Easy Queso

Easy Queso

from inspiredtaste.net
Appetizer, Dip
20 min
170 kcal / serving

I love this homemade queso made with cheese, milk, chiles, and pickled jalapeños. For the smoothest queso, use some American cheese. Or skip the American cheese and swirl in a bit of cream cheese instead. Read why in the article above. If you don’t like the idea of cream cheese or American cheese in your queso, you can still make queso dip! Use any melty cheese, but remember that the dip won’t be as smooth and is best eaten immediately.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoonbutter
  • ½ smallonion, finely chopped
  • 1 smallgarlic clove, finely minced or grated, optional
  • ½ teaspoonground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoonfine sea salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 cupwhole milk
  • 1 ½ teaspoonscornstarch
  • 1 ½ cupsmonterey jack, cheddar, american cheese, or a combination, shredded or torn if using slices, 6 ounces
  • 2 ouncescream cheese, optional, see notes
  • 1can chopped green chilies, mild or hot
  • 2 tablespoonschopped pickled jalapeño, plus 1/2 tablespoon pickle brine, optional
  • homemade tortilla chips, for serving

Directions

  1. 1

    Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, cumin, and a pinch of salt, then cook until the onions are soft and smell sweet, about 5 minutes.

  2. 2

    Pour in 3/4 cup of the milk. Bring the milk to barely simmering.

  3. 3

    Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1/4 cup of milk and cornstarch together.

  4. 4

    When the milk is barely simmering, whisk in the milk and cornstarch mixture. Continue to whisk until the milk comes to a low simmer, then simmer for 1 minute. During this time, the milk should thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon.

  5. 5

    Turn the heat to low, and then stir in the cream cheese and the torn or shredded cheese, handful by handful, so that they slowly melt into the sauce.

  6. 6

    When the cheese is completely melted and smooth, remove the saucepan from the heat and add the green chilies, jalapeño (optional), and jalapeño pickle juice (optional). We added all the green chilies, but you can add less; add a tablespoon until you are happy.

  7. 7

    Taste the dip, and then, if the flavor does not pop, adjust with a bit more salt. Serve warm with tortilla chips.