozzarella Sticks

Loving this Recipe?

There’s a reason this Queso Dip is loved by all! Leave a comment below and share your love for this recipe on Instagram and Pinterest. We love to see you get down in the kitchen. Thank you for supporting Whisper of Yum and happy eating!

queso dip in a bowl topped with jalepeno, cilantro, tomato, sour cream and served with tortilla chips on the side

Queso Dip with Chipotle

This queso dip with chipotle is a lusciously creamy, spicy, cheese dip that blends three cheeses, tomatoes, and peppers for a delicious appetizer or starter. Grab a bag of tortilla chips and prepare this quick and easy queso dip for game nights, potlucks, and casual snacking.
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
Total Time 25 minutes minutes
Servings 6 people
Author Jeri Mobley-Arias
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American, Mexican

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • ½ medium yellow onion, diced
  • 4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • ⅓ cup jalepeño, chopped
  • ½ cup roma tomato, finely chopped
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, full-fat
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, from the can
  • 1½ teaspoons adobo sauce, from the can
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 4 ounces monterrey jack cheese, grated
  • 2 ounces pepper jack cheese, grated

Toppings

  • Sour cream
  • Jalapeño, finely chopped
  • Tomato, minces
  • Cholula Hot Sauce, optional
  • Valentina Hot Sauce, optional

Instructions

  • Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and add butter. Add garlic and onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, until onions are softened.
  • Add jalapeño and tomato and cook for another 3 minutes until soft.
  • Add seasonings, stir and cook for 1 minute.
  • Remove saucepan from the heat and add cream cheese and milk. Stir until completely smooth.
  • Add grated cheese in small (1 cup) batches and whisk until completely smooth. Repeat until all cheese is added. Careful to not allow the mixture to get too hot or the cheese mixture will turn out grainy.
  • Adjust seasoning with salt, if needed. If you prefer to thin out the sauce, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time.
  • Top with preferred toppings and serve with tortilla chips.
Keywords best queso dip, easy queso dip, homemade queso dip, mexican queso dip, queso cheese dip, queso dip, queso mexican dip
Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @whisperofyum on Instagram and hashtag it #whisperofyum!

Filed Under: Quick + Easy, Recipes, Starters, Super Bowl, Vegetarian Tagged With: appetizer, easy

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