Authentic Mexican cheese dip, also known as queso dip, is a popular appetizer and party food. It’s a cheese-based dip that is creamy, spicy, and full of flavor. Queso dip is made from ingredients commonly found in Mexican cuisine like chili peppers, onions, garlic, and fresh cheeses. When made right, it’s rich, addictively delicious, and pairs perfectly with tortilla chips or crudites. In this article, we’ll explore what goes into authentic queso dip and how to make it right at home.
Key Ingredients
There are a few key ingredients that go into authentic Mexican queso dip including:
Cheese
The base of queso dip is cheese. Authentic recipes call for fresh Mexican cheeses like queso fresco or queso Oaxaca. Queso fresco is a fresh, crumbly cheese while queso Oaxaca has a stretchy, melty texture when melted. Other cheeses commonly used include Monterey jack, white cheddar, and cream cheese. The cheese provides the base creaminess and flavor.
Chilies
Chili peppers are essential for the signature spice and flavor of the dip. Traditional queso recipes call for fresh green chilies like poblano, jalapeño, or serrano peppers. Dried chilies are also common like ancho, pasilla, and arbol chiles. The chilies should be roasted and chopped before adding to the melted cheese. This enhances their flavor and infuses the dip with smokiness. The variety and amount of chilies impact the spice level.
Onion and Garlic
Onions and garlic provide aromatic flavor to queso. Yellow or white onions are commonly used. The onion and garlic are sauteed before adding to the cheese to bring out their flavors. They add a savory, subtly sweet undertone.
Tomato
Tomatoes add tanginess, flavor, and texture to the dip. Tomatoes may be used in fresh, canned, or tomato paste form. Fresh tomatoes are roasted or pureed before adding. The tomato incorporates itself into the melted cheese.
Fluids
To thin out the cheese and achieve a dip-like consistency, fluids are added while cooking. This can include milk, cream, chicken or vegetable broth. Beer or white wine are also used sometimes for extra flavor. The liquid is added gradually until the dip reaches the desired creamy, scoopable texture.
Spices and Herbs
Spices like cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, and cayenne may be used to add more flavor and heat. Cilantro, epazote, and onion powder are also common herb additions. Their flavors nicely complement the chilies and cheese.
Types of Queso Dips
There are a few main types of queso dips that are considered authentic:
Queso Fundido
Queso fundido features melted cheeses like Oaxaca, Monterey jack, or queso blanco mixed with broth and roasted green chilies. It has a very smooth, thick consistency. Queso fundido often includes mushrooms, peppers, chorizo, or other mix-ins melted right into the dip.
Queso Flameado
Queso flameado utilizes Oaxaca and Monterey jack cheeses melted with roasted peppers and spices in a volcanic stone bowl or skillet. The hot vessel allows the cheese to stay melted throughout serving. Tequila or beer is often ignited in the dish via flaming alcohol, giving queso flameado its signature flair.
Queso Asadero
Queso asadero relies on aged asadero cheese that has a stretchy texture similar to mozzarella. The cheese is melted with broth and minced chilies for a dip with long, stringy strands of cheese throughout. It often contains epazote for more herby flavor.
Chile Con Queso
Chile con queso combines melted cheese with roasted green chiles, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and spices for a simple but flavor-packed dip. Cheddar, pepper jack, or a blend of cheeses may be used. Diced jalapeños add extra heat.
Authentic Recipe and Method
Now let’s go through how to make authentic queso dip at home using a traditional recipe and method:
Ingredients
– 8 ounces queso Oaxaca, queso asadero, or Monterey jack cheese, shredded
– 8 ounces queso fresco or farmer’s cheese, crumbled
– 1⁄4 cup water or broth
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 small white onion, diced
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– 2-3 roasted green chilies, chopped
– 2 Roma tomatoes, roasted and chopped
– 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
– 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Corn tortilla chips, for serving
Directions
1. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Add the roasted green chilies, tomatoes, oregano, and cumin. Cook for 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors.
3. Add the shredded Oaxaca and water or broth. Cook, stirring frequently, until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
4. Once the cheese has melted, add the crumbled queso fresco a little at a time, allowing each addition to melt into the sauce before adding more.
5. Once all the cheese is melted and incorporated, season to taste with salt and pepper. If the sauce seems too thick, add more water or broth by the tablespoon until it reaches your desired consistency.
6. Remove from heat and serve warm with tortilla chips for dipping. Garnish with extra crumbled queso fresco, chopped onions, cilantro, etc. if desired. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Queso Dip
Here are some helpful tips for getting the most authentic queso dip results:
– Use fresh, high-quality Mexican cheeses like queso Oaxaca and queso fresco if you can find them. Avoid pre-shredded cheeses which won’t melt as smoothly.
– Make sure to roast and peel the green chilies before chopping them. This boosts their flavor significantly. You can roast them over an open flame or under the broiler.
– Similarly, charring the tomatoes under the broiler or on a grill adds nice smoky notes. Canned fire-roasted tomatoes also work.
– The onion, garlic, and tomatoes create the flavor base. Sweat them sufficiently over medium heat first before adding the cheese.
– Go slowly when adding the crumbled queso fresco so it fully incorporates into the melted cheese, creating a cohesive dip.
– Adjust the consistency with extra liquid if needed. It should be thick but still scoopable with chips.
– Boost the spice with a minced jalapeño, dash of cayenne pepper, or extra Oaxaca cheese which contains spice.
– Garnish the hot dip with cool toppings like cilantro, diced onion, avocado, or cotija cheese for contrast.
Storage
Queso dip is best served freshly made but leftovers can be stored:
– In the refrigerator for 3-4 days
– In the freezer for 2-3 months
To reheat, place the dip in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding milk or cream to thin it out if needed. Stir frequently until warmed through. Add extra cheese if the dip seems too thin after reheating.
The veggies or meat in the queso may compromise freshness so it’s ideal to make a plain cheese base, then add mix-ins right before serving if doing multiple batches.
Serving Ideas
Queso dip is commonly served as an appetizer or party food accompanied by:
– Corn tortilla chips, for dipping
– Tortillas or pita, cut into wedges
– Raw vegetables like jicama, carrots, radishes, cauliflower
– Bread pieces or crackers
For a full meal, queso makes a great topper on dishes like:
– Nachos
– Burgers or hot dogs
– Tacos, burritos, enchiladas
– Quesadillas
– Baked potatoes
– Omelets or breakfast tacos
Try using it as a sauce on meat, fish, or vegetables too! The possibilities are endless.
Making it Dairy-Free
To make queso dip dairy-free:
– Use dairy-free shredded cheese like soy, almond, or coconut-based
– Substitute the queso fresco with crumbled firm tofu
– Use olive oil instead of butter
– Use unsweetened plain dairy-free milk like almond, soy, coconut, oat instead of heavy cream
– Make sure any other ingredients like broth or chorizo are dairy-free
The dip may not be quite as rich and creamy, but will still have great flavor. Just adjust liquid amounts as needed since dairy-free cheeses vary in thickness.
Common Add-Ins
Some tasty mix-ins to try in authentic queso dip include:
– Diced grilled chicken, chorizo, beef or pork
– Sauteed peppers and onions
– Roasted corn kernels
– Black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans
– Diced avocado
– Salsa
– Jalapeños or chipotle peppers
– Cilantro
– Cotija or queso fresco cheese
– Mexican rice
Feel free to get creative and add any of your favorite tex-mex flavors! Just be sure to season to taste.
Conclusion
Authentic queso dip is an iconic Mexican appetizer loaded with melty cheese, chilies, aromatics, and spices. It’s made from ingredients like fresh cheeses, roasted green chilies, tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro, and cumin. When making it at home, techniques like roasting the veggies first and gradually melting in the cheese are key for the best flavor. There are many delicious variations of queso fundido, asadero, and more to try. Served with tortilla chips, queso dip is a crowd-pleasing snack for any occasion. With the right ingredients and methods, you can recreate the taste of Mexico right in your own kitchen.