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Perfect Queso Dip Recipe

Robyn Stone

Published Jan 15, 2026

This Perfect Queso Dip Recipe is creamy, cheesy, and super tasty—ready in under 15 minutes! Learn how to make queso with real cheese and simple ingredients anytime you crave it! It’s the ultimate dip for parties, game days, and Tex-Mex dinners.

Creamy cheesy Queso Dip in white bowl is dipped with a tortilla chip. - 1

The Perfect Queso Dip for snacks, dinners, and parties!

Perfect Queso Dip Recipe - 2

Hi there, friends! Nothing compares to warm, rich, cheesy homemade queso dip! This easy, made-from-scratch recipe delivers smooth texture and amazing flavor without processed cheese. Whether you’re having a family dinner, a casual party, tailgating, or craving a snack, this queso is sure to disappear quickly! I hope you love it as much as we do!

Why You’ll Love This Perfect Queso

  • Quick and Easy: Ready in under 15 minutes with a few simple ingredients.

  • Real Cheese Taste: Creamy, melty, real cheese—nothing artificial.

  • Choose the Heat: Make it mild or spicy—adjust to your crowd.

  • Make-Ahead Easy: Reheats perfectly for parties or leftovers.

  • Crowd-Fave: Kid-approved a n d always the first thing to go at gatherings.

  • Why You’ll Love This Perfect Queso

  • How to Make Queso {THREE Ways!}

  • Stovetop (Double Boiler Method)

  • Slow Cooker

  • Step by Step Instructions

  • Microwave

  • Recipe Tip

  • Recipe Success Tips

  • More Favorite Dip Recipes

  • Why This Perfect Queso Dip is a Snack and Party Favorite

  • Perfect Queso Recipe

Slow cooker full of queso cheese dip, also being dipped on a tortilla chip - 3

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

This Queso Recipe has only 4 ingredients but can be made 3 ways! Make this easy queso on the stovetop, slow cooker or microwave for the perfect appetizer! It’s a delicious recipe you’ll make time and again!  // addapinch.com - 4

To make this queso, you need the following:

  • Jalapeno Cheddar or Pepper Jack cheese : Grate this yourself for the best results. Either of these types of cheese adds just enough “spice” or flavor.
  • White American Cheese : May be found in slices, so it’s easy to stack and cut into smaller pieces. Melts easily for creamy queso.
  • White Queso Blanco : Usually comes in a block, grate prior to making recipe. Mixes well with the other cheeses.
  • Whole Milk or Half-and-Half : Gives the perfect consistency for dipping or eating atop favorite Mexican dishes.

If you need help finding any of these cheeses, ask your deli or dairy departments at the grocery store.

How to Make Queso {THREE Ways!}

There are three easy ways to make this: the Stovetop , Slow Cooker , and Microwave .

Stovetop (Double Boiler Method)

  1. Grate the cheese and add it to 1/2 of the half-and-half or milk in double boiler over low heat.
  2. Stir as the cheese melts; add more half-and-half or milk until it reaches desired consistency.
  3. Sauce should be thin but thick enough to coat a chip when dipped.
  4. Serve immediately, or pour it into a small slow cooker set to Warm to keep it hot.

Slow Cooker

Step by Step Instructions

Grated cheeses and milk in a slow cooker insert to make queso. - 5
  1. Add all of the grated cheese and the half-and-half or the whole milk.
All ingredients for queso are added to a slow cooker with a glass lid. - 6
  1. Stir to combine and turn the slow cooker to Low setting.
Queso is stirred after all cheeses have melted and blended with milk. - 7
  1. Heat for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Tortilla chip dips into queso in a slow cooker. - 8
  1. Turn the slow cooker to the Warm setting to keep it hot for serving.

Microwave

This is ready in 5 minutes in the microwave. Great for quick snacks!

  1. Add the grated cheeses and the half-and-half or milk into a large microwaveable bowl.
  2. Microwave for 3 minutes at 80% power, stopping and stirring after each minute. Remove from the microwave and stir vigorously to combine.
  3. If needed, continue microwaving for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is thoroughly melted and all ingredients are well blended.
  4. Serve it immediately or pour it into a small slow cooker on the Warm setting for serving.

Recipe Tip

How to Make Queso with Three Easy Methods:

  1. Let it cook on the stovetop while preparing other dishes.
  2. Make in the slow cooke r when you want to make ahead, or let the slow cooker do the “work”. Keep it warm in the crockpot for serving, especially for parties.
  3. Prepare it quickly in the microwave . It is easy for my son and his friends to make it in the microwave in just a few minutes when they want a tasty snack.

