Chile Con Queso Recipe | LaaLoosh (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between queso and chile con queso? ›

From Tex-Mex to El Paso style to Laredo choriqueso, queso—the subject of a new cookbook—is not simply brick cheese and salsa. For the uninitiated, queso, or chile con queso, as it's more formally known, is an addictive and harmonious blend of chile peppers and melted cheese that is ubiquitous in the American Southwest.

Place cheese, milk, and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir until cheese is melted. Add green chilies, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper; stir until smooth. Thin with more milk if sauce is too thick.

Scanning the internet and the supermarket shelf, we realized that the cheese sauces are divided into two basic categories: Queso Dips, which include some amount of heat, spices, and other flavorings, and Cheese Dips, which are cheese and little else.

Whether it's orange or white, queso can contain green chiles or jalapenos or both, and it may be spiced with a dash of cumin or chili powder. Some even add meat to queso, like ground beef or spicy sausage.

I decided to start my chile con queso recipe quest by doing a bit of research on the history of chile con queso. In its yellow, molten state it's a truly Tex-Mex creation, but there is a proper Mexican counterpart also known as chile con queso that is made with white Mexican cheese.

Queso Oaxaca

It's soft and creamy, and melts well, which makes it perfect for dishes that require melted cheese like quesadillas and stuffed chilis. It is also used often as a garnish for tostadas, beans and soup.

Asadero cheese firmly answers the question: “What types of cheese do Mexican restaurants use for queso. If Oaxaca cheese looks like mozzarella, then asadero cheese tastes like it. It elicits a subtle tanginess that offers a little more dimension than Oaxaca cheese.

White American Cheese: This is the best cheese for white queso dip. Buy slices, or a block, and chop into small cubes so that it melts evenly. Mozzarella: I like to mix in some shredded mozzarella to add more depth of flavor.

Queso is a Spanish word that translates to “cheese” in English. However, when people refer to “queso” in the context of food, they are usually talking about a type of melted cheese dip that is commonly enjoyed as a snack or appetizer, particularly in Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisines.

Queso Blanco

Translated to “white cheese,” this option is yet another crumbly cheese for Mexican food. It's softer than Cotija, making it a more subtle option for refried beans, salads, and enchiladas. Queso Blanco is unique in that it melts well without melting completely.

Is queso and Rotel the same thing? ›

In fact, to some Texans, queso is simply “Rotel dip.” But why? Eater's Kayla Stewart recently set out to learn how the canned blend of tomatoes, chiles, and spices, became such a vital part of any queso.

If you find it's getting too thick, whisk in a couple of tablespoons of whole milk to thin it. Serve it straight from the pan kept over low heat on your stove or transfer the queso to a slow cooker set on warm. Stir the queso frequently to prevent a skin from forming on the surface of the dip.

Chile con queso ( lit. 'chile with cheese'), sometimes simply called queso, is an appetizer or side dish of melted cheese and chili peppers, typically served in Tex-Mex restaurants as a dip for tortilla chips.

Cheese that is bland or tasteless may have not expelled enough whey during the cooking process, causing the flavor to be diluted. You can try cutting the curds into smaller pieces next time, or stirring them a bit more to help them release more whey.

The Origin of Queso

Queso blanco, or white cheese, was originally made from goat's milk. However, over time, the recipe has evolved to include cow's milk. In order to make authentic queso, use Manchego cheese. Mexican Manchego Cheese is a golden-yellow, semi-firm cheese with a slightly nutty flavor.

And while chile con queso is usually only lightly garnished with pico de gallo or maybe taco meat, queso fundido often comes capped with mushrooms, chorizo, or grilled peppers. Notably, it's traditionally served with tortillas instead of tortilla chips.

This delicious dish consists of beef, chiles, onions, garlic, and cheese melted together to create a savory dip. Whether served as an appetizer for your next party or enjoyed with tortilla chips on the side, beef chile con queso is sure to be a hit!

Queso Fresco and Queso Añejo

Since it is so naturally crumbly, queso fresco is often used sprinkled over beans or antojitos. Queso añejo “(old cheese”) is the aged version of this product. It is white and crumbly, just like its fresh version, and is most often used sprinkled over antojitos, beans, and salads.

Queso is a Spanish word that translates to “cheese” in English. However, when people refer to “queso” in the context of food, they are usually talking about a type of melted cheese dip that is commonly enjoyed as a snack or appetizer, particularly in Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisines.