Creamy Spicy Queso Dip (Printable View)

Creamy, spicy cheese blend with jalapeños and tomatoes. Ready in 20 minutes for your next gathering.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
02 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
03 - 1 cup whole milk
04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 small jalapeño, finely diced with seeds removed
07 - 1 small tomato, seeded and diced
08 - 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Spices and Seasonings

10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Garnishes

15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
16 - 1 tablespoon sliced green onions

# How To Make It:

01 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the red onion and jalapeño, stirring frequently until softened, approximately 2 minutes.
02 - Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Stir in the whole milk and cream cheese, whisking constantly until the cream cheese dissolves and the mixture achieves a smooth consistency.
04 - Gradually add the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, stirring continuously until completely melted and reaching a velvety texture.
05 - Mix in the ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until evenly distributed.
06 - Stir in the diced tomato and cook for 1 minute to heat through.
07 - Transfer to a serving bowl or warm slow cooker set to the warm setting. Garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions if desired. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 20 minutes, which means you can decide to make it right before people arrive and still look like you planned ahead.
  • The smoked paprika adds a subtle warmth that makes people pause and wonder what the secret is.
  • It stays creamy and scoopable even after sitting out, unlike those dips that turn into solid bricks halfway through the party.
02 -
  • Shred your own cheese from a block, pre-shredded cheese contains cellulose that makes the dip grainy and separated no matter how carefully you stir.
  • Keep the heat at medium and add cheese slowly, rushing it or cranking the heat causes the proteins to seize and turn the dip into a stringy mess.
  • If the dip thickens too much as it sits, whisk in a splash of warm milk to bring it back to life instead of trying to reheat it on high.
03 -
  • Grate the cheese while it's cold from the fridge, it shreds cleaner and melts more evenly than room temperature cheese.
  • Taste the dip before adding the tomato, because once the tomato is in you can't adjust the seasoning as easily without the flavors getting muddled.
  • If the dip breaks and looks oily or grainy, whisk in a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold milk to bring it back together.
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