Recipe Success Tips

  • Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents; can make queso grainy.
  • Cook Slow with Low Heat: Never boil; high heat causes cheese to separate.
  • Keep Warm for Serving: Use a small slow cooker on the warm setting for serving and parties.
  • Thin if Needed: Stir in 1–2 tbsp extra milk or half-and-half if it thickens too much.

Storage Tips

  • Store : Refrigerate cooled queso in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: Warm on stovetop or in microwave (30-second intervals, stirring each time). Stir in 1–2 tbsp milk as needed.
  • Make Ahead Tip: Prepare a day ahead and reheat slowly before serving.

More Favorite Dip Recipes

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Guacamole

Restaurant-Style Salsa

Queso means “cheese” in Spanish. But it most commonly refers to Mexican cheese dip or Tex-Mex cheese dip.

Grab the tortilla chips and use queso as a dip. Pour it over nachos, burritos, Steak Fajitas or Chicken Fajitas , or other Mexican food favorites.

You probably cooked it too hot or used pre-shredded cheese. Use low heat and freshly grated cheese.

Why This Perfect Queso Dip is a Snack and Party Favorite

Creamy, smooth, and loaded with real cheese flavor, this homemade queso dip is the ultimate crowd hit. Quick and better than any restaurant version—once you taste it, you’ll never go back to store-bought!

Ingredients

  • ▢ 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese
  • ▢ 1 cup grated white American cheese
  • ▢ 1/2 cup grated white queso cheese
  • ▢ 1/2 cup half and half or whole milk

Instructions

Stovetop Queso:

  • Add cheeses and half of the half and half or milk to the double boiler over low heat. Stir as the cheese melts and add more of the half and half or milk until the mixture reaches the desired consistency. The cheese sauce should be thin, but still thick enough to coat a chip when dipped. Serve immediately or pour into a small slow cooker on the warm setting to serve.

Microwave Queso:

  • Add cheeses and the half and half or milk into large microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 3 minutes at 80% power, stopping and stirring after each minute. Remove from the microwave and stir vigorously to combine.
  • If needed, continue microwaving an additional 1 – 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted thoroughly and ingredients are well blended. Serve immediately or pour into a small slow cooker on the warm setting to serve.

Slow Cooker Queso:

  • Add cheeses and half and half or milk to the slow cooker. Stir to combine and set on low setting for at least 30 minutes. Then, stir when the cheeses have melted and lower to the warm setting to keep warm while serving.

Notes

  • Store : Refrigerate cooled queso in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: Warm on stovetop or in microwave (30-second intervals, stirring each time). Stir in 1–2 tbsp milk as needed.
  • Make Ahead Tip: Prepare a day ahead and reheat slowly before serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy! Robyn xo

Originally published in 2010. Updated with additional cooking methods.

Bowl of Queso with tortilla chips - with text - from addapinch.com - 9 Queso in a white bowl, dipped with a tortilla chip. - 10

Perfect Queso Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese
  • 1 cup grated white American cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated white queso cheese
  • 1/2 cup half and half or whole milk

Instructions

Stovetop Queso:

  • Add cheeses and half of the half and half or milk to the double boiler over low heat. Stir as the cheese melts and add more of the half and half or milk until the mixture reaches the desired consistency. The cheese sauce should be thin, but still thick enough to coat a chip when dipped. Serve immediately or pour into a small slow cooker on the warm setting to serve.

Microwave Queso:

  • Add cheeses and the half and half or milk into large microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 3 minutes at 80% power, stopping and stirring after each minute. Remove from the microwave and stir vigorously to combine.
  • If needed, continue microwaving an additional 1 - 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted thoroughly and ingredients are well blended. Serve immediately or pour into a small slow cooker on the warm setting to serve.

Slow Cooker Queso:

  • Add cheeses and half and half or milk to the slow cooker. Stir to combine and set on low setting for at least 30 minutes. Then, stir when the cheeses have melted and lower to the warm setting to keep warm while serving.

Notes

  • Store : Refrigerate cooled queso in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: Warm on stovetop or in microwave (30-second intervals, stirring each time). Stir in 1–2 tbsp milk as needed.
  • Make Ahead Tip: Prepare a day ahead and reheat slowly before serving.

Nutrition

Perfect Queso Recipe https://addapinch.com/perfect-queso-recipe/