Homemade Queso Dip Recipe

Julie Grice | Savvy Eats

Homemade Queso Dip is incredibly easy and delicious. Two different kinds of cheese and salsa--gorgeous.

I have to admit, I don’t care much about professional football (but I will cheer on my alma mater, the Wisconsin Badgers, whenever I can!). I honestly have no idea who is playing in any given playoff game, unless my husband’s favorite team happens to be a part of it.

Homemade Queso Dip Photo

But playoffs and the big game call for lots of snacks, and that is something I can totally get behind. I’m not going to turn down an opportunity for cheesy snacks, gooey dips and the like.

Homemade Queso Dip Picture

This queso is one of my new favorites. It is so much more flavorful than the kind you can get in a jar at the store.

Plus, it makes use of one of my all-time favorite preserves: the corn salsa from Put ‘Em Up by Sherri Brooks-Vinton.  If you didn’t can some this summer and don’t want to take the time to make your own corn salsa (you have other snacks to make, so I don’t blame you!), you can use a store-bought salsa.

Trader Joe’s has a good corn salsa that I know works well here, or you could use a chunky tomato salsa instead of corn. Your choice!

As for the cheese, you’re going to want to hunt down the American cheese. It is not the same as the individually wrapped slices of “cheese product” you remember from childhood, which have been processed to the point that they can’t legally be labeled as cheese.

Boar’s Head, Land ‘O Lakes and a few other brands make American cheeses that can actually be called cheese. Go with one of those. 

I found mine at the deli counter at the grocery store, and just asked them to cut thick slices, which I then chopped up further before melting it into the queso.

Homemade Queso Dip Image

It might be tempting to use other cheeses, but if you do, make sure you choose one that will melt easily and smoothly. I tried to make this queso three times with Monterey Jack instead of American cheese, and it came out clumpy and separated every time.

No good, and a waste of perfectly good cheese and salsa.

Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team this Sunday, or just there for the snacks, this homemade queso is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Looking for more game day snacks? Try Kate’s jalapeno popper bread, Emily’s buffalo blue cheese dip or my jam-glazed chicken wings!

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Homemade Queso Dip Recipe

    6 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup Milk
  • 12 ounces White American Cheese, Cut into 1/4 inch cubes or shredded
  • 4 ounces Pepper Jack Cheese, Shredded
  • 1 pint Corn Salsa, Or chunky tomato salsa, at room temperature
  • Fresh Cilantro, For garnish, chopped (optional)

Directions

  1. Heat the milk in a medium saucepan over low heat. Using higher heat may make the cheese melt more quickly, but it also means you run the risk of lumpy queso...so keep the heat low!
  2. Add 1/4 of the cheese, whisking until the cheese is mostly melted. Continue slowly adding cheese (I recommend doing this in three parts), again whisking until the cheese is mostly melted before adding more.
  3. Stir in the salsa. If your salsa is too cold, the queso may seize up a bit. That’s okay! Keep stirring over low heat until the queso is nice and smooth again.
  4. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

  • This queso really is best warm. If you’re putting it out at a party and not eating it immediately, I recommend serving it in a fondue pot or slow cooker turned to low so it stays nice and melty.

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Published:
Modified:
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Cooking Method:
Simmered
Category:
Bottom of the Jam Jar
Tags:
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Related Recipes:
Bottom of the Jam Jar Recipes, Dip Recipes, Party Food Recipes, Easy Recipes, Cheese Recipes, Spicy Recipes, Simmered Recipes
Recipe Yields:
6 servings
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Total Time:
Related Post:
Published:
Author: Julie Grice
Recipe Yields: 6 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Nutrition Facts

Servings Per Recipe 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 194
Calories 305

% Daily Value*
37%
Total Fat 24g
77%
  Saturated Fat 15g
41%
Sodium 980mg
3%
Total Carbohydrate 9g
1%
  Dietary Fiber 1g
  Sugars 1g
36%
Protein 18g

* Percent Daily Value are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrition Facts are estimated based on ingredients and data provided by Fat Secret. Please consult a doctor if you have special dietary needs.
Julie Grice

About Julie

Julie lives in upstate New York, where preserving nature's bounty is what gets you through the long winter. Her blog, Savvy Eats, is one of our favorites. Follow her on Food Fanatic for recipes that use the bottom of the jam jar, or to help fill the jam jar again, as our latest canning fanatic.

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