Creamy White Queso Dip with Zesty Green Chiles
A smooth and creamy white queso dip featuring melting Monterey Jack cheese and zesty fire-roasted green chiles, perfect for game day or any gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (200g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 4 oz (115g) canned fire-roasted green chiles
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt to taste (start with ½ teaspoon)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Fresh jalapeño, finely diced (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
- Shred the Monterey Jack cheese if not pre-shredded. Soften the cream cheese by leaving it at room temperature for about 30 minutes or microwaving in short bursts (10 seconds) until just soft.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, add the cream cheese and milk. Whisk gently to start melting the cream cheese, about 3-5 minutes. Keep the heat low to prevent curdling.
- Once the cream cheese mixture is smooth, stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, and salt. Whisk to combine evenly.
- Gradually add the shredded Monterey Jack cheese, stirring constantly to melt evenly and avoid clumps. This takes about 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy.
- Stir in the chopped fire-roasted green chiles including the juices to infuse smoky zest. Taste and adjust salt or seasonings as needed.
- If desired, add finely diced fresh jalapeño for extra heat and stir gently.
- Remove from heat once the dip is silky and smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro on top for color and brightness.
Notes
If the dip thickens too much as it cools, stir in a splash of milk to loosen it. Avoid overheating or boiling to prevent cheese from separating and becoming grainy. For keeping warm during parties, use a slow cooker on low or a warming tray and stir occasionally.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Protein: 7
Keywords: queso dip, white queso, green chiles, creamy dip, game day recipe, easy dip, Monterey Jack cheese, fire-roasted chiles