Description
This Best Mexican White Cheese Dip is a creamy, flavorful queso blanco perfect for parties or casual snacking. Made with white American and Monterey Jack cheeses, it’s rich yet easy to prepare on the stovetop. The dip combines the smooth meltiness of cheeses with a subtle kick from jalapeño and warmth from cumin, ideal for serving with tortilla chips, nachos, or as a filling for burritos and quesadillas.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Dip Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small white onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 8 oz white American cheese, shredded or chopped
- 4 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup half-and-half or heavy cream (optional for extra creaminess)
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- Chopped cilantro or diced tomatoes for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the base: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and minced jalapeño, cooking for 3–4 minutes until softened to build the flavor foundation of the dip.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, ensuring it doesn’t brown.
- Make the roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the cooked vegetables and whisk continuously for about 1 minute to create a light roux that will thicken the dip.
- Incorporate milk: Gradually whisk in the whole milk, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened, about 2–3 minutes.
- Melt the cheeses: Reduce the heat to low. Slowly add the white American cheese and Monterey Jack cheese, stirring continuously until all the cheese melts into a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Optional creaminess: Stir in the half-and-half or heavy cream if you desire a richer, creamier dip texture.
- Season: Add the ground cumin and salt to taste, stirring well to distribute the flavors evenly throughout the dip.
- Serve and garnish: Keep the dip warm and serve immediately, garnished with chopped cilantro or diced tomatoes if desired. It’s perfect with tortilla chips or as a filling in Mexican dishes.
Notes
- Use white American cheese from the deli counter for best melting and smooth texture.
- This dip is ideal with tortilla chips, drizzled over nachos, or as a filling for burritos and quesadillas.
- To keep warm during gatherings, place the dip in a slow cooker set to low.
- For less spicy, omit or reduce the jalapeño amount.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
